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nextjs-state-management

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Apply best practices for managing URL, server, and client state in Next.js applications. Use when choosing between URL params, SWR/TanStack Query, Zustand, or Context for state, or when fixing hydration mismatches from localStorage.

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State Management

Priority: P2 (MEDIUM)

Decision Guide

  1. Shareable/persistent? Use URL state (useSearchParams + useRouter).
  2. Server data? Use SWR or TanStack Query. Never sync into useState.
  3. Complex client UI? Use Zustand (in 'use client' only) or Jotai.
  4. Simple local? Use useState. Colocate as close to consumer as possible.

URL-Driven State

See implementation examples

Server State (SWR / TanStack Query)

See implementation examples

Client State (Zustand)

See implementation examples

Hydration Safety

Wrap localStorage reads in useEffect or mounted flag to avoid hydration mismatches. Manage optimistic updates with useOptimistic in Next.js 15+.

Legacy Redux (existing projects)

If project already uses redux@4 + createStore + redux-thunk + next-redux-wrapper:

  • Use useSelector / useDispatch hooks — never connect HOC.
  • Define typed RootState and typed AppDispatch for all selectors and dispatch calls.
  • Avoid adding Zustand or TanStack Query on top of existing Redux codebase — migrate incrementally if needed.
  • Migration path: Redux Toolkit (@reduxjs/toolkit) → RTK Query → then consider TanStack Query.

See references/redux.md for typed selector and thunk patterns.

Library Patterns

Anti-Patterns

  • No global store for simple state: Use useState or URL params; avoid Zustand for basic UI.
  • No large objects in state: Decompose into granular primitives to prevent extra re-renders.
  • No useEffect for data fetching: Use SWR or TanStack Query for server state.
  • No server state in client stores: Fetch in RSCs; client stores for UI-only state.