useImperativeHandle
React chapter 95 · Advanced React · ch.9 · source: Nadia Makarevich, Advanced React, Chapter 9 (refs / imperative API)
The problem
The parent needs to focus an inner input or scroll a child. It reaches through a wrapper with querySelector, or lifts every bit of state (chapter 44’s trap). A raw ref on a function component is null.
The pattern that fixes it
forwardRef + useImperativeHandle exposes a small command surface: focus(), reset(). The child keeps the DOM node. The parent calls verbs, not internals. Same idea as MUI X apiRef (44).
Keep learning
- Previous: Split context providers
- Next: Debounce with refs
- Related: Moving state down
- Related: Children as props
- Related: Render props
- Related: Nested component types
- Related: key as state reset
- Related: Split context providers
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