Before creating custom hooks, evaluate whether existing solutions or simpler patterns can address the need. Custom hooks should provide clear value beyond what’s available through established libraries, built-in React patterns, or direct component logic.
Ask these questions when reviewing custom hook implementations:
For example, instead of creating a custom useClickOutside
hook, leverage existing solutions:
// Avoid: Custom implementation
export function useClickOutside<T extends HTMLElement = HTMLElement>(
ref: RefObject<T>,
callback: () => void
) {
// Custom click outside logic...
}
// Prefer: Existing library solution
import { useClickAway } from 'react-use';
// Use directly in component
useClickAway(ref, callback);
Custom hooks are valuable for encapsulating complex stateful logic, but avoid creating them when they merely wrap existing functionality without adding meaningful abstraction or reusability.
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