React Query treats server state differently from client state. Automatic caching, background refetching, and stale-while-revalidate patterns provide excellent user experiences with minimal code.
Query Patterns
Use useQuery for data fetching with automatic caching. Configure stale time and cache time for your data. Enable refetch on window focus for fresh data. Handle loading and error states cleanly.
- Configure staleTime based on data freshness requirements
- Use queryKey arrays for cache invalidation control
- Enable background refetching for up-to-date data
- Implement optimistic updates for responsive mutations
- Prefetch data for anticipated navigation
Mutation Handling
Use useMutation for create, update, delete operations. Invalidate queries after mutations for fresh data. Implement optimistic updates for instant feedback. Handle errors with rollback and user notification.