tanstack-start-best-practices

[tanstack-query](./skills/tanstack-query/)

Best practices for data fetching, caching, mutations, and server state management with TanStack Query (React Query).

32+ rules across 8 categories:

• Query Keys (CRITICAL) — Proper key structure and organization
• Caching (CRITICAL) — staleTime, gcTime, and invalidation patterns
• Mutations (HIGH) — Optimistic updates, error handling
• Error Handling (HIGH) — Error boundaries, retry logic
• Prefetching (MEDIUM) — Intent-based and route prefetching
• Infinite Queries (MEDIUM) — Pagination patterns
• SSR Integration (MEDIUM) — Hydration and dehydration
• Performance (LOW) — Select transforms, memoization

[tanstack-router](./skills/tanstack-router/)

Best practices for type-safe routing, data loading, search params, and navigation with TanStack Router.

30+ rules across 8 categories:

• Type Safety (CRITICAL) — Router registration, type narrowing
• Route Organization (CRITICAL) — File-based routing, route trees
• Data Loading (HIGH) — Loaders, Query integration
• Search Params (HIGH) — Validation, type inheritance
• Navigation (MEDIUM) — Link component, active states
• Code Splitting (MEDIUM) — Lazy routes, critical path
• Preloading (MEDIUM) — Intent-based preloading
• Route Context (LOW) — Dependency injection

[tanstack-start](./skills/tanstack-start/)

Best practices for full-stack React applications with TanStack Start, including server functions, middleware, SSR, and authentication.

29+ rules across 8 categories:

• Server Functions (CRITICAL) — createServerFn patterns
• Security (CRITICAL) — Input validation, CSRF protection
• Middleware (HIGH) — Request/function middleware
• Authentication (HIGH) — Sessions, route protection
• SSR (MEDIUM) — Hydration safety, streaming
• Error Handling (MEDIUM) — Server errors, redirects
• File Organization (LOW) — Code separation patterns
• Deployment (LOW) — Environment config

[tanstack-integration](./skills/tanstack-integration/)

Best practices for integrating TanStack Query with TanStack Router and TanStack Start together.

13 rules across 4 categories:

• Setup (CRITICAL) — QueryClient context, provider wrapping
• Data Flow (HIGH) — Loader + Query patterns
• Caching (MEDIUM) — Single source of truth
• SSR (LOW) — Dehydration/hydration

```bash

npx add-skill tanstack-agent-skills

```

Or manually add to your project's .cursor/ or Claude Code configuration.

Skills activate automatically when AI agents detect relevant contexts:

• Building data-driven React applications
• Setting up routing for React apps
• Creating full-stack applications with SSR
• Implementing authentication flows
• Optimizing data fetching patterns

Each skill follows the [Agent Skills](https://agentskills.io/) standard:

```

skills/

├── tanstack-query/

│ ├── SKILL.md # Main skill instructions

│ └── rules/ # Individual rule files

│ ├── qk-array-structure.md

│ ├── cache-stale-time.md

│ └── ...

├── tanstack-router/

│ ├── SKILL.md

│ └── rules/

├── tanstack-start/

│ ├── SKILL.md

│ └── rules/

└── tanstack-integration/

├── SKILL.md

└── rules/

```

Each rule file contains:

1. Priority — CRITICAL, HIGH, MEDIUM, or LOW
2. Explanation — Why this pattern matters
3. Bad Example — Anti-pattern to avoid with explanation
4. Good Example — Recommended implementation
5. Context — When to apply or skip the rule

Contributions welcome! Please ensure:

• Rules are practical and battle-tested
• Examples are clear and runnable
• Priority levels are appropriate
• Context helps agents decide applicability

• [TanStack Query Docs](https:/