---
status: "published"
title: "Client-Side Data Fetching with React Query"
label: "React Query"
description: "Use React Query (TanStack Query) for client-side data fetching in MakerKit. Covers queries, mutations, caching, optimistic updates, and combining with Server Components."
order: 5
---

React Query (TanStack Query v5) manages client-side data fetching with automatic caching, background refetching, and optimistic updates. MakerKit includes it pre-configured. Use React Query when you need real-time dashboards, infinite scroll, optimistic UI updates, or data shared across multiple components. For initial page loads, prefer Server Components. Tested with TanStack Query v5 (uses `gcTime` instead of `cacheTime`).

### When to use React Query and Server Components?

**Use React Query** for real-time updates, optimistic mutations, pagination, and shared client-side state. 

**Use Server Components** for initial page loads and SEO content. Combine both: load data server-side, then hydrate React Query for client interactivity.

## When to Use React Query

**Use React Query for:**
- Real-time dashboards that need background refresh
- Infinite scroll and pagination
- Data that multiple components share
- Optimistic updates for instant feedback
- Client-side filtering and sorting with server data

**Use Server Components instead for:**
- Initial page loads
- SEO-critical content
- Data that doesn't need real-time updates

## Basic Query

Fetch data with `useQuery`. The query automatically caches results and handles loading/error states:

```tsx
'use client';

import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import { useSupabase } from '@kit/supabase/hooks/use-supabase';

export function TasksList({ accountId }: { accountId: string }) {
  const supabase = useSupabase();

  const { data: tasks, isLoading, error } = useQuery({
    queryKey: ['tasks', accountId],
    queryFn: async () => {
      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('tasks')
        .select('*')
        .eq('account_id', accountId)
        .order('created_at', { ascending: false });

      if (error) throw error;
      return data;
    },
  });

  if (isLoading) {
    return <div>Loading tasks...</div>;
  }

  if (error) {
    return <div>Failed to load tasks</div>;
  }

  return (
    <ul>
      {tasks?.map((task) => (
        <li key={task.id}>{task.title}</li>
      ))}
    </ul>
  );
}
```

## Query Keys

Query keys identify cached data. Structure them hierarchically for easy invalidation:

```tsx
// Specific task
queryKey: ['tasks', taskId]

// All tasks for an account
queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId }]

// All tasks for an account with filters
queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId, status: 'pending', page: 1 }]

// Invalidate all task queries
queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['tasks'] });

// Invalidate tasks for specific account
queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId }] });
```

### Query Key Factory

For larger apps, create a query key factory:

```tsx
// lib/query-keys.ts
export const queryKeys = {
  tasks: {
    all: ['tasks'] as const,
    list: (accountId: string) => ['tasks', { accountId }] as const,
    detail: (taskId: string) => ['tasks', taskId] as const,
    filtered: (accountId: string, filters: TaskFilters) =>
      ['tasks', { accountId, ...filters }] as const,
  },
  members: {
    all: ['members'] as const,
    list: (accountId: string) => ['members', { accountId }] as const,
  },
};

// Usage
const { data } = useQuery({
  queryKey: queryKeys.tasks.list(accountId),
  queryFn: () => fetchTasks(accountId),
});

// Invalidate all tasks
queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: queryKeys.tasks.all });
```

## Mutations

Use `useMutation` for create, update, and delete operations:

```tsx
'use client';

import { useMutation, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import { useSupabase } from '@kit/supabase/hooks/use-supabase';

export function CreateTaskForm({ accountId }: { accountId: string }) {
  const supabase = useSupabase();
  const queryClient = useQueryClient();

  const mutation = useMutation({
    mutationFn: async (newTask: { title: string }) => {
      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('tasks')
        .insert({
          title: newTask.title,
          account_id: accountId,
        })
        .select()
        .single();

      if (error) throw error;
      return data;
    },
    onSuccess: () => {
      // Invalidate and refetch tasks list
      queryClient.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId }] });
    },
  });

  const handleSubmit = (e: React.FormEvent<HTMLFormElement>) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    const formData = new FormData(e.currentTarget);
    mutation.mutate({ title: formData.get('title') as string });
  };

  return (
    <form onSubmit={handleSubmit}>
      <input name="title" placeholder="Task title" required />
      <button type="submit" disabled={mutation.isPending}>
        {mutation.isPending ? 'Creating...' : 'Create Task'}
      </button>
      {mutation.error && (
        <p className="text-destructive">Failed to create task</p>
      )}
    </form>
  );
}
```

## Optimistic Updates

Update the UI immediately before the server responds for a snappier feel:

```tsx
'use client';

import { useMutation, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import { useSupabase } from '@kit/supabase/hooks/use-supabase';

export function useUpdateTask(accountId: string) {
  const supabase = useSupabase();
  const queryClient = useQueryClient();

  return useMutation({
    mutationFn: async (task: { id: string; completed: boolean }) => {
      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('tasks')
        .update({ completed: task.completed })
        .eq('id', task.id)
        .select()
        .single();

      if (error) throw error;
      return data;
    },

    // Optimistically update the cache
    onMutate: async (updatedTask) => {
      // Cancel outgoing refetches
      await queryClient.cancelQueries({
        queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId }],
      });

      // Snapshot previous value
      const previousTasks = queryClient.getQueryData<Task[]>([
        'tasks',
        { accountId },
      ]);

      // Optimistically update
      queryClient.setQueryData<Task[]>(
        ['tasks', { accountId }],
        (old) =>
          old?.map((task) =>
            task.id === updatedTask.id
              ? { ...task, completed: updatedTask.completed }
              : task
          )
      );

      // Return context with snapshot
      return { previousTasks };
    },

    // Rollback on error
    onError: (err, updatedTask, context) => {
      queryClient.setQueryData(
        ['tasks', { accountId }],
        context?.previousTasks
      );
    },

    // Always refetch after error or success
    onSettled: () => {
      queryClient.invalidateQueries({
        queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId }],
      });
    },
  });
}
```

Usage:

```tsx
function TaskItem({ task, accountId }: { task: Task; accountId: string }) {
  const updateTask = useUpdateTask(accountId);

  return (
    <label className="flex items-center gap-2">
      <input
        type="checkbox"
        checked={task.completed}
        onChange={(e) =>
          updateTask.mutate({ id: task.id, completed: e.target.checked })
        }
      />
      <span className={task.completed ? 'line-through' : ''}>
        {task.title}
      </span>
    </label>
  );
}
```

## Combining with Server Components

Load initial data in Server Components, then hydrate React Query for client-side updates:

```tsx
// app/tasks/page.tsx (Server Component)
import { getSupabaseServerClient } from '@kit/supabase/server-client';
import { TasksManager } from './tasks-manager';

export default async function TasksPage({
  params,
}: {
  params: Promise<{ account: string }>;
}) {
  const { account } = await params;
  const supabase = getSupabaseServerClient();

  const { data: tasks } = await supabase
    .from('tasks')
    .select('*')
    .eq('account_slug', account)
    .order('created_at', { ascending: false });

  return (
    <TasksManager
      accountSlug={account}
      initialTasks={tasks ?? []}
    />
  );
}
```

```tsx
// tasks-manager.tsx (Client Component)
'use client';

import { useQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import { useSupabase } from '@kit/supabase/hooks/use-supabase';

interface Props {
  accountSlug: string;
  initialTasks: Task[];
}

export function TasksManager({ accountSlug, initialTasks }: Props) {
  const supabase = useSupabase();

  const { data: tasks } = useQuery({
    queryKey: ['tasks', { accountSlug }],
    queryFn: async () => {
      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('tasks')
        .select('*')
        .eq('account_slug', accountSlug)
        .order('created_at', { ascending: false });

      if (error) throw error;
      return data;
    },
    // Use server data as initial value
    initialData: initialTasks,
    // Consider fresh for 30 seconds (skip immediate refetch)
    staleTime: 30_000,
  });

  return (
    <div>
      {/* tasks is initialTasks on first render, then live data */}
      {tasks.map((task) => (
        <TaskItem key={task.id} task={task} />
      ))}
    </div>
  );
}
```

## Caching Configuration

Control how long data stays fresh and when to refetch:

```tsx
const { data } = useQuery({
  queryKey: ['tasks', accountId],
  queryFn: fetchTasks,

  // Data considered fresh for 5 minutes
  staleTime: 5 * 60 * 1000,

  // Keep unused data in cache for 30 minutes
  gcTime: 30 * 60 * 1000,

  // Refetch when window regains focus
  refetchOnWindowFocus: true,

  // Refetch every 60 seconds
  refetchInterval: 60_000,

  // Only refetch interval when tab is visible
  refetchIntervalInBackground: false,
});
```

### Global Defaults

Set defaults for all queries in your QueryClient:

```tsx
// lib/query-client.ts
import { QueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';

export const queryClient = new QueryClient({
  defaultOptions: {
    queries: {
      staleTime: 60_000, // 1 minute
      gcTime: 5 * 60 * 1000, // 5 minutes
      refetchOnWindowFocus: true,
      retry: 1,
    },
    mutations: {
      retry: 0,
    },
  },
});
```

## Pagination

Implement paginated queries:

```tsx
'use client';

import { useQuery, keepPreviousData } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import { useState } from 'react';
import { useSupabase } from '@kit/supabase/hooks/use-supabase';

const PAGE_SIZE = 10;

export function PaginatedTasks({ accountId }: { accountId: string }) {
  const [page, setPage] = useState(0);
  const supabase = useSupabase();

  const { data, isLoading, isPlaceholderData } = useQuery({
    queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId, page }],
    queryFn: async () => {
      const from = page * PAGE_SIZE;
      const to = from + PAGE_SIZE - 1;

      const { data, error, count } = await supabase
        .from('tasks')
        .select('*', { count: 'exact' })
        .eq('account_id', accountId)
        .order('created_at', { ascending: false })
        .range(from, to);

      if (error) throw error;
      return { tasks: data, total: count ?? 0 };
    },
    // Keep previous data while fetching next page
    placeholderData: keepPreviousData,
  });

  const totalPages = Math.ceil((data?.total ?? 0) / PAGE_SIZE);

  return (
    <div>
      <ul className={isPlaceholderData ? 'opacity-50' : ''}>
        {data?.tasks.map((task) => (
          <li key={task.id}>{task.title}</li>
        ))}
      </ul>

      <div className="flex gap-2 mt-4">
        <button
          onClick={() => setPage((p) => Math.max(0, p - 1))}
          disabled={page === 0}
        >
          Previous
        </button>
        <span>
          Page {page + 1} of {totalPages}
        </span>
        <button
          onClick={() => setPage((p) => p + 1)}
          disabled={page >= totalPages - 1}
        >
          Next
        </button>
      </div>
    </div>
  );
}
```

## Infinite Scroll

For infinite scrolling lists:

```tsx
'use client';

import { useInfiniteQuery } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import { useSupabase } from '@kit/supabase/hooks/use-supabase';

const PAGE_SIZE = 20;

export function InfiniteTasksList({ accountId }: { accountId: string }) {
  const supabase = useSupabase();

  const {
    data,
    fetchNextPage,
    hasNextPage,
    isFetchingNextPage,
  } = useInfiniteQuery({
    queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId, infinite: true }],
    queryFn: async ({ pageParam }) => {
      const from = pageParam * PAGE_SIZE;
      const to = from + PAGE_SIZE - 1;

      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('tasks')
        .select('*')
        .eq('account_id', accountId)
        .order('created_at', { ascending: false })
        .range(from, to);

      if (error) throw error;
      return data;
    },
    initialPageParam: 0,
    getNextPageParam: (lastPage, allPages) => {
      // Return undefined when no more pages
      return lastPage.length === PAGE_SIZE ? allPages.length : undefined;
    },
  });

  const tasks = data?.pages.flatMap((page) => page) ?? [];

  return (
    <div>
      <ul>
        {tasks.map((task) => (
          <li key={task.id}>{task.title}</li>
        ))}
      </ul>

      {hasNextPage && (
        <button
          onClick={() => fetchNextPage()}
          disabled={isFetchingNextPage}
        >
          {isFetchingNextPage ? 'Loading...' : 'Load More'}
        </button>
      )}
    </div>
  );
}
```

## Real-Time with Supabase Subscriptions

Combine React Query with Supabase real-time for live updates:

```tsx
'use client';

import { useEffect } from 'react';
import { useQuery, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import { useSupabase } from '@kit/supabase/hooks/use-supabase';

export function LiveTasks({ accountId }: { accountId: string }) {
  const supabase = useSupabase();
  const queryClient = useQueryClient();

  const { data: tasks } = useQuery({
    queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId }],
    queryFn: async () => {
      const { data, error } = await supabase
        .from('tasks')
        .select('*')
        .eq('account_id', accountId);

      if (error) throw error;
      return data;
    },
  });

  // Subscribe to real-time changes
  useEffect(() => {
    const channel = supabase
      .channel('tasks-changes')
      .on(
        'postgres_changes',
        {
          event: '*',
          schema: 'public',
          table: 'tasks',
          filter: `account_id=eq.${accountId}`,
        },
        () => {
          // Invalidate and refetch on any change
          queryClient.invalidateQueries({
            queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId }],
          });
        }
      )
      .subscribe();

    return () => {
      supabase.removeChannel(channel);
    };
  }, [supabase, queryClient, accountId]);

  return (
    <ul>
      {tasks?.map((task) => (
        <li key={task.id}>{task.title}</li>
      ))}
    </ul>
  );
}
```

## Using Server Actions with React Query

Combine Server Actions with React Query mutations:

```tsx
'use client';

import { useMutation, useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
import { createTask } from './actions'; // Server Action

export function useCreateTask(accountId: string) {
  const queryClient = useQueryClient();

  return useMutation({
    mutationFn: createTask, // Server Action as mutation function
    onSuccess: () => {
      queryClient.invalidateQueries({
        queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId }],
      });
    },
  });
}

// Usage
function CreateTaskForm({ accountId }: { accountId: string }) {
  const createTask = useCreateTask(accountId);

  return (
    <form
      onSubmit={(e) => {
        e.preventDefault();
        const formData = new FormData(e.currentTarget);
        createTask.mutate({
          title: formData.get('title') as string,
          accountId,
        });
      }}
    >
      <input name="title" required />
      <button disabled={createTask.isPending}>
        {createTask.isPending ? 'Creating...' : 'Create'}
      </button>
    </form>
  );
}
```

## Common Mistakes

### Forgetting 'use client'

```tsx
// WRONG: React Query hooks require client components
export function Tasks() {
  const { data } = useQuery({ ... }); // Error: hooks can't run on server
}

// RIGHT: Mark as client component
'use client';
export function Tasks() {
  const { data } = useQuery({ ... });
}
```

### Unstable Query Keys

```tsx
// WRONG: New object reference on every render causes infinite refetches
const { data } = useQuery({
  queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId, filters: { status: 'pending' } }],
  queryFn: fetchTasks,
});

// RIGHT: Use stable references
const filters = useMemo(() => ({ status: 'pending' }), []);
const { data } = useQuery({
  queryKey: ['tasks', { accountId, ...filters }],
  queryFn: fetchTasks,
});

// OR: Spread primitive values directly
const { data } = useQuery({
  queryKey: ['tasks', accountId, 'pending'],
  queryFn: fetchTasks,
});
```

### Not Handling Loading States

```tsx
// WRONG: Assuming data exists
function Tasks() {
  const { data } = useQuery({ ... });
  return <ul>{data.map(...)}</ul>; // data might be undefined
}

// RIGHT: Handle all states
function Tasks() {
  const { data, isLoading, error } = useQuery({ ... });

  if (isLoading) return <Skeleton />;
  if (error) return <Error />;
  if (!data?.length) return <Empty />;

  return <ul>{data.map(...)}</ul>;
}
```

## Next Steps

- [Server Components](server-components) - Initial data loading
- [Server Actions](server-actions) - Mutations with Server Actions
- [Supabase Clients](supabase-clients) - Browser vs server clients