TanStack

Read the reference matched by the API or behavior being changed. Load adjacent references only for concerns the change crosses; reuse relevant context already read.

Branches

When you are…	Reference
Defining or changing query keys / factories	references/query-keys.md
Setting staleTime, gcTime, invalidation, placeholder/initial data	references/query-caching.md
Writing mutations, optimistic updates, or mutation state	references/query-mutations.md
Prefetching, parallel queries, infinite queries, or cancellation	references/query-fetch-patterns.md
SSR dehydrate/hydrate, offline networkMode, or query persistence	references/query-ssr-offline.md
Query error boundaries or select/performance	references/query-errors-performance.md
Registering the router, from typing, virtual routes, or router defaults	references/router-type-and-org.md
Route loaders, ensureQueryData, or parallel route loading	references/router-data-loading.md
Search params, Link/navigate, route masks, or preload	references/router-search-nav.md
Lazy routes, not-found, route context, or auth beforeLoad	references/router-split-errors-context.md
TanStack Form hooks, Zod validators, or field components	references/form.md

Apply the technical rules relevant to the changed behavior.

Tripwires

Query — array keys that include every dependency; reconcile mutations through canonical keys: update from authoritative responses or invalidate when the owning read model requires a server reread; optimistic cache writes need rollback; never put non-serializable values in keys.

Router — register the router type; validate search with defaults (.catch()); use ensureQueryData in loaders when pairing with Query; throw redirect(...) not return.

Form — complete defaultValues for inference; Zod at form/field level; debounce async validators to fit endpoint cost and interaction needs; role="alert" on field errors; preventDefault on submit.