---
title: Use useTransition Over Manual Loading States
impact: LOW
impactDescription: reduces re-renders and improves code clarity
tags: rendering, transitions, useTransition, loading, state
---

## Use useTransition Over Manual Loading States

Use `useTransition` instead of manual `useState` for loading states. This provides built-in `isPending` state and automatically manages transitions.

**Incorrect (manual loading state):**

```tsx
function SearchResults() {
  const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
  const [results, setResults] = useState([]);
  const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false);

  const handleSearch = async (value: string) => {
    setIsLoading(true);
    setQuery(value);
    const data = await fetchResults(value);
    setResults(data);
    setIsLoading(false);
  };

  return (
    <>
      <input onChange={(e) => handleSearch(e.target.value)} />
      {isLoading && <Spinner />}
      <ResultsList results={results} />
    </>
  );
}
```

**Correct (useTransition with built-in pending state):**

```tsx
import { useTransition, useState } from 'react';

function SearchResults() {
  const [query, setQuery] = useState('');
  const [results, setResults] = useState([]);
  const [isPending, startTransition] = useTransition();

  const handleSearch = (value: string) => {
    setQuery(value); // Update input immediately

    startTransition(async () => {
      // Fetch and update results
      const data = await fetchResults(value);
      setResults(data);
    });
  };

  return (
    <>
      <input onChange={(e) => handleSearch(e.target.value)} />
      {isPending && <Spinner />}
      <ResultsList results={results} />
    </>
  );
}
```

**Benefits:**

- **Automatic pending state**: No need to manually manage `setIsLoading(true/false)`
- **Error resilience**: Pending state correctly resets even if the transition throws
- **Better responsiveness**: Keeps the UI responsive during updates
- **Interrupt handling**: New transitions automatically cancel pending ones

Reference: [useTransition](https://react.dev/reference/react/useTransition)
