react-mutable-refs

react-mutable-refs provides utilities for working with React refs — keeping refs in sync with the latest values, merging multiple refs, and wrapping components with ref-tracking and refresh capabilities.

Zero runtime dependencies. Requires React ≥ 17.

Install

yarn add react-mutable-refs

or

npm i react-mutable-refs

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Hooks

useMutableRef(value)

Creates a ref that always holds the latest value. Unlike React.useRef, it stays in sync as props or state change without causing re-renders.

import { useMutableRef } from 'react-mutable-refs'

function MyComponent({ onEvent }) {
  const onEventRef = useMutableRef(onEvent)

  React.useEffect(() => {
    const handler = () => onEventRef.current?.()
    window.addEventListener('resize', handler)
    return () => window.removeEventListener('resize', handler)
  }, []) // safe: onEventRef.current always points to the latest onEvent
}

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useMutableFunc(callback)

Wraps a callback in a stable function reference backed by a mutable ref. The returned function never changes identity, so it can be passed as a prop or used in an effect dependency array without causing re-renders when the callback itself changes.

import { useMutableFunc } from 'react-mutable-refs'

function MyComponent({ onChange }) {
  const stableOnChange = useMutableFunc(onChange)

  // stableOnChange is referentially stable; passing it to a child
  // does not trigger re-renders when onChange changes.
  return <ExpensiveChild onChange={stableOnChange} />
}

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Utilities

mergeRefs(refs)

Merges multiple refs (callback refs or object refs) into a single ref callback. Useful when you need to attach more than one ref to a single element.

import { mergeRefs } from 'react-mutable-refs'

const MyInput = React.forwardRef((props, ref) => {
  const localRef = React.useRef(null)
  return <input ref={mergeRefs([localRef, ref])} {...props} />
})

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assignRefs(refs, value)

Assigns a value to multiple refs at once. Thin wrapper over mergeRefs.

import { assignRefs } from 'react-mutable-refs'

assignRefs([refA, refB, callbackRef], domNode)

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Higher-Order Components

trackLastRef(Component)

Wraps a component so the most recently mounted instance is always accessible via WrappedComponent.lastRef.

import { trackLastRef } from 'react-mutable-refs'

const TrackedModal = trackLastRef(Modal)

// Anywhere in your app:
TrackedModal.lastRef.current?.focus()

// The ref is also forwarded normally:
<TrackedModal ref={myRef} />

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trackDefaultRef(Component)

Wraps a component so one instance can be designated as the "default" via the makeDefault prop. That instance is accessible via WrappedComponent.defaultRef.

import { trackDefaultRef } from 'react-mutable-refs'

const TrackedTooltip = trackDefaultRef(Tooltip)

// Mark one instance as the default:
<TrackedTooltip makeDefault />

// Access it from anywhere:
TrackedTooltip.defaultRef.current?.show('Hello')

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Refreshable

Wraps a child component and exposes a refresh() method on its ref. Calling refresh() remounts the child, useful for forcing a full reset of internal state.

import { Refreshable } from 'react-mutable-refs'

function Parent() {
  const ref = React.useRef(null)

  return (
    <>
      <button onClick={() => ref.current?.refresh()}>Reset</button>
      <Refreshable ref={ref}>
        <MyWidget />
      </Refreshable>
    </>
  )
}

Refreshable accepts exactly one child element.

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makeRefreshable(Component)

Convenience HOC that combines Refreshable with trackDefaultRef. The wrapped component gains:

• A forwarded ref with a refresh() method.
• A static defaultRef for the instance marked makeDefault.
• A static refresh() shortcut that calls refresh() on the default instance.

import { makeRefreshable } from 'react-mutable-refs'

const RefreshableChart = makeRefreshable(Chart)

// Render with makeDefault to register the default instance:
<RefreshableChart makeDefault data={data} />

// Refresh from anywhere without holding a ref:
RefreshableChart.refresh()

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License

Apache-2.0 © Prolincur Technologies