🔥 How to Sync External Data in React 18 Without Breaking Your UI?

#react #javascript #coding #programming

🚀 "Just use useSyncExternalStore"—they said... But why is my UI still breaking?!
If you've ever struggled with keeping state in sync with localStorage, global variables, or third-party sources, you're not alone. useSyncExternalStore, introduced in React 18, solves this problem elegantly.
🔹 Why Not Just Use useState?
✅ Prevents hydration errors in SSR
✅ Ensures consistent state updates (no outdated UI parts)
✅ Optimized for concurrent rendering in React 18+
📌 Example: Auto-Sync Username from localStorage

function getSnapshot() {
  return localStorage.getItem("userName") || "Anonymous";
}

function subscribeToStorage(callback) {
  function handleStorage(event) {
    if (event.key === "userName") callback();
  }
  window.addEventListener("storage", handleStorage);
  return () => window.removeEventListener("storage", handleStorage);
}

export function useUserNameFromStorage() {
  return React.useSyncExternalStore(subscribeToStorage, getSnapshot);
}

💡 Now your UI updates instantly when userName changes in another tab!
But that's just one example. Want to see how to use useSyncExternalStore for mouse tracking & SSR?
📖 Read the full breakdown → 🔗 https://javascript.plainenglish.io/a-simple-way-to-sync-external-data-with-usesyncexternalstore-in-react-18-e7cb2b10e1d0
💬 Have you tried useSyncExternalStore in production? Drop your thoughts below! 👇