What causes React hooks to break?

Violating top-level rule—conditionals/loops shift cursor, mismatching hook slots across renders.

Why useEffect dependencies confuse everyone?

They snapshot per hook slot; stale closures from missed deps, but cursor ensures order.

Linked list per fiber in real React—array + cursor simulates perfectly for single components.

🌐 Frontend & Web

Every React dev uses hooks. Almost none grasp the cursor making it all tick. Build it yourself—rules become obvious.

theAIcatchup Apr 09, 2026 4 min read

Hooks rules stem from array + resetting cursor—order must match every render. 𝕏
Build from scratch: single state fails multiples; list fixes, enforces top-level. 𝕏
useEffect deps demystified—slot-based snapshots end the frustration. 𝕏

Published by

Ship faster. Build smarter.

#Frontend Development #React #React Hooks #frontend-internals #javascript #react-internals

Get the best Developer Tools stories of the week in your inbox — no noise, no spam.

Originally reported by dev.to