# React Composition Patterns

**Version 1.0.0**  
Engineering  
January 2026

> **Note:**  
> This document is mainly for agents and LLMs to follow when maintaining,  
> generating, or refactoring React codebases using composition. Humans  
> may also find it useful, but guidance here is optimized for automation  
> and consistency by AI-assisted workflows.

---

## Abstract

Composition patterns for building flexible, maintainable React components. Avoid boolean prop proliferation by using compound components, lifting state, and composing internals. These patterns make codebases easier for both humans and AI agents to work with as they scale.

---

## Table of Contents

1. [Component Architecture](#1-component-architecture) — **HIGH**
   - 1.1 [Avoid Boolean Prop Proliferation](#11-avoid-boolean-prop-proliferation)
   - 1.2 [Use Compound Components](#12-use-compound-components)
2. [State Management](#2-state-management) — **MEDIUM**
   - 2.1 [Decouple State Management from UI](#21-decouple-state-management-from-ui)
   - 2.2 [Define Generic Context Interfaces for Dependency Injection](#22-define-generic-context-interfaces-for-dependency-injection)
   - 2.3 [Lift State into Provider Components](#23-lift-state-into-provider-components)
3. [Implementation Patterns](#3-implementation-patterns) — **MEDIUM**
   - 3.1 [Create Explicit Component Variants](#31-create-explicit-component-variants)
   - 3.2 [Prefer Composing Children Over Render Props](#32-prefer-composing-children-over-render-props)

---

## 1. Component Architecture

**Impact: HIGH**

Fundamental patterns for structuring components to avoid prop
proliferation and enable flexible composition.

### 1.1 Avoid Boolean Prop Proliferation

**Impact: CRITICAL (prevents unmaintainable component variants)**

Don't add boolean props like `isThread`, `isEditing`, `isDMThread` to customize

component behavior. Each boolean doubles possible states and creates

unmaintainable conditional logic. Use composition instead.

**Incorrect: boolean props create exponential complexity**

```tsx
function Composer({
  onSubmit,
  isThread,
  channelId,
  isDMThread,
  dmId,
  isEditing,
  isForwarding,
}: Props) {
  return (
    <form>
      <Header />
      <Input />
      {isDMThread ? (
        <AlsoSendToDMField id={dmId} />
      ) : isThread ? (
        <AlsoSendToChannelField id={channelId} />
      ) : null}
      {isEditing ? (
        <EditActions />
      ) : isForwarding ? (
        <ForwardActions />
      ) : (
        <DefaultActions />
      )}
      <Footer onSubmit={onSubmit} />
    </form>
  )
}
```

**Correct: composition eliminates conditionals**

```tsx
// Channel composer
function ChannelComposer() {
  return (
    <Composer.Frame>
      <Composer.Header />
      <Composer.Input />
      <Composer.Footer>
        <Composer.Attachments />
        <Composer.Formatting />
        <Composer.Emojis />
        <Composer.Submit />
      </Composer.Footer>
    </Composer.Frame>
  )
}

// Thread composer - adds "also send to channel" field
function ThreadComposer({ channelId }: { channelId: string }) {
  return (
    <Composer.Frame>
      <Composer.Header />
      <Composer.Input />
      <AlsoSendToChannelField id={channelId} />
      <Composer.Footer>
        <Composer.Formatting />
        <Composer.Emojis />
        <Composer.Submit />
      </Composer.Footer>
    </Composer.Frame>
  )
}

// Edit composer - different footer actions
function EditComposer() {
  return (
    <Composer.Frame>
      <Composer.Input />
      <Composer.Footer>
        <Composer.Formatting />
        <Composer.Emojis />
        <Composer.CancelEdit />
        <Composer.SaveEdit />
      </Composer.Footer>
    </Composer.Frame>
  )
}
```

Each variant is explicit about what it renders. We can share internals without

sharing a single monolithic parent.

### 1.2 Use Compound Components

**Impact: HIGH (enables flexible composition without prop drilling)**

Structure complex components as compound components with a shared context. Each

subcomponent accesses shared state via context, not props. Consumers compose the

pieces they need.

**Incorrect: monolithic component with render props**

```tsx
function Composer({
  renderHeader,
  renderFooter,
  renderActions,
  showAttachments,
  showFormatting,
  showEmojis,
}: Props) {
  return (
    <form>
      {renderHeader?.()}
      <Input />
      {showAttachments && <Attachments />}
      {renderFooter ? (
        renderFooter()
      ) : (
        <Footer>
          {showFormatting && <Formatting />}
          {showEmojis && <Emojis />}
          {renderActions?.()}
        </Footer>
      )}
    </form>
  )
}
```

**Correct: compound components with shared context**

```tsx
const ComposerContext = createContext<ComposerContextValue | null>(null)

function ComposerProvider({ children, state, actions, meta }: ProviderProps) {
  return (
    <ComposerContext value={{ state, actions, meta }}>
      {children}
    </ComposerContext>
  )
}

function ComposerFrame({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  return <form>{children}</form>
}

function ComposerInput() {
  const {
    state,
    actions: { update },
    meta: { inputRef },
  } = use(ComposerContext)
  return (
    <TextInput
      ref={inputRef}
      value={state.input}
      onChangeText={(text) => update((s) => ({ ...s, input: text }))}
    />
  )
}

function ComposerSubmit() {
  const {
    actions: { submit },
  } = use(ComposerContext)
  return <Button onPress={submit}>Send</Button>
}

// Export as compound component
const Composer = {
  Provider: ComposerProvider,
  Frame: ComposerFrame,
  Input: ComposerInput,
  Submit: ComposerSubmit,
  Header: ComposerHeader,
  Footer: ComposerFooter,
  Attachments: ComposerAttachments,
  Formatting: ComposerFormatting,
  Emojis: ComposerEmojis,
}
```

**Usage:**

```tsx
<Composer.Provider state={state} actions={actions} meta={meta}>
  <Composer.Frame>
    <Composer.Header />
    <Composer.Input />
    <Composer.Footer>
      <Composer.Formatting />
      <Composer.Submit />
    </Composer.Footer>
  </Composer.Frame>
</Composer.Provider>
```

Consumers explicitly compose exactly what they need. No hidden conditionals. And

the state, actions and meta are dependency-injected by a parent provider,

allowing multiple usages of the same component structure.

---

## 2. State Management

**Impact: MEDIUM**

Patterns for lifting state and managing shared context across
composed components.

### 2.1 Decouple State Management from UI

**Impact: MEDIUM (enables swapping state implementations without changing UI)**

The provider component should be the only place that knows how state is managed.

UI components consume the context interface—they don't know if state comes from

useState, Zustand, or a server sync.

**Incorrect: UI coupled to state implementation**

```tsx
function ChannelComposer({ channelId }: { channelId: string }) {
  // UI component knows about global state implementation
  const state = useGlobalChannelState(channelId)
  const { submit, updateInput } = useChannelSync(channelId)

  return (
    <Composer.Frame>
      <Composer.Input
        value={state.input}
        onChange={(text) => sync.updateInput(text)}
      />
      <Composer.Submit onPress={() => sync.submit()} />
    </Composer.Frame>
  )
}
```

**Correct: state management isolated in provider**

```tsx
// Provider handles all state management details
function ChannelProvider({
  channelId,
  children,
}: {
  channelId: string
  children: React.ReactNode
}) {
  const { state, update, submit } = useGlobalChannel(channelId)
  const inputRef = useRef(null)

  return (
    <Composer.Provider
      state={state}
      actions={{ update, submit }}
      meta={{ inputRef }}
    >
      {children}
    </Composer.Provider>
  )
}

// UI component only knows about the context interface
function ChannelComposer() {
  return (
    <Composer.Frame>
      <Composer.Header />
      <Composer.Input />
      <Composer.Footer>
        <Composer.Submit />
      </Composer.Footer>
    </Composer.Frame>
  )
}

// Usage
function Channel({ channelId }: { channelId: string }) {
  return (
    <ChannelProvider channelId={channelId}>
      <ChannelComposer />
    </ChannelProvider>
  )
}
```

**Different providers, same UI:**

```tsx
// Local state for ephemeral forms
function ForwardMessageProvider({ children }) {
  const [state, setState] = useState(initialState)
  const forwardMessage = useForwardMessage()

  return (
    <Composer.Provider
      state={state}
      actions={{ update: setState, submit: forwardMessage }}
    >
      {children}
    </Composer.Provider>
  )
}

// Global synced state for channels
function ChannelProvider({ channelId, children }) {
  const { state, update, submit } = useGlobalChannel(channelId)

  return (
    <Composer.Provider state={state} actions={{ update, submit }}>
      {children}
    </Composer.Provider>
  )
}
```

The same `Composer.Input` component works with both providers because it only

depends on the context interface, not the implementation.

### 2.2 Define Generic Context Interfaces for Dependency Injection

**Impact: HIGH (enables dependency-injectable state across use-cases)**

Define a **generic interface** for your component context with three parts:

`state`, `actions`, and `meta`. This interface is a contract that any provider

can implement—enabling the same UI components to work with completely different

state implementations.

**Core principle:** Lift state, compose internals, make state

dependency-injectable.

**Incorrect: UI coupled to specific state implementation**

```tsx
function ComposerInput() {
  // Tightly coupled to a specific hook
  const { input, setInput } = useChannelComposerState()
  return <TextInput value={input} onChangeText={setInput} />
}
```

**Correct: generic interface enables dependency injection**

```tsx
// Define a GENERIC interface that any provider can implement
interface ComposerState {
  input: string
  attachments: Attachment[]
  isSubmitting: boolean
}

interface ComposerActions {
  update: (updater: (state: ComposerState) => ComposerState) => void
  submit: () => void
}

interface ComposerMeta {
  inputRef: React.RefObject<TextInput>
}

interface ComposerContextValue {
  state: ComposerState
  actions: ComposerActions
  meta: ComposerMeta
}

const ComposerContext = createContext<ComposerContextValue | null>(null)
```

**UI components consume the interface, not the implementation:**

```tsx
function ComposerInput() {
  const {
    state,
    actions: { update },
    meta,
  } = use(ComposerContext)

  // This component works with ANY provider that implements the interface
  return (
    <TextInput
      ref={meta.inputRef}
      value={state.input}
      onChangeText={(text) => update((s) => ({ ...s, input: text }))}
    />
  )
}
```

**Different providers implement the same interface:**

```tsx
// Provider A: Local state for ephemeral forms
function ForwardMessageProvider({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  const [state, setState] = useState(initialState)
  const inputRef = useRef(null)

  return (
    <ComposerContext
      value={{
        state,
        actions: { update: setState, submit: useForwardMessage() },
        meta: { inputRef },
      }}
    >
      {children}
    </ComposerContext>
  )
}

// Provider B: Global synced state for channels
function ChannelProvider({ channelId, children }: Props) {
  const { state, update, submit } = useGlobalChannel(channelId)
  const inputRef = useRef(null)

  return (
    <ComposerContext
      value={{
        state,
        actions: { update, submit },
        meta: { inputRef },
      }}
    >
      {children}
    </ComposerContext>
  )
}
```

**The same composed UI works with both:**

```tsx
// Works with ForwardMessageProvider (local state)
<ForwardMessageProvider>
  <Composer.Frame>
    <Composer.Input />
    <Composer.Submit />
  </Composer.Frame>
</ForwardMessageProvider>

// Works with ChannelProvider (global synced state)
<ChannelProvider channelId="abc">
  <Composer.Frame>
    <Composer.Input />
    <Composer.Submit />
  </Composer.Frame>
</ChannelProvider>
```

**Custom UI outside the component can access state and actions:**

```tsx
function ForwardMessageDialog() {
  return (
    <ForwardMessageProvider>
      <Dialog>
        {/* The composer UI */}
        <Composer.Frame>
          <Composer.Input placeholder="Add a message, if you'd like." />
          <Composer.Footer>
            <Composer.Formatting />
            <Composer.Emojis />
          </Composer.Footer>
        </Composer.Frame>

        {/* Custom UI OUTSIDE the composer, but INSIDE the provider */}
        <MessagePreview />

        {/* Actions at the bottom of the dialog */}
        <DialogActions>
          <CancelButton />
          <ForwardButton />
        </DialogActions>
      </Dialog>
    </ForwardMessageProvider>
  )
}

// This button lives OUTSIDE Composer.Frame but can still submit!
function ForwardButton() {
  const {
    actions: { submit },
  } = use(ComposerContext)
  return <Button onPress={submit}>Forward</Button>
}

// This preview lives OUTSIDE Composer.Frame but can read state!
function MessagePreview() {
  const { state } = use(ComposerContext)
  return <Preview message={state.input} attachments={state.attachments} />
}
```

The provider boundary is what matters—not the visual nesting. Components that

need shared state don't have to be inside the `Composer.Frame`. They just need

to be within the provider.

The `ForwardButton` and `MessagePreview` are not visually inside the composer

box, but they can still access its state and actions. This is the power of

lifting state into providers.

The UI is reusable bits you compose together. The state is dependency-injected

by the provider. Swap the provider, keep the UI.

### 2.3 Lift State into Provider Components

**Impact: HIGH (enables state sharing outside component boundaries)**

Move state management into dedicated provider components. This allows sibling

components outside the main UI to access and modify state without prop drilling

or awkward refs.

**Incorrect: state trapped inside component**

```tsx
function ForwardMessageComposer() {
  const [state, setState] = useState(initialState)
  const forwardMessage = useForwardMessage()

  return (
    <Composer.Frame>
      <Composer.Input />
      <Composer.Footer />
    </Composer.Frame>
  )
}

// Problem: How does this button access composer state?
function ForwardMessageDialog() {
  return (
    <Dialog>
      <ForwardMessageComposer />
      <MessagePreview /> {/* Needs composer state */}
      <DialogActions>
        <CancelButton />
        <ForwardButton /> {/* Needs to call submit */}
      </DialogActions>
    </Dialog>
  )
}
```

**Incorrect: useEffect to sync state up**

```tsx
function ForwardMessageDialog() {
  const [input, setInput] = useState('')
  return (
    <Dialog>
      <ForwardMessageComposer onInputChange={setInput} />
      <MessagePreview input={input} />
    </Dialog>
  )
}

function ForwardMessageComposer({ onInputChange }) {
  const [state, setState] = useState(initialState)
  useEffect(() => {
    onInputChange(state.input) // Sync on every change 😬
  }, [state.input])
}
```

**Incorrect: reading state from ref on submit**

```tsx
function ForwardMessageDialog() {
  const stateRef = useRef(null)
  return (
    <Dialog>
      <ForwardMessageComposer stateRef={stateRef} />
      <ForwardButton onPress={() => submit(stateRef.current)} />
    </Dialog>
  )
}
```

**Correct: state lifted to provider**

```tsx
function ForwardMessageProvider({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  const [state, setState] = useState(initialState)
  const forwardMessage = useForwardMessage()
  const inputRef = useRef(null)

  return (
    <Composer.Provider
      state={state}
      actions={{ update: setState, submit: forwardMessage }}
      meta={{ inputRef }}
    >
      {children}
    </Composer.Provider>
  )
}

function ForwardMessageDialog() {
  return (
    <ForwardMessageProvider>
      <Dialog>
        <ForwardMessageComposer />
        <MessagePreview /> {/* Custom components can access state and actions */}
        <DialogActions>
          <CancelButton />
          <ForwardButton /> {/* Custom components can access state and actions */}
        </DialogActions>
      </Dialog>
    </ForwardMessageProvider>
  )
}

function ForwardButton() {
  const { actions } = use(Composer.Context)
  return <Button onPress={actions.submit}>Forward</Button>
}
```

The ForwardButton lives outside the Composer.Frame but still has access to the

submit action because it's within the provider. Even though it's a one-off

component, it can still access the composer's state and actions from outside the

UI itself.

**Key insight:** Components that need shared state don't have to be visually

nested inside each other—they just need to be within the same provider.

---

## 3. Implementation Patterns

**Impact: MEDIUM**

Specific techniques for implementing compound components and
context providers.

### 3.1 Create Explicit Component Variants

**Impact: MEDIUM (self-documenting code, no hidden conditionals)**

Instead of one component with many boolean props, create explicit variant

components. Each variant composes the pieces it needs. The code documents

itself.

**Incorrect: one component, many modes**

```tsx
// What does this component actually render?
<Composer
  isThread
  isEditing={false}
  channelId='abc'
  showAttachments
  showFormatting={false}
/>
```

**Correct: explicit variants**

```tsx
// Immediately clear what this renders
<ThreadComposer channelId="abc" />

// Or
<EditMessageComposer messageId="xyz" />

// Or
<ForwardMessageComposer />
```

Each implementation is unique, explicit and self-contained. Yet they can each

use shared parts.

**Implementation:**

```tsx
function ThreadComposer({ channelId }: { channelId: string }) {
  return (
    <ThreadProvider channelId={channelId}>
      <Composer.Frame>
        <Composer.Input />
        <AlsoSendToChannelField channelId={channelId} />
        <Composer.Footer>
          <Composer.Formatting />
          <Composer.Emojis />
          <Composer.Submit />
        </Composer.Footer>
      </Composer.Frame>
    </ThreadProvider>
  )
}

function EditMessageComposer({ messageId }: { messageId: string }) {
  return (
    <EditMessageProvider messageId={messageId}>
      <Composer.Frame>
        <Composer.Input />
        <Composer.Footer>
          <Composer.Formatting />
          <Composer.Emojis />
          <Composer.CancelEdit />
          <Composer.SaveEdit />
        </Composer.Footer>
      </Composer.Frame>
    </EditMessageProvider>
  )
}

function ForwardMessageComposer() {
  return (
    <Composer.Frame>
      <Composer.Input placeholder="Add a message, if you'd like." />
      <Composer.Footer>
        <Composer.Formatting />
        <Composer.Emojis />
        <Composer.Mentions />
      </Composer.Footer>
    </Composer.Frame>
  )
}
```

Each variant is explicit about:

- What provider/state it uses

- What UI elements it includes

- What actions are available

No boolean prop combinations to reason about. No impossible states.

### 3.2 Prefer Composing Children Over Render Props

**Impact: MEDIUM (cleaner composition, better readability)**

Use `children` for composition instead of `renderX` props. Children are more

readable, compose naturally, and don't require understanding callback

signatures.

**Incorrect: render props**

```tsx
function Composer({
  renderHeader,
  renderFooter,
  renderActions,
}: {
  renderHeader?: () => React.ReactNode
  renderFooter?: () => React.ReactNode
  renderActions?: () => React.ReactNode
}) {
  return (
    <form>
      {renderHeader?.()}
      <Input />
      {renderFooter ? renderFooter() : <DefaultFooter />}
      {renderActions?.()}
    </form>
  )
}

// Usage is awkward and inflexible
return (
  <Composer
    renderHeader={() => <CustomHeader />}
    renderFooter={() => (
      <>
        <Formatting />
        <Emojis />
      </>
    )}
    renderActions={() => <SubmitButton />}
  />
)
```

**Correct: compound components with children**

```tsx
function ComposerFrame({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  return <form>{children}</form>
}

function ComposerFooter({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  return <footer className='flex'>{children}</div>
}

// Usage is flexible
return (
  <Composer.Frame>
    <CustomHeader />
    <Composer.Input />
    <Composer.Footer>
      <Composer.Formatting />
      <Composer.Emojis />
      <SubmitButton />
    </Composer.Footer>
  </Composer.Frame>
)
```

**When render props are appropriate:**

```tsx
// Render props work well when you need to pass data back
<List
  data={items}
  renderItem={({ item, index }) => <Item item={item} index={index} />}
/>
```

Use render props when the parent needs to provide data or state to the child.

Use children when composing static structure.

---

## References

1. [https://react.dev](https://react.dev)
2. [https://react.dev/learn/passing-data-deeply-with-context](https://react.dev/learn/passing-data-deeply-with-context)
3. [https://react.dev/reference/react/use](https://react.dev/reference/react/use)