preact-compose-with-tanstack-query

name	preact/compose-with-tanstack-query
description	Server-side / async data flow with `@tanstack/preact-query`. Key the query on the table state that drives the request (pagination + sort + filters), pass `placeholderData: keepPreviousData` to avoid a "0 rows flash" between pages, set `manualPagination` / `manualSorting` / `manualFiltering` for the slices the server owns, supply `rowCount`, and let `table.set*` writes to external atoms re-key the query. Routing keywords: preact-query, server pagination, keepPreviousData, useQuery, manualPagination, rowCount, fetchData.
type	composition
library	tanstack-table
framework	preact
library_version	9.0.0-alpha.48
requires	["preact/client-to-server","pagination","state-management"]
sources	["TanStack/table:examples/preact/with-tanstack-query/src/main.tsx","TanStack/table:examples/preact/with-tanstack-query/src/fetchData.ts","TanStack/table:docs/framework/preact/guide/table-state.md"]

This skill is the @tanstack/preact-query recipe for server-side tables. Read tanstack-table/preact/client-to-server first for the manual-mode mechanics; this skill is the Preact Query-specific wiring on top.

Install

npm install @tanstack/preact-query @tanstack/preact-table @tanstack/preact-store

The Standard Recipe

Own the slices that drive the request with external atoms. Read them with useSelector so the queryKey is reactive. Pass them through options.atoms. Set manual* for the slices the server owns. Use placeholderData: keepPreviousData so pagination doesn't flash empty.

import { useMemo, useReducer } from 'preact/hooks'
import { render } from 'preact'
import {
  QueryClient,
  QueryClientProvider,
  keepPreviousData,
  useQuery,
} from '@tanstack/preact-query'
import { useCreateAtom, useSelector } from '@tanstack/preact-store'
import {
  createColumnHelper,
  rowPaginationFeature,
  tableFeatures,
  useTable,
  type PaginationState,
} from '@tanstack/preact-table'
import { fetchData } from './fetchData'
import type { Person } from './fetchData'

const queryClient = new QueryClient()
const _features = tableFeatures({ rowPaginationFeature })
const columnHelper = createColumnHelper<typeof _features, Person>()

const columns = columnHelper.columns([
  columnHelper.accessor('firstName', {
    header: 'First Name',
    cell: (info) => info.getValue(),
  }),
  columnHelper.accessor('lastName', { header: 'Last Name' }),
  columnHelper.accessor('age', { header: 'Age' }),
])

function App() {
  const paginationAtom = useCreateAtom<PaginationState>({
    pageIndex: 0,
    pageSize: 10,
  })
  const pagination = useSelector(paginationAtom)

  const dataQuery = useQuery({
    queryKey: ['data', pagination],
    queryFn: () => fetchData(pagination),
    placeholderData: keepPreviousData, // no "0 rows" flash between pages
  })

  const defaultData = useMemo(() => [], [])

  const table = useTable(
    {
      _features,
      _rowModels: {}, // server owns slicing
      columns,
      data: dataQuery.data?.rows ?? defaultData,
      rowCount: dataQuery.data?.rowCount,
      atoms: { pagination: paginationAtom },
      manualPagination: true,
    },
    (state) => state,
  )

  // table.nextPage() writes to paginationAtom → queryKey changes → refetch.
  return null
}

render(
  <QueryClientProvider client={queryClient}>
    <App />
  </QueryClientProvider>,
  document.getElementById('root')!,
)

Source: examples/preact/with-tanstack-query/src/main.tsx.

Server fetchData Shape

The fetcher returns the page of rows plus the total row count so table.getPageCount() is correct.

// fetchData.ts
import type { PaginationState } from '@tanstack/preact-table'

export type Person = {
  firstName: string
  lastName: string
  age: number /* … */
}

export async function fetchData(pagination: PaginationState): Promise<{
  rows: Person[]
  rowCount: number
}> {
  // server returns the current page and the total count
  const res = await fetch(
    `/api/people?page=${pagination.pageIndex}&size=${pagination.pageSize}`,
  )
  return res.json()
}

Source: examples/preact/with-tanstack-query/src/fetchData.ts.

Adding Sorting and Filters

Add more external atoms; include them in the queryKey; set the matching manual* flag. The server's fetcher accepts whatever shape you forward.

const _features = tableFeatures({
  rowPaginationFeature,
  rowSortingFeature,
  columnFilteringFeature,
  globalFilteringFeature,
})

const paginationAtom = useCreateAtom<PaginationState>({
  pageIndex: 0,
  pageSize: 10,
})
const sortingAtom = useCreateAtom<SortingState>([])
const columnFiltersAtom = useCreateAtom<ColumnFiltersState>([])
const globalFilterAtom = useCreateAtom<string>('')

const pagination = useSelector(paginationAtom)
const sorting = useSelector(sortingAtom)
const columnFilters = useSelector(columnFiltersAtom)
const globalFilter = useSelector(globalFilterAtom)

const dataQuery = useQuery({
  queryKey: ['data', pagination, sorting, columnFilters, globalFilter],
  queryFn: () =>
    fetchData({ pagination, sorting, columnFilters, globalFilter }),
  placeholderData: keepPreviousData,
})

const table = useTable({
  _features,
  _rowModels: {},
  columns,
  data: dataQuery.data?.rows ?? defaultData,
  rowCount: dataQuery.data?.rowCount,
  atoms: {
    pagination: paginationAtom,
    sorting: sortingAtom,
    columnFilters: columnFiltersAtom,
    globalFilter: globalFilterAtom,
  },
  manualPagination: true,
  manualSorting: true,
  manualFiltering: true,
})

Common Mistakes

CRITICAL manualPagination without rowCount

Wrong:

useTable({
  /* … */,
  data: dataQuery.data?.rows ?? defaultData,
  manualPagination: true,
  atoms: { pagination: paginationAtom },
  // no rowCount
})
table.getPageCount() // Infinity

Correct: always pass rowCount: dataQuery.data?.rowCount. Source: examples/preact/with-tanstack-query/src/main.tsx.

CRITICAL queryKey that doesn't include reactive table state

Wrong:

useQuery({
  queryKey: ['data'],
  queryFn: () => fetchData(pagination),
})

Correct:

useQuery({
  queryKey: ['data', pagination /* + sorting, filters, etc. */],
  queryFn: () => fetchData(pagination),
})

The query cache must vary by the slice values, or you'll fetch once and never refresh on user interaction. Source: examples/preact/with-tanstack-query/src/main.tsx.

HIGH Missing placeholderData: keepPreviousData

Wrong: data goes undefined between pages; the table flashes empty.

Correct: include placeholderData: keepPreviousData so the table keeps the last page rendered until the new page resolves. Source: examples/preact/with-tanstack-query/src/main.tsx.

HIGH Inline data: dataQuery.data?.rows ?? []

Wrong:

useTable({ /* … */, data: dataQuery.data?.rows ?? [] }) // new [] every render

Correct:

const defaultData = useMemo(() => [], [])
useTable({ /* … */, data: dataQuery.data?.rows ?? defaultData })

A new empty array each render busts row-model memos.

HIGH Keeping the client-side _rowModels when manual

Wrong:

useTable({
  _features,
  _rowModels: { paginatedRowModel: createPaginatedRowModel() }, // wasted work
  /* … */,
  manualPagination: true,
})

Correct: drop the row-model factory whose stage the server owns. With manualPagination: true, the server returns the page slice already.

MEDIUM Creating a new paginationAtom per render

Wrong: createAtom(...) inside the component body.

Correct: useCreateAtom(...) (or atom at module scope). Source: examples/preact/basic-external-atoms/src/main.tsx.

See Also

• tanstack-table/preact/client-to-server — manual-mode mechanics independent of any specific async lib.
• tanstack-table/preact/compose-with-tanstack-store — slice atoms and sharing state.
• tanstack-table/preact/production-readiness — narrow selectors, stable refs.