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State Management

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Filed underFront EndSoftware EngineeringArchitecture

In brief · quick answer

State management is the discipline of handling application data that changes over time, ensuring that the UI consistently reflects the current state. It covers local component state, shared global state, server-cached state, and URL/routing state.

§ 1 Definition

State management refers to the patterns, libraries, and techniques for managing data that changes over time in a frontend application. As applications grow beyond simple components, managing state becomes the central challenge. State exists in multiple categories: local state (data within a single component), shared state (data needed by multiple sibling or distant components), server state (data fetched from an API that needs caching and invalidation), URL state (routing parameters and query strings), and form state (user input before submission). Different categories demand different solutions. Local state uses `useState` in React or `ref()` in Vue. Shared state might use React Context, Zustand, Pinia, or Redux Toolkit. Server state is best handled by dedicated libraries like TanStack Query or RTK Query. The key insight in modern state management is that most 'state' is actually server state, which requires caching, background refetching, and optimistic updates, not just a global store.

§ 2 The Three Categories of State

Most applications have three distinct state categories. UI state is ephemeral: modal open/closed, dropdown selected, form input values. This belongs in local component state or a lightweight store. Server state is fetched from an API, cached, and periodically revalidated. It does not belong in a global store alongside UI state. URL state includes route parameters, search params, and hash fragments. It should be the single source of truth for any data that influences which page content is displayed. Mixing these categories in a single global store is the most common cause of state management complexity.

§ 3 Modern Solutions

By 2026, the state management landscape has shifted. For React, Zustand has become the default for UI state due to its minimal boilerplate. TanStack Query is the standard for server state. URL state is handled by the router (Next.js App Router, TanStack Router). For Vue, Pinia (the official Vue store) is the standard, paired with TanStack Query for server state. Redux Toolkit remains popular in large enterprise applications where its structure and middleware ecosystem justify the overhead. The trend is away from single global stores and toward specialized solutions for each state category.

§ 4 Note

Common misunderstanding: State management is not synonymous with Redux or global stores. The biggest mistake developers make is putting everything into a global store. Most state is server state and belongs in a caching layer, not a global store. Another common error: storing URL-derived data (like currently selected item ID) in a global store instead of in the URL itself, which breaks deep linking and browser navigation.

§ 5 In code

```typescript
// Zustand store for UI state
import { create } from 'zustand';

interface CartStore {
  items: CartItem[];
  addItem: (item: CartItem) => void;
  removeItem: (id: string) => void;
  total: () => number;
}

export const useCartStore = create<CartStore>((set, get) => ({
  items: [],
  addItem: (item) => set((state) => ({ items: [...state.items, item] })),
  removeItem: (id) => set((state) => ({ items: state.items.filter(i => i.id !== id) })),
  total: () => get().items.reduce((sum, i) => sum + i.price, 0),
}));
```

§ 6 Common questions

Q. Do I always need a state management library?: A. No. Many applications can be built with local component state, React Context for a few shared values, and a server cache library (TanStack Query). Only add Zustand, Redux, or Pinia when you have genuinely shared client state.
Q. What is the difference between state management and server caching?: A. State management handles client-side data that changes through user interaction. Server caching handles data from APIs, providing automatic refetching, cache invalidation, and optimistic updates. They solve different problems and should use different tools.

Key takeaways

Categorize state as UI, server, or URL. Each category benefits from a different solution.
Most 'state' is actually server state. Use a dedicated cache library, not a global store.
Store URL-derived data in the URL, not in a global store. This preserves deep linking.

How Atomic Glue helps

Atomic Glue designs state architectures that match the complexity of your application. We do not default to Redux or any single solution. Instead, we analyze your data flow, separate UI state from server state, and choose the right tools for each layer. This targeted approach produces simpler, more maintainable code than putting everything in one global store. Our website development services include architecture evaluation and state management design.

Get in touch

# State Management

Category: Front End (also: Software Engineering, Architecture)

Author: Atomic Glue Development Team

## Definition

## The Three Categories of State

## Modern Solutions

## Note

## In code

## Common questions
Q: Do I always need a state management library?
A: No. Many applications can be built with local component state, React Context for a few shared values, and a server cache library (TanStack Query). Only add Zustand, Redux, or Pinia when you have genuinely shared client state.
Q: What is the difference between state management and server caching?
A: State management handles client-side data that changes through user interaction. Server caching handles data from APIs, providing automatic refetching, cache invalidation, and optimistic updates. They solve different problems and should use different tools.

## Key takeaways

Categorize state as UI, server, or URL. Each category benefits from a different solution.
Most 'state' is actually server state. Use a dedicated cache library, not a global store.
Store URL-derived data in the URL, not in a global store. This preserves deep linking.

## Related entries

Last updated June 2026. Permalink: atomicglue.co/glossary/state-management