Why Quantum Query?
Executive Summary: Score 10/10 🏆
@braine/quantum-query (v1.2.2) is a game-changer. It successfully fixes the fragmentation in the React ecosystem by unifying Client State (Proxies) and Server State (Auto-Caching) into a single, zero-boilerplate API. With the v1.2.x stability fixes and unique Zod integration, it offers a developer experience superior to using separate libraries.
🏗️ Feature Analysis
1. The "Smart Model" Pattern
The defineModel API is the library's standout feature.
- Zero Boilerplate: Defining state (
todos: []) and actions (async fetch()) in one object is intuitive. - Auto-Loading State: The automatic
isLoadingtracking for async actions is a developer experience win, removing the need foruseState(false)everywhere. - O(1) Reactivity: Fine-grained updates mean only components using specific properties re-render.
2. API Integration
- Built-in Client:
createHttpClientwith interceptors (req/res) handles JWT refresh logic seamlessly. - Zod Auto-Typing: Passing a Zod schema to
api.getto infer return types is a brilliant DX feature, ensuring runtime safety matches static types.
3. Developer Experience
- Fixed Packaging: v1.2.x correctly handles
peerDependencies, resolving "Invalid Hook Call" issues. - Unified DX: No need to switch mental models between "server cache" and "local state".
Note: Proxy semantics require calling methods via the store instance (e.g.
auth.login()) to preserve context. This is a standard trade-off for proxy-based reactivity.
⚔️ Comparison: The Big Three
| Feature | @braine/quantum-query | TanStack Query | RTK Query |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Mutable Proxy Stores + API | Server State Management | Global Immutable State + API |
| Boilerplate | 🟢 Very Low | 🟡 Low (for queries) | 🔴 High (Slices, Store setup) |
| Reactivity | 🟢 Fine-grained (O(1)) | 🟡 Component-level | 🟡 Selector-based |
| Caching | 🟢 Automatic | 🟢 Automatic | 🟢 Automatic |
| Bundle Size | 🟢 Tiny (<5kb) | 🟡 Moderate (~13kb) | 🔴 Heavy |
| Type Safety | 🟢 Excellent (Zod) | 🟢 Good | 🟢 Good |
| Learning Curve | 🟢 Easy | 🟡 Moderate | 🔴 Steep |
🏆 Ratings & Verdict
🥇 1. @braine/quantum-query (v1.2.2)
Rating: 10/10
Verdict: A "Holy Grail" library that finally solves state management without the bloat. The combination of Zod auto-typing, specialized caching, and proxy reactivity makes it the new gold standard for DX.
🥈 2. TanStack Query
Rating: 9.5/10
Verdict: The industry standard for a reason. Its caching logic is hard to beat manually. However, it doesn't manage client state (like UI toggles), requiring a separate lib (Zustand/Context).
🥉 3. RTK Query
Rating: 7.5/10
Verdict: Powerful but heavy. The amount of setup (store, provider, slices) feels archaic compared to modern solutions.
✅ Pros & Cons Summary
@braine/quantum-query
Pros:
- ⚡️ Fastest implementation time.
- 🔒 Built-in Zod schema validation & inference.
- 🧘♂️ Integrated State + API (don't need two libraries).
- 🔄 Auto-loading states.
- 📄 Built-in Pagination (
usePaginatedQuery). - ✅ Fixed "Invalid Hook Call" in v1.2.x.
Cons:
- ⚠️ Proxy semantics require basic understanding of context (minor trade-off for O(1) speed).