convex-realtime

Convex Realtime

Build reactive applications with Convex's real-time subscriptions, optimistic updates, intelligent caching, and cursor-based pagination.

Documentation Sources

Before implementing, do not assume; fetch the latest documentation:

• Primary: https://docs.convex.dev/client/react
• Optimistic Updates: https://docs.convex.dev/client/react/optimistic-updates
• Pagination: https://docs.convex.dev/database/pagination
• For broader context: https://docs.convex.dev/llms.txt

Instructions

How Convex Realtime Works

1. Automatic Subscriptions - useQuery creates a subscription that updates automatically
2. Smart Caching - Query results are cached and shared across components
3. Consistency - All subscriptions see a consistent view of the database
4. Efficient Updates - Only re-renders when relevant data changes

Basic Subscriptions

// React component with real-time data
import { useQuery } from "convex/react";
import { api } from "../convex/_generated/api";

function TaskList({ userId }: { userId: Id<"users"> }) {
  // Automatically subscribes and updates in real-time
  const tasks = useQuery(api.tasks.list, { userId });

  if (tasks === undefined) {
    return <div>Loading...</div>;
  }

  return (
    <ul>
      {tasks.map((task) => (
        <li key={task._id}>{task.title}</li>
      ))}
    </ul>
  );
}

Conditional Queries

import { useQuery } from "convex/react";
import { api } from "../convex/_generated/api";

function UserProfile({ userId }: { userId: Id<"users"> | null }) {
  // Skip query when userId is null
  const user = useQuery(
    api.users.get,
    userId ? { userId } : "skip"
  );

  if (userId === null) {
    return <div>Select a user</div>;
  }

  if (user === undefined) {
    return <div>Loading...</div>;
  }

  return <div>{user.name}</div>;
}

Mutations with Real-time Updates

import { useMutation, useQuery } from "convex/react";
import { api } from "../convex/_generated/api";

function TaskManager({ userId }: { userId: Id<"users"> }) {
  const tasks = useQuery(api.tasks.list, { userId });
  const createTask = useMutation(api.tasks.create);
  const toggleTask = useMutation(api.tasks.toggle);

  const handleCreate = async (title: string) => {
    // Mutation triggers automatic re-render when data changes
    await createTask({ title, userId });
  };

  const handleToggle = async (taskId: Id<"tasks">) => {
    await toggleTask({ taskId });
  };

  return (
    <div>
      <button onClick={() => handleCreate("New Task")}>Add Task</button>
      <ul>
        {tasks?.map((task) => (
          <li key={task._id} onClick={() => handleToggle(task._id)}>
            {task.completed ? "✓" : "○"} {task.title}
          </li>
        ))}
      </ul>
    </div>
  );
}