nextjs-use-search-params-suspense

Next.js: useSearchParams with Suspense Pattern

Pattern Overview

The useSearchParams hook requires TWO things:

1. Component must have 'use client' directive
2. Component must be wrapped in a <Suspense> boundary

This is a Next.js requirement, not optional!

Why This Pattern?

useSearchParams reads URL query parameters:

• /search?q=shoes → searchParams.get('q') returns "shoes"
• /products?category=electronics&sort=price → Read multiple params

Why Suspense? Next.js uses React 18's Suspense to handle the async nature of reading URL params during server-side rendering and hydration.

The Pattern

Single-File Pattern (Recommended)

// app/page.tsx
import { Suspense } from 'react';
import SearchComponent from './SearchComponent';

export default function Page() {
  return (
    <Suspense fallback={<div>Loading...</div>}>
      <SearchComponent />
    </Suspense>
  );
}

// app/SearchComponent.tsx
'use client';

import { useSearchParams } from 'next/navigation';

export default function SearchComponent() {
  const searchParams = useSearchParams();
  const query = searchParams.get('q') || '';

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Search Results for: {query}</h1>
    </div>
  );
}

Inline Pattern (Single File)

Sometimes you want everything in one file:

// app/page.tsx
'use client';

import { Suspense } from 'react';
import { useSearchParams } from 'next/navigation';

function SearchContent() {
  const searchParams = useSearchParams();
  const query = searchParams.get('q') || '';

  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Search: {query}</h1>
      <p>Results for "{query}"</p>
    </div>
  );
}

export default function Page() {
  return (
    <Suspense fallback={<div>Loading search...</div>}>
      <SearchContent />
    </Suspense>
  );
}

TypeScript: NEVER Use any Type

// ❌ WRONG
function Component({ params }: any) { ... }

// ✅ CORRECT
// useSearchParams returns ReadonlyURLSearchParams
function Component() {
  const searchParams = useSearchParams();
  const value: string | null = searchParams.get('key');
}