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State Machines in React with XState

Build predictable UIs with state machines. From basic concepts to complex workflows to testing patterns.

B
Bootspring Team
Engineering
October 3, 2021
7 min read

State machines make complex UI logic predictable. Here's how to use XState effectively.

Why State Machines#

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Basic State Machine#

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Form State Machine#

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Authentication Machine#

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Wizard/Multi-Step Form#

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Parallel States#

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Testing State Machines#

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Best Practices#

Design: ✓ Model states explicitly ✓ Use context for data ✓ Define all transitions ✓ Handle all edge cases Organization: ✓ One machine per feature ✓ Extract services and guards ✓ Use TypeScript for events ✓ Document state charts Testing: ✓ Test all state transitions ✓ Test guards and actions ✓ Test service invocations ✓ Use model-based testing

Conclusion#

State machines eliminate impossible states and make complex UI logic explicit. XState provides powerful tools for modeling workflows, forms, and async operations. Start simple and add complexity as needed. The upfront modeling investment pays off in reliability and maintainability.

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