Writing Custom Hooks
Extract stateful logic into a reusable custom hook, share it between two components, and follow the naming convention and rules of hooks.
Writing Custom Hooks is a free React Native Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the React Native Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
What Are Custom Hooks?
Custom hooks are JavaScript functions whose names start with use and that may call other React hooks inside them. They let you extract stateful logic from a component into a reusable function. The logic is shared, but each component that calls the custom hook gets its own isolated state — custom hooks are not singletons.
The Rules of Hooks Apply to Custom Hooks
Custom hooks follow the same rules as built-in hooks: only call hooks at the top level (not inside loops or conditions), and only call hooks from React function components or other custom hooks. The use naming prefix is required — it signals to React and linters that the function follows these rules.
// Valid custom hook — starts with 'use'
function useCounter(initialValue) {
const [count, setCount] = useState(initialValue);
const increment = () => setCount(c => c + 1);
const decrement = () => setCount(c => c - 1);
const reset = () => setCount(initialValue);
return { count, increment, decrement, reset };
}A useCounter Custom Hook
The useCounter hook encapsulates a counter's state and its increment, decrement, and reset actions. Any component that needs a counter can call useCounter without repeating the state management logic. Each call to the hook creates an independent counter.
function CounterScreen() {
const { count, increment, decrement, reset } = useCounter(0);
return (
<View>
<Text>Count: {count}</Text>
<Button title='+' onPress={increment} />
<Button title='-' onPress={decrement} />
<Button title='Reset' onPress={reset} />
</View>
);
}A useFetch Custom Hook
A useFetch hook wraps the common pattern of fetching data with useEffect: it manages loading, data, and error states internally, and exposes them to the component. The URL is a dependency — changing it re-triggers the fetch.
function useFetch(url) {
const [data, setData] = useState(null);
const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
const [error, setError] = useState(null);
useEffect(() => {
setLoading(true);
fetch(url)
.then((res) => res.json())
.then((json) => { setData(json); setLoading(false); })
.catch((err) => { setError(err); setLoading(false); });
}, [url]);
return { data, loading, error };
}Using the useFetch Hook
Components using useFetch become dramatically simpler. The component only describes what to render for each state (loading, error, data) without managing any fetch logic itself. If the same endpoint is needed in another screen, just call useFetch again — no code duplication.
function PostsScreen() {
const { data, loading, error } = useFetch('https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts');
if (loading) return <ActivityIndicator />;
if (error) return <Text>Error: {error.message}</Text>;
return (
<FlatList
data={data}
keyExtractor={(item) => String(item.id)}
renderItem={({ item }) => <Text>{item.title}</Text>}
/>
);
}A useToggle Custom Hook
A useToggle hook simplifies managing boolean state that needs to switch between true and false. It is useful for modals, accordions, dark mode, or any feature that toggles. The hook returns the current value and a stable toggle function.
function useToggle(initialValue = false) {
const [value, setValue] = useState(initialValue);
const toggle = useCallback(() => setValue((v) => !v), []);
return [value, toggle];
}
// Usage
const [isVisible, toggleVisible] = useToggle(false);
<Button title='Show/Hide' onPress={toggleVisible} />
<Modal visible={isVisible} ... />A useForm Custom Hook
A useForm hook manages a form's field values, change handler, and reset action. This pattern eliminates boilerplate in forms across the app. The hook accepts an object of initial field values and returns the current values, a generic field change handler, and a reset function.
function useForm(initialValues) {
const [values, setValues] = useState(initialValues);
const handleChange = useCallback((field, value) => {
setValues((prev) => ({ ...prev, [field]: value }));
}, []);
const reset = useCallback(() => setValues(initialValues), [initialValues]);
return { values, handleChange, reset };
}A useNetworkStatus Custom Hook
A useNetworkStatus hook wraps the NetInfo API to expose the device's online/offline status. Components can simply read the boolean value without knowing about event subscription setup and teardown — the hook handles that internally with a useEffect cleanup function.
import NetInfo from '@react-native-community/netinfo';
function useNetworkStatus() {
const [isOnline, setIsOnline] = useState(true);
useEffect(() => {
const unsubscribe = NetInfo.addEventListener((state) => {
setIsOnline(state.isConnected ?? true);
});
return unsubscribe; // cleanup on unmount
}, []);
return isOnline;
}Sharing Logic Between Components
The real power of custom hooks is sharing logic, not UI. Two screens can both call useNetworkStatus and each gets its own subscription. If the hook has a side effect (like a subscription), it is automatically cleaned up when the component using it unmounts. Each component's hook instance is fully independent.
// Both screens share the same logic, not the same state
function HomeScreen() {
const isOnline = useNetworkStatus();
return <Text>{isOnline ? 'Online' : 'Offline'}</Text>;
}
function ProfileScreen() {
const isOnline = useNetworkStatus(); // independent subscription
return <Banner visible={!isOnline} message='No connection' />;
}Custom Hook Naming and Organization
Name custom hooks descriptively: useAuth, useCart, useDebounce, useWindowDimensions. Store hooks in a dedicated hooks/ directory to keep them organized and findable. Each hook should have a single clear responsibility — avoid creating hooks that do five unrelated things.
// Project structure
src/
hooks/
useAuth.js
useFetch.js
useForm.js
useToggle.js
useNetworkStatus.jsA useDebounce Custom Hook
A useDebounce hook delays propagating a value until a specified time has passed since the last update. This is perfect for search inputs where you want to wait until the user stops typing before firing an API request. The hook uses useEffect and a timer to manage the delay.
function useDebounce(value, delay) {
const [debouncedValue, setDebouncedValue] = useState(value);
useEffect(() => {
const timer = setTimeout(() => {
setDebouncedValue(value);
}, delay);
return () => clearTimeout(timer);
}, [value, delay]);
return debouncedValue;
}
// Usage
const debouncedQuery = useDebounce(searchQuery, 400);
useEffect(() => { fetchResults(debouncedQuery); }, [debouncedQuery]);Quick Check
Test your understanding of writing custom hooks from this lesson.
Lesson Recap
In this lesson you learned: custom hooks are functions starting with 'use' that encapsulate stateful logic, each component calling a custom hook gets its own independent state and effects, and organize hooks in a dedicated hooks/ directory for a single responsibility per hook. Next up we explore the Context API for sharing global state without prop drilling.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Writing Custom Hooks” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Writing Custom Hooks” is free to read here on the web, and the React Native Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the React Native Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Writing Custom Hooks”?
Extract stateful logic into a reusable custom hook, share it between two components, and follow the naming convention and rules of hooks. You practise React Native Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start React Native Academy?
No prior experience is required. React Native Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Writing Custom Hooks” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this React Native Academy lesson?
Yes. Every React Native Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.