TypeScript Academy · Lesson

Component generics — intro

Build reusable components with type parameters, constraints, and inference; pass typed render props and keys safely.

Lesson 3 of 38 steps

Component generics — intro is a free TypeScript Academy lesson on CoddyKit. This is lesson 3 of 3. 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 TypeScript Academy learning path, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app. The TypeScript Academy course includes 3 lessons in total.

Intro

Goal: Make one component work for many data shapes using <T>. You will pass a typed render prop, constrain keys, and let TypeScript infer T from usage.

Generic props and render functions
Constraints with extends
Key extraction without any

Generic List<T>

A generic List<T> keeps items and render aligned. Consumers can pass any T; inference works when T is obvious.

import React from "react"

type ListProps<T> = { items: T[]; render: (item: T, index: number) => React.ReactNode }

export function List<T>({ items, render }: ListProps<T>) {
  return <div style={{ display: "grid", gap: 6 }}>{items.map(render)}</div>
}

export default function App() {
  return (
    <div style={{ display: "grid", gap: 12 }}>
      <List<number> items={[1,2,3]} render={(n) => <span>#{n}</span>} />
      <List<{ id: string; name: string }>
        items={[{ id: "u1", name: "Ada" }, { id: "u2", name: "Lin" }]}
        render={(u) => <strong>{u.name}</strong>}
      />
    </div>
  )
}

Constraints with extends

Use T extends Keyed to require an id for keys. Callers get errors if they pass items without the required field.

import React from "react"

type Keyed = { id: string }

type KeyListProps<T extends Keyed> = { items: T[]; render: (item: T) => React.ReactNode }

export function KeyList<T extends Keyed>({ items, render }: KeyListProps<T>) {
  return (
    <ul>
      {items.map((x) => (
        <li key={x.id}>{render(x)}</li>
      ))}
    </ul>
  )
}

export default function App() {
  const users = [{ id: "u1", name: "Ada" }, { id: "u2", name: "Lin" }]
  return <KeyList items={users} render={(u) => <span>{u.name}</span>} />
}

Inference of T

Type parameters usually infer from props: here, T comes from items. Only annotate when inference is unclear.

import React from "react"

type GridProps<T> = { items: T[]; columns?: number; render: (item: T) => React.ReactNode }

export function Grid<T>({ items, columns = 2, render }: GridProps<T>) {
  const css = { display: "grid", gridTemplateColumns: `repeat(${columns}, 1fr)`, gap: 8 }
  return <div style={css as React.CSSProperties}>{items.map(render)}</div>
}

export default function App() {
  const products = [
    { sku: "p1", title: "Mouse", price: 25 },
    { sku: "p2", title: "Keyboard", price: 80 }
  ]
  // T is inferred from products; no need to annotate
  return <Grid items={products} render={(p) => <span>{p.title} — ${p.price}</span>} />
}

Render helpers

Extract reusable Render<T> types for clarity. Constrain when necessary (T extends { id: string }) to support keys.

import React from "react"

type Render<T> = (item: T) => React.ReactNode

type TableProps<T extends { id: string }> = { items: T[]; renderRow: Render<T> }

export function Table<T extends { id: string }>({ items, renderRow }: TableProps<T>) {
  return (
    <table>
      <tbody>
        {items.map((x) => (
          <tr key={x.id}><td>{renderRow(x)}</td></tr>
        ))}
      </tbody>
    </table>
  )
}

export default function App() {
  const rows = [ { id: "1", label: "One" }, { id: "2", label: "Two" } ]
  return <Table items={rows} renderRow={(r) => <span>{r.label}</span>} />
}

Tips & gotchas

Tips:

Prefer inference; annotate only when it helps readability.
Constrain with extends to express requirements.
Avoid any in generic render props; it defeats safety.

Generics component check

Quick check: Which declaration correctly defines a generic React component?

Answer it in the interactive lesson

Recap

Recap: Use <T> to build reusable components, constrain with extends for keys, and let inference keep code concise.

Free to start

Learn TypeScript with an AI tutor — free

Write and run real code in your browser, get instant help from a 24/7 AI tutor, and pick up where you left off on the web or in the app.

Courses: 101
Lessons: 352

Start learning free View the full course

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the “Component generics — intro” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Component generics — intro” is free to read here on the web. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the TypeScript Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO. The TypeScript Academy course includes 3 lessons in total.

What will I learn in “Component generics — intro”?

Build reusable components with type parameters, constraints, and inference; pass typed render props and keys safely. You practise TypeScript 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 TypeScript Academy?

No prior experience is required. TypeScript Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace. This is lesson 3 of 3.

How long does the “Component generics — intro” 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 TypeScript Academy lesson?

Yes. Every TypeScript 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.

All lessons in this course

← Back to TypeScript Academy