React useTimeout Hook
React useTimeout hook for setTimeout management. Handle delayed actions with automatic cleanup, dynamic control, and cancellation support using TypeScript for Next.js.
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Ever tried to manage setTimeout in React and ended up with memory leak chaos, stale closure nightmares, or broken cleanup on unmount? You know the drill—manually tracking timeout IDs, forgetting to clearTimeout, dealing with stale state in delayed callbacks, missing dependency updates causing outdated executions. This free open source React useTimeout custom hook handles all that timeout management complexity so you can focus on building timed features instead of debugging asynchronous edge cases in your React applications.
useTimeout showcase
Smart timeout management with automatic cleanup and dynamic delay control:
This free open source React hook simplifies delayed action management with TypeScript support for modern JavaScript applications. Whether you're building auto-save systems, notification timers, or debounced interactions in your Next.js projects, this React hook keeps your timeout logic clean and reliable.
Installation
npx shadcn@latest add https://www.shadcn.io/registry/use-timeout.jsonnpx shadcn@latest add https://www.shadcn.io/registry/use-timeout.jsonpnpm dlx shadcn@latest add https://www.shadcn.io/registry/use-timeout.jsonbunx shadcn@latest add https://www.shadcn.io/registry/use-timeout.jsonWhy most setTimeout implementations suck
Look, you could keep using setTimeout directly and manually tracking cleanup. But then you hit the timeout complexity—memory leaks from forgotten clearTimeout calls, stale closures accessing outdated state, race conditions with multiple timeouts, broken behavior when components unmount in React applications.
Most developers use setTimeout directly without proper cleanup, causing callbacks to fire on unmounted components and creating memory leaks in TypeScript components. Or they forget about stale closures and wonder why their delayed callbacks access outdated state values. Some create multiple timeouts without coordination, leading to race conditions and unpredictable behavior in Next.js projects.
This React hook uses optimized timeout management under the hood, with automatic cleanup and latest callback execution in JavaScript applications. The browser handles all the timing, plus you get comprehensive memory management and dependency tracking in one call.
Plus it handles all the edge cases—automatic cleanup on unmount, latest callback references, dynamic delay changes, conditional execution with null delays in React development. No more memory leaks or stale timeout behavior.
This free open source React hook manages timeout state while you focus on building features. Whether you're creating React applications, Next.js dashboards, or TypeScript components, reliable timeout management keeps your JavaScript development smooth.
Features
- Automatic cleanup with proper memory management and unmount handling in React applications
- Latest callback execution ensuring most recent function version is always called in TypeScript components
- Dynamic delay control supporting runtime delay changes and conditional execution in Next.js projects
- Type-safe implementation with comprehensive TypeScript definitions and IntelliSense for JavaScript development
- Memory efficient with zero memory leaks and proper timeout management for React frameworks
- Conditional execution using null delays for pause/cancel functionality in modern applications
- Free open source designed for modern React development workflows
Examples
Advanced Timeout Control
Shows comprehensive timeout management with pause/resume functionality, demonstrating conditional execution, dynamic delay control, and complex timeout states for interactive applications.
When you'll actually use this
Real talk—this isn't for every delayed action in React applications. Simple setTimeout calls work fine for basic one-off delays. But when you need React-aware timeout management with automatic cleanup and state safety, this React hook delivers in Next.js projects.
Perfect for:
- Auto-save systems - Delay save operations and cancel on new changes built with TypeScript
- Notification timers - Show/hide messages with automatic timeout management using React patterns
- Debounced interactions - Delay API calls, search queries, and user input processing in JavaScript applications
- Game mechanics - Implement countdown timers, time-based actions, and game loops in React components
- Loading states - Timeout-based loading indicators and fallback mechanisms in Next.js applications
- Animation sequences - Control timed animations and transitions in React components using TypeScript safety
API Reference
useTimeout
useTimeout(
callback: () => void,
delay: number | null
): void| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
callback | () => void | Function to execute after the delay (latest version is always used) |
delay | number | null | Delay in milliseconds, or null to cancel/pause the timeout |
Common gotchas
Latest callback is always used: The React hook uses useRef to ensure the most recent version of your callback function is executed, preventing stale closure issues in React applications. This means you don't need to worry about dependencies in the callback.
Timeout resets on delay changes: When the delay value changes, the previous timeout is cleared and a new one is set in TypeScript components. This behavior is intentional for dynamic timeout management but might be unexpected in some scenarios.
Null delay cancels execution: Passing null as the delay completely prevents the timeout from being set in Next.js projects. This is useful for conditional execution but remember that switching back to a number will start a fresh timeout.
Memory management is automatic: The React hook automatically cleans up timeouts on component unmount and when delays change in JavaScript applications. You don't need to manually manage cleanup, but be aware this happens automatically.
Callback stability expectations: Since the hook always uses the latest callback, you can change the callback function without resetting the timeout in React frameworks. The delay controls timing, not callback changes.
Multiple timeout coordination: Each useTimeout instance is independent in TypeScript projects. If you need coordinated timeouts, consider using a single hook with complex logic rather than multiple hooks.
Related hooks you will also like
useInterval
Interval management with similar timing and cleanup patterns
useDebounceCallback
Debounced callbacks using timeout-based delay mechanisms
useIsMounted
Mount state checking for safe timeout callback execution
useUnmount
Cleanup handling that complements timeout management
useBoolean
Toggle state management for timeout-based UI controls
useEventCallback
Stable callback references for timeout function management
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