Type-Safe Shared Data and Page Props in Inertia.js

This article explores a powerful technique for managing shared data and page props in Inertia.js projects using TypeScript and Laravel Data DTOs. This approach enhances type safety and improves code maintainability, regardless of your chosen JavaScript framework (React, Vue, etc.).

Shared Data in Inertia.js

Inertia.js's HandleInertiaRequests middleware allows sharing data globally across requests. This "global" data, defined in the share() method, is available on every page. However, managing the structure and types of this data can become complex as your application grows.

The Solution: Laravel Data and TypeScript

This article leverages Spatie's Laravel Data package to define data structures on the backend and TypeScript to provide type safety on the frontend. This combination ensures data consistency and prevents runtime errors.

Page-Specific Props

Beyond shared data, individual pages often require specific props (metadata, SEO tags, breadcrumbs, etc.). Managing these props efficiently is crucial for larger projects.

Example: Team Switching and Breadcrumbs

The article demonstrates a practical example: a user interface allowing team switching and displaying breadcrumbs. This scenario highlights the challenges of prop drilling and offers a superior solution using typed hooks.

Typed Hooks for Data Access

The core of the solution is a custom hook, useTypedPageProps, which wraps Inertia's usePage hook and adds TypeScript type definitions. This hook provides type-safe access to both shared data and page-specific props. Additional custom hooks, like useAuth and useCurrentTeam, simplify data access within components.

TypeScript Type Definitions

A global.d.ts file extends Inertia's type system, defining the structure of shared data and page props. This ensures TypeScript's type checking throughout the application.

Framework Agnostic Approach

The techniques described are framework-agnostic. The article provides examples for both React and Vue, demonstrating the adaptability of the approach.

Benefits of Typed Data Management

This approach offers several key advantages:

• Type Safety: Eliminates runtime type errors.
• Improved Developer Experience: Enhanced code completion and type hints.
• Easier Refactoring: Simplifies code changes and reduces the risk of breaking existing functionality.
• Cleaner Code: Reduces complexity and improves readability.
• Flexible UI Components: Creates self-contained and reusable components.

By implementing these techniques, developers can create more robust, maintainable, and enjoyable Inertia.js applications. The article concludes by showcasing a complete example of a team switcher component built using this approach, highlighting its efficiency and clean design.

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