The compilationMode option controls how the React Compiler selects which functions to compile.
{
compilationMode: 'infer' // or 'annotation', 'syntax', 'all'
}Reference
compilationMode
Controls the strategy for determining which functions the React Compiler will optimize.
Type
'infer' | 'syntax' | 'annotation' | 'all'Default value
'infer'
Options
-
'infer'(default): The compiler uses intelligent heuristics to identify React components and hooks:- Functions explicitly annotated with
"use memo"directive - Functions that are named like components (PascalCase) or hooks (
useprefix) AND create JSX and/or call other hooks
- Functions explicitly annotated with
-
'annotation': Only compile functions explicitly marked with the"use memo"directive. Ideal for incremental adoption. -
'syntax': Only compile components and hooks that use Flow’s component and hook syntax. -
'all': Compile all top-level functions. Not recommended as it may compile non-React functions.
Caveats
- The
'infer'mode requires functions to follow React naming conventions to be detected - Using
'all'mode may negatively impact performance by compiling utility functions - The
'syntax'mode requires Flow and won’t work with TypeScript - Regardless of mode, functions with
"use no memo"directive are always skipped
Usage
Default inference mode
The default 'infer' mode works well for most codebases that follow React conventions:
{
compilationMode: 'infer'
}With this mode, these functions will be compiled:
// ✅ Compiled: Named like a component + returns JSX
function Button(props) {
return <button>{props.label}</button>;
}
// ✅ Compiled: Named like a hook + calls hooks
function useCounter() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
return [count, setCount];
}
// ✅ Compiled: Explicit directive
function expensiveCalculation(data) {
"use memo";
return data.reduce(/* ... */);
}
// ❌ Not compiled: Not a component/hook pattern
function calculateTotal(items) {
return items.reduce((a, b) => a + b, 0);
}Incremental adoption with annotation mode
For gradual migration, use 'annotation' mode to only compile marked functions:
{
compilationMode: 'annotation'
}Then explicitly mark functions to compile:
// Only this function will be compiled
function ExpensiveList(props) {
"use memo";
return (
<ul>
{props.items.map(item => (
<li key={item.id}>{item.name}</li>
))}
</ul>
);
}
// This won't be compiled without the directive
function NormalComponent(props) {
return <div>{props.content}</div>;
}Using Flow syntax mode
If your codebase uses Flow instead of TypeScript:
{
compilationMode: 'syntax'
}Then use Flow’s component syntax:
// Compiled: Flow component syntax
component Button(label: string) {
return <button>{label}</button>;
}
// Compiled: Flow hook syntax
hook useCounter(initial: number) {
const [count, setCount] = useState(initial);
return [count, setCount];
}
// Not compiled: Regular function syntax
function helper(data) {
return process(data);
}Opting out specific functions
Regardless of compilation mode, use "use no memo" to skip compilation:
function ComponentWithSideEffects() {
"use no memo"; // Prevent compilation
// This component has side effects that shouldn't be memoized
logToAnalytics('component_rendered');
return <div>Content</div>;
}Troubleshooting
Component not being compiled in infer mode
In 'infer' mode, ensure your component follows React conventions:
// ❌ Won't be compiled: lowercase name
function button(props) {
return <button>{props.label}</button>;
}
// ✅ Will be compiled: PascalCase name
function Button(props) {
return <button>{props.label}</button>;
}
// ❌ Won't be compiled: doesn't create JSX or call hooks
function useData() {
return window.localStorage.getItem('data');
}
// ✅ Will be compiled: calls a hook
function useData() {
const [data] = useState(() => window.localStorage.getItem('data'));
return data;
}