
react-modernization
Upgrade React applications to latest versions, migrate from class components to hooks, and adopt concurrent features. Use when modernizing React codebases, migrating to React Hooks, or upgrading to latest React versions.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/wshobson/agents --skill react-modernization- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads react-modernization automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
Security audits
Independent scans of the skill's instructions and bundled files.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
React Modernization
Master React version upgrades, class to hooks migration, concurrent features adoption, and codemods for automated transformation.
When to Use This Skill
- Upgrading React applications to latest versions
- Migrating class components to functional components with hooks
- Adopting concurrent React features (Suspense, transitions)
- Applying codemods for automated refactoring
- Modernizing state management patterns
- Updating to TypeScript
- Improving performance with React 18+ features
Version Upgrade Path
React 16 → 17 → 18
Breaking Changes by Version:
React 17:
- Event delegation changes
- No event pooling
- Effect cleanup timing
- JSX transform (no React import needed)
React 18:
- Automatic batching
- Concurrent rendering
- Strict Mode changes (double invocation)
- New root API
- Suspense on server
Class to Hooks Migration
State Management
// Before: Class component
class Counter extends React.Component {
constructor(props) {
super(props);
this.state = {
count: 0,
name: "",
};
}
increment = () => {
this.setState({ count: this.state.count + 1 });
};
render() {
return (
<div>
<p>Count: {this.state.count}</p>
<button onClick={this.increment}>Increment</button>
</div>
);
}
}
// After: Functional component with hooks
function Counter() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
const [name, setName] = useState("");
const increment = () => {
setCount(count + 1);
};
return (
<div>
<p>Count: {count}</p>
<button onClick={increment}>Increment</button>
</div>
);
}
Lifecycle Methods to Hooks
// Before: Lifecycle methods
class DataFetcher extends React.Component {
state = { data: null, loading: true };
componentDidMount() {
this.fetchData();
}
componentDidUpdate(prevProps) {
if (prevProps.id !== this.props.id) {
this.fetchData();
}
}
componentWillUnmount() {
this.cancelRequest();
}
fetchData = async () => {
const data = await fetch(`/api/${this.props.id}`);
this.setState({ data, loading: false });
};
cancelRequest = () => {
// Cleanup
};
render() {
if (this.state.loading) return <div>Loading...</div>;
return <div>{this.state.data}</div>;
}
}
// After: useEffect hook
function DataFetcher({ id }) {
const [data, setData] = useState(null);
const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
useEffect(() => {
let cancelled = false;
const fetchData = async () => {
try {
const response = await fetch(`/api/${id}`);
const result = await response.json();
if (!cancelled) {
setData(result);
setLoading(false);
}
} catch (error) {
if (!cancelled) {
console.error(error);
}
}
};
fetchData();
// Cleanup function
return () => {
cancelled = true;
};
}, [id]); // Re-run when id changes
if (loading) return <div>Loading...</div>;
return <div>{data}</div>;
}
Context and HOCs to Hooks
// Before: Context consumer and HOC
const ThemeContext = React.createContext();
class ThemedButton extends React.Component {
static contextType = ThemeContext;
render() {
return (
<button style={{ background: this.context.theme }}>
{this.props.children}
</button>
);
}
}
// After: useContext hook
function ThemedButton({ children }) {
const { theme } = useContext(ThemeContext);
return <button style={{ background: theme }}>{children}</button>;
}
// Before: HOC for data fetching
function withUser(Component) {
return class extends React.Component {
state = { user: null };
componentDidMount() {
fetchUser().then((user) => this.setState({ user }));
}
render() {
return <Component {...this.props} user={this.state.user} />;
}
};
}
// After: Custom hook
function useUser() {
const [user, setUser] = useState(null);
useEffect(() => {
fetchUser().then(setUser);
}, []);
return user;
}
function UserProfile() {
const user = useUser();
if (!user) return <div>Loading...</div>;
return <div>{user.name}</div>;
}
React 18 Concurrent Features
New Root API
// Before: React 17
import ReactDOM from "react-dom";
ReactDOM.render(<App />, document.getElementById("root"));
// After: React 18
import { createRoot } from "react-dom/client";
const root = createRoot(document.getElementById("root"));
root.render(<App />);
Automatic Batching
// React 18: All updates are batched
function handleClick() {
setCount((c) => c + 1);
setFlag((f) => !f);
// Only one re-render (batched)
}
// Even in async:
setTimeout(() => {
setCount((c) => c + 1);
setFlag((f) => !f);
// Still batched in React 18!
}, 1000);
// Opt out if needed
import { flushSync } from "react-dom";
flushSync(() => {
setCount((c) => c + 1);
});
// Re-render happens here
setFlag((f) => !f);
// Another re-render
Transitions
import { useState, useTransition } from "react";
function SearchResults() {
const [query, setQuery] = useState("");
const [results, setResults] = useState([]);
const [isPending, startTransition] = useTransition();
const handleChange = (e) => {
// Urgent: Update input immediately
setQuery(e.target.value);
// Non-urgent: Update results (can be interrupted)
startTransition(() => {
setResults(searchResults(e.target.value));
});
};
return (
<>
<input value={query} onChange={handleChange} />
{isPending && <Spinner />}
<Results data={results} />
</>
);
}
Suspense for Data Fetching
import { Suspense } from "react";
// Resource-based data fetching (with React 18)
const resource = fetchProfileData();
function ProfilePage() {
return (
<Suspense fallback={<Loading />}>
<ProfileDetails />
<Suspense fallback={<Loading />}>
<ProfileTimeline />
</Suspense>
</Suspense>
);
}
function ProfileDetails() {
// This will suspend if data not ready
const user = resource.user.read();
return <h1>{user.name}</h1>;
}
function ProfileTimeline() {
const posts = resource.posts.read();
return <Timeline posts={posts} />;
}
Additional patterns and templates
More detailed templates and worked examples live in references/details.md. Read that file for the full pattern library.
FAQ
What does the react-modernization skill do?
Upgrade React applications to latest versions, migrate from class components to hooks, and adopt concurrent features. Use when modernizing React codebases, migrating to React Hooks, or upgrading to latest React versions.
How do I install react-modernization?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/wshobson/agents --skill react-modernization in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/react-modernization/ (personal) or .claude/skills/react-modernization/ (project).
Which AI agents can use react-modernization?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is react-modernization safe to install?
Security partners have reviewed it: Gen Agent Trust Hub passed; Socket passed; Snyk passed; Runlayer passed; ZeroLeaks passed. As with any skill, read the SKILL.md and bundled scripts before installing.
Who maintains react-modernization?
It is published by wshobson in wshobson/agents. It has 12,727 recorded installs.
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