Virtual lists and TanStack Virtual

Jack Harrington sits down with Tanner Linsley to talk about the evolution of TanStack and where it’s headed next. They explore how early projects like React Query and React Table influenced the headless philosophy behind TanStack Router, why virtualized lists matter at scale, and what makes forms in React so challenging. Tanner breaks down TanStack Start and its client-first approach to SSR, routing, and data loading, and shares his perspective on React Server Components, modern authentication tradeoffs, and composable tooling. The episode wraps with a look at TanStack’s roadmap and what it takes to sustainably maintain open source at scale.

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Chapters

01:00 – What is TanStack? Contributors, projects, and mission
02:05 – React Query vs React Table: TanStack’s origins
03:10 – TanStack principles: headless, cross-platform, type safety
03:45 – TanStack Virtual and large list performance
05:00 – Forms, abandoned libraries, and lessons learned
06:00 – Why TanStack avoids building auth
07:30 – Auth complexity, SSO, and enterprise realities
08:45 – Partnerships with WorkOS, Clerk, Netlify, and Cloudflare
09:30 – Introducing TanStack Start
10:20 – Client-first architecture and React Router DNA
11:00 – Pages Router nostalgia and migration paths
12:00 – Loaders, data-only routes, and seamless navigation
13:20 – Why data-only mode is a hidden superpower
14:00 – Built-in SWR-style caching and perceived speed
15:20 – Loader footguns and server function boundaries
16:40 – Isomorphic execution model explained
18:00 – Gradual adoption: router → file routing → Start
19:10 – Learning from Remix, Next.js, and past frameworks
20:30 – Full-stack React before modern meta-frameworks
22:00 – Server functions, HTTP methods, and caching
23:30 – Simpler mental models vs server components
25:00 – Donut holes, cognitive load, and developer experience
26:30 – Staying pragmatic and close to real users
28:00 – When not to use TanStack (Shopify, WordPress, etc.)
29:30 – Marketing sites, CMS pain, and team evolution
31:30 – Scaling realities and backend tradeoffs
33:00 – Static vs dynamic apps and framework fit
35:00 – Astro + TanStack Start hybrid architectures
36:20 – Composability with Hono, tRPC, and Nitro
37:20 – Why TanStack Start is a request handler, not a platform
38:50 – TanStack AI announcement and roadmap
40:00 – TanStack DB explained
41:30 – Start 1.0 status and real-world adoption
42:40 – Devtools, Pacer, and upcoming libraries
43:50 – Sustainability, sponsorships, and supporting maintainers
45:30 – How companies and individuals can support TanStack

Special Guest: Tanner Linsley.