home / skills / bobmatnyc / claude-mpm-skills / vue

This skill helps you leverage Vue 3 essentials like the Composition API and reactive system to build scalable, high-performance front-end apps.

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---
name: vue
description: Vue 3 - Progressive JavaScript framework with Composition API, reactivity system, single-file components, Vite integration, TypeScript support
version: 1.0.0
category: toolchain
author: Claude MPM Team
license: MIT
progressive_disclosure:
  entry_point:
    summary: "Progressive JavaScript framework: Composition API with setup(), reactive refs/computed, Vue Router, Pinia state, TypeScript, Vite"
    when_to_use: "Interactive UIs with gradual adoption, SPAs with Vue Router, progressive web apps, TypeScript projects with Vue DevTools"
    quick_start: "1. npm create vue@latest 2. Choose TypeScript + Router + Pinia 3. Use setup() with ref/reactive 4. npm run dev"
  context_limit: 80
tags:
  - vue
  - vue3
  - composition-api
  - reactivity
  - sfc
  - pinia
  - router
  - vite
  - typescript
  - frontend
requires_tools: []
---

# Vue 3 - Progressive JavaScript Framework

## Overview

Vue 3 is a **progressive framework** for building user interfaces with emphasis on approachability, performance, and flexibility. It features the **Composition API** for better logic reuse, a powerful **reactivity system**, and **single-file components** (.vue files).

**Key Features**:
- **Composition API**: setup() with ref, reactive, computed, watch
- **Reactivity System**: Fine-grained reactive data tracking
- **Single-File Components**: Template, script, style in one file
- **Vue Router**: Official routing for SPAs
- **Pinia**: Modern state management (Vuex successor)
- **TypeScript**: First-class TypeScript support
- **Vite**: Lightning-fast development with HMR

**Installation**:
```bash
# Create new Vue 3 project (recommended)
npm create vue@latest my-app
cd my-app
npm install
npm run dev

# Or with Vite template
npm create vite@latest my-app -- --template vue-ts
```

## Composition API Fundamentals

### setup() Function

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
// Modern <script setup> syntax (recommended)
import { ref, computed, onMounted } from 'vue';

// Reactive state
const count = ref(0);
const message = ref('Hello Vue 3');

// Computed values
const doubled = computed(() => count.value * 2);

// Methods
function increment() {
  count.value++;
}

// Lifecycle hooks
onMounted(() => {
  console.log('Component mounted');
});
</script>

<template>
  <div>
    <p>Count: {{ count }} (Doubled: {{ doubled }})</p>
    <button @click="increment">Increment</button>
  </div>
</template>
```

### Reactive State with ref() and reactive()

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import { ref, reactive } from 'vue';

// ref() - for primitives and objects (needs .value in script)
const count = ref(0);
const user = ref({ name: 'Alice', age: 30 });

console.log(count.value); // 0
console.log(user.value.name); // 'Alice'

// reactive() - for objects only (no .value needed)
const state = reactive({
  todos: [] as Todo[],
  filter: 'all',
  error: null as string | null
});

console.log(state.todos); // []
state.todos.push({ id: 1, text: 'Learn Vue', done: false });
</script>

<template>
  <!-- In template, .value is automatic for refs -->
  <p>Count: {{ count }}</p>
  <p>User: {{ user.name }}</p>
  <p>Todos: {{ state.todos.length }}</p>
</template>
```

### Computed Properties

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import { ref, computed } from 'vue';

const firstName = ref('John');
const lastName = ref('Doe');

// Read-only computed
const fullName = computed(() => `${firstName.value} ${lastName.value}`);

// Writable computed
const fullNameWritable = computed({
  get() {
    return `${firstName.value} ${lastName.value}`;
  },
  set(value: string) {
    const parts = value.split(' ');
    firstName.value = parts[0];
    lastName.value = parts[1];
  }
});

// Complex computations
interface Todo {
  id: number;
  text: string;
  done: boolean;
}

const todos = ref<Todo[]>([
  { id: 1, text: 'Learn Vue', done: true },
  { id: 2, text: 'Build app', done: false }
]);

const completedTodos = computed(() =>
  todos.value.filter(t => t.done)
);

const activeTodos = computed(() =>
  todos.value.filter(t => !t.done)
);

const progress = computed(() =>
  todos.value.length > 0
    ? (completedTodos.value.length / todos.value.length) * 100
    : 0
);
</script>

<template>
  <div>
    <p>Full Name: {{ fullName }}</p>
    <p>Progress: {{ progress.toFixed(1) }}%</p>
    <p>Active: {{ activeTodos.length }} | Done: {{ completedTodos.length }}</p>
  </div>
</template>
```

### Watchers and Side Effects

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import { ref, watch, watchEffect } from 'vue';

const count = ref(0);
const user = ref({ name: 'Alice', age: 30 });

// watch() - explicit dependencies
watch(count, (newVal, oldVal) => {
  console.log(`Count changed from ${oldVal} to ${newVal}`);
});

// Watch multiple sources
watch([count, user], ([newCount, newUser], [oldCount, oldUser]) => {
  console.log('Count or user changed');
});

// Watch object property (needs getter)
watch(
  () => user.value.name,
  (newName, oldName) => {
    console.log(`Name changed from ${oldName} to ${newName}`);
  }
);

// Deep watch for nested objects
watch(
  user,
  (newUser) => {
    console.log('User object changed deeply');
  },
  { deep: true }
);

// watchEffect() - automatic dependency tracking
watchEffect(() => {
  // Automatically watches count and user
  console.log(`Count: ${count.value}, User: ${user.value.name}`);
});

// Cleanup function
watchEffect((onCleanup) => {
  const timer = setTimeout(() => {
    console.log('Delayed effect');
  }, 1000);

  onCleanup(() => {
    clearTimeout(timer);
  });
});
</script>
```

## Component Props and Events

### Defining Props (TypeScript)

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
// Type-safe props with defineProps
interface Props {
  title: string;
  count?: number;
  tags?: string[];
  user: {
    name: string;
    email: string;
  };
  disabled?: boolean;
}

// With defaults
const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
  count: 0,
  tags: () => [],
  disabled: false
});

// Access props
console.log(props.title);
console.log(props.count);
</script>

<template>
  <div>
    <h1>{{ title }}</h1>
    <p>Count: {{ count }}</p>
    <p>Tags: {{ tags.join(', ') }}</p>
  </div>
</template>
```

### Emitting Events

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
// Define emitted events with types
const emit = defineEmits<{
  update: [value: number];
  submit: [data: { name: string; email: string }];
  delete: [id: number];
}>();

function handleClick() {
  emit('update', 42);
}

function handleSubmit() {
  emit('submit', { name: 'Alice', email: '[email protected]' });
}
</script>

<template>
  <button @click="handleClick">Update</button>
  <button @click="handleSubmit">Submit</button>
</template>
```

### v-model for Two-Way Binding

```vue
<!-- Child: CustomInput.vue -->
<script setup lang="ts">
// v-model creates 'modelValue' prop and 'update:modelValue' event
const props = defineProps<{
  modelValue: string;
  placeholder?: string;
}>();

const emit = defineEmits<{
  'update:modelValue': [value: string];
}>();

function handleInput(event: Event) {
  const target = event.target as HTMLInputElement;
  emit('update:modelValue', target.value);
}
</script>

<template>
  <input
    :value="modelValue"
    @input="handleInput"
    :placeholder="placeholder"
  />
</template>

<!-- Parent.vue -->
<script setup lang="ts">
import { ref } from 'vue';
import CustomInput from './CustomInput.vue';

const searchQuery = ref('');
</script>

<template>
  <CustomInput v-model="searchQuery" placeholder="Search..." />
  <p>Searching for: {{ searchQuery }}</p>
</template>
```

### Multiple v-model Bindings

```vue
<!-- Child: UserForm.vue -->
<script setup lang="ts">
defineProps<{
  firstName: string;
  lastName: string;
}>();

const emit = defineEmits<{
  'update:firstName': [value: string];
  'update:lastName': [value: string];
}>();
</script>

<template>
  <div>
    <input
      :value="firstName"
      @input="emit('update:firstName', ($event.target as HTMLInputElement).value)"
    />
    <input
      :value="lastName"
      @input="emit('update:lastName', ($event.target as HTMLInputElement).value)"
    />
  </div>
</template>

<!-- Parent.vue -->
<script setup lang="ts">
import { ref } from 'vue';
import UserForm from './UserForm.vue';

const first = ref('John');
const last = ref('Doe');
</script>

<template>
  <UserForm v-model:first-name="first" v-model:last-name="last" />
  <p>Full name: {{ first }} {{ last }}</p>
</template>
```

## Template Syntax

### Directives

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import { ref, reactive } from 'vue';

const message = ref('Hello Vue');
const isActive = ref(true);
const hasError = ref(false);
const items = ref(['Apple', 'Banana', 'Cherry']);
const user = ref({ name: 'Alice', email: '[email protected]' });

const formData = reactive({
  username: '',
  agree: false,
  gender: 'male',
  interests: [] as string[]
});
</script>

<template>
  <!-- Text interpolation -->
  <p>{{ message }}</p>

  <!-- Raw HTML (careful with XSS!) -->
  <div v-html="'<strong>Bold</strong>'"></div>

  <!-- Attribute binding -->
  <div :id="'container-' + user.name"></div>
  <img :src="user.avatar" :alt="user.name" />

  <!-- Class binding -->
  <div :class="{ active: isActive, 'text-danger': hasError }"></div>
  <div :class="[isActive ? 'active' : '', hasError && 'error']"></div>

  <!-- Style binding -->
  <div :style="{ color: 'red', fontSize: '16px' }"></div>
  <div :style="{ color: isActive ? 'green' : 'gray' }"></div>

  <!-- Conditional rendering -->
  <p v-if="isActive">Active</p>
  <p v-else-if="hasError">Error</p>
  <p v-else>Inactive</p>

  <!-- v-show (toggles display CSS) -->
  <p v-show="isActive">Visible when active</p>

  <!-- List rendering -->
  <ul>
    <li v-for="(item, index) in items" :key="index">
      {{ index + 1 }}. {{ item }}
    </li>
  </ul>

  <!-- Object iteration -->
  <div v-for="(value, key) in user" :key="key">
    {{ key }}: {{ value }}
  </div>

  <!-- Event handling -->
  <button @click="isActive = !isActive">Toggle</button>
  <button @click.prevent="handleSubmit">Submit</button>
  <input @keyup.enter="handleSearch" />

  <!-- Form binding -->
  <input v-model="formData.username" />
  <input type="checkbox" v-model="formData.agree" />
  <input type="radio" v-model="formData.gender" value="male" />
  <input type="radio" v-model="formData.gender" value="female" />
  <select v-model="formData.interests" multiple>
    <option>Reading</option>
    <option>Gaming</option>
    <option>Coding</option>
  </select>
</template>
```

### Event Modifiers

```vue
<template>
  <!-- Prevent default -->
  <form @submit.prevent="handleSubmit">
    <button type="submit">Submit</button>
  </form>

  <!-- Stop propagation -->
  <div @click="handleOuter">
    <button @click.stop="handleInner">Click me</button>
  </div>

  <!-- Capture mode -->
  <div @click.capture="handleCapture">...</div>

  <!-- Self (only if event.target is the element itself) -->
  <div @click.self="handleSelf">...</div>

  <!-- Once (trigger at most once) -->
  <button @click.once="handleOnce">Click once</button>

  <!-- Key modifiers -->
  <input @keyup.enter="handleEnter" />
  <input @keyup.esc="handleEscape" />
  <input @keyup.ctrl.s="handleSave" />
  <input @keyup.shift.t="handleShiftT" />

  <!-- Mouse button modifiers -->
  <div @click.left="handleLeftClick"></div>
  <div @click.right="handleRightClick"></div>
  <div @click.middle="handleMiddleClick"></div>
</template>
```

## Lifecycle Hooks

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import {
  onBeforeMount,
  onMounted,
  onBeforeUpdate,
  onUpdated,
  onBeforeUnmount,
  onUnmounted,
  onErrorCaptured
} from 'vue';

// Before component is mounted
onBeforeMount(() => {
  console.log('Component about to mount');
});

// After component is mounted (DOM is ready)
onMounted(() => {
  console.log('Component mounted');
  // Good place for API calls, DOM manipulation
  fetchData();
});

// Before component updates due to reactive changes
onBeforeUpdate(() => {
  console.log('Component about to update');
});

// After component updates
onUpdated(() => {
  console.log('Component updated');
  // Careful: can cause infinite loops if you update state here
});

// Before component unmounts
onBeforeUnmount(() => {
  console.log('Component about to unmount');
  // Clean up subscriptions, timers, etc.
});

// After component unmounts
onUnmounted(() => {
  console.log('Component unmounted');
});

// Error handling
onErrorCaptured((err, instance, info) => {
  console.error('Error captured:', err, info);
  return false; // Prevent propagation
});

async function fetchData() {
  const response = await fetch('/api/data');
  const data = await response.json();
  console.log(data);
}
</script>
```

## Provide/Inject (Dependency Injection)

```vue
<!-- Parent.vue -->
<script setup lang="ts">
import { ref, provide } from 'vue';
import type { InjectionKey } from 'vue';

interface Theme {
  primary: string;
  secondary: string;
}

// Create typed injection key
export const ThemeKey: InjectionKey<Theme> = Symbol('theme');

const theme = ref<Theme>({
  primary: '#007bff',
  secondary: '#6c757d'
});

// Provide to all descendants
provide(ThemeKey, theme.value);
provide('userPermissions', ['read', 'write']);
</script>

<!-- Child.vue (any depth) -->
<script setup lang="ts">
import { inject } from 'vue';
import { ThemeKey } from './Parent.vue';

// Inject with type safety
const theme = inject(ThemeKey);
const permissions = inject<string[]>('userPermissions', []);

// With default value
const config = inject('config', { debug: false });
</script>

<template>
  <div :style="{ color: theme?.primary }">
    Themed content
  </div>
</template>
```

## Vue Router Integration

### Basic Setup

```typescript
// router/index.ts
import { createRouter, createWebHistory } from 'vue-router';
import type { RouteRecordRaw } from 'vue-router';
import Home from '@/views/Home.vue';
import About from '@/views/About.vue';

const routes: RouteRecordRaw[] = [
  {
    path: '/',
    name: 'Home',
    component: Home
  },
  {
    path: '/about',
    name: 'About',
    component: About
  },
  {
    path: '/user/:id',
    name: 'User',
    component: () => import('@/views/User.vue'), // Lazy loading
    props: true // Pass route params as props
  },
  {
    path: '/dashboard',
    name: 'Dashboard',
    component: () => import('@/views/Dashboard.vue'),
    meta: { requiresAuth: true }
  },
  {
    path: '/:pathMatch(.*)*',
    name: 'NotFound',
    component: () => import('@/views/NotFound.vue')
  }
];

const router = createRouter({
  history: createWebHistory(import.meta.env.BASE_URL),
  routes
});

export default router;
```

### Navigation and Route Access

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import { useRouter, useRoute } from 'vue-router';
import { computed } from 'vue';

const router = useRouter();
const route = useRoute();

// Access route params
const userId = computed(() => route.params.id);
const querySearch = computed(() => route.query.search);

// Programmatic navigation
function goToUser(id: number) {
  router.push({ name: 'User', params: { id } });
}

function goToAbout() {
  router.push('/about');
}

function goBack() {
  router.back();
}

function replaceRoute() {
  router.replace({ name: 'Home' }); // No history entry
}
</script>

<template>
  <nav>
    <!-- Declarative navigation -->
    <RouterLink to="/">Home</RouterLink>
    <RouterLink :to="{ name: 'About' }">About</RouterLink>
    <RouterLink :to="{ name: 'User', params: { id: 123 } }">
      User 123
    </RouterLink>

    <!-- Active link styling -->
    <RouterLink
      to="/dashboard"
      active-class="active"
      exact-active-class="exact-active"
    >
      Dashboard
    </RouterLink>
  </nav>

  <button @click="goToUser(456)">Go to User 456</button>
  <button @click="goBack">Back</button>

  <p>Current user ID: {{ userId }}</p>
  <p>Search query: {{ querySearch }}</p>

  <!-- Render matched component -->
  <RouterView />
</template>
```

### Navigation Guards

```typescript
// router/index.ts
import { createRouter } from 'vue-router';

const router = createRouter({
  // ... routes
});

// Global before guard
router.beforeEach((to, from, next) => {
  const isAuthenticated = checkAuth();

  if (to.meta.requiresAuth && !isAuthenticated) {
    next({ name: 'Login', query: { redirect: to.fullPath } });
  } else {
    next();
  }
});

// Global after hook
router.afterEach((to, from) => {
  document.title = `${to.meta.title || 'App'} - My App`;
});

// Per-route guard
const routes = [
  {
    path: '/admin',
    component: Admin,
    beforeEnter: (to, from, next) => {
      if (isAdmin()) {
        next();
      } else {
        next('/unauthorized');
      }
    }
  }
];
```

```vue
<!-- Component guard -->
<script setup lang="ts">
import { onBeforeRouteLeave, onBeforeRouteUpdate } from 'vue-router';

// Confirm before leaving
onBeforeRouteLeave((to, from) => {
  if (hasUnsavedChanges.value) {
    const answer = window.confirm('You have unsaved changes. Leave anyway?');
    return answer;
  }
});

// React to route changes (same component, different params)
onBeforeRouteUpdate((to, from) => {
  console.log(`Route updated from ${from.params.id} to ${to.params.id}`);
  fetchData(to.params.id);
});
</script>
```

## Pinia State Management

### Store Definition

```typescript
// stores/counter.ts
import { defineStore } from 'pinia';
import { ref, computed } from 'vue';

// Composition API style (recommended)
export const useCounterStore = defineStore('counter', () => {
  // State
  const count = ref(0);
  const name = ref('Counter Store');

  // Getters (computed)
  const doubleCount = computed(() => count.value * 2);
  const isPositive = computed(() => count.value > 0);

  // Actions
  function increment() {
    count.value++;
  }

  function decrement() {
    count.value--;
  }

  async function fetchCount() {
    const response = await fetch('/api/count');
    const data = await response.json();
    count.value = data.count;
  }

  return {
    count,
    name,
    doubleCount,
    isPositive,
    increment,
    decrement,
    fetchCount
  };
});

// Options API style (alternative)
export const useUserStore = defineStore('user', {
  state: () => ({
    user: null as User | null,
    token: ''
  }),

  getters: {
    isLoggedIn: (state) => state.user !== null,
    fullName: (state) => state.user ? `${state.user.firstName} ${state.user.lastName}` : ''
  },

  actions: {
    async login(email: string, password: string) {
      const response = await fetch('/api/login', {
        method: 'POST',
        body: JSON.stringify({ email, password })
      });
      const data = await response.json();
      this.user = data.user;
      this.token = data.token;
    },

    logout() {
      this.user = null;
      this.token = '';
    }
  }
});
```

### Using Stores in Components

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import { useCounterStore } from '@/stores/counter';
import { useUserStore } from '@/stores/user';
import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';

const counterStore = useCounterStore();
const userStore = useUserStore();

// Get reactive refs from store
const { count, doubleCount } = storeToRefs(counterStore);
const { user, isLoggedIn } = storeToRefs(userStore);

// Actions can be destructured directly (they're not reactive)
const { increment, decrement } = counterStore;

// Access state directly
console.log(counterStore.count);

// Modify state directly
counterStore.count++;

// Or use $patch for multiple changes
counterStore.$patch({
  count: 10,
  name: 'Updated Counter'
});

// Reset state
counterStore.$reset();
</script>

<template>
  <div>
    <p>Count: {{ count }} (Double: {{ doubleCount }})</p>
    <button @click="increment">+</button>
    <button @click="decrement">-</button>

    <div v-if="isLoggedIn">
      <p>Welcome, {{ user?.firstName }}!</p>
      <button @click="userStore.logout()">Logout</button>
    </div>
  </div>
</template>
```

### Store Composition (Accessing Other Stores)

```typescript
// stores/cart.ts
import { defineStore } from 'pinia';
import { ref, computed } from 'vue';
import { useUserStore } from './user';

export const useCartStore = defineStore('cart', () => {
  const items = ref<CartItem[]>([]);
  const userStore = useUserStore();

  const total = computed(() =>
    items.value.reduce((sum, item) => sum + item.price * item.quantity, 0)
  );

  const canCheckout = computed(() =>
    userStore.isLoggedIn && items.value.length > 0
  );

  async function checkout() {
    if (!canCheckout.value) return;

    await fetch('/api/checkout', {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        Authorization: `Bearer ${userStore.token}`
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({ items: items.value })
    });

    items.value = [];
  }

  return { items, total, canCheckout, checkout };
});
```

## Composables (Reusable Logic)

### Custom Composables

```typescript
// composables/useFetch.ts
import { ref, type Ref } from 'vue';

interface UseFetchOptions {
  immediate?: boolean;
}

export function useFetch<T>(url: string, options: UseFetchOptions = {}) {
  const data = ref<T | null>(null) as Ref<T | null>;
  const error = ref<Error | null>(null);
  const loading = ref(false);

  async function execute() {
    loading.value = true;
    error.value = null;

    try {
      const response = await fetch(url);
      if (!response.ok) throw new Error(response.statusText);
      data.value = await response.json();
    } catch (e) {
      error.value = e as Error;
    } finally {
      loading.value = false;
    }
  }

  if (options.immediate) {
    execute();
  }

  return { data, error, loading, execute };
}

// composables/useLocalStorage.ts
import { ref, watch, type Ref } from 'vue';

export function useLocalStorage<T>(key: string, defaultValue: T): Ref<T> {
  const storedValue = localStorage.getItem(key);
  const data = ref<T>(
    storedValue ? JSON.parse(storedValue) : defaultValue
  ) as Ref<T>;

  watch(
    data,
    (newValue) => {
      localStorage.setItem(key, JSON.stringify(newValue));
    },
    { deep: true }
  );

  return data;
}

// composables/useMouse.ts
import { ref, onMounted, onUnmounted } from 'vue';

export function useMouse() {
  const x = ref(0);
  const y = ref(0);

  function update(event: MouseEvent) {
    x.value = event.pageX;
    y.value = event.pageY;
  }

  onMounted(() => {
    window.addEventListener('mousemove', update);
  });

  onUnmounted(() => {
    window.removeEventListener('mousemove', update);
  });

  return { x, y };
}
```

### Using Composables

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import { useFetch } from '@/composables/useFetch';
import { useLocalStorage } from '@/composables/useLocalStorage';
import { useMouse } from '@/composables/useMouse';

interface User {
  id: number;
  name: string;
  email: string;
}

const { data: user, loading, error, execute } = useFetch<User>(
  '/api/user/123',
  { immediate: true }
);

const settings = useLocalStorage('app-settings', {
  theme: 'dark',
  language: 'en'
});

const { x, y } = useMouse();
</script>

<template>
  <div>
    <div v-if="loading">Loading...</div>
    <div v-else-if="error">Error: {{ error.message }}</div>
    <div v-else-if="user">
      <h1>{{ user.name }}</h1>
      <p>{{ user.email }}</p>
    </div>

    <p>Theme: {{ settings.theme }}</p>
    <button @click="settings.theme = settings.theme === 'dark' ? 'light' : 'dark'">
      Toggle Theme
    </button>

    <p>Mouse: {{ x }}, {{ y }}</p>
  </div>
</template>
```

## Testing with Vitest

### Component Testing

```typescript
// Counter.test.ts
import { mount } from '@vue/test-utils';
import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
import Counter from '@/components/Counter.vue';

describe('Counter', () => {
  it('renders initial count', () => {
    const wrapper = mount(Counter);
    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('Count: 0');
  });

  it('increments count on button click', async () => {
    const wrapper = mount(Counter);

    await wrapper.find('button').trigger('click');

    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('Count: 1');
  });

  it('accepts initial count prop', () => {
    const wrapper = mount(Counter, {
      props: { initialCount: 10 }
    });

    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('Count: 10');
  });

  it('emits update event', async () => {
    const wrapper = mount(Counter);

    await wrapper.find('button').trigger('click');

    expect(wrapper.emitted('update')).toBeTruthy();
    expect(wrapper.emitted('update')![0]).toEqual([1]);
  });
});
```

### Testing with Pinia

```typescript
// UserProfile.test.ts
import { mount } from '@vue/test-utils';
import { createPinia, setActivePinia } from 'pinia';
import { beforeEach, describe, it, expect } from 'vitest';
import UserProfile from '@/components/UserProfile.vue';
import { useUserStore } from '@/stores/user';

describe('UserProfile', () => {
  beforeEach(() => {
    setActivePinia(createPinia());
  });

  it('displays user name when logged in', () => {
    const userStore = useUserStore();
    userStore.user = { id: 1, firstName: 'Alice', lastName: 'Smith' };

    const wrapper = mount(UserProfile);

    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('Alice Smith');
  });

  it('shows login prompt when not logged in', () => {
    const wrapper = mount(UserProfile);
    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('Please log in');
  });
});
```

## TypeScript Best Practices

### Component Props with Interface

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
interface User {
  id: number;
  name: string;
  email: string;
  role: 'admin' | 'user' | 'guest';
}

interface Props {
  user: User;
  showEmail?: boolean;
  onUpdate?: (user: User) => void;
}

const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
  showEmail: true
});

// Type-safe emits
const emit = defineEmits<{
  update: [user: User];
  delete: [userId: number];
}>();

function handleUpdate() {
  emit('update', props.user);
}
</script>
```

### Generic Components

```vue
<script setup lang="ts" generic="T">
interface Props<T> {
  items: T[];
  keyFn: (item: T) => string | number;
  renderItem: (item: T) => string;
}

const props = defineProps<Props<T>>();
</script>

<template>
  <ul>
    <li v-for="item in items" :key="keyFn(item)">
      {{ renderItem(item) }}
    </li>
  </ul>
</template>
```

## Performance Optimization

### Virtual Scrolling for Large Lists

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import { ref, computed } from 'vue';

const items = ref(Array.from({ length: 10000 }, (_, i) => ({
  id: i,
  text: `Item ${i}`
})));

const containerHeight = 400;
const itemHeight = 40;
const scrollTop = ref(0);

const visibleCount = Math.ceil(containerHeight / itemHeight);
const startIndex = computed(() => Math.floor(scrollTop.value / itemHeight));
const endIndex = computed(() => startIndex.value + visibleCount);
const visibleItems = computed(() =>
  items.value.slice(startIndex.value, endIndex.value)
);

const offsetY = computed(() => startIndex.value * itemHeight);
const totalHeight = computed(() => items.value.length * itemHeight);

function handleScroll(event: Event) {
  scrollTop.value = (event.target as HTMLElement).scrollTop;
}
</script>

<template>
  <div
    class="virtual-list"
    :style="{ height: containerHeight + 'px', overflow: 'auto' }"
    @scroll="handleScroll"
  >
    <div :style="{ height: totalHeight + 'px', position: 'relative' }">
      <div :style="{ transform: `translateY(${offsetY}px)` }">
        <div
          v-for="item in visibleItems"
          :key="item.id"
          :style="{ height: itemHeight + 'px' }"
        >
          {{ item.text }}
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</template>
```

### Lazy Loading Components

```vue
<script setup lang="ts">
import { defineAsyncComponent } from 'vue';

// Lazy load heavy component
const HeavyComponent = defineAsyncComponent(() =>
  import('@/components/HeavyComponent.vue')
);

// With loading/error states
const AsyncComponent = defineAsyncComponent({
  loader: () => import('@/components/AsyncComponent.vue'),
  loadingComponent: LoadingSpinner,
  errorComponent: ErrorDisplay,
  delay: 200, // Show loading after 200ms
  timeout: 3000 // Error if takes > 3s
});
</script>

<template>
  <Suspense>
    <template #default>
      <HeavyComponent />
    </template>
    <template #fallback>
      <LoadingSpinner />
    </template>
  </Suspense>
</template>
```

## Migration Guide

### From Vue 2 to Vue 3

| Vue 2 | Vue 3 | Notes |
|-------|-------|-------|
| `data() { return {} }` | `ref()`, `reactive()` | Composition API |
| `computed: {}` | `computed(() => {})` | Function-based |
| `watch: {}` | `watch()`, `watchEffect()` | Explicit watchers |
| `mounted()` | `onMounted()` | Import from 'vue' |
| `this.$emit()` | `emit()` | defineEmits |
| `props: {}` | `defineProps<>()` | TypeScript support |
| Mixins | Composables | Better composition |
| `$listeners` | Merged into `$attrs` | Simplified |
| Filters | Functions or computed | Removed |

### From React to Vue 3

| React | Vue 3 | Notes |
|-------|-------|-------|
| `useState(0)` | `ref(0)` | Need .value in script |
| `useMemo(() => x * 2, [x])` | `computed(() => x.value * 2)` | Auto-tracked |
| `useEffect(() => {}, [x])` | `watch(x, () => {})` | Explicit deps |
| `useEffect(() => {}, [])` | `onMounted()` | Lifecycle |
| `useCallback` | Not needed | Auto-stable |
| `props.name` | `props.name` | Similar |
| `setState(prev => prev + 1)` | `count.value++` | Direct mutation |
| JSX | Template | HTML-like syntax |

## Best Practices

1. **Use Composition API over Options API** for better type inference and composition
2. **Prefer `ref()` for primitives, `reactive()` for objects** or just use `ref()` everywhere
3. **Use `computed()` for derived state** instead of methods
4. **Destructure props early** with `defineProps()` for type safety
5. **Use `<script setup>`** for less boilerplate and better performance
6. **Key your v-for loops** with unique IDs for proper reactivity
7. **Use Pinia over Vuex** for better TypeScript support and devtools
8. **Lazy load routes and heavy components** for faster initial load
9. **Use composables** to extract and reuse logic across components
10. **Enable Vue DevTools** for debugging reactivity and component tree

## Resources

- **Vue 3 Docs**: https://vuejs.org/guide/introduction.html
- **Vue Router**: https://router.vuejs.org/
- **Pinia**: https://pinia.vuejs.org/
- **Vite**: https://vitejs.dev/
- **Vue DevTools**: https://devtools.vuejs.org/
- **Awesome Vue**: https://github.com/vuejs/awesome-vue

## Summary

- **Vue 3** features Composition API with `setup()`, `ref()`, `reactive()`, `computed()`, `watch()`
- **Single-File Components** (.vue) combine template, script, and style
- **TypeScript** first-class support with `defineProps<>()` and `defineEmits<>()`
- **Vue Router** for client-side routing with lazy loading and guards
- **Pinia** modern state management with Composition API style
- **Vite** lightning-fast development with HMR
- **Composables** extract and reuse logic across components
- **Progressive** adopt incrementally from simple to complex

Overview

This skill packages a concise, practical guide to Vue 3 for building reactive user interfaces using the Composition API, single-file components, and Vite-powered toolchains. It focuses on modern patterns: ref/reactive state, computed properties, watchers, typed props/events, router integration, and first-class TypeScript support. The content is designed to accelerate development and integration into existing projects.

How this skill works

The skill explains core Vue 3 primitives and workflows, showing how to declare reactive state in setup(), compose logic with computed and watch, and structure UI with .vue single-file components. It also demonstrates component communication (props, emits, v-model), lifecycle hooks, provide/inject for dependency injection, and routing with lazy-loaded routes. Examples emphasize Vite and TypeScript integration for fast HMR and type safety.

When to use it

  • Starting a new SPA or incremental UI feature where reactivity and developer ergonomics matter
  • Migrating an existing Vue 2 codebase to Vue 3 or adopting the Composition API
  • Building typed components with TypeScript and strict prop/event contracts
  • Implementing fine-grained reactivity for complex state or derived data
  • Setting up routing, lazy loading, and Vite-based development for fast iteration

Best practices

  • Prefer <script setup> with Composition API for concise, testable components
  • Use ref for primitives and reactive for nested objects; avoid unnecessary deep reactive usage
  • Keep computed properties pure and performant; use writable computed only when needed
  • Declare props and emits with TypeScript for safe component contracts
  • Use route-based lazy loading and Pinia for scalable state management

Example use cases

  • A dashboard app with reactive filters, computed progress indicators, and lazy-loaded route views
  • A form-heavy interface using v-model multi-bindings and typed validation flows
  • Reusable UI libraries built as single-file components with documented props and emits
  • Real-time UI where watchEffect and fine-grained reactivity update DOM efficiently
  • Themed applications using provide/inject to share configuration across deep component trees

FAQ

When should I choose ref vs reactive?

Use ref for primitives or when you need .value semantics in script. Use reactive for plain objects where you prefer direct property access without .value.

How do I type props and emits in TypeScript?

Use defineProps and defineEmits with interfaces or generics in <script setup lang="ts">, and withDefaults to supply default prop values.

Is Vite required for Vue 3 projects?

Vite is not required but recommended for fast dev server start, HMR, and optimized builds. Vue CLI alternatives exist but Vite offers better performance for modern workflows.