GraphQL Schema Patterns

When to Use

Use this skill when you need graphQL queries, mutations, and code generation patterns. Use when creating GraphQL operations, working with Apollo Client, or generating types.

Core Rules

1. NEVER inline gql literals - Create .gql files
2. ALWAYS run codegen after creating/modifying .gql files
3. ALWAYS add onError handler to mutations
4. Use generated hooks - Never write raw Apollo hooks

File Structure

src/
├── components/
│   └── ItemList/
│       ├── ItemList.tsx
│       ├── GetItems.gql           # Query definition
│       └── GetItems.generated.ts  # Auto-generated (don't edit)
└── graphql/
    └── mutations/
        └── CreateItem.gql         # Shared mutations

Creating a Query

Step 1: Create .gql file

graphql
# src/components/ItemList/GetItems.gql
query GetItems($limit: Int, $offset: Int) {
  items(limit: $limit, offset: $offset) {
    id
    name
    description
    createdAt
  }
}

Step 2: Run codegen

bash
npm run gql:typegen

Step 3: Import and use generated hook

typescript
import { useGetItemsQuery } from './GetItems.generated';

const ItemList = () => {
  const { data, loading, error, refetch } = useGetItemsQuery({
    variables: { limit: 20, offset: 0 },
  });

  if (error) return <ErrorState error={error} onRetry={refetch} />;
  if (loading && !data) return <LoadingSkeleton />;
  if (!data?.items.length) return <EmptyState />;

  return <List items={data.items} />;
};

Creating a Mutation

Step 1: Create .gql file

graphql
# src/graphql/mutations/CreateItem.gql
mutation CreateItem($input: CreateItemInput!) {
  createItem(input: $input) {
    id
    name
    description
  }
}

Step 2: Run codegen

bash
npm run gql:typegen

Step 3: Use with REQUIRED error handling

typescript
import { useCreateItemMutation } from 'graphql/mutations/CreateItem.generated';

const CreateItemForm = () => {
  const [createItem, { loading }] = useCreateItemMutation({
    // Success handling
    onCompleted: (data) => {
      toast.success({ title: 'Item created' });
      navigation.goBack();
    },
    // ERROR HANDLING IS REQUIRED
    onError: (error) => {
      console.error('createItem failed:', error);
      toast.error({ title: 'Failed to create item' });
    },
    // Cache update
    update: (cache, { data }) => {
      if (data?.createItem) {
        cache.modify({
          fields: {
            items: (existing = []) => [...existing, data.createItem],
          },
        });
      }
    },
  });

  return (
    <Button
      onPress={() => createItem({ variables: { input: formValues } })}
      isDisabled={!isValid || loading}
      isLoading={loading}
    >
      Create
    </Button>
  );
};

Mutation UI Requirements

CRITICAL: Every mutation trigger must:

1. Be disabled during mutation - Prevent double-clicks
2. Show loading state - Visual feedback
3. Have onError handler - User knows it failed
4. Show success feedback - User knows it worked

typescript
// CORRECT - Complete mutation pattern
const [submit, { loading }] = useSubmitMutation({
  onError: (error) => {
    console.error('submit failed:', error);
    toast.error({ title: 'Save failed' });
  },
  onCompleted: () => {
    toast.success({ title: 'Saved' });
  },
});

<Button
  onPress={handleSubmit}
  isDisabled={!isValid || loading}
  isLoading={loading}
>
  Submit
</Button>

Query Options

Fetch Policies

| Policy | Use When | |--------|----------| | cache-first | Data rarely changes | | cache-and-network | Want fast + fresh (default) | | network-only | Always need latest | | no-cache | Never cache (rare) |

Common Options

typescript
useGetItemsQuery({
  variables: { id: itemId },

  // Fetch strategy
  fetchPolicy: 'cache-and-network',

  // Re-render on network status changes
  notifyOnNetworkStatusChange: true,

  // Skip if condition not met
  skip: !itemId,

  // Poll for updates
  pollInterval: 30000,
});

Optimistic Updates

For instant UI feedback:

typescript
const [toggleFavorite] = useToggleFavoriteMutation({
  optimisticResponse: {
    toggleFavorite: {
      __typename: 'Item',
      id: itemId,
      isFavorite: !currentState,
    },
  },
  onError: (error) => {
    // Rollback happens automatically
    console.error('toggleFavorite failed:', error);
    toast.error({ title: 'Failed to update' });
  },
});

When NOT to Use Optimistic Updates

• Operations that can fail validation
• Operations with server-generated values
• Destructive operations (delete)
• Operations affecting other users

Fragments

For reusable field selections:

graphql
# src/graphql/fragments/ItemFields.gql
fragment ItemFields on Item {
  id
  name
  description
  createdAt
  updatedAt
}

Use in queries:

graphql
query GetItems {
  items {
    ...ItemFields
  }
}

Anti-Patterns

typescript
// WRONG - Inline gql
const GET_ITEMS = gql`
  query GetItems { items { id } }
`;

// CORRECT - Use .gql file + generated hook
import { useGetItemsQuery } from './GetItems.generated';


// WRONG - No error handler
const [mutate] = useMutation(MUTATION);

// CORRECT - Always handle errors
const [mutate] = useMutation(MUTATION, {
  onError: (error) => {
    console.error('mutation failed:', error);
    toast.error({ title: 'Operation failed' });
  },
});


// WRONG - Button not disabled during mutation
<Button onPress={submit}>Submit</Button>

// CORRECT - Disabled and loading
<Button onPress={submit} isDisabled={loading} isLoading={loading}>
  Submit
</Button>

Codegen Commands

bash
# Generate types from .gql files
npm run gql:typegen

# Download schema + generate types
npm run sync-types

Integration with Other Skills

• react-ui-patterns: Loading/error/empty states for queries
• testing-patterns: Mock generated hooks in tests
• formik-patterns: Mutation submission patterns

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream source and local project context.
• Verify commands, generated code, dependencies, credentials, and external service behavior before applying changes.
• Do not treat examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.