What are the rules of hooks?
PICTURE THIS: REACT RENDER CYCLE
Simple meaning
Only call hooks at the top level of a React function, not in loops or conditions, so the order stays stable.
WHY — React instead of guessing?
Why interviewers care about React:
who only read docs from people who shipped.
and tied to Frontend work.
Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.
End with when you use it and one common pitfall.
STEPS — What happens step by step?
Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:
- 1Only call hooks at
the top level of a React function, not in loops or conditions, so the order stays stable.
- 2Only call them from
React functions or custom hooks.
- 3Breaking the order desyncs
state between renders, which is why the linter is not optional.
- 4Give an example
One tiny concrete case you can say aloud.
- 5Common mistake
What juniors usually get wrong.
- 6Close
When you pick this over the alternative.
EXAMPLE — See it in action
Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:
Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.
Key takeaway
Only call hooks at the top level of a React function, not in loops or conditions, so the order stays stable. Only call them from React functions or custom hooks.