What Is React Context API? Complete Example Tutorial Guide

What Is React Context API?

The React Context API allows you to share state globally across components without passing props manually at every level. It’s ideal for themes, user authentication, and settings.

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Creating a Context

import React, { createContext } from "react";

export const ThemeContext = createContext();

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Providing Context

import { ThemeContext } from "./ThemeContext";

function App() {
  return (
    <ThemeContext.Provider value="dark">
      <Navbar />
      <Content />
    </ThemeContext.Provider>
  );
}

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Consuming Context

import { useContext } from "react";
import { ThemeContext } from "./ThemeContext";

function Navbar() {
  const theme = useContext(ThemeContext);
  return <h2>Current Theme: {theme}</h2>;
}

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Key Points

• createContext() → creates a context object
• Provider → wraps components and provides value
• useContext() → accesses context value
• Avoid prop drilling for deeply nested components

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Conclusion

React Context API is a powerful tool for global state management in functional components, simplifying code and improving maintainability.

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Citations

https://savanka.com/category/learn/react/
https://www.w3schools.com/REACT/DEFAULT.ASP