🔗 Phoenix LiveView widgets with hooks: a reusable pattern

Reusable Phoenix widgets have often been a challenge in Elixir applications, especially when managing state and events without complicating the parent LiveView. This article highlights a unique pattern for creating stateful and interactive components using function components and hooks. The method allows components to be self-contained, managing their own state while seamlessly integrating into the LiveView lifecycle.

It covers the limitations of LiveComponents and Embedded LiveViews, demonstrating how the pattern can simplify component development by treating the LiveView's socket as the single source of truth. By implementing hooks, developers intercept events without requiring the parent LiveView to handle internal complexities, enabling multiple instances to run independently in the same context. A practical example involves building a chat widget, detailing the essential steps and considerations to maintain performance and reliability.