--- title: "Exploring TanStack Ecosystem: From React Query to TanStack Start" description: "Tanner Linsley breaks down TanStack’s evolution-from React Query to Start, and why client-first React apps still matter in today’s full-stack landscape." url: https://www.callstack.com/podcasts/exploring-tanstack-ecosystem-with-tanner-linsley updated: 2026-10-24T08:39:42.387Z --- # Exploring TanStack Ecosystem: From React Query to TanStack Start Tanner Linsley breaks down TanStack’s evolution-from React Query to Start, and why client-first React apps still matter in today’s full-stack landscape. _Guest: Tanner Linsley, Owner @ TanStack · Host: Łukasz Chludziński, Engineering Manager @ Callstack · Published 2025-04-09 · Duration 01:20:58 · Category: React_ Listen: [YouTube](https://youtu.be/2L4tlUIqLho) · [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2fJTpVVW4ZY6oU4EKPYxsu?si=S7Tm1bNjQrO6RbeDg8b9vQ) · [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tanstack-ecosystem-with-tanner-linsley-react-query-to/id1525543072?i=1000702856723) · [SoundCloud](https://soundcloud.com/user-985069846/tanstack-ecosystem-with-tanner-linsley-react-query-to-tanstack-start-react-universe-on-air-50?si=91490586c7da4ed182c9e88b73e29c4b&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing) In this episode, Łukasz Chludziński talks with Tanner Linsley—creator of TanStack and co-founder of [Nozzle.io](http://Nozzle.io)—about the evolution of his open-source libraries, starting with React Table and React Query and leading up to TanStack Router and TanStack Start. The discussion focuses on the real technical problems these tools were designed to solve and how they fit into modern application architecture. Tanner explains why being framework-agnostic, headless, type-safe, and dependency-light matters—not just for developer experience, but for long-term maintainability and business flexibility. He also discusses the trade-offs of client-side and server-first approaches, and where TanStack Start fits into that conversation. ## From solving internal pain points to influencing frontend architecture The conversation begins with Tanner’s early development experiences and how practical needs at Nozzle led to building React Table, React Query, and other libraries. These tools weren’t created in isolation—they emerged from specific challenges around data synchronization, state management, and user expectations in real production apps. React Query came out of a need to manage stale and shared server state more effectively than Redux allowed. Similarly, TanStack Router began when Tanner hit architectural limitations in React Router and needed better control over state stored in URLs. TanStack Start brings these ideas together into a full-stack solution that still keeps the client-first model front and center. ## What makes TanStack Start stand out TanStack Start adds full-stack capabilities like SSR, server functions, and API routes on top of TanStack Router, without forcing a server-first model. Applications built with a client-side mindset can gradually adopt server-side features as needed. This is especially useful for teams migrating incrementally or maintaining large existing React apps. Tanner also shares his thoughts on React Server Components. Instead of following Next.js’s approach, he proposes treating them as another form of server state—something that can be streamed, cached, and integrated using TanStack Query. ## Key discussion points in the episode - Why open-source libraries are best built on real-world use cases - How React Query reframed the conversation around global state by introducing the client/server state split - What headless, type-safe design means in practice, and how it reduces support complexity - The thinking behind framework-agnostic cores and adapters for React, Solid, Angular, and more - A practical model for working with React Server Components using TanStack tools ## Learn even more about the TanStack ecosystem - Łukasz Chludziński on [X](https://x.com/lukasz_app), [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/lukasz.app), and [GitHub](https://github.com/lukasz-app) - Tanner Linsley on [X](https://x.com/tannerlinsley) and [GitHub](https://github.com/tannerlinsley) - [Tanner’s blog](https://tannerlinsley.com/) - [TanStack documentation](https://tanstack.com/) - [TanStack on GitHub](https://github.com/TanStack) - [TanStack Discord community](https://discord.com/invite/tanstack-719702312431386674) Insights ## Learn more about React Here's everything we published recently on this topic. [View all](https://www.callstack.com/insights) - [Writing Custom Renderers for React](https://www.callstack.com/blog/writing-custom-renderers-for-react) (Jun 24 · Article): Learn how React renderers work, why RNTL needed a new test renderer, and what it takes to connect React Reconciler to a host environment. - [Building iOS Live Activities With React: Inside Voltra](https://www.callstack.com/events/building-ios-live-activities-with-react) (Dec 18 · Live Stream): Learn how to build iOS Live Activities and Dynamic Island experiences using pure JSX, no Swift or native code required. - [From React Native Web to React Strict DOM](https://www.callstack.com/podcasts/from-react-native-web-to-react-strict-dom) (Nov 27 · Podcast): Nicolas Gallagher (Meta) explains how React Strict DOM evolved from React Native Web, providing a shared syntax that compiles to native or web with zero overhead. - [React Foundation: New Governance Model for React and React Native](https://www.callstack.com/podcasts/react-foundation-new-governance-model-for-react-and-react-native) (Nov 21 · Podcast): Seth Webster, Executive Director of the React Foundation, details its new governance model, Meta's role, and how partners like Callstack and Microsoft will ensure stability and scale. - [Create React App is Out: Exploring Alternatives & Community Proposals](https://www.callstack.com/events/create-react-app-is-out-exploring-alternatives-community-proposals) (Feb 20 · Live Stream): CRA is now deprecated, so we explore other options for starting web React projects, going through Vite, TanStack Router, Parcel, and Rsbuild to check the developer experience. - [State of React 2024 Breakdown](https://www.callstack.com/events/state-of-react-2024-breakdown) (Feb 13 · Live Stream): Let's take a deep dive into the long-awaited State of React survey from 2024; brace yourselves for a two-hour ride. - [How to Get Started With 3D in React](https://www.callstack.com/podcasts/how-to-get-started-with-3d-in-react) (Sep 24 · Podcast): Learn how to implement 3D in React apps, learn more about top libraries like React Three Fiber, and dive into WebGPU's future. - [The Complete Developer Guide to React 19, Part 3: Upgraded Support](https://www.callstack.com/blog/the-complete-developer-guide-to-react-19-part-3-upgraded-support) (Sep 9 · Article): Learn how React 19's new features enhance SEO, page performance, and custom elements support for better, faster web applications. - [Welcome to the React Universe](https://www.callstack.com/events/welcome-to-the-react-universe) (Sep 5 · Talk): This is the Keynote talk presented at React Universe Conf 2024, the largest community conference that unites developers and thought leaders to explore trends, share insights, and push the boundaries of React and React Native.