# Stability Patterns for liveQuery + Svelte 5

Dexie's `liveQuery` works well with Svelte 5 runes, but the combination requires a few stable patterns so queries don't get recreated unintentionally and components render correctly on a "cold start" (empty IndexedDB).
- Keep the observable instance stable: wrap `liveQuery` in a stable `$derived` so the observable isn't recreated on every render. Recreate the `liveQuery` only when explicit dependencies change (IDs, filters, or search keys).

```typescript
// stable derived wrapper — only recreated when `id` changes
let lq__obj = $derived(
    (() => {
    // capture the dependency(s) in a single stable closure
    const id = url_id;
    return liveQuery(async () => {
            if (!id) return null;
            console.log('[LQ] running for id=', id);
            return await db.table.get(id);
        });
    })()
);
```

- Use `$derived.by(() => ...)` where available in your runes shim to build queries from a computed set of inputs (IDs list, search params). This preserves a stable observable instance while still reacting to explicit dependency changes.

- Avoid capturing mutable objects or inline expressions in the `liveQuery` closure. If the closure captures a changing reference, the query may be recreated unexpectedly or miss the first write.
## Common Gotchas and Fixes (Why things sometimes need multiple refreshes)

- Cold start (IDB empty) + non-blocking API writes: If you mount a component before data is written to IDB, `liveQuery` may run against an empty DB. The API write will populate IDB later, but sometimes a chain of dependent queries (e.g., presentations -> presenters) won't all rerun in the order you expect. The symptoms you described — session shows after one refresh, presenters only after a second — are consistent with either (a) queries recreated in the wrong order or (b) dependent store values being set only after some subscriptions are already created.

### Critical Discovery (2026-02-26): The "try_cache: false" Bug

**Symptom:** Nested data (e.g., Session → Presentations → Presenters) requires multiple manual refreshes to display on cold-start, even when using blocking loads.

**Root Cause:** Two interconnected issues in nested data loaders:
1. **Disabled caching in nested loads**: Parent loads were passing `try_cache: false` to child loads, meaning presentations and presenters were fetched from API but **never written to IndexedDB**.
2. **Missing microtask yields**: Even when caching was enabled, components would mount and subscribe to liveQuery *before* IndexedDB writes completed, causing race conditions.

**Example of the Bug:**
```typescript
// Session loader (BROKEN)
await db_save_ae_obj_li__ae_obj({ table: 'session', obj_li: [session] });
// Loads presentations but disables caching ❌
return await load_presentations({ ..., try_cache: false });
  // Presentations fetch from API ✅
  // Presentations SKIP IndexedDB write ❌
  // Presenters SKIP IndexedDB write ❌
// Component mounts, liveQuery finds only session ❌
```

**The Fix:**
```typescript
// Session loader (FIXED)
await db_save_ae_obj_li__ae_obj({ table: 'session', obj_li: [session] });
await Promise.resolve(); // Yield to observers
// Preserve parent's try_cache value ✅
return await load_presentations({ ..., try_cache });
  // Presentations fetch AND write to IDB ✅
  await Promise.resolve(); // Yield to observers
  // Presenters fetch AND write to IDB ✅
  await Promise.resolve(); // Yield to observers
// Component mounts, liveQuery finds all data ✅
```

**Key Lessons:**
1. **Always preserve `try_cache` through nested loads** unless you have a specific reason to disable caching for that operation
2. **Add `await Promise.resolve()` after IndexedDB writes** to ensure Dexie's liveQuery observers fire before the function returns
3. **Block on nested loads with `await Promise.all()`** instead of fire-and-forget `forEach()` when the page needs complete data for first render

Fixes:
- Prefer the "Blocking Loader" when you can: `await` the API call in `+page.ts` so IDB is populated before Svelte mounts.
- If you cannot block, return an `initial_*` object from `+page.ts` and use it as an immediate fallback in your component so the UI renders from that payload while `liveQuery` takes over for subsequent updates. Example from Aether:

```svelte
<Comp_event_presentation_obj_li
    lq__event_presentation_obj_li={$lq__event_presentation_obj_li ?? data.initial_session_obj?.event_presentation_li ?? []}
    {log_lvl}
/>
```

- Ensure store IDs are set before subscribers that depend on them are created. Use `untrack()` (or an equivalent non-reactive assignment) to set IDs in stores during initialization so components subscribe to the correct IDs immediately:

```typescript
$effect(() => {
    if (!ae_acct) return;
    untrack(() => {
        $events_slct.event_id = url_event_id;
        $events_slct.event_session_id = url_session_id;
    });
});
```

- When you have chains (presentations depend on session; presenters depend on presentation.person_id), make the dependent liveQuery explicitly wait for the upstream ID and log inside each query to verify the order — adding a small `await Promise.resolve()` or `await 0` inside the `liveQuery` is sometimes useful during debugging to ensure the JS microtask queue has a chance to settle after DB writes.

## Practical Patterns from Aether (Journals & Events)
- Journals: The journaling pages use SWR-style background refreshes but reliably render because either (a) the page `+page.ts` blocks to populate DB for critical views, or (b) components accept `data.initial_*` fallback values until `liveQuery` emits. This hybrid approach avoids the "refresh twice" problem while keeping navigation snappy.

- Sessions / Presentations: The session page demonstrates several best practices:
    - Use `url_*` constants (derived from `data.params`) so the `liveQuery` closure captures a stable value instead of the reactive store directly.
    - Provide `initial_session_obj` from `+page.ts` as a first-draw fallback to child components.
    - Use `$derived.by(() => liveQuery(...))` for presentation lists so the observable instance is stable across renders and recreated only when `event_session_id` or `search` changes.

Example (presentation list pattern):
```typescript
let lq__event_presentation_obj_li = $derived(
    liveQuery(async () => {
        if (!url_session_id) return [];
        console.log('[LQ] Querying Presentations for Session:', url_session_id);
        return await db_events.presentation.where('event_session_id').equals(url_session_id).sortBy('name');
    })
);
```

## Debugging Checklist

- Add a small `console.log` inside each `liveQuery` closure to confirm when it runs and what `id` it sees.
- Verify that `+page.ts` either `await`s critical loads or returns `initial_*` payloads for first-render hydration.
- Confirm that dependent store values (selected IDs) are assigned before components subscribe — use `untrack` to prevent extra reactive cycles.
- Ensure your `liveQuery` closures return quickly and do not throw; any exception inside the query can stop updates.
- If a dependent query appears stale, temporarily add `await 0` in the upstream query or an explicit `Promise.resolve()` after the IDB write to force the microtask queue to flush during debugging.

## Summary Recommendations

- Prefer blocking loads for primary views when first-render correctness matters.
- Use `initial_*` fallback data when non-blocking loads are required.
- Wrap `liveQuery` in stable `$derived` instances and only recreate when explicit inputs change.
- Use `untrack` to set selection IDs during initialization to avoid subscribe-order bugs.
- Add targeted logs inside `liveQuery` closures to diagnose ordering and subscription behavior.

These patterns are deliberately conservative — they trade minimal blocking or small explicit fallbacks for predictable first-render behaviour. The Aether app's Journals and Event session pages are working examples of these techniques in practice.

## Examples in this repository

The following files demonstrate stable `liveQuery` usage, `initial_*` fallbacks, and stable `$derived` wrappers used across the Aether app. Inspect these for copy/paste patterns and concrete implementations.

- Journals page (stable LQ + search patterns): [src/routes/journals/[journal_id]/+page.svelte](src/routes/journals/[journal_id]/+page.svelte#L51)
- Journals layout (blocking background loader): [src/routes/journals/[journal_id]/+layout.ts](src/routes/journals/[journal_id]/+layout.ts#L1)
- Session page with URL capture + initial fallback: [src/routes/events/[event_id]/(pres_mgmt)/session/[session_id]/+page.svelte](src/routes/events/[event_id]/(pres_mgmt)/session/[session_id]/+page.svelte#L41)
- Presentation management overview (stable derived + search): [src/routes/events/[event_id]/(pres_mgmt)/pres_mgmt/+page.svelte](src/routes/events/[event_id]/(pres_mgmt)/pres_mgmt/+page.svelte#L70)
- Event settings example (simple observable): [src/routes/events/[event_id]/settings/+page.svelte](src/routes/events/[event_id]/settings/+page.svelte#L51)
- Badge/detail pages (examples of nested LQ): [src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte](src/routes/events/[event_id]/(badges)/badges/+page.svelte#L66)

Refer to these files when you need concrete code examples to adopt the patterns described above.

## References

This document provides a guide to integrating Svelte (with a focus on Runes) and Dexie.js for building reactive web applications. It covers key concepts and best practices for managing reactivity between Svelte components and the Dexie.js database.

## Svelte 5 Migration Guide

Svelte 5 introduces "runes" as a new way to manage reactivity. This is a major change from previous versions of Svelte, and it's important to understand the breaking changes before migrating.

### Key Breaking Changes

- **`let` is no longer reactive:** In Svelte 4, any `let` variable declared in the top-level scope of a component was automatically reactive. In Svelte 5, you must explicitly declare reactive state using the `$state` rune.
- **`$:` is replaced by `$derived` and `$effect`:** The `$` label is no longer used for reactive statements. Instead, you should use the `$derived` rune for computed values and the `$effect` rune for side effects.
- **`export let` is replaced by `$props`:** Component props are now declared using the `$props` rune, which provides a more flexible and explicit way to define component APIs.
- **Event handling:** The `on:` directive is replaced by event attributes (e.g., `onclick`). Component events are now handled using callback props instead of `createEventDispatcher`.
- **Slots are replaced by snippets:** The `<slot>` element is replaced by the `{#snippet ...}` block, which provides a more powerful and flexible way to pass content to components.

For a complete list of breaking changes, refer to the [Svelte 5 migration guide](https://svelte.dev/docs/svelte/v5-migration-guide).

## Dexie.js Quick Reference

Dexie.js is a lightweight, minimalistic wrapper for IndexedDB that makes it easier to work with client-side databases.

### Key Classes and Methods

- **`Dexie`:** The main class for creating and managing IndexedDB databases.
    - `new Dexie(databaseName)`: Creates a new database instance.
    - `version(versionNumber).stores({ ... })`: Defines the database schema.
- **`Table`:** Represents an object store (table) in the database.
    - `add(item)`: Adds a new item to the table.
    - `put(item)`: Adds or updates an item in the table.
    - `update(key, changes)`: Updates an existing item.
    - `delete(key)`: Deletes an item by its primary key.
    - `get(key)`: Retrieves an item by its primary key.
    - `where(index)`: Starts a query using an index.
    - `toArray()`: Retrieves all items from the table as an array.
- **`Collection`:** Represents a collection of items resulting from a query.
    - `toArray()`: Retrieves all items in the collection as an array.
    - `first()`: Retrieves the first item in the collection.
    - `last()`: Retrieves the last item in the collection.
    - `each(callback)`: Iterates over each item in the collection.
    - `modify(changes)`: Updates all items in the collection.
    - `delete()`: Deletes all items in the collection.

For a complete list of API methods, refer to the [Dexie.js API Reference](https://dexie.org/docs/API-Reference).

## Integrating Svelte Runes and Dexie.js

The combination of Svelte Runes and Dexie.js allows for the creation of highly reactive and efficient web applications.

### The `liveQuery` Function

Dexie.js provides a `liveQuery` function that returns an observable of the query result. This observable can be used to automatically update the UI whenever the data in the database changes.

### Using `liveQuery` with Svelte Runes

To use `liveQuery` with Svelte Runes, you can create a custom readable store that wraps the `liveQuery` observable. This store can then be used in your Svelte components to display and interact with the data.

**1. Create a `liveQuery` store:**

```typescript
import { liveQuery } from 'dexie';
import { readable } from 'svelte/store';
import { db } from './db'; // Your Dexie database instance

export function createLiveQueryStore<T>(query: () => T | Promise<T>) {
    return readable<T | undefined>(undefined, (set) => {
        const subscription = liveQuery(query).subscribe({
            next: (result) => set(result),
            error: (error) => console.error(error)
        });
        return () => subscription.unsubscribe();
    });
}
```

**2. Use the `createLiveQueryStore` in your component:**

```html
<script>
    import { createLiveQueryStore } from './stores';
    import { db } from './db';

    const friends = createLiveQueryStore(() => db.friends.toArray());
</script>

<ul>
    {#if $friends} {#each $friends as friend}
    <li>{friend.name}</li>
    {/each} {/if}
</ul>
```

The `createLiveQueryStore` function creates a readable store that automatically updates whenever the data in the `friends` table changes. The `$friends` variable in the component will always contain the latest data from the database.

## Page Load Strategies (Avoiding the "Waterfall")

When loading data for a primary page view (e.g., viewing a specific Journal, Session, or Person), you must choose a synchronization strategy to ensure the UI renders correctly on the first load.

### ❌ The "Fire & Forget" Anti-Pattern (AVOID)
Triggering a background load in `+page.ts` without `await` leads to race conditions.
1. `+page.svelte` mounts immediately.
2. `liveQuery` runs against an empty IndexedDB.
3. API data arrives later and writes to IndexedDB.
4. **Failure:** Svelte 5 + Dexie `liveQuery` may not automatically detect this first "cold start" update without a manual refresh.

### ✅ The "Blocking Loader" Pattern (RECOMMENDED)
Ensure the data is in IndexedDB **before** the component mounts.
1. In `+page.ts`, `await` the API load function.
2. In `+page.svelte`, the `liveQuery` will see the data immediately upon mount.

**Example (+page.ts):**
```typescript
export async function load({ params }) {
    // Blocking await ensures IDB is populated
    await journals_func.load_ae_obj_id__journal({
        journal_id: params.journal_id,
        try_cache: true
    });
    return {};
}
```

### ✅ The "Hydrate & Subscribe" Pattern (ADVANCED)
If you must use non-blocking loads, you must pass the initial data to the component to "hydrate" the state before the subscription takes over.

1. In `+page.ts`, `await` the load and **return the object**.
2. In `+page.svelte`, use the returned object as a fallback or initial state.

**Example (+page.svelte):**
```svelte
<script>
    let { data } = $props();
    let lq__obj = $derived(liveQuery(async () => db.table.get(id)));
</script>

<!-- Use fallback to handle the gap before liveQuery emits -->
{#if $lq__obj || data.initial_obj}
    <View object={$lq__obj ?? data.initial_obj} />
{/if}
```

## Svelte 5 Binding Pitfalls

### 1. `props_invalid_value` (The "Expression Binding" Error)
Svelte 5's `bind:` directive is more restrictive than previous versions. You can only bind to a simple **Identifier** or **MemberExpression**.

**❌ Invalid Pattern (Causes Compile Error):**
Attempting to normalize a value *inside* the binding will fail.
```svelte
<!-- Error: Can only bind to an Identifier or MemberExpression -->
<Launcher_menu bind:slct__event_session_id={$events_slct.event_session_id || null} />
```

**✅ Correct Pattern:**
Ensure the source value is already normalized before binding, or use a reactive effect to handle the fallback.
```typescript
// Normalize in an effect or derivation
$effect(() => {
    if ($events_slct.event_session_id === undefined) {
        $events_slct.event_session_id = null;
    }
});
```
```svelte
<!-- Bind directly to the normalized property -->
<Launcher_menu bind:slct__event_session_id={$events_slct.event_session_id} />
```

---

## Safe Data Processing for IndexedDB Sorting

When preparing data for IndexedDB, especially when creating composite sort keys, it is critical to handle `null` or `undefined` values safely to prevent runtime crashes that can interrupt the data synchronization process.

### 1. Safe String Padding
Attempting to call `.toString()` or `.padStart()` on a `null` or `undefined` value will throw a `TypeError`. This is a common pitfall when processing optional fields like `sort` or `group`.

**Bad Pattern (Crash Risk):**
```typescript
// Crashes if obj.sort is null or undefined
obj.tmp_sort_1 = `${obj.sort.toString().padStart(3, '0')}`;
obj.tmp_sort_2 = `${obj.sort?.toString().padStart(3, '0') ?? ''}`; // Still risky if chaining is misunderstood
```

**Good Pattern (Safe):**
```typescript
// Safely handle null/undefined by defaulting to 0 or an empty string BEFORE string manipulation
const sort_val = (obj.sort ?? 0).toString().padStart(3, '0');
```

### 2. Correct Sorting with Dexie
Dexie's `sortBy()` method returns a new array sorted by the specified key. It **ignores** previous `reverse()` calls on the collection. To achieve a descending sort, you must sort first and then reverse the resulting array.

**Incorrect (Ascending Sort Result):**
```typescript
// .reverse() is ignored by .sortBy()
let results = await db.table.where('id').equals(id).reverse().sortBy('sort_key');
```

**Correct (Descending Sort Result):**
```typescript
// Sort ascending first, then reverse the array
let results = await db.table.where('id').equals(id).sortBy('sort_key');
return results.reverse();
```

## References
* https://dexie.org/llms.txt - Dexie.js and Dexie Cloud — LLM Guide and Documentation Summary