@rangojs/router 0.0.0-experimental.755e9042 → 0.0.0-experimental.76

package/dist/vite/index.js

@@ -1864,7 +1864,7 @@ import { resolve } from "node:path";
 // package.json
 var package_default = {
   name: "@rangojs/router",
-  version: "0.0.0-experimental.755e9042",
+  version: "0.0.0-experimental.76",
   description: "Django-inspired RSC router with composable URL patterns",
   keywords: [
     "react",
@@ -2006,7 +2006,7 @@ var package_default = {
     "test:unit:watch": "vitest"
   },
   dependencies: {
-    "@vitejs/plugin-rsc": "^0.5.19",
+    "@vitejs/plugin-rsc": "^0.5.23",
     "magic-string": "^0.30.17",
     picomatch: "^4.0.3",
     "rsc-html-stream": "^0.0.7"
@@ -2026,7 +2026,7 @@ var package_default = {
   },
   peerDependencies: {
     "@cloudflare/vite-plugin": "^1.25.0",
-    "@vitejs/plugin-rsc": "^0.5.14",
+    "@vitejs/plugin-rsc": "^0.5.23",
     react: "^18.0.0 || ^19.0.0",
     vite: "^7.3.0"
   },

package/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@rangojs/router",
-  "version": "0.0.0-experimental.755e9042",
+  "version": "0.0.0-experimental.76",
   "description": "Django-inspired RSC router with composable URL patterns",
   "keywords": [
     "react",
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@
     "test:unit:watch": "vitest"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@vitejs/plugin-rsc": "^0.5.19",
+    "@vitejs/plugin-rsc": "^0.5.23",
     "magic-string": "^0.30.17",
     "picomatch": "^4.0.3",
     "rsc-html-stream": "^0.0.7"
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@
   },
   "peerDependencies": {
     "@cloudflare/vite-plugin": "^1.25.0",
-    "@vitejs/plugin-rsc": "^0.5.14",
+    "@vitejs/plugin-rsc": "^0.5.23",
     "react": "^18.0.0 || ^19.0.0",
     "vite": "^7.3.0"
   },

package/skills/handler-use/SKILL.md

@@ -0,0 +1,362 @@
+---
+name: handler-use
+description: Attach default loaders, middleware, parallels, and other use items directly to handlers via handler.use, and compose them with explicit use() at mount sites
+argument-hint: "[handler]"
+---
+
+# Handler-Attached `.use`
+
+A handler function (or branded `Static`/`Prerender`/`Passthrough` definition) can carry its own defaults via a `.use` callback that returns an array of `use` items (loader, middleware, parallel, intercept, layout, loading, etc.). The mount-site DSL (`path()`, `layout()`, `parallel()`, `intercept()`) merges those defaults with any explicit `use()` callback supplied at the registration site.
+
+This lets handlers be **self-contained, reusable units** — a page brings its own loader, a layout brings its own middleware, a parallel slot brings its own data + skeleton — without forcing every caller to wire the same items at every mount site.
+
+Canonical implementation reference:
+[src/route-definition/resolve-handler-use.ts](../../src/route-definition/resolve-handler-use.ts)
+
+## Defining a handler with `.use`
+
+Attach `.use` to the function (or to the branded definition for `Static()`/`Prerender()`/`Passthrough()`):
+
+```typescript
+import {
+  loader,
+  middleware,
+  loading,
+  createLoader,
+  type Handler,
+} from "@rangojs/router";
+
+export const ProductLoader = createLoader(async (ctx) =>
+  fetchProduct(ctx.params.slug),
+);
+
+const ProductPage: Handler<"/product/:slug"> = async (ctx) => {
+  const product = await ctx.use(ProductLoader);
+  return <ProductView product={product} />;
+};
+
+ProductPage.use = () => [
+  loader(ProductLoader),
+  loading(<ProductSkeleton />),
+  middleware(async (ctx, next) => {
+    await next();
+    ctx.header("Cache-Control", "private, max-age=60");
+  }),
+];
+```
+
+Now `ProductPage` carries its loader, loading state, and response-header middleware regardless of where it is mounted.
+
+## Allowed items per mount site
+
+`handler.use()` is the same callback shape regardless of where the handler runs, but the runtime validates that the items it returns are valid for the mount site. Driven by `MOUNT_SITE_ALLOWED_TYPES` in [resolve-handler-use.ts](../../src/route-definition/resolve-handler-use.ts):
+
+| Mount site                                        | Allowed item types                                                                                                                             |
+| ------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `path()` / `route()`                              | `layout`, `parallel`, `intercept`, `middleware`, `revalidate`, `loader`, `loading`, `errorBoundary`, `notFoundBoundary`, `cache`, `transition` |
+| `layout()`                                        | All of the above, plus `route`, `include`                                                                                                      |
+| `parallel()` (per slot)                           | `revalidate`, `loader`, `loading`, `errorBoundary`, `notFoundBoundary`, `transition`                                                           |
+| `intercept()`                                     | `middleware`, `revalidate`, `loader`, `loading`, `errorBoundary`, `notFoundBoundary`, `layout`, `route`, `when`, `transition`                  |
+| Response routes (`path.json()`, `path.text()`, …) | `middleware`, `cache`                                                                                                                          |
+
+If `handler.use()` returns a disallowed item for a mount site, registration throws:
+
+```
+handler.use() returned middleware() which is not valid inside parallel().
+Allowed types: revalidate, loader, loading, errorBoundary, notFoundBoundary, transition.
+```
+
+The narrowest contract is `parallel()` — slots cannot bring their own middleware or layout; only data, loading, error/notFound boundaries, revalidation, and transitions.
+
+## Composition with explicit `use()`
+
+Every mount site that takes a `use` callback merges in this order:
+
+1. **`handler.use()` items first** — the handler's defaults.
+2. **Explicit `use()` items second** — overrides specified at the mount site.
+
+Items of the same kind from the explicit `use()` follow the existing override rules of that item type. The most important ones for composition:
+
+- **`loading()`** — last definition wins, so explicit `loading()` replaces the handler's default.
+- **`parallel({ "@slot": … })`** — the last `parallel()` call wins per slot name. Other slots from earlier calls are preserved (see `skills/parallel`).
+- **`loader()`, `middleware()`, etc.** — accumulate; both the handler's and the explicit ones run.
+
+Skip the boilerplate: if neither `handler.use` nor explicit `use()` is provided, no merge happens.
+
+```typescript
+// Handler brings a loader + a (placeholder) loading; explicit use replaces loading.
+const SidebarSlot: Handler = async (ctx) => {
+  const data = await ctx.use(SidebarLoader);
+  return <Sidebar data={data} />;
+};
+SidebarSlot.use = () => [
+  loader(SidebarLoader),
+  loading(<DefaultSidebarSkeleton />),
+];
+
+parallel({ "@sidebar": SidebarSlot }, () => [
+  // Replaces the default skeleton; SidebarLoader from handler.use still runs.
+  loading(<SiteSpecificSidebarSkeleton />),
+]);
+```
+
+## Composable parallel slots (the main pay-off)
+
+The parallel slot site is where `handler.use` shines. A slot handler that owns its data/loading lets a layout declare **just** the slot names — every loader, skeleton, and revalidation contract travels with the slot itself.
+
+### Without `handler.use` (every caller wires it up)
+
+```typescript
+layout(<DashboardLayout />, () => [
+  parallel({ "@cart": CartSummary }, () => [
+    loader(CartLoader),
+    loading(<CartSkeleton />),
+    revalidate(revalidateCartData),
+  ]),
+  parallel({ "@notifs": NotificationPanel }, () => [
+    loader(NotificationsLoader),
+    loading(<NotifsSkeleton />),
+    revalidate(revalidateNotifs),
+  ]),
+  path("/dashboard", DashboardIndex, { name: "dashboard.index" }),
+]);
+```
+
+Every layout that wants `@cart` must repeat the same loader/loading/revalidate triplet.
+
+### With `handler.use` (slot owns its dependencies)
+
+```typescript
+const CartSummary: Handler = async (ctx) => {
+  const cart = await ctx.use(CartLoader);
+  return <CartSummaryView cart={cart} />;
+};
+CartSummary.use = () => [
+  loader(CartLoader),
+  loading(<CartSkeleton />),
+  revalidate(revalidateCartData),
+];
+
+const NotificationPanel: Handler = async (ctx) => {
+  const items = await ctx.use(NotificationsLoader);
+  return <NotificationsView items={items} />;
+};
+NotificationPanel.use = () => [
+  loader(NotificationsLoader),
+  loading(<NotifsSkeleton />),
+  revalidate(revalidateNotifs),
+];
+
+// Mount sites become declarative — no per-call data wiring.
+layout(<DashboardLayout />, () => [
+  parallel({ "@cart": CartSummary, "@notifs": NotificationPanel }),
+  path("/dashboard", DashboardIndex, { name: "dashboard.index" }),
+]);
+
+layout(<AccountLayout />, () => [
+  // Same slot, same defaults, zero re-wiring.
+  parallel({ "@cart": CartSummary }),
+  path("/account", AccountIndex, { name: "account.index" }),
+]);
+```
+
+Each slot handler is now a portable, self-contained unit. Different layouts can use the same slot without copying data plumbing.
+
+### Streaming behavior is per-slot
+
+A slot's `loading()` (whether from `handler.use` or explicit) makes that slot an independent streaming unit — its loader does not block the parent layout. Two slot handlers with their own loading skeletons stream independently.
+
+```typescript
+parallel({
+  "@cart": CartSummary, // handler.use loading() → streams independently
+  "@cartBadge": CartBadge, // no loading() anywhere → awaited before paint
+});
+```
+
+### Two scopes for explicit `use` at the mount site: shared (broadcast) and slot-local
+
+`parallel()` accepts an explicit `use()` callback that **broadcasts** to every slot in the call ([dsl-helpers.ts](../../src/route-definition/dsl-helpers.ts)). That's the right behavior for the items the parallel allow-list permits and that accumulate (`loader`, `revalidate`, `errorBoundary`, `notFoundBoundary`, `transition`) — every slot gets them. (Note: `middleware` is not allowed inside `parallel()`; see the allowed-types table above.)
+
+For single-assignment items like `loading()`, broadcasting overwrites every slot's `handler.use` default. Pass a **slot descriptor** `{ handler, use }` instead: items in the descriptor's `use` apply only to that slot.
+
+```typescript
+parallel({
+  "@meta": MetaSlot,
+  "@sidebar": {
+    handler: SidebarSlot,
+    use: () => [loading(<SidebarSkeleton />)], // ← only @sidebar
+  },
+});
+```
+
+Per-slot merge order is **handler.use → shared use → slot-local use** (narrowest scope wins for last-write-wins items like `loading()`):
+
+```typescript
+parallel(
+  {
+    "@cart": {
+      handler: Cart,
+      use: () => [loading(<CartSkeleton />)], // wins for @cart
+    },
+    "@notifs": Notifs, // gets <BroadcastSkeleton />
+  },
+  () => [
+    loader(SharedAnalyticsLoader), // accumulates on every slot
+    loading(<BroadcastSkeleton />), // applies to slots without slot-local
+  ],
+);
+```
+
+Use the descriptor's `use` for `loading(false)` too — opting one slot out of streaming without affecting siblings:
+
+```typescript
+parallel(
+  {
+    "@cart": { handler: Cart, use: () => [loading(false)] }, // @cart awaits
+    "@notifs": Notifs, // @notifs still streams with broadcast skeleton
+  },
+  () => [loading(<BroadcastSkeleton />)],
+);
+```
+
+Rule of thumb: shared `use` is for items that legitimately apply to every slot. Slot-local `use` is for per-slot precision — especially `loading()` and `loading(false)`.
+
+### Replacing a whole slot from a parent's `handler.use`
+
+A handler can publish a default `parallel({...})` set via its `.use`, and the mount site can replace any individual slot by re-declaring it. Last `parallel()` per slot name wins (see `skills/parallel` § Slot Override Semantics).
+
+```typescript
+const ProductPage: Handler<"/product/:slug"> = (ctx) => (
+  <article>
+    <ProductHero slug={ctx.params.slug} />
+    <ParallelOutlet name="@related" />
+    <ParallelOutlet name="@reviews" />
+  </article>
+);
+ProductPage.use = () => [
+  parallel({
+    "@related": DefaultRelatedProducts,
+    "@reviews": DefaultReviews,
+  }),
+];
+
+path("/product/:slug", ProductPage, { name: "product" }, () => [
+  // Override @related only; @reviews keeps the default from handler.use.
+  parallel({ "@related": SiteSpecificRelated }),
+]);
+```
+
+## Other mount sites
+
+### Pages (`path()`)
+
+Page handlers can carry middleware, loaders, error boundaries, parallel slots, etc. — anything from the `path` row of the table above.
+
+```typescript
+const CheckoutPage: Handler<"/checkout"> = async (ctx) => { /* … */ };
+CheckoutPage.use = () => [
+  middleware(requireAuth),
+  loader(CartLoader),
+  errorBoundary(<CheckoutError />),
+  notFoundBoundary(<CheckoutNotFound />),
+];
+```
+
+### Layouts (`layout()`)
+
+Layout handlers can carry middleware that runs for every child route, plus default parallels, includes, etc.
+
+```typescript
+const AdminLayout: Handler = (ctx) => {
+  const user = ctx.get(CurrentUser);
+  return <Admin user={user} />;
+};
+AdminLayout.use = () => [
+  middleware(requireAdmin),
+  parallel({ "@adminNotifs": AdminNotifsSlot }),
+];
+```
+
+### Intercepts (`intercept()`)
+
+Intercept handlers can carry their own middleware chain, loaders, and even nested layouts/routes for the modal shell.
+
+```typescript
+const QuickViewModal: Handler = async (ctx) => {
+  const product = await ctx.use(ProductLoader);
+  return <QuickView product={product} />;
+};
+QuickViewModal.use = () => [
+  loader(ProductLoader),
+  loading(<QuickViewSkeleton />),
+  layout(<ModalChrome />),
+];
+```
+
+## `loading()` is a single-assignment item — scope it correctly
+
+Most `use` items accumulate when merged: `handler.use` `middleware()` runs _and_ explicit `middleware()` runs; both `loader()` registrations apply. `loading()` is different — it mutates `entry.loading` directly, last call wins ([dsl-helpers.ts `loadingFn`](../../src/route-definition/dsl-helpers.ts)).
+
+For pages, layouts, and intercepts that's straightforward: explicit `loading()` at the mount site replaces any `loading()` from `handler.use`. The merge order is `handler.use → explicit`, so the explicit one is the last writer and wins.
+
+For parallel slots, the shared `parallel(..., () => [...])` callback is **broadcast** to every slot in the call. A single `loading()` placed there lands on every slot, overwriting each slot's `handler.use` default. To scope `loading()` to one slot, use the **slot descriptor** form:
+
+```typescript
+const Cart: Handler = async (ctx) => { /* … */ };
+Cart.use = () => [loader(CartLoader), loading(<CartSkeleton />)];
+
+const Notifs: Handler = async (ctx) => { /* … */ };
+Notifs.use = () => [loader(NotifsLoader), loading(<NotifsSkeleton />)];
+
+// ✅ @cart gets a custom skeleton; @notifs keeps its handler.use default.
+parallel({
+  "@cart": {
+    handler: Cart,
+    use: () => [loading(<CustomCartSkeleton />)],
+  },
+  "@notifs": Notifs,
+});
+
+// ✅ Opt one slot out of streaming while siblings still stream the broadcast.
+parallel(
+  {
+    "@cart": { handler: Cart, use: () => [loading(false)] },
+    "@notifs": Notifs,
+  },
+  () => [loading(<BroadcastSkeleton />)],
+);
+```
+
+Per-slot merge order is **handler.use → shared use → slot-local use**. Slot-local is the narrowest scope, so it wins for last-write-wins items like `loading()`. Items that accumulate within the parallel allow-list (`loader`, `revalidate`, `errorBoundary`, `notFoundBoundary`, `transition`) compose across all three layers regardless.
+
+Other things to keep in mind about `loading()`:
+
+- Any `loading()` (regardless of source) makes the segment a streaming unit. A handler that includes `loading()` in its `.use` opts every mount site into streaming by default. To opt back out, pass `loading(false)` at the mount site (`loading: false` handling in [match-middleware/segment-resolution.ts](../../src/router/match-middleware/segment-resolution.ts)) — use the slot descriptor form for parallel slots so the opt-out doesn't broadcast.
+
+Rule of thumb: only put `loading()` in `handler.use` if you genuinely want every mount site to stream by default. Use the slot descriptor's `use` for any per-slot intent at a `parallel()` call.
+
+## Edge cases & gotchas
+
+- **ReactNode handlers cannot have `.use`.** A bare JSX element passed as a handler (e.g., `path("/about", <About />)`) has no function to attach properties to. Pass a function or branded definition instead.
+- **Branded handlers** — `Static()`, `Prerender()`, and `Passthrough()` are positional constructors (not object-arg). Construct first, then attach `.use` to the returned definition:
+
+  ```typescript
+  const ProductPage = Prerender(async (ctx) => {
+    const product = await fetchProduct(ctx.params.slug);
+    return <ProductView product={product} />;
+  });
+  ProductPage.use = () => [loader(ProductLoader)];
+  ```
+
+- **Items can be flat or nested arrays.** `handler.use()` results are flattened with `.flat(3)` before validation, so factory helpers that return arrays inline work the same as in regular `use()` callbacks.
+- **Validation runs at registration / first match**, not at handler definition. A handler doesn't know its mount site at definition time — the same handler used in a `path()` and an `intercept()` is validated against each mount's allowed-types set when registered.
+- **No silent shadowing.** If a disallowed item slips through (e.g., a layout factory returning `cache()` from a slot's `handler.use`), the runtime throws with the offending type and mount site named.
+
+## Cross-references
+
+- `skills/route` — `path()` mount site basics
+- `skills/layout` — `layout()` mount site basics
+- `skills/parallel` — parallel slot semantics, slot override rules, streaming behavior
+- `skills/intercept` — intercept mount site basics
+- `skills/loader` — defining `createLoader` and reading via `ctx.use()`
+- `skills/middleware` — middleware semantics and ordering

package/skills/intercept/SKILL.md

@@ -311,3 +311,23 @@ export const shopPatterns = urls(({
   ]),
 ]);
 ```
+
+## Handler-attached `.use`
+
+Intercept handlers can carry their own middleware, loaders, loading state, error/notFound boundaries, and even nested `layout`/`route`/`when` defaults via `.use` — useful for self-contained modal components that travel with their own data and chrome.
+
+```typescript
+const QuickViewModal: Handler = async (ctx) => {
+  const product = await ctx.use(ProductLoader);
+  return <QuickView product={product} />;
+};
+QuickViewModal.use = () => [
+  loader(ProductLoader),
+  loading(<QuickViewSkeleton />),
+  layout(<ModalChrome />),
+];
+
+intercept("@modal", "product", QuickViewModal);
+```
+
+Explicit `use()` at the mount site merges with `handler.use` (handler defaults first, explicit second). See [skills/handler-use](../handler-use/SKILL.md) for merge order and the per-mount-site allowed-types table.

package/skills/layout/SKILL.md

@@ -308,3 +308,25 @@ export const shopPatterns = urls(({ path, layout, parallel, loader, revalidate }
   ]),
 ]);
 ```
+
+## Handler-attached `.use`
+
+Layout handlers can carry their own middleware, default parallels, and includes via `.use` so a layout becomes a self-contained unit reusable across mount sites.
+
+```typescript
+const AdminLayout: Handler = (ctx) => {
+  const user = ctx.get(CurrentUser);
+  return <Admin user={user} />;
+};
+AdminLayout.use = () => [
+  middleware(requireAdmin),
+  parallel({ "@adminNotifs": AdminNotifsSlot }),
+];
+
+// Mount site declares structure only; defaults travel with the layout.
+layout(AdminLayout, () => [
+  path("/admin", AdminIndex, { name: "admin.index" }),
+]);
+```
+
+Allowed item types in a layout's `.use` mirror the layout `use()` callback (the broadest set). Explicit `use()` at the mount site merges with `handler.use` (handler defaults first, explicit second). See [skills/handler-use](../handler-use/SKILL.md) for merge order and per-mount-site allowed types.

package/skills/parallel/SKILL.md

@@ -206,6 +206,65 @@ parallel(
 )
 ```
 
+## Composable Slots via `handler.use`
+
+Slot handlers can carry their own loader, loading, error/notFound boundaries, revalidation, and transition defaults via `.use`. The mount site then declares **just the slot names** — no per-call data wiring.
+
+```typescript
+const CartSummary: Handler = async (ctx) => {
+  const cart = await ctx.use(CartLoader);
+  return <CartSummaryView cart={cart} />;
+};
+CartSummary.use = () => [
+  loader(CartLoader),
+  loading(<CartSkeleton />),
+  revalidate(revalidateCartData),
+];
+
+// Same slot, no copy-pasted plumbing across layouts.
+layout(<DashboardLayout />, () => [
+  parallel({ "@cart": CartSummary }),
+  path("/dashboard", DashboardIndex, { name: "dashboard.index" }),
+]);
+
+layout(<AccountLayout />, () => [
+  parallel({ "@cart": CartSummary }),
+  path("/account", AccountIndex, { name: "account.index" }),
+]);
+```
+
+A slot's `loading()` (whether from `handler.use` or explicit) makes that slot an independent streaming unit, exactly as in the **Streaming Behavior** section above.
+
+The `parallel` mount site has the narrowest allow-list for `handler.use` items — slots cannot bring their own middleware or layout, only `revalidate`, `loader`, `loading`, `errorBoundary`, `notFoundBoundary`, and `transition`. See [skills/handler-use](../handler-use/SKILL.md) for the full table and merge rules.
+
+### Two scopes for explicit `use`: shared (broadcast) and slot-local
+
+`parallel({...slots}, () => [...use])` runs the shared `use()` callback **once per slot** ([dsl-helpers.ts](../../src/route-definition/dsl-helpers.ts)) — items in that callback land on every slot's entry. That's the right behavior for the items the parallel allow-list permits and that accumulate (`loader`, `revalidate`, `errorBoundary`, `notFoundBoundary`, `transition`). (Slots cannot bring `middleware` or `layout` — see the allowed-types note above.)
+
+For single-assignment items like `loading()`, broadcasting overwrites every slot's `handler.use` default. Pass a **slot descriptor** `{ handler, use }` instead — items in the descriptor's `use` apply only to that slot:
+
+```typescript
+// @cart gets a custom skeleton; @notifs keeps its handler.use default.
+parallel({
+  "@cart": {
+    handler: Cart,
+    use: () => [loading(<CustomCartSkeleton />)],
+  },
+  "@notifs": Notifs,
+});
+
+// Opt one slot out of streaming while siblings still stream the broadcast.
+parallel(
+  {
+    "@cart": { handler: Cart, use: () => [loading(false)] },
+    "@notifs": Notifs,
+  },
+  () => [loading(<BroadcastSkeleton />)],
+);
+```
+
+Per-slot merge order is **handler.use → shared use → slot-local use**. Slot-local is the narrowest scope, so it wins for last-write-wins items. See [skills/handler-use § `loading()` is a single-assignment item — scope it correctly](../handler-use/SKILL.md#loading-is-a-single-assignment-item--scope-it-correctly) for the full reasoning.
+
 ## Slot Override Semantics
 
 When multiple `parallel()` calls define the same slot name, **the last

package/skills/route/SKILL.md

@@ -383,6 +383,30 @@ urls(({ path, layout }) => [
 ])
 ```
 
+## Handler-attached `.use`
+
+Page handlers can carry their own loader, middleware, error boundaries, parallels, and other defaults via a `.use` callback — so the page is self-contained and reusable across mount sites without re-wiring the same items.
+
+```typescript
+const ProductPage: Handler<"/product/:slug"> = async (ctx) => {
+  const product = await ctx.use(ProductLoader);
+  return <ProductView product={product} />;
+};
+ProductPage.use = () => [
+  loader(ProductLoader),
+  loading(<ProductSkeleton />),
+  middleware(async (ctx, next) => {
+    await next();
+    ctx.header("Cache-Control", "private, max-age=60");
+  }),
+];
+
+// Mount site has no per-page wiring — defaults travel with the handler.
+path("/product/:slug", ProductPage, { name: "product" });
+```
+
+Explicit `use()` at the mount site merges with `handler.use` (handler defaults first, explicit second). See [skills/handler-use](../handler-use/SKILL.md) for the merge order, allowed item types per mount site, and override semantics.
+
 ## Complete Example
 
 ```typescript

package/src/browser/navigation-bridge.ts

@@ -261,18 +261,24 @@ export function createNavigationBridge(
       // 2. routes that CAN be intercepted - we don't know if this navigation will intercept
       // 3. when leaving intercept - we need fresh non-intercept segments from server
       // 4. redirect-with-state - force re-render so hooks read fresh state
+      // 5. stale cache - server action invalidated it, need fresh data with loading state
       const hasUsableCache =
         cachedSegments &&
         cachedSegments.length > 0 &&
         !isInterceptOnlyCache(cachedSegments) &&
         !hasInterceptCache &&
         !isLeavingIntercept &&
+        !cached?.stale &&
         !options?._skipCache;
 
+      // Forward navigations always await fetchPartialUpdate before rendering,
+      // so useNavigation should always report "loading". skipLoadingState is
+      // only used for popstate background revalidation (line ~526) where
+      // cached content renders instantly without a network wait.
       const tx = createNavigationTransaction(store, eventController, url, {
         ...options,
         state: resolvedState,
-        skipLoadingState: hasUsableCache,
+        skipLoadingState: false,
       });
 
       // REVALIDATE: Fetch fresh data from server

package/src/browser/partial-update.ts

@@ -188,6 +188,11 @@ export function createPartialUpdater(
       targetCache && targetCache.length > 0
         ? targetCache
         : getCurrentCachedSegments();
+    const cachedSegsSource =
+      targetCache && targetCache.length > 0 ? "history-cache" : "current-page";
+    debugLog(
+      `[Browser] cachedSegs source: ${cachedSegsSource} (${cachedSegs.length} segments: ${cachedSegs.map((s) => s.id).join(", ")})`,
+    );
 
     // Fetch partial payload (no abort signal - RSC doesn't support it well)
     let fetchResult: Awaited<ReturnType<NavigationClient["fetchPartial"]>>;

package/src/browser/prefetch/fetch.ts

@@ -25,6 +25,23 @@ import { enqueuePrefetch } from "./queue.js";
 import { shouldPrefetch } from "./policy.js";
 import { debugLog } from "../logging.js";
 
+/**
+ * Check if a URL resolves to the current page (same pathname + search).
+ * Used to prevent same-page prefetching with prefetchKey, which would
+ * produce a trivial diff that corrupts the wildcard cache.
+ */
+function isSamePage(url: string): boolean {
+  try {
+    const target = new URL(url, window.location.origin);
+    return (
+      target.pathname + target.search ===
+      window.location.pathname + window.location.search
+    );
+  } catch {
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
 /**
  * Build an RSC partial URL for prefetching.
  * Includes _rsc_segments so the server can diff against currently mounted
@@ -120,6 +137,11 @@ export function prefetchDirect(
 
   const targetUrl = buildPrefetchUrl(url, segmentIds, version, routerId);
   if (!targetUrl) return;
+  // Skip same-page prefetch with prefetchKey — a same-page diff is trivial
+  // and would corrupt the wildcard cache entry for cross-page navigation.
+  if (prefetchKey != null && isSamePage(url)) {
+    return;
+  }
   const key = buildPrefetchKey(window.location.href, targetUrl, prefetchKey);
   if (hasPrefetch(key)) {
     debugLog("[prefetch] direct dedup (key already exists)", {
@@ -153,6 +175,11 @@ export function prefetchQueued(
   if (!shouldPrefetch()) return "";
   const targetUrl = buildPrefetchUrl(url, segmentIds, version, routerId);
   if (!targetUrl) return "";
+  // Skip same-page prefetch with prefetchKey — a same-page diff is trivial
+  // and would corrupt the wildcard cache entry for cross-page navigation.
+  if (prefetchKey != null && isSamePage(url)) {
+    return "";
+  }
   const key = buildPrefetchKey(window.location.href, targetUrl, prefetchKey);
   if (hasPrefetch(key)) {
     debugLog("[prefetch] queued dedup (key already exists)", {
@@ -167,6 +194,12 @@ export function prefetchQueued(
     // Re-check at execution time: a hover-triggered prefetchDirect may
     // have started or completed this key while the item sat in the queue.
     if (hasPrefetch(key)) return Promise.resolve();
+    // By execution time, the user may have navigated to the target page.
+    // A same-page prefetch produces a trivial diff that would overwrite
+    // the useful cross-page entry in the wildcard cache.
+    if (prefetchKey != null && isSamePage(url)) {
+      return Promise.resolve();
+    }
     return executePrefetchFetch(key, fetchUrlStr, signal).then(() => {});
   });
   return key;