Algolia Search

1---
2name: algolia-search
3description: "Expert patterns for Algolia search implementation, indexing strategies, React InstantSearch, and relevance tuning Use when: adding search to, algolia, instantsearch, search api, search functionality."
4source: vibeship-spawner-skills (Apache 2.0)
5---
6 
7# Algolia Search Integration
8 
9## Patterns
10 
11### React InstantSearch with Hooks
12 
13Modern React InstantSearch setup using hooks for type-ahead search.
14 
15Uses react-instantsearch-hooks-web package with algoliasearch client.
16Widgets are components that can be customized with classnames.
17 
18Key hooks:
19- useSearchBox: Search input handling
20- useHits: Access search results
21- useRefinementList: Facet filtering
22- usePagination: Result pagination
23- useInstantSearch: Full state access
24 
25 
26### Next.js Server-Side Rendering
27 
28SSR integration for Next.js with react-instantsearch-nextjs package.
29 
30Use <InstantSearchNext> instead of <InstantSearch> for SSR.
31Supports both Pages Router and App Router (experimental).
32 
33Key considerations:
34- Set dynamic = 'force-dynamic' for fresh results
35- Handle URL synchronization with routing prop
36- Use getServerState for initial state
37 
38 
39### Data Synchronization and Indexing
40 
41Indexing strategies for keeping Algolia in sync with your data.
42 
43Three main approaches:
441. Full Reindexing - Replace entire index (expensive)
452. Full Record Updates - Replace individual records
463. Partial Updates - Update specific attributes only
47 
48Best practices:
49- Batch records (ideal: 10MB, 1K-10K records per batch)
50- Use incremental updates when possible
51- partialUpdateObjects for attribute-only changes
52- Avoid deleteBy (computationally expensive)
53 
54 
55## ⚠️ Sharp Edges
56 
57| Issue | Severity | Solution |
58|-------|----------|----------|
59| Issue | critical | See docs |
60| Issue | high | See docs |
61| Issue | medium | See docs |
62| Issue | medium | See docs |
63| Issue | medium | See docs |
64| Issue | medium | See docs |
65| Issue | medium | See docs |
66| Issue | medium | See docs |
67