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fix(form-core): stop DeepKeys and DeepValue expansion on self-referencing types - #2422

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musatoktas:fix/1474-deepkeys-recursion
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musatoktas:fix/1474-deepkeys-recursion

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@musatoktas

@musatoktas musatoktas commented Oct 7, 2026 •

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🎯 Changes

Fixes #1474 and #1484.

Problem. DeepKeys and DeepValue fail with TS2589 ("Type instantiation is excessively deep and possibly infinite") when the form values contain a self-referencing type, for example a recursive JSON type (#1474) or an index signature that refers to its own type (#1484). On main (2216fde) type K = DeepKeys<{ name: string; data: JsonData }> takes 5,001,167 instantiations and about 7.4 s of Check time on TypeScript 5.9.3 before it errors.

Root cause. DeepKeysAndValuesImpl recurses through DeepKeyAndValueArray, DeepKeyAndValueTuple and DeepKeyAndValueObject with no cycle or depth guard, so a type that contains itself is expanded until the compiler gives up.

Change. DeepKeysAndValuesImpl and the three helpers get an optional TVisited parameter (default never) that collects the array, tuple and object types on the path from the root. When a container that is identical to one already on the path is reached again, the expansion stops and the path continues as the existing unknown accessor (UnknownDeepKeyAndValue, for example `data.${string}`). Identity (not assignability) is used so that a different but structurally similar nested type is never treated as a repeat. Types without self-references produce the same keys and values as before; this is covered by the existing util-types tests plus two new cases (a type reused in sibling positions, and optional-only objects nested in a similar object).

Files: packages/form-core/src/util-types.ts, packages/form-core/tests/util-types.test-d.ts, one changeset.

Tests. New type tests in util-types.test-d.ts for the #1474 and #1484 shapes, and for non-recursive shapes. With the fix reverted, tsc reports five errors in the new tests (two TS2589 and three follow-on errors); with it applied, tsc reports no errors on TypeScript 5.4.5 to 5.9.3 for form-core. form-core unit tests: 510 passed, 3 todo; react-form: 126 passed. nx run-many over the repo targets (test:sherif, test:eslint, test:lib, test:types, test:build, build) passed for all packages on a Linux machine (the targets of pnpm test:pr, run with nx run-many instead of nx affected).
test:knip reports three unlisted @vue/* dependencies in packages/vue-form/dist after the build step on my machine; this does not involve form-core and I did not compare it against main.

Measurement (whyts 0.6.0 compare, 10 runs per side, TypeScript 5.9.3; I am the author of whyts):

Project Check time, median Instantiations whyts verdict
Reproduction from #1474 (DeepKeys and DeepValue of { name; data: JsonData }) 7.445 s to 0.06 s 5,001,167 (TS2589) to 2,543 ranges do not overlap, candidate faster
packages/form-core tsconfig (501 files, no recursive types) 2.36 s to 2.465 s (+4.4%) 553,409 to 581,730 (+5.1%) within noise (ranges overlap)

For types without self-references the check adds a small amount of work (about 5% more instantiations in the form-core project); the time difference there is within the noise of the measurement.

Update (7b0684f). At the point where a self-referencing type is cut off, the path now continues as a recursive accessor that also accepts bracket suffixes, so data[0][0] and data[0][0].x are valid keys (reported by the CodeRabbit review). The generic unknown accessor is unchanged. Compared with the first commit, form-core Check time is 2.495 s to 2.47 s (within noise, whyts 0.7.1 compare, 10 runs per side) and instantiations are +0.27%. Type tests pass on TypeScript 5.4 to 5.9.

✅ Checklist

  • I have followed the steps in the Contributing guide.
  • I have tested code changes locally with pnpm test:pr, or these tests do not apply to this pull request.
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🚀 Release Impact

  • This change affects published code, and I have generated a changeset.
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Summary by CodeRabbit

  • Bug Fixes
    • Fixed DeepKeys and DeepValue behavior for self-referencing types: path expansion stops when a container type repeats, while paths can continue through unknown accessors, including consecutive array indexes.
    • Non-recursive types retain their existing nested paths, including repeated types used in separate properties, arrays, and tuples.
    • Recursive JSON types, recursive index signatures, and nested optional properties are covered by additional tests.

…cing types

DeepKeysAndValuesImpl had no cycle or depth guard, so a type that contains
itself (for example a recursive JSON type or an index signature that refers
to its own type) was expanded until TypeScript reported TS2589.

Track the array, tuple and object types on the current path and stop when
one of them is reached again. The remaining path is typed as an unknown
accessor, the same fallback already used for unknown values. Types without
self-references produce the same keys and values as before.

Fixes TanStack#1474
Fixes TanStack#1484
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changeset-bot Bot commented Oct 7, 2026 •

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🦋 Changeset detected

Latest commit: 7b0684f

The changes in this PR will be included in the next version bump.

This PR includes changesets to release 14 packages
Name Type
@tanstack/form-core Patch
@tanstack/angular-form Patch
@tanstack/form-devtools Patch
@tanstack/lit-form Patch
@tanstack/preact-form Patch
@tanstack/react-form Patch
@tanstack/solid-form Patch
@tanstack/svelte-form Patch
@tanstack/vue-form Patch
@tanstack/react-form-devtools Patch
@tanstack/solid-form-devtools Patch
@tanstack/react-form-nextjs Patch
@tanstack/react-form-remix Patch
@tanstack/react-form-start Patch

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📝 Walkthrough

Walkthrough

Deep-key traversal now tracks container types visited along each path. When a container type repeats, traversal emits an unknown-valued accessor instead of expanding it again. Type tests cover recursive paths, repeated non-recursive types, and optional properties.

Changes

Recursive deep-key handling

Layer / File(s) Summary
Visited-type traversal and validation
packages/form-core/src/util-types.ts, packages/form-core/tests/util-types.test-d.ts, .changeset/calm-keys-stop.md
Traversal aliases carry visited container types and emit an unknown-valued accessor when a container type repeats. Type tests cover recursive JSON and index-signature paths, repeated non-recursive types, and optional keys. A patch changeset records the release note.

Priority: ➖ Normal

Estimated code review effort: 2 (Simple) | ~10 minutes

Change: Bug fix · Severity of issue fixed: Medium

Merge Risk: ⚪ Minimal · up to 7b068

The recursive-type handling appears consistent with the form’s existing path behavior, and no verified issue remains that should block merging.

🚥 Pre-merge checks | ✅ 5
✅ Passed checks (5 passed)
Check name Status Explanation
Linked Issues check ✅ Passed [#1474] The issue requires form types to handle recursive JSON values without TS2589. DeepKeysAndValuesImpl now tracks visited array and object types, stops repeated expansion, and uses `RecursiveDe…
Out of Scope Changes check ✅ Passed The changes stay within the recursive DeepKeys and DeepValue fix. The source change implements the visited-type guard, the tests cover recursive and non-recursive behavior, and the changeset docum…
Docstring Coverage ✅ Passed No functions found in the changed files to evaluate docstring coverage. Skipping docstring coverage check. Docstring coverage is scoped to functions touched by this diff. Analyzed 0 functions across 2…
Title check ✅ Passed The title clearly and concisely describes the primary change: preventing DeepKeys and DeepValue expansion on self-referencing types.
Description check ✅ Passed The description includes the required Changes, Checklist, and Release Impact sections. It explains the problem, root cause, implementation, tests, performance impact, and changeset status. All applica…
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Actionable comments posted: 1


  • 🪄 Fix CodeRabbit comments on this PR
🤖 Prompt to fix review comments
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only still-valid issues, skip the rest with a brief reason, keep changes
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Inline comments:
Review comments at @packages/form-core/src/util-types.ts:
- Line 192: Update the recursive fallback in UnknownDeepKeyAndValue<TParent> so
its key pattern accepts bracket-prefixed suffixes, preserving paths with
consecutive array indexes such as data[0][0]. Add coverage verifying
DeepKeys<JsonForm> accepts consecutive array-index paths.

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Comment thread packages/form-core/src/util-types.ts Outdated
When DeepKeysAndValuesImpl stops at a container type that repeats on the
path, the path continued as an unknown accessor that only allows a
`.${string}` suffix. For `type Json = Json[] | { [key: string]: Json }`
this rejected valid paths such as `data[0][0]`.

Use a dedicated accessor at the cut point that also accepts a bracket
suffix. The generic unknown accessor and types without self-references
are unchanged.

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Type instantiation is excessively deep and possibly infinite - With Simple Reproduction

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