---
title: Helper / useHelper
sourcecode: src/core/Helper.tsx
---

[![](https://img.shields.io/badge/-storybook-%23ff69b4)](https://drei.vercel.app/?path=/story/gizmos-helper)

A hook for a quick way to add helpers to existing nodes in the scene. It handles removal of the helper on unmount and auto-updates it by default.

```jsx
const mesh = useRef()
useHelper(mesh, BoxHelper, 'cyan')
useHelper(condition && mesh, BoxHelper, 'red') // you can pass false instead of the object ref to hide the helper

<mesh ref={mesh} ... />
```

or with `Helper`:

```jsx
<mesh>
  <boxGeometry />
  <meshBasicMaterial />

  <Helper type={BoxHelper} args={['royalblue']} />
  <Helper type={VertexNormalsHelper} args={[1, 0xff0000]} />
</mesh>
```