# Core Rules

- Create stores with `createStore<T>(initialValue)` for auto-sync mode.
- Access values via `.value` property on `StateRefStore` proxies.
- Subscribe with `watch(callback)` where callback receives `(stateRef, isFirst)`.
- Subscription callbacks run once initially to collect dependencies.
- Only `.value` reads inside the callback parameter (`innerRef`) are tracked.
- Reading `.value` from external refs (created by `watch()` without callback) won't track.
- Use `AbortController.signal` returned from callback to unsubscribe.
- Use `createStoreManualSync()` for Flux-like patterns.
- In manual-sync mode, modify via `updateRef`, then call `sync()` to notify subscribers.
- Framework connectors transform `watch` into framework-specific hooks/stores.
- Use `combineWatch([watch1, watch2] as const)` to observe multiple stores together.
- Use `createComputed([watches], callback)` to derive read-only computed values.
- Use `copyable(obj)` for manual copy-on-write when needed.
- Use `lens<T>()` for functional lens-style immutable updates.
- Avoid mutating state directly; always assign via `.value`.
- Primitive types (number, string) can be stored directly: `createStore<number>(3)`.
- When unsure, check `node_modules/state-ref/dist/index.d.ts` for type signatures.

Note: For simple state needs, native framework state (useState, ref, etc.) may suffice.
Use state-ref when you need shared state across components or fine-grained reactivity.