---
id: ecosystem-map
track: learn
product: ecosystem
locale: en
order: 1
revision: 2
sourceCheckedOn: "2026-08-03"
versionRange: "Start ^1 / Router ^1 / Query ^5"
verifiedAgainst: "@tanstack/react-start@1.168.34 + @tanstack/react-router@1.170.18 + @tanstack/react-query@5.101.4"
contentModel: 2
prerequisites:
  - "Basic React components"
  - "Basic TypeScript types"
sourceRefs:
  - "https://tanstack.com/start/latest/docs/framework/react/overview"
  - "https://tanstack.com/router/latest/docs/overview"
  - "https://tanstack.com/query/latest/docs/framework/react/overview"
---

# TanStack is not one framework

> Before installing packages, build a mental map of how Start, Router, and Query divide responsibility.

**Outcome:** Choose the right TanStack tool from the problem your project actually has.

## Start from the problem

TanStack is a set of composable tools. Router owns pages, URL state, and route lifecycles. Query owns asynchronous server state. Start extends Router with SSR, server functions, and deployment boundaries. They are not three competing solutions.

## Choose in three sentences

For an SPA with an existing backend, start with Router. For SSR, server functions, or a full-stack monorepo, start with Start. Add Query when remote data needs caching, retries, invalidation, or optimistic updates.

> **Note:** Almost every Start project is also a Router project.

## Practice and verification

### Completion checkpoint

Explain the responsibility of Start, Router, and Query in one sentence each, and state why one app may use all three.

### Exercise

Choose a tool for three needs in an existing React app: page navigation, cached remote lists, and SSR. Record why.

### Verification

The choices should be Router, Query, and Start, with a clear distinction between remote-state and URL-state ownership.

### Common pitfalls

- Treating Query as a general-purpose client-state store.
- Assuming Start removes the need to understand Router.

## Official sources

- https://tanstack.com/start/latest/docs/framework/react/overview
- https://tanstack.com/router/latest/docs/overview
- https://tanstack.com/query/latest/docs/framework/react/overview