---
title: Quickstart
description: Install tap and build your first resource.
---

## Install

```sh
npm install @assistant-ui/tap
```

## Define a resource

A resource is a React component without the UI. Write a `use`-prefixed hook with
the hooks you already know, imported from `"react"`, then wrap it with `resource`.

```ts
import { resource } from "@assistant-ui/tap";
import { useState } from "react";

const useCounter = () => {
  const [count, setCount] = useState(0);
  return { count, increment: () => setCount((c) => c + 1) };
};

const Counter = resource(useCounter);
```

Instead of JSX, a resource returns a plain value: the state and methods you want
callers to use.

## Use it in React

`useResource` hosts a resource inside a React component. The component re-renders
whenever the resource's state changes, and unmounts the resource when it unmounts.

```tsx
import { useResource } from "@assistant-ui/tap";

function CounterButton() {
  const { count, increment } = useResource(Counter());

  return <button onClick={increment}>Count: {count}</button>;
}
```

`resource()` turns a hook into a Resource; `useResource(Counter())` turns it back
into a hook call. Calling the factory (`Counter()`) creates an inert element;
`useResource` brings it to life.

## Next steps

<Cards>
  <Card title="Hooks" href="/tap/docs/tap/hooks">
    React's hooks inside resources, plus tap's additions.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Composition" href="/tap/docs/tap/composition">
    Nest resources with useResource and useResources.
  </Card>
</Cards>