react-doctor/forward-ref-uses-ref

Either accept a `ref` parameter in the forwardRef render function, or drop the forwardRef wrapper entirely.

Validation prompt

Confirm the detector match and collect the required evidence before deciding whether an edit is warranted.

Fires on a forwardRef(...) or React.forwardRef(...) call whose first argument is an arrow or function expression with exactly one parameter: i.e. a render function that takes props but never the ref, making the forwardRef wrapper a no-op. Arity-0 functions, two-parameter (props, ref) functions, and a sole rest parameter (...args) are all deliberately exempt and won't fire.

Suppress when: the callee is matched by name only, so a locally defined helper unrelated to React that happens to be named forwardRef can be flagged even though no actual ref forwarding is intended.

Evidence boundary

The diagnostic proves only that the detector’s modeled source pattern matched. It does not prove runtime impact, product intent, rendered failure, or that one remediation is correct.

Establish the environment, repository policy, exceptions, and required rendered or runtime evidence before deciding the occurrence.

Record one outcome:

• Confirmed failure: The required evidence establishes the violation.
• Rejected: A documented exception or false-positive predicate applies.
• Needs evidence: Named evidence can still be collected.
• Unavailable: Required evidence cannot be collected in this run.
• Waived with evidence: An authorized, scoped exception applies to an established failure.
• Observation: The review records an optional tradeoff without claiming a defect.

A waiver records its scope, authority, evidence, and review condition. It is not a pass or false positive.

Default severity is registry metadata. Use the occurrence’s JSON severity after repository configuration when ordering real findings.

Fix prompt

Apply this candidate correction only after the required evidence confirms the risk.

If the component genuinely needs to forward a ref, add the second parameter so the wrapper does something: forwardRef((props, ref) => <input ref={ref} {...props} />). If it never uses a ref, delete the forwardRef wrapper and export the plain component: function MyInput(props) { ... }. Note that in React 19+ ref is a regular prop, so forwardRef is no longer needed for new components. See https://oxc.rs/docs/guide/usage/linter/rules/react/forward-ref-uses-ref

Repository-wide copy prompt

Use this repository-wide prompt only after validating each occurrence. For one occurrence, use the guidance above.