Selective Server-Side Rendering shows empty page

[oliwheeler]

Which project does this relate to?

Router

Describe the bug

Setting ssr: "data-only" or ssr: false in __root.tsx results in a blank page displaying the Pending component. It works if component: RootComponent is changed to shellComponent: RootComponent, but I don't know why.

This also applies when setting defaultSsr: "data-only" | false in router.tsx

Your Example Website or App

https://codesandbox.io/p/devbox/charming-wave-7swm3d?workspaceId=ws_SwVJJYSqC3vsY1k276Wg8o

Steps to Reproduce the Bug or Issue

1. Check that ssr: "data-only" is set in __root.tsx root route.
2. Observe the blank page

Expected behavior

The page should eventually display the same as if ssr: true

Screenshots or Videos

No response

Platform

• Router / Start Version: 1.130.12
• OS: Windows
• Browser: Chrome
• Browser Version: 138
• Bundler: vite
• Bundler Version: 6.3.5

Additional context

No response

[brenelz]

The shellComponent is needed becaus with ssr false it still needs to render something/. Especially the in order to hydrate on the client.

I think we want to improve the documentation around this

[brenelz]

Does this part of the docs help?
https://tanstack.com/start/latest/docs/framework/react/selective-ssr#how-to-disable-ssr-of-the-root-route

[schiller-manuel]

yes this needs the shellComponent to be configured according to the above linked docs.

[oliwheeler]

Does this part of the docs help? https://tanstack.com/start/latest/docs/framework/react/selective-ssr#how-to-disable-ssr-of-the-root-route

yes it does. Thank you!