useObject

Requirements

• Export useObject(initialValue = {}) as a named and default hook returning { object, setObject, merge, remove, clear, reset }. Only the mount-time initialValue initializes the state and reset snapshot.
• object is the current shallow object state. Copy the initial object on mount and keep a separate mount-time shallow snapshot for reset. Accept plain objects with own enumerable string keys; symbol keys and unusual prototypes are outside scope.
• setObject is React’s state setter: accept a replacement object or a pure updater(previous) => nextObject. Preserve replacement identity and normal React no-op behavior. Do not clone values passed through this setter.
• merge(patch) merges the patch’s own enumerable keys over the latest pending state. Also accept merge(previous => patch) for computed patches. Preserve keys not present in the patch; store undefined or function values as ordinary property values. Return a fresh shallow object without mutating either input.
• remove(key) deletes an own property without mutating previous state. An absent or inherited key is a no-op that keeps the same state reference. clear() replaces state with a fresh empty object.
• Treat special own string keys such as __proto__ and constructor as ordinary data. Copying or merging must not change the output object’s prototype. Object.fromEntries or defining own data properties can provide this behavior.
• reset() restores a fresh shallow copy of the mount-time snapshot. Later initialValue props must not replace the state or the reset target. Preserve nested value identities; this is not a deep clone.
• All five methods, including setObject, must have stable identities. Previously captured utilities operate on the latest pending state, and multiple updates in one event apply in order. Each method returns void.
• Each instance is independent. Treat returned objects, nested values, replacement objects, and updater inputs as read-only. Mutating callbacks, input validation, symbol keys, and consumer mutation protection are outside scope.
• In TypeScript use useObject<T extends object>(initialValue?: T): UseObjectResult<T>. object and patches are Partial<T> because keys can be removed. remove accepts Extract<keyof T, string>. Support explicit generics for an empty initial object.

Examples

Input: useObject({ name: "Ada", age: 30 }); merge({ age: 31 })
Output: object is { name: "Ada", age: 31 }.

Input: remove("age")
Output: object no longer has an own age property.

Input: merge(prev => ({ count: (prev.count || 0) + 1 })) twice in one event
Output: Both updates apply in sequence.

Input: clear(); then reset()
Output: Restores a fresh shallow copy of the original object.