How would you integrate an imperative DOM library with React?

Owns a third-party widget through a DOM ref, effect lifecycle, minimal updates, and complete teardown.

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TL;DR

I render a stable container, capture its DOM node with a ref, and create the library instance in an Effect after commit. The Effect stores the instance in a ref and destroys it during cleanup. Inputs that genuinely reconfigure the widget either call a supported update API or recreate the instance deliberately; React does not also render children inside DOM that the library owns.

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Imperative integration, refs, Effects, cleanup, configuration updates, and ownership boundaries.

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Core answer
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Overview
React can own the container while an external library owns the DOM inside it, provided that lifecycle ownership is explicit.
I render a stable container, capture its DOM node with a ref, and create the library instance in an Effect after commit. The Effect stores the instance in a ref and destroys it during cleanup. Inputs that genuinely reconfigure the widget either call a supported update API or recreate the instance deliberately; React does not also render children inside DOM that the library owns.
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Stronger answer
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I separate one-time construction from incremental updates when the library supports it. Event handlers registered with the widget are removed with the same references, observers and timers are disconnected, and asynchronous callbacks are ignored after disposal. If a callback needs current props without rebuilding the widget, I use a stable bridge carefully rather than closing over stale values. Strict Mode mount-cleanup-mount is part of the local test because it exposes incomplete teardown.

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Details

Constructing the widget during render.
Letting React and the library mutate the same child DOM.
Recreating an expensive instance for every callback identity change.

How would you integrate an imperative DOM library with React?

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