[BUG] NotificationBell: Missing dependency in useCallback causes potential stale closure

[VIDYANKSHINI]

Description

There is a potential stale closure bug in the NotificationBell component. The ESLint react-hooks/exhaustive-deps rule is currently flagging a missing dependency in the useCallback hook around line 96.

Because refetch is used inside the useCallback but excluded from the dependency array, the callback might hold onto a stale reference of the refetch function. If the component's state or props change, the cached function might fail to fetch the latest notifications correctly, leading to silent failures or outdated data.

File Location

• src/components/NotificationBell.tsx (Line 96)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Run npm run lint in the project root.
2. Observe the following warning in the console:
   Warning: React Hook useCallback has a missing dependency: 'refetch'. Either include it or remove the dependency array. react-hooks/exhaustive-deps

Expected Behavior

The useCallback hook should include all external variables and functions it references to prevent stale closures, ensuring that the notification fetching mechanism always executes with the most up-to-date scope.

Proposed Solution

• Add refetch to the useCallback dependency array.
• (Alternatively) If refetch triggers infinite loops when added, wrap the original refetch definition in a useCallback or use useRef to stabilize its reference.

Impact

This is a small but critical bug that can cause the UI to stop receiving or updating real-time notifications for the user.

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I would like to work on this issue under GSSoC '26. Please assign it to me!

[VIDYANKSHINI]

Hi @Priyanshu-byte-coder,

I have found the root cause of this issue and would like to work on it under GSSoC '26. Could you please assign this to me?

Thank you!

[VIDYANKSHINI]

Hi @Priyanshu-byte-coder,

I have found the root cause of this issue and would like to work on it under GSSoC '26. Could you please assign this to me?

[shauryavardhan1307]

/assign gssoc
Hi @Priyanshu-byte-coder, I am a Gssoc'26 contributor. Please assign this issue to me

[S-MOHAMMED-ISMAIL]

Hi, I would like to work on this issue under GSSoC.

I plan to implement the required fix and submit a PR soon.

Could you please assign this issue to me?

[github-actions]

Assigned to @S-MOHAMMED-ISMAIL! You have 7 days to open a PR. No PR after 7 days = auto-unassigned so others can pick it up. Good luck!

[S-MOHAMMED-ISMAIL]

I checked the latest main branch and the dependency array already includes refetch.
I also ran npm run lint and could not reproduce the reported warning.
Could someone confirm whether this issue has already been fixed?