Skip to main content
The getAbortSignal() function returns an AbortSignal that automatically aborts when the current $derived or $effect re-runs or is destroyed. This is useful for cancelling ongoing async operations.

​
Import

import { getAbortSignal } from 'svelte';

​
Signature

function getAbortSignal(): AbortSignal;

​
Returns

​
AbortSignal
AbortSignal
A standard AbortSignal that aborts when the effect re-runs or is destroyed

​
Usage

​
Cancelling fetch requests

<script>
  import { getAbortSignal } from 'svelte';

  let { id } = $props();

  async function getData(id) {
    const response = await fetch(`/api/items/${id}`, {
      signal: getAbortSignal()
    });
    return await response.json();
  }

  // This will automatically cancel the previous fetch when id changes
  const data = $derived(await getData(id));
</script>

<div>{JSON.stringify(data)}</div>

​
Cleanup in effects

<script>
  import { getAbortSignal } from 'svelte';

  let active = $state(true);

  $effect(() => {
    if (active) {
      const signal = getAbortSignal();
      
      // Start a long-running operation
      longRunningTask({ signal })
        .then(() => console.log('completed'))
        .catch(err => {
          if (err.name === 'AbortError') {
            console.log('cancelled');
          }
        });
    }
  });
</script>

<button onclick={() => active = !active}>
  Toggle
</button>

​
With intervals

<script>
  import { getAbortSignal } from 'svelte';

  let count = $state(0);

  $effect(() => {
    const signal = getAbortSignal();
    
    const interval = setInterval(() => {
      if (!signal.aborted) {
        count++;
      }
    }, 1000);

    signal.addEventListener('abort', () => {
      clearInterval(interval);
    });
  });
</script>

<p>Count: {count}</p>

​
Error handling

<script>
  import { getAbortSignal } from 'svelte';

  let { query } = $props();

  async function search(query) {
    try {
      const response = await fetch(`/search?q=${query}`, {
        signal: getAbortSignal()
      });
      return await response.json();
    } catch (err) {
      // Ignore abort errors - they're expected when query changes
      if (err.name !== 'AbortError') {
        console.error('Search failed:', err);
      }
      return null;
    }
  }

  const results = $derived(await search(query));
</script>

​
Notes

  • Must be called inside a $derived or $effect
  • Each call returns a unique signal
  • The signal aborts automatically on cleanup
  • Works with any API that accepts an AbortSignal
  • Helps prevent race conditions and memory leaks

​
See also