1---
2title: v-slot Can Only Be Used on Components or Template Tags
3impact: HIGH
4impactDescription: Using v-slot on HTML elements causes compilation errors
5type: gotcha
6tags: [vue3, slots, v-slot, compilation-error, common-mistake]
7---
8 
9# v-slot Can Only Be Used on Components or Template Tags
10 
11**Impact: HIGH** - The `v-slot` directive (and its shorthand `#`) can only be used on Vue components or `<template>` tags. Using it on native HTML elements like `<div>` or `<span>` causes a Vue compilation error.
12 
13## Task Checklist
14 
15- [ ] Only use `v-slot` on component elements or `<template>` tags
16- [ ] When using default scoped slot shorthand, apply to the component itself
17- [ ] For named slots, always use `<template #name>` syntax
18 
19**Incorrect:**
20```vue
21<template>
22  <!-- BAD: v-slot on a native HTML element -->
23  <div v-slot:header>
24    <h1>Title</h1>
25  </div>
26 
27  <!-- BAD: Shorthand on HTML element -->
28  <span #default="{ item }">
29    {{ item.name }}
30  </span>
31 
32  <!-- BAD: v-slot inside a plain HTML element -->
33  <div>
34    <p v-slot:content>Some text</p>
35  </div>
36</template>
37```
38 
39These cause the error: `v-slot can only be used on components or <template> tags`
40 
41**Correct:**
42```vue
43<template>
44  <!-- GOOD: v-slot on component element (default scoped slot) -->
45  <MyComponent v-slot="{ item }">
46    {{ item.name }}
47  </MyComponent>
48 
49  <!-- GOOD: Named slots use template tags -->
50  <BaseLayout>
51    <template #header>
52      <h1>Title</h1>
53    </template>
54 
55    <template #default>
56      <p>Main content</p>
57    </template>
58 
59    <template #footer>
60      <p>Footer content</p>
61    </template>
62  </BaseLayout>
63 
64  <!-- GOOD: Shorthand on component for default slot -->
65  <FancyList #default="{ item }">
66    <div>{{ item.name }}</div>
67  </FancyList>
68</template>
69```
70 
71## Common Scenarios
72 
73### Wrapping Slot Content in HTML
74If you need HTML wrappers around slot content, put them inside the template:
75 
76```vue
77<!-- WRONG -->
78<MyComponent>
79  <div v-slot:header class="header-wrapper">
80    <h1>Title</h1>
81  </div>
82</MyComponent>
83 
84<!-- CORRECT -->
85<MyComponent>
86  <template #header>
87    <div class="header-wrapper">
88      <h1>Title</h1>
89    </div>
90  </template>
91</MyComponent>
92```
93 
94### Multiple v-slot on Same Element
95Another error occurs when you have multiple v-slot directives - only the first is recognized:
96 
97```vue
98<!-- BAD: Multiple v-slot directives -->
99<MyComponent v-slot:header v-slot:footer>
100  Content
101</MyComponent>
102 
103<!-- GOOD: Separate template for each slot -->
104<MyComponent>
105  <template #header>Header</template>
106  <template #footer>Footer</template>
107</MyComponent>
108```
109 
110## Valid v-slot Locations
111 
112| Element Type | v-slot Allowed? | Example |
113|--------------|-----------------|---------|
114| Component | Yes | `<MyComponent v-slot="props">` |
115| `<template>` | Yes | `<template #header>` |
116| `<div>` | No | Compilation error |
117| `<span>` | No | Compilation error |
118| Any HTML element | No | Compilation error |
119 
120## Reference
121- [Vue.js Slots](https://vuejs.org/guide/components/slots.html)
122- [DeepScan - vue-misused-v-slot](https://deepscan.io/docs/rules/vue-misused-v-slot)
123