diff --git a/apis/stardust/api-spec/spec.json b/apis/stardust/api-spec/spec.json
index 12597d3ad..e3b03ba73 100644
--- a/apis/stardust/api-spec/spec.json
+++ b/apis/stardust/api-spec/spec.json
@@ -154,6 +154,20 @@
         "import { useMemo } from '@nebula.js/stardust';\n// ...\nconst v = useMemo(() => {\n  return doSomeHeavyCalculation();\n}), []);"
       ]
     },
+    "useRef": {
+      "description": "Creates a reference to a value not needed for rendering\n\nWhile Nebula does not have a virtual DOM, it is still useful\nto have a reference to an object that is retained across\nrenders and in it self does not trigger a render.",
+      "kind": "function",
+      "params": [
+        {
+          "name": "initialValue",
+          "description": "The initial value.",
+          "type": "any"
+        }
+      ],
+      "examples": [
+        "import { useRef } from '@nebula.js/stardust';\n// ...\n// initiate with simple value\nconst timesRendered = useRef(0);\n\nuseEffect(() => {\n render(layout);\n // increments the render counter, a useState would trigger another render\n timesRendered.current += 1;\n},[layout]);"
+      ]
+    },
     "usePromise": {
       "description": "Runs a callback function when a dependent changes.\n\nUseful for async operations that otherwise cause no side effects.\nDo not add for example listeners withing the callback as there is no teardown function.",
       "templates": [
diff --git a/apis/stardust/types/index.d.ts b/apis/stardust/types/index.d.ts
index a431a035a..27f975940 100644
--- a/apis/stardust/types/index.d.ts
+++ b/apis/stardust/types/index.d.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,16 @@ export function useEffect(effect: stardust.EffectCallback, deps?: any[]): void;
  */
 export function useMemo<T>(factory: ()=>T, deps: any[]): T;
 
+/**
+ * Creates a reference to a value not needed for rendering
+ * 
+ * While Nebula does not have a virtual DOM, it is still useful
+ * to have a reference to an object that is retained across
+ * renders and in it self does not trigger a render.
+ * @param initialValue The initial value.
+ */
+export function useRef(initialValue: any): void;
+
 /**
  * Runs a callback function when a dependent changes.
  *