diff --git a/docs/router/api/router/retainSearchParamsFunction.md b/docs/router/api/router/retainSearchParamsFunction.md
index eeac38bcd78..18600fd346d 100644
--- a/docs/router/api/router/retainSearchParamsFunction.md
+++ b/docs/router/api/router/retainSearchParamsFunction.md
@@ -15,14 +15,14 @@ If `true` is passed in, all search params will be retained.
 ```tsx
 import { z } from 'zod'
 import { createRootRoute, retainSearchParams } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 
 const searchSchema = z.object({
   rootValue: z.string().optional(),
 })
 
 export const Route = createRootRoute({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(searchSchema),
+  // Use the schema directly for Zod v4
+  validateSearch: searchSchema,
   search: {
     middlewares: [retainSearchParams(['rootValue'])],
   },
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@ export const Route = createRootRoute({
 ```tsx
 import { z } from 'zod'
 import { createFileRoute, retainSearchParams } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 
 const searchSchema = z.object({
   one: z.string().optional(),
@@ -40,7 +39,8 @@ const searchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(searchSchema),
+  // Use the schema directly for Zod v4
+  validateSearch: searchSchema,
   search: {
     middlewares: [retainSearchParams(true)],
   },
diff --git a/docs/router/api/router/stripSearchParamsFunction.md b/docs/router/api/router/stripSearchParamsFunction.md
index bfbb57a7406..08164c39ba9 100644
--- a/docs/router/api/router/stripSearchParamsFunction.md
+++ b/docs/router/api/router/stripSearchParamsFunction.md
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ title: Search middleware to strip search params
 ```tsx
 import { z } from 'zod'
 import { createFileRoute, stripSearchParams } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 
 const defaultValues = {
   one: 'abc',
@@ -31,7 +30,8 @@ const searchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(searchSchema),
+  // for Zod v4, use the schema directly
+  validateSearch: searchSchema,
   search: {
     // strip default values
     middlewares: [stripSearchParams(defaultValues)],
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({
 ```tsx
 import { z } from 'zod'
 import { createRootRoute, stripSearchParams } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 
 const searchSchema = z.object({
   hello: z.string().default('world'),
@@ -50,7 +49,8 @@ const searchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createRootRoute({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(searchSchema),
+  // for Zod v4, use the schema directly
+  validateSearch: searchSchema,
   search: {
     // always remove `hello`
     middlewares: [stripSearchParams(['hello'])],
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ export const Route = createRootRoute({
 ```tsx
 import { z } from 'zod'
 import { createFileRoute, stripSearchParams } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 
 const searchSchema = z.object({
   one: z.string().default('abc'),
@@ -69,7 +68,8 @@ const searchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(searchSchema),
+  // for Zod v4, use the schema directly
+  validateSearch: searchSchema,
   search: {
     // remove all search params
     middlewares: [stripSearchParams(true)],
diff --git a/docs/router/guide/search-params.md b/docs/router/guide/search-params.md
index 53e9cd1c8a1..cbc84c55267 100644
--- a/docs/router/guide/search-params.md
+++ b/docs/router/guide/search-params.md
@@ -196,7 +196,9 @@ For validation libraries we recommend using adapters which infer the correct `in
 
 ### Zod
 
-An adapter is provided for [Zod](https://zod.dev/) which will pipe through the correct `input` type and `output` type
+An adapter is provided for [Zod](https://zod.dev/) which will pipe through the correct `input` type and `output` type.
+
+For Zod v3:
 
 ```tsx
 import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
@@ -213,13 +215,30 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/shop/products/')({
 })
 ```
 
-The important part here is the following use of `Link` no longer requires `search` params
+With Zod v4, you should directly use the schema in `validateSearch`:
+
+```tsx
+import { z } from 'zod'
+
+const productSearchSchema = z.object({
+  page: z.number().default(1),
+  filter: z.string().default(''),
+  sort: z.enum(['newest', 'oldest', 'price']).default('newest'),
+})
+
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/shop/products/')({
+  // With Zod v4, we can use the schema without the adapter
+  validateSearch: productSearchSchema,
+})
+```
+
+The important part here is the following use of `Link` no longer requires `search` params:
 
 ```tsx
 <Link to="/shop/products" />
 ```
 
-However the use of `catch` here overrides the types and makes `page`, `filter` and `sort` `unknown` causing type loss. We have handled this case by providing a `fallback` generic function which retains the types but provides a `fallback` value when validation fails
+In Zod v3, the use of `catch` here overrides the types and makes `page`, `filter` and `sort` `unknown` causing type loss. We have handled this case by providing a `fallback` generic function which retains the types but provides a `fallback` value when validation fails:
 
 ```tsx
 import { fallback, zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
@@ -240,7 +259,9 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/shop/products/')({
 
 Therefore when navigating to this route, `search` is optional and retains the correct types.
 
-While not recommended, it is also possible to configure `input` and `output` type in case the `output` type is more accurate than the `input` type
+In Zod v4, schemas may use `catch` instead of the fallback and will retain type inference throughout.
+
+While not recommended, it is also possible to configure `input` and `output` type in case the `output` type is more accurate than the `input` type:
 
 ```tsx
 const productSearchSchema = z.object({
@@ -457,7 +478,7 @@ Now that you've learned how to read your route's search params, you'll be happy
 
 The best way to update search params is to use the `search` prop on the `<Link />` component.
 
-If the search for the current page shall be updated and the `from` prop is specified, the `to` prop can be omitted.  
+If the search for the current page shall be updated and the `from` prop is specified, the `to` prop can be omitted.
 Here's an example:
 
 ```tsx title="src/routes/shop/products.tsx"
@@ -478,7 +499,7 @@ const ProductList = () => {
 
 If you want to update the search params in a generic component that is rendered on multiple routes, specifying `from` can be challenging.
 
-In this scenario you can set `to="."` which will give you access to loosely typed search params.  
+In this scenario you can set `to="."` which will give you access to loosely typed search params.
 Here is an example that illustrates this:
 
 ```tsx
diff --git a/docs/router/how-to/setup-basic-search-params.md b/docs/router/how-to/setup-basic-search-params.md
index 8c9cbbe2e8b..27e49f7584a 100644
--- a/docs/router/how-to/setup-basic-search-params.md
+++ b/docs/router/how-to/setup-basic-search-params.md
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ Set up search parameters with schema validation (recommended for production):
 
 ```tsx
 import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator, fallback } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 import { z } from 'zod'
 
 const productSearchSchema = z.object({
@@ -20,7 +19,7 @@ const productSearchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/products')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(productSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: productSearchSchema,
   component: ProductsPage,
 })
 
@@ -50,7 +49,25 @@ function ProductsPage() {
 
 ## Validation Library Setup
 
-TanStack Router supports any standard schema-compliant validation library. This guide focuses on Zod for examples, but you can use any validation library:
+TanStack Router supports any standard schema-compliant validation library. This guide focuses on Zod for examples, but you can use any validation library.
+
+Using Zod v4:
+
+```tsx
+import { z } from 'zod'
+
+const searchSchema = z.object({
+  page: z.number().default(1),
+  category: z.string().default('all').catch('all'),
+})
+
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/products')({
+  validateSearch: searchSchema,
+  component: ProductsPage,
+})
+```
+
+For Zod v3:
 
 ```bash
 npm install zod @tanstack/zod-adapter
@@ -75,15 +92,9 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/products')({
 
 ## Step-by-Step Setup with Zod
 
-The rest of this guide uses Zod for examples, but the patterns apply to any validation library.
+The rest of this guide uses Zod v4 for examples, but the patterns apply to any validation library.
 
-### Step 1: Install Dependencies
-
-```bash
-npm install zod @tanstack/zod-adapter
-```
-
-### Step 2: Define Your Search Schema
+### Step 1: Define Your Search Schema
 
 Start by identifying what search parameters your route needs:
 
@@ -93,40 +104,38 @@ import { fallback } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 
 const shopSearchSchema = z.object({
   // Pagination
-  page: fallback(z.number(), 1).default(1),
-  limit: fallback(z.number(), 20).default(20),
+  page: z.number().default(1),
+  limit: z.number().default(20),
 
   // Filtering
-  category: fallback(z.string(), 'all').default('all'),
-  minPrice: fallback(z.number(), 0).default(0),
-  maxPrice: fallback(z.number(), 1000).default(1000),
+  category: z.string().default('all'),
+  minPrice: z.number().default(0),
+  maxPrice: z.number().default(1000),
 
   // Settings
-  sort: fallback(z.enum(['name', 'price', 'date']), 'name').default('name'),
-  ascending: fallback(z.boolean(), true).default(true),
+  sort: z.enum(['name', 'price', 'date']).default('name'),
+  ascending: z.boolean().default(true),
 
   // Optional parameters
   searchTerm: z.string().optional(),
-  showOnlyInStock: fallback(z.boolean(), false).default(false),
+  showOnlyInStock: z.boolean().default(false),
 })
 
 type ShopSearch = z.infer<typeof shopSearchSchema>
 ```
 
-### Step 3: Add Schema Validation to Route
+### Step 2: Add Schema Validation to Route
 
-Use the validation adapter to connect your schema to the route:
+Connect your schema to the route:
 
 ```tsx
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
-
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/shop')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(shopSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: shopSearchSchema,
   component: ShopPage,
 })
 ```
 
-### Step 4: Read Search Parameters in Components
+### Step 3: Read Search Parameters in Components
 
 Use the route's `useSearch()` hook to access validated and typed search parameters:
 
@@ -166,12 +175,12 @@ function ShopPage() {
 
 ```tsx
 const paginationSchema = z.object({
-  page: fallback(z.number().min(1), 1).default(1),
-  limit: fallback(z.number().min(10).max(100), 20).default(20),
+  page: z.number().min(1).default(1),
+  limit: z.number().min(10).max(100).default(20),
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(paginationSchema),
+  validateSearch: paginationSchema,
   component: PostsPage,
 })
 
@@ -196,16 +205,13 @@ function PostsPage() {
 
 ```tsx
 const catalogSchema = z.object({
-  sort: fallback(z.enum(['name', 'date', 'price']), 'name').default('name'),
-  category: fallback(
-    z.enum(['electronics', 'clothing', 'books', 'all']),
-    'all',
-  ).default('all'),
-  ascending: fallback(z.boolean(), true).default(true),
+  sort: z.enum(['name', 'date', 'price']).default('name'),
+  category: z.enum(['electronics', 'clothing', 'books', 'all']).default('all'),
+  ascending: z.boolean().default(true),
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/catalog')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(catalogSchema),
+  validateSearch: catalogSchema,
   component: CatalogPage,
 })
 ```
@@ -215,27 +221,24 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/catalog')({
 ```tsx
 const dashboardSchema = z.object({
   // Numbers with validation
-  userId: fallback(z.number().positive(), 1).default(1),
-  refreshInterval: fallback(z.number().min(1000).max(60000), 5000).default(
-    5000,
-  ),
+  userId: z.number().positive().default(1),
+  refreshInterval: z.number().min(1000).max(60000).default(5000),
 
   // Strings with validation
-  theme: fallback(z.enum(['light', 'dark']), 'light').default('light'),
+  theme: z.enum(['light', 'dark']).default('light'),
   timezone: z.string().optional(),
 
   // Arrays with validation
-  selectedIds: fallback(z.number().array(), []).default([]),
-  tags: fallback(z.string().array(), []).default([]),
+  selectedIds: z.number().array().default([]),
+  tags: z.string().array().default([]),
 
   // Objects with validation
-  filters: fallback(
-    z.object({
+  filters: z
+    .object({
       status: z.enum(['active', 'inactive']).optional(),
       type: z.string().optional(),
-    }),
-    {},
-  ).default({}),
+    })
+    .default({}),
 })
 ```
 
@@ -245,8 +248,8 @@ const dashboardSchema = z.object({
 const reportSchema = z.object({
   startDate: z.string().pipe(z.coerce.date()).optional(),
   endDate: z.string().pipe(z.coerce.date()).optional(),
-  format: fallback(z.enum(['pdf', 'csv', 'excel']), 'pdf').default('pdf'),
-  includeCharts: fallback(z.boolean(), true).default(true),
+  format: z.enum(['pdf', 'csv', 'excel']).default('pdf').catch('pdf'),
+  includeCharts: z.boolean().default(true),
 })
 ```
 
@@ -330,7 +333,7 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/example')({
 
 ### Problem: Search Parameters Cause TypeScript Errors
 
-**Cause:** Missing or incorrect schema definition.
+**Cause:** Missing or incorrect schema definition with Zod v3.
 
 **Solution:** Ensure your schema covers all search parameters and use proper types:
 
@@ -366,7 +369,7 @@ const schema = z.object({
 
 // ✅ Graceful fallback handling
 const schema = z.object({
-  page: fallback(z.number(), 1).default(1), // Safe fallback to 1
+  page: z.number().default(1).catch(1), // Safe fallback to 1
 })
 ```
 
diff --git a/docs/router/how-to/share-search-params-across-routes.md b/docs/router/how-to/share-search-params-across-routes.md
index 145d1f089b3..e1e24c1e0d1 100644
--- a/docs/router/how-to/share-search-params-across-routes.md
+++ b/docs/router/how-to/share-search-params-across-routes.md
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ Share parameters across your entire application by validating them in the root r
 ```tsx
 // routes/__root.tsx
 import { createRootRoute, Outlet } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 import { z } from 'zod'
 
 const globalSearchSchema = z.object({
@@ -31,7 +30,7 @@ const globalSearchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createRootRoute({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(globalSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: globalSearchSchema,
   component: RootComponent,
 })
 
@@ -50,7 +49,6 @@ function RootComponent() {
 ```tsx
 // routes/products/index.tsx
 import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 import { z } from 'zod'
 
 const productSearchSchema = z.object({
@@ -59,7 +57,7 @@ const productSearchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/products/')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(productSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: productSearchSchema,
   component: ProductsPage,
 })
 
@@ -84,7 +82,6 @@ Share parameters within a section of your app using layout routes:
 ```tsx
 // routes/_authenticated.tsx
 import { createFileRoute, Outlet } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 import { z } from 'zod'
 
 const authSearchSchema = z.object({
@@ -94,7 +91,7 @@ const authSearchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/_authenticated')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(authSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: authSearchSchema,
   component: AuthenticatedLayout,
 })
 
@@ -181,7 +178,7 @@ function ProductsPage() {
 ```tsx
 // ✅ Root route validates shared parameters
 export const Route = createRootRoute({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(globalSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: globalSearchSchema,
   component: RootComponent,
 })
 ```
diff --git a/docs/router/how-to/validate-search-params.md b/docs/router/how-to/validate-search-params.md
index bb141a5a196..5abd435cef8 100644
--- a/docs/router/how-to/validate-search-params.md
+++ b/docs/router/how-to/validate-search-params.md
@@ -12,15 +12,14 @@ Add robust validation with custom error messages, complex types, and production-
 
 ```tsx
 import { createFileRoute, useRouter } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator, fallback } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 import { z } from 'zod'
 
 const productSearchSchema = z.object({
   query: z.string().min(1, 'Search query required'),
   category: z.enum(['electronics', 'clothing', 'books', 'home']).optional(),
-  minPrice: fallback(z.number().min(0, 'Price cannot be negative'), 0),
-  maxPrice: fallback(z.number().min(0, 'Price cannot be negative'), 1000),
-  inStock: fallback(z.boolean(), true),
+  minPrice: z.number().min(0, 'Price cannot be negative').default(0),
+  maxPrice: z.number().min(0, 'Price cannot be negative').default(1000),
+  inStock: z.boolean().default(true),
   tags: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
   dateRange: z
     .object({
@@ -31,7 +30,7 @@ const productSearchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/products')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(productSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: productSearchSchema,
   errorComponent: ({ error }) => {
     const router = useRouter()
     return (
@@ -80,7 +79,7 @@ TanStack Router supports multiple validation libraries through adapters:
 
 ### Zod (Recommended)
 
-Most popular with excellent TypeScript integration:
+Most popular with excellent TypeScript integration. For Zod v3, use `@tanstack/zod-adapter` for validation:
 
 ```tsx
 import { zodValidator, fallback } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
@@ -99,6 +98,24 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/search')({
 })
 ```
 
+For Zod v4, the adapter is no longer necessary:
+
+```tsx
+import { z } from 'zod'
+
+const searchSchema = z.object({
+  query: z.string().min(1).max(100),
+  page: z.number().int().positive().default(1),
+  sortBy: z.enum(['name', 'date', 'relevance']).optional(),
+  filters: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
+})
+
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/search')({
+  validateSearch: searchSchema,
+  component: SearchPage,
+})
+```
+
 ### Valibot
 
 Lightweight alternative with modular design:
diff --git a/packages/react-router/skills/lifecycle/migrate-from-react-router/SKILL.md b/packages/react-router/skills/lifecycle/migrate-from-react-router/SKILL.md
index 602c49a7a65..c9f53358e6f 100644
--- a/packages/react-router/skills/lifecycle/migrate-from-react-router/SKILL.md
+++ b/packages/react-router/skills/lifecycle/migrate-from-react-router/SKILL.md
@@ -243,14 +243,11 @@ TanStack Router:
 // In the route definition:
 import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
 import { z } from 'zod'
-import { zodValidator, fallback } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(
-    z.object({
-      page: fallback(z.number(), 1).default(1),
-    }),
-  ),
+  validateSearch: z.object({
+    page: z.number().default(1).catch(1),
+  }),
   component: Posts,
 })
 
@@ -441,11 +438,10 @@ const page = Number(searchParams.get('page'))
 
 // CORRECT — TanStack Router pattern, returns typed object
 // Route definition:
-validateSearch: zodValidator(
+validateSearch:
   z.object({
-    page: fallback(z.number(), 1).default(1),
+    page: z.number().default(1).catch(1),
   }),
-)
 
 // Component:
 const { page } = Route.useSearch()
diff --git a/packages/router-core/skills/router-core/search-params/SKILL.md b/packages/router-core/skills/router-core/search-params/SKILL.md
index d714969416d..5f294afdf90 100644
--- a/packages/router-core/skills/router-core/search-params/SKILL.md
+++ b/packages/router-core/skills/router-core/search-params/SKILL.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ sources:
 
 TanStack Router treats search params as JSON-first application state. They are automatically parsed from the URL into structured objects (numbers, booleans, arrays, nested objects) and validated via `validateSearch` on each route.
 
-> **CRITICAL**: When using `zodValidator()`, use `fallback()` from `@tanstack/zod-adapter`, NOT zod's `.catch()`. Using `.catch()` with the zod adapter makes the output type `unknown`, destroying type safety. This does not apply to Valibot or ArkType (which use their own fallback mechanisms).
+> **CRITICAL**: When using `zodValidator()` and Zod v3, use `fallback()` from `@tanstack/zod-adapter`, NOT zod's `.catch()`. Using `.catch()` with the zod adapter makes the output type `unknown`, destroying type safety. This does not apply to Valibot or ArkType (which use their own fallback mechanisms). It also does not apply to Zod v4, which should use `.catch()` and not use the `zodValidator()`.
 > **CRITICAL**: Types are fully inferred. Never annotate the return of `useSearch()`.
 
 ## Setup: Zod Adapter (Recommended)
@@ -35,19 +35,18 @@ npm install zod @tanstack/zod-adapter
 ```tsx
 // src/routes/products.tsx
 import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator, fallback } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 import { z } from 'zod'
 
 const productSearchSchema = z.object({
-  page: fallback(z.number(), 1).default(1),
-  filter: fallback(z.string(), '').default(''),
-  sort: fallback(z.enum(['newest', 'oldest', 'price']), 'newest').default(
+  page: z.number().default(1).catch(1),
+  filter: z.string().default(''),
+  sort: z.enum(['newest', 'oldest', 'price']).default(
     'newest',
-  ),
+  ).catch('newest'),
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/products')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(productSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: productSearchSchema,
   component: ProductsPage,
 })
 
@@ -168,15 +167,14 @@ Parent route search params are automatically merged into child routes:
 ```tsx
 // src/routes/shop.tsx — parent defines shared params
 import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator, fallback } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 import { z } from 'zod'
 
 const shopSearchSchema = z.object({
-  currency: fallback(z.enum(['USD', 'EUR']), 'USD').default('USD'),
+  currency: z.enum(['USD', 'EUR']).default('USD').catch('USD'),
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/shop')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(shopSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: shopSearchSchema,
 })
 ```
 
@@ -201,7 +199,6 @@ function ShopProducts() {
 
 ```tsx
 import { createRootRoute, retainSearchParams } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 import { z } from 'zod'
 
 const rootSearchSchema = z.object({
@@ -209,7 +206,7 @@ const rootSearchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createRootRoute({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(rootSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: rootSearchSchema,
   search: {
     middlewares: [retainSearchParams(['debug'])],
   },
@@ -220,7 +217,6 @@ export const Route = createRootRoute({
 
 ```tsx
 import { createFileRoute, stripSearchParams } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { zodValidator } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 import { z } from 'zod'
 
 const defaults = { sort: 'newest', page: 1 }
@@ -231,7 +227,7 @@ const searchSchema = z.object({
 })
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/items')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(searchSchema),
+  validateSearch: searchSchema,
   search: {
     middlewares: [stripSearchParams(defaults)],
   },
@@ -242,13 +238,11 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/items')({
 
 ```tsx
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/search')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(
-    z.object({
-      retainMe: z.string().optional(),
-      arrayWithDefaults: z.string().array().default(['foo', 'bar']),
-      required: z.string(),
-    }),
-  ),
+  validateSearch: z.object({
+    retainMe: z.string().optional(),
+    arrayWithDefaults: z.string().array().default(['foo', 'bar']),
+    required: z.string(),
+  }),
   search: {
     middlewares: [
       retainSearchParams(['retainMe']),
@@ -281,7 +275,7 @@ const router = createRouter({
 
 ```tsx
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/products')({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(productSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: productSearchSchema,
   // Pick ONLY the params the loader needs — not the entire search object
   loaderDeps: ({ search }) => ({ page: search.page }),
   loader: async ({ deps }) => {
@@ -292,7 +286,7 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/products')({
 
 ## Common Mistakes
 
-### 1. HIGH: Using zod `.catch()` with `zodValidator()` instead of adapter `fallback()`
+### 1. HIGH: Using zod v3's `.catch()` with `zodValidator()` instead of adapter `fallback()`
 
 ```tsx
 // WRONG — .catch() with zodValidator makes the type unknown
@@ -304,6 +298,8 @@ import { fallback } from '@tanstack/zod-adapter'
 const schema = z.object({ page: fallback(z.number(), 1) })
 ```
 
+**Important:** This only applies when using Zod v3, not when using Zod v4. For v4, using `.catch()` is correct.
+
 ### 2. HIGH: Returning entire search object from `loaderDeps`
 
 ```tsx
@@ -335,7 +331,7 @@ export const Route = createRootRoute({
 
 // CORRECT — parent must define validateSearch for children to inherit
 export const Route = createRootRoute({
-  validateSearch: zodValidator(globalSearchSchema),
+  validateSearch: globalSearchSchema,
   component: RootComponent,
 })
 ```