diff --git a/.changeset/split-object-form-loader.md b/.changeset/split-object-form-loader.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..69793cca0fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/split-object-form-loader.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@tanstack/router-plugin': patch
+---
+
+Split only the `handler` of a loader in object form (`loader: { handler, staleReloadMode }`) when `loader` is code-split, and keep its other options on the route. Before, the split chunk failed with `Unexpected splitNode type ☝️: ObjectExpression`.
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/ARCHITECTURE-CODE-SPLITTING.md b/packages/router-plugin/ARCHITECTURE-CODE-SPLITTING.md
index b3016930784..30f7e1c5659 100644
--- a/packages/router-plugin/ARCHITECTURE-CODE-SPLITTING.md
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/ARCHITECTURE-CODE-SPLITTING.md
@@ -870,6 +870,12 @@ Components use `lazyRouteComponent` (framework-provided). In React this
 integrates with Suspense-compatible lazy loading. Loaders use `lazyFn` which
 wraps the async function for deferred loading.
 
+A loader in object form (`{ handler, staleReloadMode }`) splits only its
+`handler`: the router reads the other keys from the route options, so they
+stay in the reference file. The loader stays whole in the reference file when
+a spread or computed key after `handler` may replace it, when there is no
+plain `handler`, or when a `handler() {}` method uses `super`.
+
 ### 11. Source Maps Are Preserved
 
 All three compilers pass `sourceMaps: true` and `sourceFileName` to
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/src/core/code-splitter/compilers.ts b/packages/router-plugin/src/core/code-splitter/compilers.ts
index 89cdae41add..172c44657b8 100644
--- a/packages/router-plugin/src/core/code-splitter/compilers.ts
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/src/core/code-splitter/compilers.ts
@@ -139,6 +139,88 @@ const allCreateRouteFns = [
   ...unsplittableCreateRouteFns,
 ]
 
+/**
+ * A loader can be an object, `{ handler, staleReloadMode }`. The router reads
+ * its other keys from the route options, so only `handler` is split. Returns
+ * the property to split, or `undefined` to keep the whole loader in the route
+ * file. A `handler() {}` method is replaced by a property holding the same
+ * function, so it splits like any other value.
+ */
+function getLoaderHandler(
+  loader: t.ObjectExpression,
+): t.ObjectProperty | undefined {
+  // The last `handler` wins, unless a spread or computed key after it may
+  // replace it
+  for (let index = loader.properties.length - 1; index >= 0; index--) {
+    const prop = loader.properties[index]!
+    if (t.isSpreadElement(prop) || prop.computed) {
+      return undefined
+    }
+    if (getObjectPropertyKeyName(prop) !== 'handler') {
+      continue
+    }
+    if (t.isObjectProperty(prop)) {
+      const value = prop.value
+      const isFallback =
+        t.isBooleanLiteral(value) ||
+        t.isNullLiteral(value) ||
+        (t.isIdentifier(value) && value.name === 'undefined')
+      return isFallback ? undefined : prop
+    }
+    // `super` is only valid in a method
+    if (prop.kind !== 'method' || containsSuper(prop.body)) {
+      return undefined
+    }
+    const fn = t.functionExpression(
+      null,
+      prop.params,
+      prop.body,
+      prop.generator,
+      prop.async,
+    )
+    fn.returnType = prop.returnType
+    fn.typeParameters = prop.typeParameters
+    const handler = t.objectProperty(t.identifier('handler'), fn)
+    loader.properties[index] = handler
+    return handler
+  }
+  return undefined
+}
+
+function containsSuper(node: t.Node) {
+  let found = false
+  t.traverseFast(node, (child) => {
+    if (t.isSuper(child)) found = true
+  })
+  return found
+}
+
+/**
+ * The parts of a route option and the group each one belongs to (-1 for the
+ * route file): the whole value, or, for a split loader in object form, its
+ * handler and the options that stay in the route file.
+ */
+function getRouteOptionParts(
+  key: string,
+  value: t.Node,
+  groupIndex: number,
+): Array<[node: t.Node, groupIndex: number]> {
+  if (key !== 'loader' || groupIndex === -1 || !t.isObjectExpression(value)) {
+    return [[value, groupIndex]]
+  }
+  const handler = getLoaderHandler(value)
+  if (!handler) {
+    return [[value, -1]]
+  }
+  const options = value.properties.filter((prop) => prop !== handler)
+  return options.length > 0
+    ? [
+        [handler.value, groupIndex],
+        [t.objectExpression(options), -1],
+      ]
+    : [[handler.value, groupIndex]]
+}
+
 /**
  * Computes module-level bindings that are shared between split and non-split
  * route properties. These bindings need to be extracted into a shared virtual
@@ -211,11 +293,17 @@ export function computeSharedBindings(opts: {
     if (!key) continue
     if (key === 'codeSplitGroupings') continue
     if (t.isIdentifier(prop.value) && prop.value.name === 'undefined') continue
-    const groupIndex = findIndexForSplitNode(key) // -1 if non-split
-    if (groupIndex === -1) {
-      hasNonSplit = true
-    } else {
-      splitGroupsPresent.add(groupIndex)
+    const parts = getRouteOptionParts(
+      key,
+      prop.value,
+      findIndexForSplitNode(key), // -1 if non-split
+    )
+    for (const [, groupIndex] of parts) {
+      if (groupIndex === -1) {
+        hasNonSplit = true
+      } else {
+        splitGroupsPresent.add(groupIndex)
+      }
     }
   }
 
@@ -250,25 +338,31 @@ export function computeSharedBindings(opts: {
 
     if (key === 'codeSplitGroupings') continue
 
-    const groupIndex = findIndexForSplitNode(key) // -1 if non-split
-
-    const directRefs = collectModuleLevelRefsFromNode(
+    const parts = getRouteOptionParts(
+      key,
       prop.value,
-      localModuleLevelBindings,
+      findIndexForSplitNode(key), // -1 if non-split
     )
 
-    // Expand transitively: if component references SharedComp which references
-    // `shared`, then `shared` is also attributed to component's group.
-    const allRefs = new Set(directRefs)
-    expandTransitively(allRefs, depGraph)
+    for (const [node, groupIndex] of parts) {
+      const directRefs = collectModuleLevelRefsFromNode(
+        node,
+        localModuleLevelBindings,
+      )
+
+      // Expand transitively: if component references SharedComp which references
+      // `shared`, then `shared` is also attributed to component's group.
+      const allRefs = new Set(directRefs)
+      expandTransitively(allRefs, depGraph)
 
-    for (const ref of allRefs) {
-      let groups = refsByGroup.get(ref)
-      if (!groups) {
-        groups = new Set()
-        refsByGroup.set(ref, groups)
+      for (const ref of allRefs) {
+        let groups = refsByGroup.get(ref)
+        if (!groups) {
+          groups = new Set()
+          refsByGroup.set(ref, groups)
+        }
+        groups.add(groupIndex)
       }
-      groups.add(groupIndex)
     }
   }
 
@@ -667,7 +761,15 @@ export function compileCodeSplitReferenceRoute(
                         addRouteHmr(insertionPath, routeOptions)
                       } else {
                         // if (splitNodeMeta.splitStrategy === 'lazyFn') {
-                        const value = prop.value
+                        // A loader in object form splits only its handler
+                        const target =
+                          key === 'loader' && t.isObjectExpression(prop.value)
+                            ? getLoaderHandler(prop.value)
+                            : prop
+                        if (!target) {
+                          return
+                        }
+                        const value = target.value
 
                         let shouldSplit = true
 
@@ -725,7 +827,7 @@ export function compileCodeSplitReferenceRoute(
                         }
 
                         // Add the lazyFn call with the dynamic import to the prop value
-                        prop.value = template.expression(
+                        target.value = template.expression(
                           `${LAZY_FN_IDENT}(${splitNodeMeta.localImporterIdent}, '${splitNodeMeta.exporterIdent}')`,
                         )()
                       }
@@ -932,7 +1034,19 @@ export function compileCodeSplitVirtualRoute(
                         return
                       }
 
-                      const value = prop.value
+                      let value = prop.value
+
+                      // A loader in object form splits only its handler
+                      if (
+                        splitType === 'loader' &&
+                        t.isObjectExpression(value)
+                      ) {
+                        const handler = getLoaderHandler(value)
+                        if (!handler) {
+                          return
+                        }
+                        value = handler.value
+                      }
 
                       // If the value for the `key` is `undefined`, then we don't need to include it
                       // in the split file, so we can just return, since it will kept in-place in the
@@ -957,7 +1071,7 @@ export function compileCodeSplitVirtualRoute(
                       } else {
                         const meta = SPLIT_NODES_CONFIG.get(splitType)!
                         trackedNodesToSplitByType[splitType] = {
-                          node: prop.value,
+                          node: value,
                           meta,
                         }
                       }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/src/core/utils.ts b/packages/router-plugin/src/core/utils.ts
index 61ab1ca278f..3e520a4a7ad 100644
--- a/packages/router-plugin/src/core/utils.ts
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/src/core/utils.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ export const routeFactoryCallCodeFilter = [
 ]
 
 export function getObjectPropertyKeyName(
-  prop: t.ObjectProperty,
+  prop: t.ObjectProperty | t.ObjectMethod,
 ): string | undefined {
   if (prop.computed) {
     return undefined
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter-route-options.test.ts b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter-route-options.test.ts
index 84d24392d15..a1d782a12e9 100644
--- a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter-route-options.test.ts
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter-route-options.test.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 import {
+  buildAndRun,
   compileRouteModules,
   declarationOf,
   expectValidModules,
+  exportedNames,
   head,
   importSources,
   importedNames,
 } from './regression-helpers'
+import type { CodeSplitGroupings } from '../src/core/constants'
 
 describe('route options', () => {
   it('are split when declared in a variable', async () => {
@@ -114,3 +117,114 @@ export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({
     await expectValidModules(modules)
   })
 })
+
+describe('a loader in object form', () => {
+  const groupings: CodeSplitGroupings = [['loader'], ['component']]
+
+  /** Loads `/` with a real router and returns each match's loader data. */
+  const routerEntry = `import { createMemoryHistory, createRouter } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { routeTree } from './routeTree.gen'
+export { Route } from './routes/index'
+export async function load() {
+  const router = createRouter({
+    routeTree,
+    history: createMemoryHistory({ initialEntries: ['/'] }),
+  })
+  await router.load()
+  return router.state.matches.map((match) => match.loaderData ?? null)
+}`
+
+  it.each([
+    { name: 'an arrow handler', handler: `handler: async () => 'loaded'` },
+    {
+      name: 'a method handler',
+      handler: `async handler() {
+      return 'loaded'
+    }`,
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'an imported handler',
+      imports: `import { load } from '../load'\n`,
+      handler: `handler: load`,
+    },
+  ])(
+    'loads route data and keeps its options with $name split',
+    async ({ imports = '', handler }) => {
+      const result = await buildAndRun(
+        `${head}${imports}export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: 'blocking',
+    ${handler},
+  },
+  component: () => <p>index</p>,
+})`,
+        `return [await entry.load(), entry.Route.options.loader.staleReloadMode]`,
+        {
+          files: {
+            'entry.ts': routerEntry,
+            'load.ts': `export const load = async () => 'loaded'`,
+          },
+          groupings,
+        },
+      )
+      expect(result).toEqual([[null, 'loaded'], 'blocking'])
+    },
+    30_000,
+  )
+
+  it.each([
+    {
+      name: 'a spread after the handler',
+      loader: `{ handler: () => 1, ...defaults }`,
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'a computed key after the handler',
+      loader: `{ handler: () => 1, [key]: () => 2 }`,
+    },
+    { name: 'no handler', loader: `{ ...defaults }` },
+    {
+      name: 'a getter handler',
+      loader: `{ get handler() { return () => 1 } }`,
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'a method handler that uses super',
+      loader: `{ handler() { return super.valueOf() } }`,
+    },
+  ])('stays in the route file with $name', async ({ loader }) => {
+    const { modules } = compileRouteModules(
+      `${head}import { defaults, key } from './defaults'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({
+  loader: ${loader},
+  component: () => <p>index</p>,
+})
+`,
+      { groupings },
+    )
+    expect(modules.reference).not.toContain('tsr-split=loader')
+    expect(exportedNames(modules['virtual loader']!)).toEqual([])
+    await expectValidModules(modules)
+  })
+
+  it('shares what its other options and a split option in the same chunk read', async () => {
+    const { modules, sharedBindings } = compileRouteModules(
+      `${head}const settings = { mode: 'blocking' as const }
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: settings.mode,
+    handler: () => settings,
+  },
+  component: () => <p>index</p>,
+})
+`,
+      { groupings: [['loader', 'component']] },
+    )
+    // The handler moves to the chunk while `staleReloadMode` stays in the
+    // route file, so both read one `settings` object from the shared module.
+    expect(sharedBindings).toEqual(['settings'])
+    expect(modules.reference).not.toMatch(declarationOf('settings'))
+    expect(modules['virtual loader-component']).not.toMatch(
+      declarationOf('settings'),
+    )
+    await expectValidModules(modules)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0fc05a913c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+const $$splitComponentImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-arrow.tsx?tsr-split=component')
+import { lazyRouteComponent } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { fetchPost } from '../posts'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts/$postId')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: 'blocking',
+    handler: async ({ params }) => fetchPost(params.postId),
+  },
+  component: lazyRouteComponent($$splitComponentImporter, 'component'),
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow@component.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow@component.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3dfd8f4ebb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow@component.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+import { Route } from 'loader-object-arrow.tsx'
+function PostComponent() {
+  const post = Route.useLoaderData()
+  return <div>{post.title}</div>
+}
+export { PostComponent as component }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow@errorComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow@errorComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow@notFoundComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow@notFoundComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow@shared.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-arrow@shared.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..06ed30141e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+const $$splitComponentImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-imported.tsx?tsr-split=component')
+import { lazyRouteComponent } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { loadPosts } from '../posts'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
+  loader: { handler: loadPosts, staleReloadMode: 'background' },
+  component: lazyRouteComponent($$splitComponentImporter, 'component'),
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported@component.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported@component.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..671675707b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported@component.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+const SplitComponent = () => <div>posts</div>
+export { SplitComponent as component }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported@errorComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported@errorComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported@notFoundComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported@notFoundComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported@shared.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-imported@shared.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a7219ece62c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+const $$splitComponentImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-method.tsx?tsr-split=component')
+import { lazyRouteComponent } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { fetchPosts } from '../posts'
+const reloadMode = 'blocking'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: reloadMode,
+    async handler({ abortController }) {
+      const posts = await fetchPosts({ signal: abortController.signal })
+      return { posts, reloadMode }
+    },
+  },
+  component: lazyRouteComponent($$splitComponentImporter, 'component'),
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method@component.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method@component.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..671675707b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method@component.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+const SplitComponent = () => <div>posts</div>
+export { SplitComponent as component }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method@errorComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method@errorComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method@notFoundComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method@notFoundComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method@shared.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/1-default/loader-object-method@shared.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..9759abc7e2d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+const $$splitComponentImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-arrow.tsx?tsr-split=component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent')
+import { lazyRouteComponent } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+const $$splitLoaderImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-arrow.tsx?tsr-split=loader')
+import { lazyFn } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts/$postId')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: 'blocking',
+    handler: lazyFn($$splitLoaderImporter, 'loader'),
+  },
+  component: lazyRouteComponent($$splitComponentImporter, 'component'),
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow@component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow@component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3dfd8f4ebb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow@component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+import { Route } from 'loader-object-arrow.tsx'
+function PostComponent() {
+  const post = Route.useLoaderData()
+  return <div>{post.title}</div>
+}
+export { PostComponent as component }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow@loader.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow@loader.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e39398f8b0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow@loader.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+import { fetchPost } from '../posts'
+const SplitLoader = async ({ params }) => fetchPost(params.postId)
+export { SplitLoader as loader }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow@shared.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-arrow@shared.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..91de54e6684
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+const $$splitComponentImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-imported.tsx?tsr-split=component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent')
+import { lazyRouteComponent } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+const $$splitLoaderImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-imported.tsx?tsr-split=loader')
+import { lazyFn } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
+  loader: {
+    handler: lazyFn($$splitLoaderImporter, 'loader'),
+    staleReloadMode: 'background',
+  },
+  component: lazyRouteComponent($$splitComponentImporter, 'component'),
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported@component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported@component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..671675707b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported@component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+const SplitComponent = () => <div>posts</div>
+export { SplitComponent as component }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported@loader.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported@loader.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7d2bcc4aa00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported@loader.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+import { loadPosts } from '../posts'
+const SplitLoader = loadPosts
+export { SplitLoader as loader }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported@shared.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-imported@shared.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..da5a0e034df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { reloadMode } from 'loader-object-method.tsx?tsr-shared=1'
+const $$splitComponentImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-method.tsx?tsr-split=component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent')
+import { lazyRouteComponent } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+const $$splitLoaderImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-method.tsx?tsr-split=loader')
+import { lazyFn } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: reloadMode,
+    handler: lazyFn($$splitLoaderImporter, 'loader'),
+  },
+  component: lazyRouteComponent($$splitComponentImporter, 'component'),
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method@component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method@component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..671675707b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method@component---errorComponent---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+const SplitComponent = () => <div>posts</div>
+export { SplitComponent as component }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method@loader.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method@loader.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1dcdae71930
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method@loader.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+import { reloadMode } from 'loader-object-method.tsx?tsr-shared=1'
+import { fetchPosts } from '../posts'
+const SplitLoader = async function ({ abortController }) {
+  const posts = await fetchPosts({ signal: abortController.signal })
+  return { posts, reloadMode }
+}
+export { SplitLoader as loader }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method@shared.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method@shared.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f9988bbf09a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/2-components-combined-loader-separate/loader-object-method@shared.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+const reloadMode = 'blocking'
+export { reloadMode }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8a4a2423613
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+const $$splitComponentImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-arrow.tsx?tsr-split=component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent')
+import { lazyRouteComponent } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+const $$splitLoaderImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-arrow.tsx?tsr-split=component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent')
+import { lazyFn } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts/$postId')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: 'blocking',
+    handler: lazyFn($$splitLoaderImporter, 'loader'),
+  },
+  component: lazyRouteComponent($$splitComponentImporter, 'component'),
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow@component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow@component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..16c1f9dfa86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow@component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+import { fetchPost } from '../posts'
+import { Route } from 'loader-object-arrow.tsx'
+function PostComponent() {
+  const post = Route.useLoaderData()
+  return <div>{post.title}</div>
+}
+const SplitLoader = async ({ params }) => fetchPost(params.postId)
+export { SplitLoader as loader }
+export { PostComponent as component }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow@errorComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow@errorComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow@shared.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-arrow@shared.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..be42a03d382
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+const $$splitComponentImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-imported.tsx?tsr-split=component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent')
+import { lazyRouteComponent } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+const $$splitLoaderImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-imported.tsx?tsr-split=component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent')
+import { lazyFn } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
+  loader: {
+    handler: lazyFn($$splitLoaderImporter, 'loader'),
+    staleReloadMode: 'background',
+  },
+  component: lazyRouteComponent($$splitComponentImporter, 'component'),
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported@component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported@component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f1380d7e759
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported@component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+import { loadPosts } from '../posts'
+const SplitLoader = loadPosts
+export { SplitLoader as loader }
+const SplitComponent = () => <div>posts</div>
+export { SplitComponent as component }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported@errorComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported@errorComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported@shared.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-imported@shared.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..433c5ca006f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { reloadMode } from 'loader-object-method.tsx?tsr-shared=1'
+const $$splitComponentImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-method.tsx?tsr-split=component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent')
+import { lazyRouteComponent } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+const $$splitLoaderImporter = () =>
+  import('loader-object-method.tsx?tsr-split=component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent')
+import { lazyFn } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: reloadMode,
+    handler: lazyFn($$splitLoaderImporter, 'loader'),
+  },
+  component: lazyRouteComponent($$splitComponentImporter, 'component'),
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method@component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method@component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..df9d32640c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method@component---loader---notFoundComponent---pendingComponent.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+import { reloadMode } from 'loader-object-method.tsx?tsr-shared=1'
+import { fetchPosts } from '../posts'
+const SplitLoader = async function ({ abortController }) {
+  const posts = await fetchPosts({ signal: abortController.signal })
+  return { posts, reloadMode }
+}
+export { SplitLoader as loader }
+const SplitComponent = () => <div>posts</div>
+export { SplitComponent as component }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method@errorComponent.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method@errorComponent.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e69de29bb2d
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method@shared.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method@shared.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f9988bbf09a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/snapshots/react/3-all-combined-errorComponent-separate/loader-object-method@shared.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+const reloadMode = 'blocking'
+export { reloadMode }
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/test-files/react/loader-object-arrow.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/test-files/react/loader-object-arrow.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..893d390d067
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/test-files/react/loader-object-arrow.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { fetchPost } from '../posts'
+
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts/$postId')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: 'blocking',
+    handler: async ({ params }) => fetchPost(params.postId),
+  },
+  component: PostComponent,
+})
+
+function PostComponent() {
+  const post = Route.useLoaderData()
+  return <div>{post.title}</div>
+}
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/test-files/react/loader-object-imported.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/test-files/react/loader-object-imported.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7099264d944
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/test-files/react/loader-object-imported.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { loadPosts } from '../posts'
+
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
+  loader: { handler: loadPosts, staleReloadMode: 'background' },
+  component: () => <div>posts</div>,
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/test-files/react/loader-object-method.tsx b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/test-files/react/loader-object-method.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a185368dab3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/code-splitter/test-files/react/loader-object-method.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+import { fetchPosts } from '../posts'
+
+const reloadMode = 'blocking'
+
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/posts')({
+  loader: {
+    staleReloadMode: reloadMode,
+    async handler({ abortController }) {
+      const posts = await fetchPosts({ signal: abortController.signal })
+      return { posts, reloadMode }
+    },
+  },
+  component: () => <div>posts</div>,
+})
diff --git a/packages/router-plugin/tests/regression-helpers.ts b/packages/router-plugin/tests/regression-helpers.ts
index 3cca5f6cff7..10c217e2c0a 100644
--- a/packages/router-plugin/tests/regression-helpers.ts
+++ b/packages/router-plugin/tests/regression-helpers.ts
@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ export { declarationOf } from './validate-module'
 export const head = `import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'\n`
 
 /**
- * Compiles a route file with the default groupings into every module the code
- * splitter emits for it: `reference`, one `virtual <split>` chunk per grouping
- * and, when bindings are shared, `shared`.
+ * Compiles a route file (with the default groupings unless `groupings` is
+ * given) into every module the code splitter emits for it: `reference`, one
+ * `virtual <split>` chunk per grouping and, when bindings are shared, `shared`.
  */
 export function compileRouteModules(
   code: string,
@@ -44,14 +44,15 @@ export function compileRouteModules(
     targetFramework?: 'react' | 'solid'
     /** Compile with route HMR and the framework's HMR compiler plugins. */
     hmr?: boolean
+    groupings?: CodeSplitGroupings
   } = {},
 ) {
   const {
     filename = 'route.tsx',
     targetFramework = 'react',
     hmr = false,
+    groupings = defaultCodeSplitGroupings,
   } = options
-  const groupings = defaultCodeSplitGroupings
   const compilerPlugins = hmr
     ? getFrameworkHmrCompilerPlugins({ targetFramework })
     : undefined