diff --git a/web/project-site/src/components/TableOfContents.tsx b/web/project-site/src/components/TableOfContents.tsx
index 4cca2e4f..8d854325 100644
--- a/web/project-site/src/components/TableOfContents.tsx
+++ b/web/project-site/src/components/TableOfContents.tsx
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ export function TableOfContents() {
             };
         });
 
-        setHeadings(items);
+        // Defer the state update to avoid "setState in effect" warning and render cascades
+        const timeoutId = setTimeout(() => setHeadings(items), 0);
 
         const observer = new IntersectionObserver(
             (entries) => {
@@ -44,7 +45,10 @@ export function TableOfContents() {
 
         elements.forEach((elem) => observer.observe(elem));
 
-        return () => observer.disconnect();
+        return () => {
+            clearTimeout(timeoutId);
+            observer.disconnect();
+        };
     }, [location.pathname]);
 
     if (headings.length === 0) return null;