Alpine.js `x-ref` array persistence across dynamic list mutations

Alpine.js binds x-ref to elements rendered via x-for, collecting them into $refs.. When items are removed from the list via splice, conditional toggling, or DOM replacement, the corresponding references remain in the array. The framework documents $refs as an array type but does not specify whether it updates to reflect DOM removal, leaving the reference set potentially stale relative to the component's reactive state. This disconnect can affect code that indexes into $refs expecting only currently visible elements.

Does Alpine.js provide any mechanism to automatically prune stale $refs entries when list items are removed? If not, what is the recommended pattern for maintaining reference consistency without introducing manual cleanup logic? How does the framework intend for developers to reconcile $refs state with dynamic list mutations?