diff --git a/docs/1.getting-started/7.state-management.md b/docs/1.getting-started/7.state-management.md
index 4687e0eb05..9cec1e9c5c 100644
--- a/docs/1.getting-started/7.state-management.md
+++ b/docs/1.getting-started/7.state-management.md
@@ -57,9 +57,68 @@ const counter = useState('counter', () => Math.round(Math.random() * 1000))
 To globally invalidate cached state, see [`clearNuxtState`](/docs/api/utils/clear-nuxt-state) util.
 ::
 
-### Advanced Usage
+### Initializing State
 
-In this example, we use a composable that detects the user's default locale from the HTTP request headers and keeps it in a `locale` state.
+Most of the time, you will want to initialize your state with data that resolves asynchronously. You can use the [`app.vue`](/docs/guide/directory-structure/app) component with the [`callOnce`](/docs/api/utils/call-once) util to do so.
+
+```vue [app.vue]
+<script setup>
+const websiteConfig = useState('config')
+
+await callOnce(async () => {
+  websiteConfig.value = await $fetch('https://my-cms.com/api/website-config')
+})
+</script>
+```
+
+::callout
+This is similar to the [`nuxtServerInit` action](https://v2.nuxt.com/docs/directory-structure/store/#the-nuxtserverinit-action) in Nuxt 2, which allows filling the initial state of your store server-side before rendering the page.
+::
+
+:read-more{to="/docs/api/utils/call-once"}
+
+### Usage with Pinia
+
+In this example, we leverage the [Pinia module](/modules/pinia) to create a global store and use it across the app.
+
+::callout
+Make sure to install the Pinia module with `npx nuxi@latest module add pinia` or follow the [module's installation steps](https://pinia.vuejs.org/ssr/nuxt.html#Installation).
+::
+
+::code-group
+```ts [stores/website.ts]
+export const useWebsiteStore = defineStore('websiteStore', {
+  state: () => ({
+    name: '',
+    description: ''
+  }),
+  actions: {
+    async fetch() {
+      const infos = await $fetch('https://api.nuxt.com/modules/pinia')
+
+      this.name = infos.name
+      this.description = infos.description
+    }
+  }
+})
+```
+```vue [app.vue]
+<script setup>
+const website = useWebsiteStore()
+
+await callOnce(website.fetch)
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <main>
+    <h1>{{ website.name }}</h1>
+    <p>{{ website.description }}</p>
+  </main>
+</template>
+```
+::
+
+## Advanced Usage
 
 ::code-group
 ```ts [composables/locale.ts]
diff --git a/docs/3.api/2.composables/use-fetch.md b/docs/3.api/2.composables/use-fetch.md
index 2fb3593978..5222b0fcb6 100644
--- a/docs/3.api/2.composables/use-fetch.md
+++ b/docs/3.api/2.composables/use-fetch.md
@@ -17,11 +17,9 @@ It automatically generates a key based on URL and fetch options, provides type h
 
 ## Usage
 
-```vue [pages/index.vue]
+```vue [pages/modules.vue]
 <script setup>
-const route = useRoute()
-
-const { data, pending, error, refresh } = await useFetch(`https://api.nuxtjs.dev/mountains/${route.params.slug}`, {
+const { data, pending, error, refresh } = await useFetch('/api/modules', {
   pick: ['title']
 })
 </script>
@@ -35,12 +33,12 @@ Using the `query` option, you can add search parameters to your query. This opti
 
 ```ts
 const param1 = ref('value1')
-const { data, pending, error, refresh } = await useFetch('https://api.nuxtjs.dev/mountains', {
+const { data, pending, error, refresh } = await useFetch('/api/modules', {
   query: { param1, param2: 'value2' }
 })
 ```
 
-The above example results in `https://api.nuxtjs.dev/mountains?param1=value1&param2=value2`.
+The above example results in `https://api.nuxt.com/modules?param1=value1&param2=value2`.
 
 You can also use [interceptors](https://github.com/unjs/ofetch#%EF%B8%8F-interceptors):
 
diff --git a/docs/3.api/2.composables/use-state.md b/docs/3.api/2.composables/use-state.md
index 6d5a8d4294..d4be8390b5 100644
--- a/docs/3.api/2.composables/use-state.md
+++ b/docs/3.api/2.composables/use-state.md
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ links:
 ```ts
 // Create a reactive state and set default value
 const count = useState('counter', () => Math.round(Math.random() * 100))
-
 ```
 
 :read-more{to="/docs/getting-started/state-management"}
diff --git a/docs/3.api/3.utils/call-once.md b/docs/3.api/3.utils/call-once.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b148c39975
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/3.api/3.utils/call-once.md
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+---
+title: "callOnce"
+description: "Run a given function or block of code once during SSR or CSR."
+links:
+  - label: Source
+    icon: i-simple-icons-github
+    to: https://github.com/nuxt/nuxt/blob/main/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/once.ts
+    size: xs
+---
+
+## Purpose
+
+The `callOnce` function is designed to execute a given function or block of code only once during:
+- server-side rendering but not hydration
+- client-side navigation
+
+This is useful for code that should be executed only once, such as logging an event or setting up a global state.
+
+## Usage
+
+```vue [app.vue]
+<script setup>
+const websiteConfig = useState('config')
+
+await callOnce(async () => {
+  console.log('This will only be logged once')
+  websiteConfig.value = await $fetch('https://my-cms.com/api/website-config')
+})
+</script>
+```
+
+::callout{to="/docs/getting-started/state-management#usage-with-pinia"}
+`callOnce` is useful in combination with the [Pinia module](/modules/pinia) to call store actions.
+::
+
+:read-more{to="/docs/getting-started/state-management"}
+
+::callout{color="info" icon="i-ph-warning-duotone"}
+Note that `callOnce` doesn't return anything. You should use [`useAsyncData`](/docs/api/composables/use-async-data) or [`useFetch`](/docs/api/composables/use-fetch) if you want to do data fetching during SSR.
+::
+
+::callout
+`callOnce` is a composable meant to be called directly in a setup function, plugin, or route middleware, because it needs to add data to the Nuxt payload to avoid re-calling the function on the client when the page hydrates.
+::
+
+## Type
+
+```ts
+callOnce(fn?: () => any | Promise<any>): Promise<void>
+callOnce(key: string, fn?: () => any | Promise<any>): Promise<void>
+```
+
+- `key`: A unique key ensuring that the code is run once. If you do not provide a key, then a key that is unique to the file and line number of the instance of `callOnce` will be generated for you.
+- `fn`: The function to run once. This function can also return a `Promise` and a value.
diff --git a/docs/3.api/3.utils/clear-error.md b/docs/3.api/3.utils/clear-error.md
index f2f8897a91..915bd7852e 100644
--- a/docs/3.api/3.utils/clear-error.md
+++ b/docs/3.api/3.utils/clear-error.md
@@ -8,8 +8,6 @@ links:
     size: xs
 ---
 
-# `clearError`
-
 Within your pages, components, and plugins, you can use `clearError` to clear all errors and redirect the user.
 
 **Parameters:**
diff --git a/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/index.ts b/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/index.ts
index a815dbd05e..5855089873 100644
--- a/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/index.ts
+++ b/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/index.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ export { defineNuxtComponent } from './component'
 export { useAsyncData, useLazyAsyncData, useNuxtData, refreshNuxtData, clearNuxtData } from './asyncData'
 export type { AsyncDataOptions, AsyncData } from './asyncData'
 export { useHydration } from './hydrate'
+export { callOnce } from './once'
 export { useState, clearNuxtState } from './state'
 export { clearError, createError, isNuxtError, showError, useError } from './error'
 export type { NuxtError } from './error'
diff --git a/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/once.ts b/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/once.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..52ece887c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/nuxt/src/app/composables/once.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import { useNuxtApp } from '../nuxt'
+
+/**
+ * An SSR-friendly utility to call a method once
+ * @param key a unique key ensuring the function can be properly de-duplicated across requests
+ * @param fn a function to call
+ * @see https://nuxt.com/docs/api/utils/call-once
+ */
+export function callOnce (key?: string, fn?: (() => any | Promise<any>)): Promise<void>
+export function callOnce (fn?: (() => any | Promise<any>)): Promise<void>
+export async function callOnce (...args: any): Promise<void> {
+  const autoKey = typeof args[args.length - 1] === 'string' ? args.pop() : undefined
+  if (typeof args[0] !== 'string') { args.unshift(autoKey) }
+  const [_key, fn] = args as [string, (() => any | Promise<any>)]
+  if (!_key || typeof _key !== 'string') {
+    throw new TypeError('[nuxt] [callOnce] key must be a string: ' + _key)
+  }
+  if (fn !== undefined && typeof fn !== 'function') {
+    throw new Error('[nuxt] [callOnce] fn must be a function: ' + fn)
+  }
+  const nuxtApp = useNuxtApp()
+  // If key already ran
+  if (nuxtApp.payload.once.has(_key)) {
+    return
+  }
+  nuxtApp._once = nuxtApp._once || {}
+  nuxtApp._once[_key] = nuxtApp._once[_key] || fn()
+  await nuxtApp._once[_key]
+  nuxtApp.payload.once.add(_key)
+  delete nuxtApp._once[_key]
+}
diff --git a/packages/nuxt/src/app/nuxt.ts b/packages/nuxt/src/app/nuxt.ts
index 8ce0d22f06..218e252c50 100644
--- a/packages/nuxt/src/app/nuxt.ts
+++ b/packages/nuxt/src/app/nuxt.ts
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ export interface NuxtPayload {
   prerenderedAt?: number
   data: Record<string, any>
   state: Record<string, any>
+  once: Set<string>
   config?: Pick<RuntimeConfig, 'public' | 'app'>
   error?: Error | {
     url: string
@@ -126,6 +127,11 @@ interface _NuxtApp {
     named: Record<string, RouteMiddleware>
   }
 
+  /** @internal */
+  _once: {
+    [key: string]: Promise<any>
+  }
+
   /** @internal */
   _observer?: { observe: (element: Element, callback: () => void) => () => void }
   /** @internal */
@@ -232,6 +238,7 @@ export function createNuxtApp (options: CreateOptions) {
     payload: reactive({
       data: {},
       state: {},
+      once: new Set<string>(),
       _errors: {},
       ...(import.meta.client ? window.__NUXT__ ?? {} : { serverRendered: true })
     }),
diff --git a/packages/nuxt/src/core/runtime/nitro/renderer.ts b/packages/nuxt/src/core/runtime/nitro/renderer.ts
index 72f33b42b3..9085acddfa 100644
--- a/packages/nuxt/src/core/runtime/nitro/renderer.ts
+++ b/packages/nuxt/src/core/runtime/nitro/renderer.ts
@@ -149,7 +149,8 @@ const getSPARenderer = lazyCachedFunction(async () => {
       _errors: {},
       serverRendered: false,
       data: {},
-      state: {}
+      state: {},
+      once: new Set<string>()
     }
     ssrContext.config = {
       public: config.public,
diff --git a/packages/nuxt/src/imports/presets.ts b/packages/nuxt/src/imports/presets.ts
index 3e4d8d1da4..4404893b4a 100644
--- a/packages/nuxt/src/imports/presets.ts
+++ b/packages/nuxt/src/imports/presets.ts
@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@ const granularAppPresets: InlinePreset[] = [
     imports: ['useHydration'],
     from: '#app/composables/hydrate'
   },
+  {
+    imports: ['callOnce'],
+    from: '#app/composables/once'
+  },
   {
     imports: ['useState', 'clearNuxtState'],
     from: '#app/composables/state'
diff --git a/packages/schema/src/config/build.ts b/packages/schema/src/config/build.ts
index 9025441b1c..ec93de6b1f 100644
--- a/packages/schema/src/config/build.ts
+++ b/packages/schema/src/config/build.ts
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ export default defineUntypedSchema({
      */
     keyedComposables: {
       $resolve: val => [
+        { name: 'callOnce', argumentLength: 2 },
         { name: 'defineNuxtComponent', argumentLength: 2 },
         { name: 'useState', argumentLength: 2 },
         { name: 'useFetch', argumentLength: 3 },
diff --git a/test/basic.test.ts b/test/basic.test.ts
index 1b2172c7e3..80c723cf29 100644
--- a/test/basic.test.ts
+++ b/test/basic.test.ts
@@ -863,6 +863,18 @@ describe('navigate external', () => {
   })
 })
 
+describe('composables', () => {
+  it('should run code once', async () => {
+    const html = await $fetch('/once')
+
+    expect(html).toContain('once.vue')
+    expect(html).toContain('once: 2')
+
+    const { page } = await renderPage('/once')
+    expect(await page.getByText('once:').textContent()).toContain('once: 2')
+  })
+})
+
 describe('middlewares', () => {
   it('should redirect to index with global middleware', async () => {
     const html = await $fetch('/redirect/')
diff --git a/test/fixtures/basic/pages/once.vue b/test/fixtures/basic/pages/once.vue
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..963014ee7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/fixtures/basic/pages/once.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+<script setup>
+const counter = useState('once', () => 0)
+
+await callOnce(() => counter.value++)
+await callOnce('same-key', () => counter.value++)
+await callOnce('same-key', () => counter.value++)
+</script>
+
+<template>
+  <div>
+    <div>once.vue</div>
+    <div>once: {{ counter }}</div>
+  </div>
+</template>
diff --git a/test/nuxt/composables.test.ts b/test/nuxt/composables.test.ts
index 65573137a5..f9229a01d2 100644
--- a/test/nuxt/composables.test.ts
+++ b/test/nuxt/composables.test.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import { setResponseStatus, useRequestEvent, useRequestFetch, useRequestHeaders
 import { clearNuxtState, useState } from '#app/composables/state'
 import { useRequestURL } from '#app/composables/url'
 import { getAppManifest, getRouteRules } from '#app/composables/manifest'
+import { callOnce } from '#app/composables/once'
 import { useLoadingIndicator } from '#app/composables/loading-indicator'
 
 vi.mock('#app/compat/idle-callback', () => ({
@@ -87,6 +88,7 @@ describe('composables', () => {
       'useHydration',
       'getRouteRules',
       'onNuxtReady',
+      'callOnce',
       'setResponseStatus',
       'prerenderRoutes',
       'useRequestEvent',
@@ -578,3 +580,29 @@ describe('defineNuxtComponent', () => {
   it.todo('should support Options API asyncData')
   it.todo('should support Options API head')
 })
+
+describe('callOnce', () => {
+  it('should only call composable once', async () => {
+    const fn = vi.fn()
+    const execute = () => callOnce(fn)
+    await execute()
+    await execute()
+    expect(fn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('should only call composable once when called in parallel', async () => {
+    const fn = vi.fn().mockImplementation(() => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 1)))
+    const execute = () => callOnce(fn)
+    await Promise.all([execute(), execute(), execute()])
+    expect(fn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
+  })
+
+  it('should use key to dedupe', async () => {
+    const fn = vi.fn()
+    const execute = (key?: string) => callOnce(key, fn)
+    await execute('first')
+    await execute('first')
+    await execute('second')
+    expect(fn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+  })
+})