Shadcn UI

shadcn-ui MCP Skill

MCP Server: @jpisnice/shadcn-ui-mcp-server Status: Installed and configured Frameworks: React, Svelte, Vue, React Native

What This Skill Does

Provides direct access to the shadcn/ui v4 component library through an MCP server. Query components, get usage examples, explore complete blocks (dashboards, forms), and retrieve metadata—all via natural language.

When to Use This Skill

• Building UI with React, Svelte, Vue, or React Native
• Need production-ready, accessible component foundations
• Want to see component demos and usage patterns
• Need dependency information for components
• Building dashboards, forms, or complex UI blocks
• Comparing component implementations across frameworks

What shadcn-ui Provides

Components

• 50+ production-ready UI components
• Full TypeScript definitions
• Accessibility built-in (ARIA, keyboard navigation)
• Radix UI primitives under the hood
• Tailwind CSS styling

Blocks

• Complete dashboard implementations
• Form templates with validation
• Calendar and date picker blocks
• Authentication flows
• Data table examples

Metadata

• Component dependencies
• Configuration requirements
• Installation instructions
• Peer dependencies
• Usage examples

How to Query Components

Basic Component Query

"Show me the shadcn button component"
"Get the shadcn card component"
"What's the shadcn dialog component?"

Framework-Specific Query

"Show me the shadcn button for React"
"Get the shadcn card for Svelte"
"What's the shadcn select for Vue?"

Block Query

"Show me the shadcn dashboard block"
"Get the shadcn form block"
"What blocks are available in shadcn?"

Metadata Query

"What dependencies does shadcn select need?"
"How do I install the shadcn button?"
"What peer dependencies does shadcn dialog require?"

Multi-Framework Support

One of shadcn-ui's unique advantages: same component logic, different framework implementations.

Component Categories

Form Components

• Button, Input, Textarea
• Select, Checkbox, Radio Group
• Switch, Slider
• Form, Label
• Date Picker, Calendar

Layout Components

• Card, Separator
• Accordion, Tabs
• Sheet, Dialog, Drawer
• Collapsible, Resizable

Navigation

• Navigation Menu, Breadcrumb
• Dropdown Menu, Context Menu
• Command, Menubar

Feedback

• Alert, Toast, Progress
• Skeleton, Badge
• Alert Dialog

Data Display

• Table, Data Table
• Avatar, Tooltip
• Hover Card, Popover

Usage Workflow

1. Query for Component

User: "Show me the shadcn button component"

2. Review Component Details

You'll get:

• TypeScript source code
• Component props and variants
• Usage examples
• Dependencies required
• Configuration needed

3. Implement and Customize

• Copy base component structure
• Apply your own styling/theming
• Customize variants as needed
• Add project-specific logic

Example: Building a Dashboard

Step 1: Query Blocks

"Show me the shadcn dashboard block"

What you get:

• Complete dashboard layout
• Pre-configured components (cards, tables, charts)
• Navigation structure
• Responsive grid system

Step 2: Query Individual Components

"Show me shadcn card component"
"Show me shadcn table component"

Step 3: Customize

• Apply your design system colors
• Modify typography
• Adjust spacing and layout
• Add custom functionality

Dependencies and Installation

Check Dependencies

"What dependencies does the shadcn select component need?"

Response includes:

• Required packages (@radix-ui/react-select, etc.)
• Peer dependencies (React, Tailwind CSS)
• Installation commands
• Configuration requirements

Common Dependencies

Most shadcn components require:

• React 18+ (for React version)
• Tailwind CSS 3+
• Radix UI primitives
• class-variance-authority
• clsx, tailwind-merge

Best Practices

✅ DO

1. Use as Foundation

   • shadcn provides structure and accessibility
   • Build your unique design on top

2. Query Before Building

   • Check if shadcn has a component before building from scratch
   • Save time on accessibility and edge cases

3. Check Multiple Frameworks

   • If switching frameworks, query for that implementation
   • Maintain consistent UX across platforms

4. Use Blocks for Rapid Prototyping

   • Dashboard, form, calendar blocks save hours
   • Customize blocks to match your brand

5. Review Metadata

   • Check dependencies before installing
   • Understand peer dependencies and conflicts

❌ DON'T

1. Don't Use Components As-Is in Production

   • Always customize to match your design system
   • Add brand colors, typography, spacing

2. Don't Skip Accessibility Review

   • shadcn provides accessible foundations
   • Don't break them with aggressive customizations

3. Don't Mix Framework Implementations

   • Stick to one framework per project
   • Cross-framework mixing causes conflicts

4. Don't Ignore Dependencies

   • Review required packages before installation
   • Check for version conflicts with existing dependencies

Integration with Other Skills

With frontend-design Skill

frontend-design provides: Bold aesthetics, creative direction, unique design
shadcn-ui provides: Component structure, accessibility, best practices

Workflow:

1. Query shadcn-ui for base component
2. Apply frontend-design aesthetic transformation
3. Result: Production-ready + unforgettable design

With interface-composition Skill

interface-composition provides: Visual hierarchy, balance, composition rules
shadcn-ui provides: Component building blocks

Workflow:

1. Query shadcn-ui for components
2. Apply interface-composition principles (visual weight, balance, hierarchy)
3. Result: Well-composed, professional UI

Troubleshooting

Component Not Found

• Try full name: "shadcn-ui button component"
• Specify framework: "button for React"
• Check spelling and naming

Dependency Conflicts

• Review peer dependencies before installation
• Check if Radix UI versions are compatible
• Ensure Tailwind CSS is configured

Framework-Specific Issues

• Verify you're querying for the correct framework
• Check framework-specific documentation
• Review implementation examples

Quick Reference

Query Patterns:

"Show me shadcn [component]"
"Get shadcn [component] for [framework]"
"What's in the shadcn [block] block?"
"What dependencies does shadcn [component] need?"
"How do I install shadcn [component]?"

Common Components: Button, Card, Input, Select, Dialog, Table, Form, Calendar, Dropdown Menu, Toast, Sheet, Tabs, Accordion, Avatar, Badge, Checkbox, Radio, Switch, Slider

Available Blocks: Dashboard, Form, Calendar, Authentication, Data Table

Supported Frameworks: React, Svelte 5, Vue, React Native

Key Takeaways

★ Insight ───────────────────────────────────── 1. shadcn-ui = Production-Ready Foundation

• Accessibility built-in (ARIA, keyboard nav)
• Best practices enforced
• TypeScript definitions included
• Battle-tested component patterns

2. Multi-Framework Consistency

• Same component logic across React, Svelte, Vue, React Native
• Maintain consistent UX when switching platforms
• Faster development across different projects

3. Blocks Save Time

• Complete dashboard, form, calendar implementations
• 60-80% faster scaffolding
• Focus on customization, not structure

4. Always Customize

• shadcn components are STARTING POINTS
• Add your design system (colors, typography, spacing)
• Make it match your brand
• Never ship generic shadcn aesthetics ─────────────────────────────────────────────────`

Resources

• shadcn/ui Official Docs
• GitHub - shadcn-ui-mcp-server
• Radix UI Documentation
• Tailwind CSS Documentation