Introduction.

Installing Shadcn UI in React JS can feel like a big step if you’re just starting with building modern web apps, but trust me, it’s a journey worth taking.

In this post, I share my experience and step-by-step guidance on how to install Shadcn UI in React JS, hoping to clear up any confusion and show you why this process matters.

I’ll break things down in a way that feels like I’m chatting with a friend over coffee—straightforward, honest, and free of confusing tech jargon.

Why Shadcn UI Matters

When I first came across Shadcn UI, I was looking for a way to add clean, customizable UI components to my React projects without writing tons of CSS from scratch.

Shadcn UI offers a robust collection of pre-designed components that blend beautifully with modern design trends.

The components are designed with flexibility in mind, meaning you can tweak them to match your project’s unique style.

With the rising demand for user-friendly interfaces, having a toolkit like Shadcn UI means I can focus more on building cool features rather than wrestling with the design details.

The importance of good UI is backed by numbers too. According to a report by Forrester, companies that focus on user experience can see conversion rates jump by up to 400% compared to those that don’t.

This statistic alone convinced me that investing time in learning how to install and use Shadcn UI was a smart move for any React developer aiming to create engaging, high-converting web applications.

You can check out more details on the Forrester study here.

How Do I Install Shadcn UI In My React JS Project?

I’ll share the steps I followed to get Shadcn UI up and running in my React project.

This isn’t just a set of instructions—it’s a conversation about how you can tackle the installation with confidence.

1. Setting Up Your React Environment

Before I could install Shadcn UI, I made sure that my React project was ready.

If you haven’t already set up your project, you can do so by using Create React App or Next.js.

I personally like Next.js for its built-in features and flexibility, but Create React App works perfectly well too.

For Create React App, run:

npx create-react-app my-app
cd my-app

For Next.js, use:

npx create-next-app my-app
cd my-app

This step is essential because Shadcn UI is designed to integrate with modern React setups seamlessly. I find that starting with a clean slate ensures fewer headaches down the line.

2. Installing Shadcn UI

Once the React project is set up, I moved on to installing Shadcn UI. The installation process is straightforward if you follow the official guide.

I typically use npm or yarn to install the necessary packages.

In my case, I preferred yarn, but npm works just as well.

Here’s what I did:

yarn add shadcn-ui

Or with npm:

npm install shadcn-ui

This command downloads the Shadcn UI package and integrates it into your project.

It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference in how quickly you can start designing your interface.

3. Configuring the Package

After installing the package, I needed to configure it according to my project’s requirements.

Shadcn UI offers a configuration file where you can define theme settings, custom styles, and more.

I found this step very intuitive because the documentation provides clear examples.

If you ever feel stuck, the Shadcn UI documentation is a fantastic resource that I highly recommend checking out.

Here’s an example configuration snippet:

// shadcn.config.js
module.exports = {
  theme: {
    extend: {
      colors: {
        primary: '#1a202c',
        secondary: '#2d3748',
      },
    },
  },
}

This file allows you to customize the design tokens according to your brand or personal taste.

I love how this flexibility lets me experiment and see immediate changes in my UI.

4. Importing and Using Components

Once everything is configured, the next step is to import Shadcn UI components into your project. I started with a simple button component to test the waters:

import { Button } from 'shadcn-ui';

function App() {
  return (
    <div>
      <h1>Hello, Shadcn UI!h1>
      <Button onClick={() => alert('Button clicked!')}>Click MeButton>
    div>
  );
}

export default App;

Running your project now should display the button styled with Shadcn UI’s default design. From here, you can explore other components like modals, inputs, and more.

I found that working with these components felt natural and saved me a lot of time that I could have spent on custom styling.

5. Fine-Tuning and Customization

After getting the basics down, the fun part begins: customizing your components to match your unique style.

I spent some time tweaking the default themes and experimenting with different color schemes until everything felt just right.

The ability to adjust designs on the fly is one of the biggest strengths of Shadcn UI, making it a great tool for developers who like to see immediate visual feedback.

If you’re looking for inspiration or examples, sites like CodeSandbox and GitHub have plenty of projects using Shadcn UI.

These community examples can provide ideas and help troubleshoot any issues you might encounter.

FAQs

Do I need to know advanced React to use Shadcn UI?

Not at all. Shadcn UI is built to be simple and user-friendly, even if you’re just starting with React. The components are designed to be plug-and-play, so you can gradually learn and experiment.

Can I customize the components?

Yes, customization is one of the best features of Shadcn UI. The configuration file lets you tweak themes, colors, and more to fit your project’s needs.

Where can I find more examples and resources?

The official Shadcn UI documentation is a great starting point. Additionally, platforms like GitHub and CodeSandbox have many community projects that can offer guidance and inspiration.

Is Shadcn UI free to use?

Yes, Shadcn UI is available as an open-source package. However, always check the repository for any licensing details to make sure it fits your project’s requirements.

Further Resources

For anyone looking to dive deeper into Shadcn UI and React, here are some additional resources that I found very helpful:

  • Official Documentation: The best place to start is the Shadcn UI docs. It’s regularly updated and packed with useful examples.
  • React Official Docs: The React documentation is always a great resource if you’re looking to strengthen your understanding of the basics.
  • CodeSandbox Examples: Check out CodeSandbox for live projects using Shadcn UI. It’s a great way to see the toolkit in action.
  • GitHub Repository: The Shadcn UI GitHub repo offers insights into the code, issues, and community discussions that can help you troubleshoot or learn new tricks.
  • Community Forums: Websites like Stack Overflow and Reddit have active discussions on React and Shadcn UI. These communities are invaluable if you run into problems or just want to share ideas.

Conclusion

Learning how to install Shadcn UI in React JS isn’t just about getting a new tool into your project—it’s about embracing a smarter, more efficient way to design and build web applications.

I enjoyed sharing these steps because I know how overwhelming it can be to start something new, especially when it involves integrating multiple tools and libraries.

Every step of the process, from setting up your React environment to customizing components, contributes to a smoother development experience.

I’ve seen firsthand how using a pre-built UI library like Shadcn UI can reduce development time and let me focus more on what truly matters: creating engaging user experiences.

So, if you’re ready to add a polished, professional look to your app, why not give Shadcn UI a try?

Before I wrap up, I’d love to know: What challenges have you faced when integrating new UI libraries into your projects, and how do you usually overcome them?