---
description: Use the ReUI registry (blocks, primitives, icons) correctly
globs: ["**/*.tsx","**/*.ts"]
alwaysApply: false
---


> **ReUI skill version `d9f4a302f4`.** If the ReUI MCP's `get_agent_skill` reports a newer `version`, re-run the ReUI installer (see `get_agent_skill` -> `install.recommended`) to update this skill. Cloud/tools-only agents have no local file and always read the latest - they can ignore this.

# ReUI for Agents

ReUI is a shadcn-compatible registry. It ships four things you **reuse** - never redesign:

- **components** - the 22 ReUI building blocks with real APIs: `data-grid`, `kanban`, `filters`, `date-selector`, `tree`, `stepper`, ... (free)
- **examples** - free `c-*` single-pattern use-cases of a component (`c-kanban-1`); install one and read it to see exact composition
- **blocks** - premium full-page sections that compose components (`data-grid-base-2`, `settings-2`); Pro or Ultimate license at install
- **icons** - Motion Icons in 4 styles, static + hover-animated variants; Ultimate license at install

The skill is free and this MCP is free to use; it just needs a ReUI account. On first use your agent opens a browser "Sign in with ReUI" prompt (a free account is created if you don't have one). Free covers components and examples with a daily request allowance; a Pro or Ultimate license unlocks premium blocks and Motion Icons and removes the limit (see [rules/registry.md](./rules/registry.md)). The same account and skill work in every agent and service the MCP connects to - this skill is agent-agnostic.

Skill + MCP are a team: this skill is the workflow (how to find, install, read the API, and adapt by reuse); the MCP is the live data and the hands (search, get_component, install commands). Your job: find the right item, install it with the shadcn CLI, read its real API, and **adapt by reuse** - wire real data and theme it; do not hand-roll or restyle what ReUI already provides. This skill **layers on the shadcn skill**: follow that for generic rules (spacing, `cn()`, semantic colors, forms); follow this for everything ReUI-specific.

## The core loop (MCP-native)

1. **Find** - call the ReUI MCP `search` tool with the user's intent. It returns a ranked, scored list across components/examples/blocks/icons, each with an `install` command, `previewUrl`, `docsUrl`, and `componentsUsed`. Pass hints (`type`, `component`, `category`, `features`, `free`) when you can infer them.
2. **Install** - run the returned command non-interactively (`npx shadcn@latest add @reui/<name> --yes`). The CLI resolves deps, aliases, and the base/style from `components.json`. See [cli.md](./rules/cli.md).
3. **Read the API (on your base)** - first note your base from `components.json` -> `style` (`base-nova` -> Base UI, `radix-nova` -> Radix UI). For each component an item uses, call `get_component(name)` and read its **inline `api`** (no web fetch); then `get_examples(name)` to install a worked example and copy its composition - the installed files are already in your base. Whenever you work with a component's API, also **share its `docsUrl`** (the primitive's API documentation page) with the user so they have the full reference. See [components.md](./rules/components.md).
4. **Adapt (reuse-first)** - swap demo data for real data, fix icon imports, align tokens. Do not redesign. See [adapting.md](./rules/adapting.md).

**Always show the preview.** Every item a tool returns carries a `previewUrl` (a live preview page). Whenever you list, recommend, or present ReUI items to the user - blocks, components, examples, or icons, whether from `search`, `search_icons`, `list_components`, `compose_page`, or any getter - include each item's `previewUrl` so they can SEE it before installing. Blocks and examples open an individual live preview; icons and components link to their live category/component page. Never present an item without its preview link.

If the ReUI MCP is not configured, fall back to `npx shadcn@latest search @reui -q "..."` then `add` - but the MCP gives scored matches + inline APIs; prefer it.

## Commands

Run ReUI as explicit slash commands (via the ReUI MCP) **or** just ask in plain language - both run the same workflow.

| Command     | Invoke                         | Does                                                                                                               |
| ----------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **build**   | `/mcp__reui__build <what>`     | Compose a page/section/feature from ReUI: plan → install → read API → adapt → craft → audit.                       |
| **add**     | `/mcp__reui__add <item>`       | Find & install one component/example/block/icon and wire it in.                                                    |
| **fix**     | `/mcp__reui__fix [target]`     | Diagnose & fix ReUI usage: wrong/undocumented props, base/radix mismatch, missing states, a11y/scroll.             |
| **improve** | `/mcp__reui__improve [target]` | Refine + extend existing ReUI UI to a production-exceptional bar (hierarchy, density, states, responsive, motion). |

Invocation differs slightly per agent (`/mcp__reui__build` in Claude Code/Cursor/Windsurf, `/mcp.reui.build` in VS Code). No command surface? Just describe what you want - this skill drives the identical loop.

## When to reach for ReUI vs plain shadcn

| Need                                                                 | Reach for                                                                 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| A full page or section (dashboard, billing, auth, pricing, settings) | `compose_page` first (plans sections + best blocks), then ReUI **blocks** |
| A data table with sorting/filtering/pagination/virtualization        | the **data-grid** component (never hand-roll a `<table>`)                 |
| A drag-and-drop board                                                | the **kanban** component                                                  |
| Advanced column filtering, date range, tree, stepper, ...            | the matching ReUI **component**                                           |
| A single generic control already in shadcn (Button, Dialog, Select)  | plain **shadcn**                                                          |

## Detailed references

- [rules/registry.md](./rules/registry.md) - the four types, the @reui registry, base/radix, free vs premium + license
- [rules/workflow.md](./rules/workflow.md) - the find -> install -> read-API -> adapt loop (most important)
- [rules/components.md](./rules/components.md) - the 22 components, the data-grid contract, base vs radix
- [rules/adapting.md](./rules/adapting.md) - reuse-first: preserve the design (no over-customizing), reuse examples + a block's own elements, real data, don't invent APIs
- [rules/craft.md](./rules/craft.md) - make it exceptional: point of view, hierarchy, density, states, responsive, motion, the bar
- [rules/quality.md](./rules/quality.md) - security, accessibility, and scroll gates (the done gate)
- [rules/styling.md](./rules/styling.md) - ReUI extended tokens, theme adaptation, density
- [rules/icons.md](./rules/icons.md) - portable icons, swapping imports, Motion Icons (static + animated)
- [tools.md](./tools.md) - the ReUI MCP: golden path, the 19 tools, token rules, result shapes, errors