Watch this if you use shadcn/ui

Summary

This video script discusses the challenges of choosing and maintaining UI component libraries like Radix, Base UI, and Shad CN. It emphasizes the importance of stability and flexibility in production apps, highlighting how Radix, though mature, faces maintenance issues. The script explores alternatives such as Base UI and React Arya, and introduces Shad CN as a modular, flexible abstraction layer that allows developers to swap components easily. The conversation ultimately encourages developers to choose tools that work for them, providing a balanced view of the current state and future of UI libraries.

Takeaways

• 😀 Switching component libraries in a production app can introduce more bugs and maintenance overhead, so it's not advisable unless absolutely necessary.
• 😀 Radix is still a reliable, mature, and battle-tested library, but it’s facing reduced maintenance and fewer updates, which raises concerns for long-term use.
• 😀 Shad CN offers a modular approach, allowing developers to easily swap components and libraries, giving them control over the code they use in their projects.
• 😀 For new projects, alternatives like React Arya, Arya Kit, or Base UI are viable options to consider instead of Radix, particularly as Radix’s updates slow down.
• 😀 Base UI, built by the same team as Radix, is a promising option, but it’s currently in beta, meaning it could introduce new bugs for production applications.
• 😀 If Radix has bugs that aren’t addressed, switching to Base UI can be a good test to see if the issues can be resolved with a similar API.
• 😀 Shad CN's approach to UI libraries allows users to install, modify, and maintain code easily in their repos, making it adaptable to changing requirements.
• 😀 Shad CN is not just a component library, but an abstraction built on top of other component libraries, offering a good starting point for building custom design systems.
• 😀 UI library maintenance can be psychologically taxing, especially as libraries evolve and face bugs, but tools like Shad CN make it easier to maintain and extend existing codebases.
• 😀 It’s important to use component libraries that are stable and well-understood, as experimenting with untested solutions in production can lead to unnecessary risks.
• 😀 The modular nature of Shad CN makes it highly flexible, allowing for easy integration and swapping of different libraries or tools as your project’s needs evolve.

Q & A

What is the main piece of advice regarding switching component libraries in production?

The main advice is to avoid switching component libraries in production apps. This is because doing so may introduce more bugs and issues, which would be counterproductive. Instead, focus on fixing the bugs within the current library rather than changing to a new one.

Why is Radix considered a reliable choice, even with fewer updates?

Radix is still considered a reliable choice due to its maturity, battle-tested nature, and wide usage in production apps. Code doesn't stop working simply because maintainers move on, and Radix has a proven track record of stability and performance.

What are the benefits of using a modular system like Shad CN?

Shad CN offers a modular approach, where each component or library can be swapped out as needed. This gives developers the flexibility to choose the tools that best fit their needs, and allows for easier updates and maintenance. It also provides the benefit of ownership of the code, which can be customized as necessary.

What is the risk of using a beta library like Base UI?

The primary risk of using a beta library like Base UI is the potential for instability and bugs. Beta versions may not be fully tested and can introduce issues that are not present in more mature libraries. This is a particular concern in production apps where reliability is crucial.

How does Shad CN integrate with other component libraries like Radix?

Shad CN is designed to work with various component libraries, including Radix. It provides an abstraction layer on top of these libraries, allowing developers to use them in a more modular and customizable way. If Radix has issues, developers can easily switch to another library like Base UI without significant disruption.

Why is UI library maintenance described as a form of psychological torture?

UI library maintenance is described as psychological torture because it requires constant attention and updates to keep up with bug fixes, changes in APIs, and new features. This can be draining for developers, especially when libraries are not well-maintained, and issues can pile up over time.

What is the suggested course of action for teams currently using Radix in production?

For teams already using Radix in production, the recommendation is to stick with it for now. Radix is a mature library with a strong track record, and switching to a new library could cause unnecessary disruptions. However, teams should monitor the situation and consider alternatives like Base UI if Radix's maintenance continues to decline.

What is the role of Shad CN's distribution system?

Shad CN's distribution system allows developers to easily add components to their codebase through a command-line interface (CLI). This system automatically integrates the selected components, making it easier for developers to build and maintain their UI libraries with minimal effort.

How does Shad CN’s modularity benefit developers?

Shad CN’s modularity allows developers to swap out different libraries or components as needed without being locked into a single solution. This flexibility enables developers to choose the best tools for their specific project needs and update components independently as new versions or alternatives become available.

What does Shad CN offer that makes it a good alternative to Radix?

Shad CN offers an open abstraction layer, customizable defaults, and a distribution system for integrating components. It is designed to work well with multiple component libraries and allows developers to easily replace libraries like Radix with others if needed, all while providing ownership and flexibility over the code.