pick-ui-library

Recommends curated frontend libraries for UI, animation, charts, and state tasks.

Updated Aug 9, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/jwinar/carpet_gato --skill pick-ui-library-jwinar
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: pick-ui-library
Source: https://github.com/jwinar/carpet_gato/tree/main/.claude/skills/emil-kowalski-design/pick-ui-library
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jwinar/carpet_gato --skill pick-ui-library-jwinar

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Choosing a frontend library often means sifting through dozens of overlapping options and ending up with inconsistent picks across a project. This Skill provides a curated, opinionated lookup table that maps common frontend tasks to a single deliberate library choice. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Task-to-library matching: Covers UI primitives (base-ui, cmdk, Sonner, input-otp), motion (motion, NumberFlow, Cobe, Satori, shiki), charts (Liveline, recharts), drag and drop (dnd kit), virtualization (Virtuoso), and state/styling (zustand, clsx, cva, next-themes). - Existing-dependency awareness: Checks package.json first and respects libraries already installed rather than churning dependencies. - Mismatch detection: Flags common anti-patterns like hand-built toasts, div-based dropdowns with manual focus handling, and re-rendered number animations. - Use Case: You ask "what should I use for drag and drop?" and get a single recommendation — dnd kit — wired into your project, instead of a menu of five alternatives. ## Quick Start Ask the assistant which library to use for a specific frontend task, such as "what should I use for toasts in my React app?"

Frequently Asked Questions about pick-ui-library

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
What library should I use for drag and drop in React?▼

Use dnd kit for drag and drop in React. It is the curated pick for this task, covering sortable lists, droppable zones, and draggable elements with sensible defaults.

How do I choose between recharts and Liveline for charts?▼

Use Liveline when data points arrive live and the chart scrolls with time, such as streaming dashboards. Use recharts for everything else, including static or interactive general-purpose charts.

What is the best library for toast notifications in React?▼

Sonner is the recommended library for toasts and notifications. It exists specifically for this purpose, so building toasts by hand or adapting a modal library is an unnecessary mismatch.

When should I use clsx versus cva for Tailwind styling?▼

Use clsx for ad-hoc conditional className strings. Use cva when a component has real variants like size, intent, or state that deserve a typed API; cva composes with clsx-style inputs internally.

Does this skill replace libraries already in my package.json?▼

No. It checks package.json first and uses a listed library if already installed. If a competitor is present, such as react-window instead of Virtuoso, it flags the recommendation but does not churn the dependency unless asked.

What if my task is not covered by the curated list?▼

The skill says so explicitly and then recommends from general knowledge, clearly stating that the suggestion comes from outside the curated list rather than presenting it as an endorsed pick.