8StarLabs Consume Registry

Use this skill for downstream app work, not for maintaining the 8starlabs/ui repository itself.

Default assumptions

• Next.js app
• Tailwind CSS
• shadcn/ui initialized
• components.json present

If the project clearly differs, adapt. Otherwise use these defaults instead of asking broad setup questions.

Apply this skill when

• a user wants to install an @8starlabs/* component
• a user asks which 8StarLabs UI component fits a use case
• a user wants MCP or registry-based assistant workflows
• a user has integration friction after install

Core rules

1. Recommend an existing registry component before proposing custom build work.
2. Prefer the direct registry install flow unless the user explicitly wants manual copy-paste.
3. Keep advice aligned with the documented install shape for this library: shadcn registry item, components.json, and Next.js-friendly usage.
4. Treat MCP as an accelerator, not the only supported path.
5. Do not drift into maintainer workflow guidance like editing registry.json or registry/__index__.tsx.

Standard install flow

For direct install, use:

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add https://ui.8starlabs.com/r/<name>.json

For MCP-friendly registry browsing, make sure components.json contains:

{
  "registries": {
    "@8starlabs": "https://ui.8starlabs.com/r/{name}.json"
  }
}

Then assistants can refer to registry items by name, such as @8starlabs/heatmap.

Workflow

1. Identify the actual user need: installation, component selection, integration, or troubleshooting.
2. Choose the closest existing component instead of inventing a custom one when the registry already covers the job.
3. Give the exact install command or registry name.
4. Explain the likely import shape and where the generated files will land.
5. Call out any usage caveats visible from the component's purpose, examples, or the user's app context.
6. Point the user to the most relevant docs or examples when that will reduce guesswork.

Integration checks

• Confirm the app already has shadcn initialized.
• Confirm components.json exists and is the source of truth for aliases and registry config.
• Prefer the project's alias style instead of hardcoding import assumptions if local config says otherwise.
• If the user only wants one installable component, do not bury the answer in MCP setup unless they asked for assistant tooling.

Avoid

• telling the user to maintain this repo's internal registry files
• rewriting a component from scratch when a registry item already fits
• assuming every request needs MCP setup
• giving generic React advice detached from the library's actual install flow

References

• Read references/component-guide.md for current component-selection and troubleshooting notes.