First Steps

Now that you have the shadcn/ui MCP Server installed, let's make your first component request!

🚀 Quick Test

1. Start the Server

# Basic start (React framework)
npx @jpisnice/shadcn-ui-mcp-server

# With GitHub token (recommended)
npx @jpisnice/shadcn-ui-mcp-server --github-api-key ghp_your_token_here

# Different framework
npx @jpisnice/shadcn-ui-mcp-server --framework svelte --github-api-key ghp_your_token_here
npx @jpisnice/shadcn-ui-mcp-server --framework vue --github-api-key ghp_your_token_here
npx @jpisnice/shadcn-ui-mcp-server --framework react-native --github-api-key ghp_your_token_here

2. Verify Server is Running

You should see output like:

INFO: MCP Server starting...
INFO: Framework set to 'react' via command line argument
INFO: MCP Server configured for REACT framework
INFO: Repository: shadcn-ui/ui
INFO: File extension: .tsx
INFO: MCP Server ready

🎯 Your First Component Request

Once the server is running, you can ask your AI assistant to:

Get a Component

"Show me the source code for the shadcn/ui button component"

List Available Components

"List all available shadcn/ui components"

Get Component Demo

"Show me how to use the shadcn/ui card component"

Get Component Metadata

"What are the dependencies for the shadcn/ui dialog component?"

🏗️ Working with Blocks

Get a Complete Block

"Get the dashboard-01 block implementation"

List Available Blocks

"Show me all available shadcn/ui blocks"

Get Block with Components

"Get the calendar-01 block with all its component files"

🔍 Exploring the Repository

Browse Directory Structure

"Show me the structure of the shadcn/ui repository"

Explore Specific Paths

"Show me the components directory structure"

💡 Example Conversations

Building a Login Form

You: "Help me build a login form using shadcn/ui components"

AI Assistant: Can now access all form-related components, their source code, and usage examples

Creating a Dashboard

You: "Create a dashboard using shadcn/ui components. Use the dashboard-01 block as a starting point"

AI Assistant: Can retrieve the complete dashboard block and customize it for your needs

Component Comparison

You: "Compare the button component implementations between React and Svelte"

AI Assistant: Can switch frameworks and show you both implementations

🔧 Integration Examples

VS Code with Continue Extension

1. Install Continue Extension in VS Code
2. Configure MCP Server in settings
3. Ask questions directly in your editor

Claude Desktop

1. Add MCP Server to Claude Desktop configuration
2. Start conversation with Claude
3. Request components naturally

Cursor

1. Configure MCP Server in Cursor settings
2. Use AI features with shadcn/ui access
3. Generate code with proper components

🎨 Framework-Specific Examples

React (Default)

"Show me the React button component with TypeScript"
"Get the React card component demo"
"List all React components available"

Svelte

"Show me the Svelte button component"
"Get the Svelte card component with usage examples"
"Compare Svelte and React button implementations"

Vue

"Show me the Vue button component"
"Get the Vue card component demo"
"List all Vue components available"

React Native

"Show me the React Native button component"
"List all React Native components available"
"Get the React Native input component metadata"

🔗 Next Steps

• Integration - Connect to your preferred editor or tool
• Usage Examples - More detailed examples and tutorials
• API Reference - Complete tool reference
• Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions

🎯 Success Indicators

You'll know it's working when:

• ✅ Server starts without errors
• ✅ AI assistant can retrieve component source code
• ✅ Component code includes proper imports and dependencies
• ✅ Framework-specific syntax is correct
• ✅ Blocks include all necessary component files

🐛 Common First-Time Issues

Server Won't Start

# Check Node.js version
node --version  # Should be 18+

# Check if npx is available
npx --version

Rate Limit Errors

# Add GitHub token
npx @jpisnice/shadcn-ui-mcp-server --github-api-key ghp_your_token_here

Component Not Found

# Check available components first
# Ask AI assistant: "List all available components"

Framework Issues

# Verify framework selection
npx @jpisnice/shadcn-ui-mcp-server --framework svelte --help