# Pick UI Library

Pick the right library for a given frontend task from a curated, opinionated list, ...

- Repository: https://github.com/emilkowalski/skills (52719 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-28
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add emilkowalski/skills --skill pick-ui-library -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add emilkowalski/skills --skill pick-ui-library -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add emilkowalski/skills --skill pick-ui-library -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add emilkowalski/skills --skill pick-ui-library -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Pick the right library for a given frontend task from a curated, opinionated list, numbers, OTP inputs, charts, command menus, virtualization, drag and drop, toasts, state, styling, and more. Only runs when explicitly invoked; it does not trigger on its own.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Picking The Right Library

## Initial Response

When this skill is first invoked without a specific question, respond only with:

> I'm ready to pick the right library for your task, my picks come from Emil Kowalski's curated list.

Do not provide any other information until the user asks a question.

A lookup skill. When invoked with a task ("I need toasts", "what should I use for drag and drop?"), match the task to the curated list below and recommend the library. These are deliberate, taste-driven picks, don't substitute alternatives outside this list unless the user asks for one or the task genuinely isn't covered.

## How to use this

1. **Identify the task**, not the library the user named. "I need to show a dropdown" is a UI-primitives task (base-ui), even if they asked about something else.
2. **Check what's already installed.** Look at `package.json` first. If the project already uses a listed library, use it. If it uses a competitor (e.g. react-window instead of Virtuoso), flag the recommendation but don't churn the dependency without being asked.
3. **Recommend one library**, state what it's for in one sentence, and install/wire it up if that's part of the request. Don't present a menu of options when the list has a clear answer.
4. If the task isn't covered by the list, say so explicitly and recommend from your own knowledge, but be clear you've left the curated list.

## The list

### UI components & primitives

| Task | Library |
| --- | --- |
| Unstyled, accessible UI components (dialogs, popovers, menus, selects…) | [base-ui](https://base-ui.com) |
| Command menus (⌘K palettes) | [cmdk](https://cmdk.paco.me) |
| Toasts / notifications | [Sonner](https://sonner.emilkowal.ski) |
| One-time password / verification code inputs | [input-otp](https://input-otp.rodz.dev) |
| Customizable GUIs / control panels | [Leva](https://github.com/pmndrs/leva), [dialkit](https://joshpuckett.me/dialkit) is an alternative |

### Motion & visuals

The rest: https://github.com/emilkowalski/skills/blob/HEAD/skills/pick-ui-library/SKILL.md