#What is shadcn/ui Theme Generator?

The shadcn/ui Theme Generator is a lightweight, user-friendly online tool built specifically for developers using shadcn/ui to create tailored color themes. Unlike basic generators, it provides enhanced control over individual color variables, allowing precise adjustments to elements like backgrounds, primaries, and accents while ensuring accessibility through real-time contrast ratio feedback. Ideal for React and Tailwind CSS projects, it streamlines theme creation for apps, dashboards, or sites by outputting ready-to-use CSS variables that integrate seamlessly with shadcn/ui's system. Hosted on Vercel for easy access, it's perfect for quick iterations or full rebrands, promoting inclusive design without compromising on aesthetics or performance.

#Features ⚡️

• Granular Color Control: Fine-tune variables for background, foreground, primary, secondary, accent, muted, card, popover, input, destructive, ring, and border with precise HSL or hex inputs.

• Contrast Ratio Calculator: Automatically computes WCAG-compliant ratios for every pair (e.g., background vs. foreground), highlighting potential issues like low-contrast muted elements.

• Real-Time Preview: Visual dashboard template shows how the theme applies to shadcn/ui components like buttons, cards, and inputs.

• Export Options: Generates copy-paste CSS snippets for globals.css, including light/dark mode support via :root and .dark selectors.

• Accessibility Built-In: Ensures themes meet AA/AAA standards by flagging ratios below 4.5:1, with suggestions for adjustments.

• Simple Interface: No sign-ups or installs—input colors directly in the browser for instant results.

#Pros ✅

• Enhanced Customization: More hands-on control over variables than one-click tools, enabling bespoke palettes without overhauls.

• Accessibility-First: Contrast ratios make it easy to build inclusive UIs, saving time on external audits.

• Free and Instant: No costs or barriers—generate unlimited themes on-demand, ideal for prototyping.

• ShadCN-Optimized: Outputs match shadcn/ui's exact variable structure for zero-friction integration.

• Lightweight Output: Clean, minimal code that's easy to version control and extend.

#Cons ⚠️

• Manual Input Heavy: Requires tweaking individual colors, which might feel tedious for non-designers compared to AI-driven auto-generation.

• Limited Automation: No gradient or multi-color batch inputs; focused on core variables rather than full-system themes.

• Preview Scope: Dashboard template is great for basics but lacks extensive component variety for complex apps.

• No Offline Mode: Browser-based only, so internet is needed—less ideal for disconnected workflows.

• Early-Stage Polish: As an indie tool, documentation is sparse; relies on intuitive UI for guidance.

#Included Components - Templates

The generator delivers structured, shadcn/ui-ready outputs centered around a dashboard template for hands-on testing. Key elements include:

• Color Pairs with Ratios: Background/Foreground (e.g., ratio 17.85), Primary/Primary FG (17.06), Secondary/Secondary FG (16.29), Accent/Accent FG (16.29), Muted/Muted FG (4.34), Card/Card FG (16.29), Popover/Popover FG (16.29), Destructive/Destr. FG, Input/Border, plus standalone Ring and Border vars.

• CSS Variable Set: Full :root definitions like --background: 0 0% 100%; --foreground: 222.2 84% 4.9%; with .dark inversions for mode switching.

• Dashboard Template: Interactive preview layout featuring themed buttons, cards, sheets, and inputs to validate the scheme.

• Export Snippets: Tailwind config extensions and sample component code for immediate drop-in use.

• Ratio Validation: Inline metrics for each pair, e.g., high-contrast primaries for readability and subtle muted tones for secondary elements.

#Pricing 💸

Fully Free with no tiers, subscriptions, or limits. As an open-source tool by darkseadev, all features—including unlimited generations and exports—are available without restrictions. It aligns with shadcn/ui's ethos of accessible, no-cost development resources.

#Integrations 🧰

#Tailored for shadcn/ui ecosystems but versatile:

• ShadCN UI: Plug variables directly into your project's CSS for component theming.

• Tailwind CSS: Extend theme.extend.colors in config.js for class-based styling.

• React/Next.js: Works with CSS modules or styled-components for app-wide propagation.

• Vercel Deployment: Easy hosting if forking the repo for custom versions.

• Design Handoff Tools: Export hex/HSL values to Figma or Sketch for team collaboration.

• Accessibility Checkers: Complements tools like WAVE or Lighthouse for post-generation audits.