Hey everyone, I need some advice on streamlining my React project setup process. I use Material UI a lot, but I always end up tweaking the styles to match my design preferences. Right now, I’m copying theme files between projects, which feels inefficient.
What I’m aiming for is a way to create my own custom library based on MUI. This library would have my preferred styles baked in, so I wouldn’t need to manually adjust things like button colors or border radii every time.
Ideally, I’d like to:
Build this custom library
Host it on GitHub
Install it as a package in new projects
This way, when I start a new project, I could just install my custom package and have all my preferred MUI styles ready to go. No more copy-pasting theme files!
Has anyone done something similar? Any tips on the best way to approach this? I’m open to all suggestions. Thanks!
Creating a custom MUI-based library is an excellent approach to maintain consistency across projects. I’ve implemented a similar strategy in my work.
Here’s what I found effective:
Develop your library as an npm package, focusing on the components and styles you frequently modify. Use TypeScript for better type safety and developer experience. Leverage MUI’s theming system to create a base theme that encapsulates your preferred styles.
For building, I recommend using Rollup. It’s efficient for library creation and offers good tree-shaking capabilities. Host your package on GitHub and utilize GitHub Actions for automated testing and publishing.
Consider implementing a monorepo structure if you plan to expand your library in the future. This approach allows for easier management of multiple packages and shared code.
Remember to thoroughly document your custom components and provide clear usage examples. This will greatly benefit you and any team members using the library in future projects.
yo, i’ve done this before! it’s a game changer fr. create an npm package with ur custom MUI stuff, use rollup to bundle it. host on github packages - super easy to install. pro tip: focus on the components u use most, don’t go overboard. oh and version ur package, trust me it’ll save u headaches later.
I’ve actually gone down this road before, and it’s a game-changer for productivity. Here’s what worked for me:
First, create a new npm package with your customized MUI components and theme. Make sure to set up your package.json correctly and include MUI as a peer dependency.
Next, use a tool like Rollup or webpack to bundle your library. This step is crucial for making your package easily importable in other projects.
When it comes to hosting, GitHub Packages is a great option. It integrates seamlessly with npm, making installation a breeze.
One tip: keep your custom library focused. Don’t try to override everything in MUI. Instead, concentrate on the components and styles you use most often.
Also, consider setting up a demo site or Storybook instance to showcase your components. It’s invaluable for documentation and testing.
Lastly, don’t forget to version your package properly. It’ll save you headaches down the line when you need to update or roll back changes.