Gluestack UI v4 - Creating Components

This sub-skill provides practical guidance for creating new components using gluestack-ui v4, from planning to implementation.

Component Creation Workflow

Step 1: Plan Component Structure

Before writing code, answer these questions:

1. What is the component's purpose?

   • Form input, data display, navigation, layout, etc.

2. Which Gluestack components do I need?

   • Check official docs: https://v4.gluestack.io/ui/docs/components/${componentName}/
   • Use Gluestack wrappers, not React Native primitives

3. Does it need compound components?

   • Multiple related sub-components (Header, Body, Footer)
   • Icon + Text combinations
   • Label + Input patterns

4. What props should it accept?

   • Size variants: sm, md, lg
   • Visual variants: default, outline, ghost
   • State props: isDisabled, isInvalid, isLoading
   • Custom className for overrides

5. Does it need variants?

   • If yes, use tva (Tailwind Variant Authority)
   • Define base styles and variant options

Step 2: Check Official Documentation

ALWAYS verify component usage before creating:

# Visit official docs for the component
https://v4.gluestack.io/ui/docs/components/${componentName}/

Check for:

• Latest API and props
• Required sub-components
• Usage examples
• Accessibility features

Step 3: Create Component File

Follow this file structure:

components/
├── ui/                      # Gluestack UI components (copy-paste)
│   ├── box/
│   ├── button/
│   └── input/
└── custom/                  # Your custom components
    ├── profile-card/
    │   └── index.tsx
    └── login-form/
        └── index.tsx

Component Templates

Template 1: Simple Component (No Variants)

Use when component has consistent styling without variants.

import React from 'react';
import { Box } from '@/components/ui/box';
import { Text } from '@/components/ui/text';
import { Heading } from '@/components/ui/heading';

interface ProfileCardProps {
  readonly name: string;
  readonly email: string;
  readonly className?: string;
}

export const ProfileCard = ({ name, email, className }: ProfileCardProps) => {
  return (
    <Box className={`bg-card rounded-lg border border-border p-4 ${className || ''}`}>
      <Heading size="lg" className="text-card-foreground">
        {name}
      </Heading>
      <Text size="sm" className="text-muted-foreground mt-1">
        {email}
      </Text>
    </Box>
  );
};

Key points:

• ✅ Uses Gluestack components (Box, Text, Heading)
• ✅ TypeScript interface with readonly props
• ✅ Semantic tokens (bg-card, text-card-foreground)
• ✅ Accepts className for customization
• ✅ Component props for sizing (Heading size)

Template 2: Component with Variants (Using tva)

Use when component needs multiple visual styles or sizes.

import React from 'react';
import { tva } from '@gluestack-ui/utils/nativewind-utils';
import { Box } from '@/components/ui/box';
import { Text } from '@/components/ui/text';

interface AlertProps {
  readonly variant?: 'default' | 'success' | 'warning' | 'destructive';
  readonly size?: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg';
  readonly className?: string;
  readonly children: React.ReactNode;
}

const alertStyles = tva({
  base: 'rounded-lg border p-4',
  variants: {
    variant: {
      default: 'bg-card border-border',
      success: 'bg-primary/10 border-primary',
      warning: 'bg-accent/10 border-accent',
      destructive: 'bg-destructive/10 border-destructive',
    },
    size: {
      sm: 'p-2',
      md: 'p-4',
      lg: 'p-6',
    },
  },
  defaultVariants: {
    variant: 'default',
    size: 'md',
  },
});

const alertTextStyles = tva({
  base: 'font-sans',
  parentVariants: {
    variant: {
      default: 'text-foreground',
      success: 'text-primary',
      warning: 'text-accent-foreground',
      destructive: 'text-destructive',
    },
    size: {
      sm: 'text-xs',
      md: 'text-sm',
      lg: 'text-base',
    },
  },
});

export const Alert = ({ variant, size, className, children }: AlertProps) => {
  return (
    <Box className={alertStyles({ variant, size, class: className })}>
      <Text className={alertTextStyles({ parentVariants: { variant, size } })}>
        {children}
      </Text>
    </Box>
  );
};

Key points:

• ✅ Uses tva for variant management
• ✅ Base styles + variant options
• ✅ Default variants specified
• ✅ Parent variants for child components
• ✅ className override support

Template 3: Compound Component Pattern

Use when component has multiple related sub-components.

import React from 'react';
import { Box } from '@/components/ui/box';
import { Heading } from '@/components/ui/heading';
import { Text } from '@/components/ui/text';
import { HStack } from '@/components/ui/hstack';

// Main Card Component
interface CardProps {
  readonly className?: string;
  readonly children: React.ReactNode;
}

export const Card = ({ className, children }: CardProps) => {
  return (
    <Box className={`bg-card rounded-lg border border-border shadow-sm ${className || ''}`}>
      {children}
    </Box>
  );
};

// Card Header Sub-component
interface CardHeaderProps {
  readonly className?: string;
  readonly children: React.ReactNode;
}

export const CardHeader = ({ className, children }: CardHeaderProps) => {
  return (
    <Box className={`p-4 border-b border-border ${className || ''}`}>
      {children}
    </Box>
  );
};

// Card Body Sub-component
interface CardBodyProps {
  readonly className?: string;
  readonly children: React.ReactNode;
}

export const CardBody = ({ className, children }: CardBodyProps) => {
  return (
    <Box className={`p-4 ${className || ''}`}>
      {children}
    </Box>
  );
};

// Card Footer Sub-component
interface CardFooterProps {
  readonly className?: string;
  readonly children: React.ReactNode;
}

export const CardFooter = ({ className, children }: CardFooterProps) => {
  return (
    <HStack space="md" className={`p-4 border-t border-border ${className || ''}`}>
      {children}
    </HStack>
  );
};

// Usage
// <Card>
//   <CardHeader>
//     <Heading size="lg">Title</Heading>
//   </CardHeader>
//   <CardBody>
//     <Text>Content</Text>
//   </CardBody>
//   <CardFooter>
//     <Button>Action</Button>
//   </CardFooter>
// </Card>

Key points:

• ✅ Main component + sub-components
• ✅ Each sub-component is independent
• ✅ Consistent styling across sub-components
• ✅ Flexible composition

Template 4: Form Component

Use for form inputs with labels, validation, and error messages.

import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { FormControl, FormControlLabel, FormControlLabelText } from '@/components/ui/form-control';
import { FormControlError, FormControlErrorIcon, FormControlErrorText } from '@/components/ui/form-control';
import { FormControlHelper, FormControlHelperText } from '@/components/ui/form-control';
import { Input, InputField, InputSlot, InputIcon } from '@/components/ui/input';
import { MailIcon, AlertCircleIcon } from '@/components/ui/icon';

interface EmailInputProps {
  readonly label?: string;
  readonly placeholder?: string;
  readonly helperText?: string;
  readonly value: string;
  readonly error?: string;
  readonly onChange: (value: string) => void;
  readonly className?: string;
}

export const EmailInput = ({
  label = 'Email Address',
  placeholder = 'Enter your email',
  helperText,
  value,
  error,
  onChange,
  className,
}: EmailInputProps) => {
  const [isFocused, setIsFocused] = useState(false);

  return (
    <FormControl isInvalid={!!error} className={className}>
      <FormControlLabel>
        <FormControlLabelText>{label}</FormControlLabelText>
      </FormControlLabel>

      <Input>
        <InputSlot>
          <InputIcon
            as={MailIcon}
            className={isFocused ? 'text-primary' : 'text-muted-foreground'}
          />
        </InputSlot>
        <InputField
          placeholder={placeholder}
          value={value}
          onChangeText={onChange}
          onFocus={() => setIsFocused(true)}
          onBlur={() => setIsFocused(false)}
          keyboardType="email-address"
          autoCapitalize="none"
        />
      </Input>

      {error && (
        <FormControlError>
          <FormControlErrorIcon as={AlertCircleIcon} />
          <FormControlErrorText>{error}</FormControlErrorText>
        </FormControlError>
      )}

      {helperText && !error && (
        <FormControlHelper>
          <FormControlHelperText>{helperText}</FormControlHelperText>
        </FormControlHelper>
      )}
    </FormControl>
  );
};

Key points:

• ✅ FormControl wrapper for validation
• ✅ InputIcon wrapped in InputSlot (CRITICAL)
• ✅ Error and helper text handling
• ✅ Focus state management
• ✅ Proper keyboard type

Template 5: Interactive Component with State

Use for components with internal state and interactions.

import React, { useState } from 'react';
import { Box } from '@/components/ui/box';
import { Text } from '@/components/ui/text';
import { Pressable } from '@/components/ui/pressable';
import { ChevronDownIcon, ChevronUpIcon } from '@/components/ui/icon';
import { Icon } from '@/components/ui/icon';
import { VStack } from '@/components/ui/vstack';
import { HStack } from '@/components/ui/hstack';

interface AccordionProps {
  readonly title: string;
  readonly children: React.ReactNode;
  readonly defaultExpanded?: boolean;
  readonly className?: string;
}

export const Accordion = ({
  title,
  children,
  defaultExpanded = false,
  className,
}: AccordionProps) => {
  const [isExpanded, setIsExpanded] = useState(defaultExpanded);

  return (
    <Box className={`border border-border rounded-lg overflow-hidden ${className || ''}`}>
      <Pressable onPress={() => setIsExpanded(!isExpanded)}>
        <HStack
          space="md"
          className="p-4 bg-card items-center justify-between"
        >
          <Text size="md" bold className="text-card-foreground flex-1">
            {title}
          </Text>
          <Icon
            as={isExpanded ? ChevronUpIcon : ChevronDownIcon}
            size="md"
            className="text-muted-foreground"
          />
        </HStack>
      </Pressable>

      {isExpanded && (
        <Box className="p-4 bg-background border-t border-border">
          {children}
        </Box>
      )}
    </Box>
  );
};

Key points:

• ✅ Internal state management
• ✅ Conditional rendering
• ✅ Interactive elements (Pressable)
• ✅ Icon state changes
• ✅ Layout with space prop

Template 6: Component with Loading State

Use for components that fetch data or perform async operations.

import React from 'react';
import { Button, ButtonText, ButtonSpinner, ButtonIcon } from '@/components/ui/button';
import { CheckIcon } from '@/components/ui/icon';

interface SubmitButtonProps {
  readonly isLoading?: boolean;
  readonly isSuccess?: boolean;
  readonly onPress: () => void;
  readonly className?: string;
}

export const SubmitButton = ({
  isLoading = false,
  isSuccess = false,
  onPress,
  className,
}: SubmitButtonProps) => {
  return (
    <Button
      variant="default"
      size="lg"
      onPress={onPress}
      isDisabled={isLoading || isSuccess}
      className={className}
    >
      {isLoading && <ButtonSpinner />}
      {isSuccess && <ButtonIcon as={CheckIcon} />}
      <ButtonText>
        {isLoading ? 'Submitting...' : isSuccess ? 'Success!' : 'Submit'}
      </ButtonText>
    </Button>
  );
};

Key points:

• ✅ Loading state with ButtonSpinner
• ✅ Success state with icon
• ✅ Disabled during loading
• ✅ Dynamic text based on state

Common Component Recipes

Recipe 1: Profile Card with Avatar

import React from 'react';
import { Box } from '@/components/ui/box';
import { HStack } from '@/components/ui/hstack';
import { VStack } from '@/components/ui/vstack';
import { Text } from '@/components/ui/text';
import { Heading } from '@/components/ui/heading';
import { Image } from '@/components/ui/image';

interface ProfileCardProps {
  readonly name: string;
  readonly email: string;
  readonly avatarUrl: string;
  readonly bio?: string;
  readonly className?: string;
}

export const ProfileCard = ({
  name,
  email,
  avatarUrl,
  bio,
  className,
}: ProfileCardProps) => {
  return (
    <Box className={`bg-card rounded-lg border border-border p-4 ${className || ''}`}>
      <HStack space="lg" className="items-start">
        <Image
          source={{ uri: avatarUrl }}
          alt={`${name}'s avatar`}
          className="w-16 h-16 rounded-full"
        />
        <VStack space="sm" className="flex-1">
          <Heading size="lg" className="text-card-foreground">
            {name}
          </Heading>
          <Text size="sm" className="text-muted-foreground">
            {email}
          </Text>
          {bio && (
            <Text size="sm" className="text-foreground mt-2">
              {bio}
            </Text>
          )}
        </VStack>
      </HStack>
    </Box>
  );
};

Recipe 2: Status Badge

import React from 'react';
import { tva } from '@gluestack-ui/utils/nativewind-utils';
import { Box } from '@/components/ui/box';
import { Text } from '@/components/ui/text';

interface StatusBadgeProps {
  readonly status: 'active' | 'inactive' | 'pending' | 'error';
  readonly className?: string;
}

const badgeStyles = tva({
  base: 'rounded-full px-3 py-1 inline-flex',
  variants: {
    status: {
      active: 'bg-primary/10',
      inactive: 'bg-muted',
      pending: 'bg-accent/10',
      error: 'bg-destructive/10',
    },
  },
});

const badgeTextStyles = tva({
  base: 'text-xs font-medium',
  parentVariants: {
    status: {
      active: 'text-primary',
      inactive: 'text-muted-foreground',
      pending: 'text-accent-foreground',
      error: 'text-destructive',
    },
  },
});

export const StatusBadge = ({ status, className }: StatusBadgeProps) => {
  const labels = {
    active: 'Active',
    inactive: 'Inactive',
    pending: 'Pending',
    error: 'Error',
  };

  return (
    <Box className={badgeStyles({ status, class: className })}>
      <Text className={badgeTextStyles({ parentVariants: { status } })}>
        {labels[status]}
      </Text>
    </Box>
  );
};

Recipe 3: Search Input

import React from 'react';
import { Input, InputField, InputSlot, InputIcon } from '@/components/ui/input';
import { SearchIcon, XIcon } from '@/components/ui/icon';
import { Pressable } from '@/components/ui/pressable';

interface SearchInputProps {
  readonly value: string;
  readonly onChange: (value: string) => void;
  readonly placeholder?: string;
  readonly onClear?: () => void;
  readonly className?: string;
}

export const SearchInput = ({
  value,
  onChange,
  placeholder = 'Search...',
  onClear,
  className,
}: SearchInputProps) => {
  const handleClear = () => {
    onChange('');
    onClear?.();
  };

  return (
    <Input className={className}>
      <InputSlot>
        <InputIcon as={SearchIcon} className="text-muted-foreground" />
      </InputSlot>
      <InputField
        placeholder={placeholder}
        value={value}
        onChangeText={onChange}
        autoCapitalize="none"
      />
      {value.length > 0 && (
        <InputSlot onPress={handleClear}>
          <InputIcon as={XIcon} className="text-muted-foreground" />
        </InputSlot>
      )}
    </Input>
  );
};

Recipe 4: List Item with Action

import React from 'react';
import { Pressable } from '@/components/ui/pressable';
import { HStack } from '@/components/ui/hstack';
import { VStack } from '@/components/ui/vstack';
import { Box } from '@/components/ui/box';
import { Text } from '@/components/ui/text';
import { Icon } from '@/components/ui/icon';
import { ChevronRightIcon } from '@/components/ui/icon';

interface ListItemProps {
  readonly title: string;
  readonly description?: string;
  readonly onPress: () => void;
  readonly showChevron?: boolean;
  readonly className?: string;
}

export const ListItem = ({
  title,
  description,
  onPress,
  showChevron = true,
  className,
}: ListItemProps) => {
  return (
    <Pressable onPress={onPress}>
      <Box
        className={`
          p-4 border-b border-border bg-background
          data-[hover=true]:bg-muted/50
          ${className || ''}
        `}
      >
        <HStack space="md" className="items-center justify-between">
          <VStack space="xs" className="flex-1">
            <Text size="md" className="text-foreground">
              {title}
            </Text>
            {description && (
              <Text size="sm" className="text-muted-foreground">
                {description}
              </Text>
            )}
          </VStack>
          {showChevron && (
            <Icon
              as={ChevronRightIcon}
              size="md"
              className="text-muted-foreground"
            />
          )}
        </HStack>
      </Box>
    </Pressable>
  );
};

CRITICAL: Semantic Token Requirements

Before creating any component, understand these STRICT token requirements:

✅ ALLOWED Tokens (Semantic Only)

Use ONLY these semantic token patterns:

Text Colors:

• text-foreground - Main text color
• text-muted-foreground - Muted/secondary text
• text-card-foreground - Text on card backgrounds
• text-primary, text-primary-foreground - Primary brand colors
• text-secondary, text-secondary-foreground - Secondary colors
• text-destructive - Error states
• text-accent, text-accent-foreground - Accent colors
• With alpha: text-foreground/70, text-primary/90

Background Colors:

• bg-background - Main background
• bg-card - Card backgrounds
• bg-muted - Muted backgrounds
• bg-popover - Popover/modal backgrounds
• bg-primary, bg-secondary, bg-destructive, bg-accent - Action colors
• With alpha: bg-primary/10, bg-muted/50

Border Colors:

• border-border - Standard borders
• border-input - Input borders
• ring-ring - Focus rings
• With alpha: border-border/50, border-primary/20

❌ PROHIBITED Tokens (NEVER Use These)

NEVER use these token patterns - they are STRICTLY PROHIBITED:

// ❌ PROHIBITED: Generic typography tokens
text-typography-900
text-typography-700
text-typography-500

// ❌ PROHIBITED: Neutral color tokens
bg-neutral-100
text-neutral-600
border-neutral-300

// ❌ PROHIBITED: Gray/Slate color scales
bg-gray-50
text-gray-900
border-gray-200
text-slate-700

// ❌ PROHIBITED: Numbered color tokens
bg-blue-600
text-red-500
border-green-400
bg-indigo-500

// ❌ PROHIBITED: Arbitrary values
bg-[#3b82f6]
text-[#DC2626]

// ❌ PROHIBITED: Opacity utilities
opacity-70
bg-opacity-90
text-opacity-80

Why This Matters

Using prohibited tokens will:

• ❌ Break dark mode
• ❌ Violate design system
• ❌ Create maintenance debt
• ❌ Fail code review

Using semantic tokens will:

• ✅ Work in light AND dark mode
• ✅ Match design system
• ✅ Be maintainable
• ✅ Express intent clearly

Best Practices Checklist

When creating a component, verify:

Structure

• Uses Gluestack components (not React Native primitives)
• Imports from @/components/ui/*
• Follows compound component pattern when needed
• InputIcon wrapped in InputSlot (if using Input)

TypeScript

• Interface defined with readonly props
• All props typed correctly
• Optional props have ? marker
• Default values specified in function params

Styling

• CRITICAL: Uses ONLY semantic tokens - NO typography-*, neutral-*, gray-*, slate-*, or numbered colors (red-500, blue-600)
• All color tokens are semantic (text-foreground, bg-card, text-muted-foreground, etc.)
• Alpha values used instead of opacity utilities (text-foreground/70 instead of opacity-70)
• Spacing uses scale values (p-4, m-2, etc.) - no arbitrary values
• Component props used (space, size, variant)
• className prop for customization
• Uses tva for variants (if needed)
• Dark mode compatible (semantic tokens work in both themes)

Props

• Accepts className for overrides
• Size variants: sm, md, lg
• Visual variants if applicable
• State props: isDisabled, isLoading, isInvalid
• Callback props for interactions

Accessibility

• Meaningful alt text for images
• Proper keyboard types for inputs
• Focus states handled
• ARIA labels when needed

Performance

• Memoized with React.memo if expensive
• Callbacks wrapped in useCallback
• No unnecessary rerenders

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Don't: Mix React Native and Gluestack

// ❌ INCORRECT
import { View, Text } from 'react-native';
import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';

export const Component = () => (
  <View>
    <Text>Content</Text>
  </View>
);

❌ Don't: Skip Sub-Components

// ❌ INCORRECT: Missing ButtonText
<Button onPress={handlePress}>Submit</Button>

// ✅ CORRECT
<Button onPress={handlePress}>
  <ButtonText>Submit</ButtonText>
</Button>

❌ Don't: Use Inline Styles

// ❌ INCORRECT
<Box style={{ padding: 16, backgroundColor: '#fff' }}>

// ✅ CORRECT
<Box className="p-4 bg-background">

❌ Don't: Forget InputSlot

// ❌ INCORRECT: InputIcon not wrapped
<Input>
  <InputIcon as={MailIcon} />
  <InputField />
</Input>

// ✅ CORRECT
<Input>
  <InputSlot>
    <InputIcon as={MailIcon} />
  </InputSlot>
  <InputField />
</Input>

Quick Start Guide

1. Choose a template from above that matches your needs
2. Check official docs for the components you'll use
3. Copy the template and modify for your use case
4. Add TypeScript types with readonly props
5. Use semantic tokens for all colors
6. Test on real device to verify behavior
7. Validate with checklist before committing

Reference

• Component Documentation: https://v4.gluestack.io/ui/docs/components/${componentName}/
• Complete Docs: https://v4.gluestack.io/ui/docs
• tva Documentation: https://www.tailwind-variants.org/