| name | setup |
| description | Installs and configures assistant-ui in a project via the CLI, and picks the right runtime for a backend. Use for first-time install, scaffold, or config: `npx assistant-ui@latest create my-app` (templates default, minimal, cloud, cloud-clerk, langgraph, mcp), `npx assistant-ui@latest init [--yes] [--overwrite]` in an existing Next.js app, or `npx assistant-ui@latest add` registry components (markdown-text, thread-list). Also use to choose a runtime hook for a backend: useChatRuntime (AI SDK), useLangGraphRuntime, useAgUiRuntime, useA2ARuntime, useLocalRuntime (custom streaming API), or useExternalStoreRuntime (Redux/Zustand). Covers Vite/TanStack Start setup, shadcn styling, the playground --preset flag, and avoiding the deprecated @assistant-ui/styles and @assistant-ui/react-ui packages. For upgrading an existing install or post-upgrade breakage use update; for building UI from raw parts use primitives. |
| license | MIT |
assistant-ui Setup
Always consult assistant-ui.com/llms.txt for the latest API.
CLI Commands
Quick Decision Flow
- Existing Next.js app (
package.json exists): use npx assistant-ui@latest init
- Existing app in CI/agent/non-interactive shell: use
npx assistant-ui@latest init --yes
- Existing app + force overwrite of conflicts: add
--overwrite
- New app / empty directory: use
npx assistant-ui@latest create <name>
- Need specific starter template: add
-t <default|minimal|cloud|cloud-clerk|langgraph|mcp>
- Need a curated example: use
npx assistant-ui@latest create <name> --example <example>
- Need playground preset config: use
npx assistant-ui@latest create <name> --preset <url>
New Project (create)
npx assistant-ui@latest create my-app -t minimal
npx assistant-ui@latest create my-app -t cloud-clerk
npx assistant-ui@latest create my-app --preset "https://www.assistant-ui.com/playground/init?preset=chatgpt"
Templates:
| Template | Description |
|---|
default | Default template with Vercel AI SDK |
minimal | Bare-bones starting point |
cloud | Cloud-backed persistence starter |
cloud-clerk | Cloud-backed starter with Clerk auth |
langgraph | LangGraph starter template |
mcp | MCP starter template |
When -t is omitted:
- Interactive shell (TTY): an interactive template picker is shown.
- Non-interactive shell (CI/agent): template defaults to
default.
If no project directory is provided in a non-interactive shell, create uses my-aui-app.
Existing Next.js Project (init)
npx assistant-ui@latest init --yes
The init command is for existing projects only (requires package.json).
If no project is found, it automatically forwards to create.
Passing --preset to init also forwards to create (compatibility path).
The --yes flag runs non-interactively (no prompts).
Add Registry Components
npx assistant-ui@latest add markdown-text
npx assistant-ui@latest add thread-list
Registry: https://r.assistant-ui.com/{name}.json
Template Code Policy
When using CLI templates (npx assistant-ui@latest create), never modify generated code unless explicitly requested.
Non-Default Setups
For runtimes other than AI SDK or frameworks other than Next.js, consult the reference files:
Deprecated Packages
NEVER install @assistant-ui/styles or @assistant-ui/react-ui — both are deprecated and deleted.
Troubleshooting
For issues not covered by the reference files, use the docs website:
- Fetch the index:
https://www.assistant-ui.com/llms.txt — compact table of contents
- Fetch specific pages: Append
.mdx to the docs URL, e.g. https://www.assistant-ui.com/docs/runtimes/ai-sdk.mdx
