create-react-modlet

name	create-react-modlet
description	Create React components, hooks, or utilities following the modlet pattern. Use when creating any component in packages/client/src/components/. Modlets are self-contained folders with index.ts, implementation, tests, stories (for visual), and optional types.

Skill: Creating React Modlets

This skill teaches how to create React components, hooks, and utilities following the modlet pattern in this project.

What Is a Modlet?

A modlet is a self-contained folder that houses everything related to a specific module. Each modlet includes its implementation, tests, stories (for visual components), and types—all in one place.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Creating any new React component
• Creating a custom hook
• Creating a utility/helper function
• Breaking down a complex component into sub-components

Modlet Locations

Search the codebase for the right location to create your modlet.

Naming Conventions

• PascalCase for component folders: EditableTitle/, Header/, Button/
• kebab-case for grouping folders: inline-edit/, common/
• lowercase for standard folders: components/, hooks/, helpers/

Modlet Types

Visual Modlet (React Component)

ComponentName/
├── index.ts                    # Re-export entry point (required)
├── ComponentName.tsx           # Component implementation (required)
├── ComponentName.test.tsx      # Tests (required)
├── ComponentName.stories.tsx   # Storybook story (required)
└── types.ts                    # Custom types (optional)

Non-Visual Modlet (Hook/Utility)

useMyHook/
├── index.ts                    # Re-export entry point (required)
├── useMyHook.ts                # Implementation (required)
├── useMyHook.test.ts           # Tests (required)
└── types.ts                    # Custom types (optional)

Core Rules

1. Folder naming: Name the modlet folder after its main export (e.g., /Button exports Button)
2. index.ts only re-exports: Never define logic in index.ts, only re-export from within the modlet
3. Tests are mandatory: Every modlet must have tests in <modlet-name>.test.tsx
4. Stories for visual modlets: All visual components must have Storybook stories
5. Sub-organization: Additional components go in /components subfolder, hooks in /hooks, helpers in /helpers - each as its own modlet

Creation Process

Step 1: Plan with Todos

Use manage_todo_list to track progress:

1. Create modlet folder
2. Add index.ts with re-exports
3. Add main component/hook file
4. Add test file
5. (Visual) Add story file
6. (If needed) Add types.ts
7. Verify tests pass
8. Verify TypeScript compiles
9. (Visual) Verify story renders

Step 2: Create Files

index.ts (Required)

export { ComponentName } from './ComponentName';
export type { ComponentNameProps } from './types';

ComponentName.tsx (Required)

import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
import type { ComponentNameProps } from './types';

export function ComponentName({ className, ...props }: ComponentNameProps) {
  return (
    <div className={cn('component-styles', className)}>
      {/* Implementation */}
    </div>
  );
}

ComponentName.test.tsx (Required)

import { describe, it, expect, vi } from 'vitest';
import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
import userEvent from '@testing-library/user-event';
import { ComponentName } from './ComponentName';

describe('ComponentName', () => {
  it('should render correctly', () => {
    render(<ComponentName />);
    expect(screen.getByText('expected text')).toBeInTheDocument();
  });

  it('should handle user interaction', async () => {
    const user = userEvent.setup();
    const handleClick = vi.fn();
    render(<ComponentName onClick={handleClick} />);
    
    await user.click(screen.getByRole('button'));
    expect(handleClick).toHaveBeenCalled();
  });
});

ComponentName.stories.tsx (Required for Visual)

import type { Meta, StoryObj } from '@storybook/react';
import { ComponentName } from './ComponentName';

const meta: Meta<typeof ComponentName> = {
  component: ComponentName,
  title: 'Common/ComponentName',  // Use: Common/, InlineEdit/, Feature name, etc.
  tags: ['autodocs'],
};

export default meta;
type Story = StoryObj<typeof ComponentName>;

export const Default: Story = {
  args: {
    // Default props
  },
};

export const Variant: Story = {
  args: {
    // Variant props
  },
};

types.ts (Optional)

export interface ComponentNameProps {
  /** Additional CSS classes */
  className?: string;
  // Other props
}

export type ComponentNameVariant = 'primary' | 'secondary';

Step 3: Verify

Run these commands from the project root:

# Run tests
npm run test

# Type check
npm run typecheck

# Start Storybook (for visual verification)
npm run storybook

Project-Specific Patterns

Import Aliases

Use the @/ alias for imports:

import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
import { SomeComponent } from '@/components/common/SomeComponent';

Shadcn UI Components

Reuse components from @/components/ui/:

import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
import { Card, CardHeader, CardContent } from '@/components/ui/card';

Tailwind CSS

Use Tailwind classes for styling. Use cn() for conditional classes:

import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';

<div className={cn('base-classes', isActive && 'active-classes', className)} />

Story Decorators

When components need context providers:

import { BrowserRouter } from 'react-router-dom';

const meta: Meta<typeof ComponentName> = {
  component: ComponentName,
  decorators: [
    (Story) => (
      <BrowserRouter>
        <Story />
      </BrowserRouter>
    ),
  ],
};

Sub-Modlet Organization

For complex components with internal sub-components:

ComplexComponent/
├── index.ts
├── ComplexComponent.tsx
├── ComplexComponent.test.tsx
├── ComplexComponent.stories.tsx
├── types.ts
├── components/
│   ├── SubComponentA/
│   │   ├── index.ts
│   │   ├── SubComponentA.tsx
│   │   └── SubComponentA.test.tsx
│   └── SubComponentB/
│       ├── index.ts
│       ├── SubComponentB.tsx
│       └── SubComponentB.test.tsx
└── hooks/
    └── useComponentLogic/
        ├── index.ts
        ├── useComponentLogic.ts
        └── useComponentLogic.test.ts

Quality Checklist

Before completing any modlet:

• Folder name matches main export
• index.ts exists and only contains re-exports
• Main module file exists
• Test file exists and passes (npm run test)
• (Visual only) Story file exists
• Types file exists if custom types are defined
• Sub-folders follow modlet structure
• npm run typecheck passes
• Modlet can be imported from its index.ts

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Missing index.ts file
• ❌ Defining logic directly in index.ts instead of re-exporting
• ❌ Skipping tests
• ❌ Missing Storybook stories for visual components
• ❌ Not verifying tests pass after creation
• ❌ Folder name doesn't match main export name

Existing Examples

Reference these existing modlets for patterns:

Full modlet with types:

• components/Header/ - Has index.ts, component, test, story, types

Modlet in grouping folder:

• components/inline-edit/EditableText/ - Inline edit component

Common component:

• components/common/ConfirmationDialog/ - Dialog component in common folder

Testing Notes