How to Generate React Components Using AI

on

Back in 2022, I spent hours writing boilerplate code for React components. Whether it was a simple button or a complex dashboard layout, I found myself repeating the same patterns over and over again. Fast forward to today, and everything has changed — thanks to AI tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot. These tools have completely transformed how I build React components, saving me time and even teaching me better coding practices along the way.

Why Use AI for Generating React Components?

AI doesn't just save time — it inspires new ways of thinking. When I ask ChatGPT to create a component, it doesn’t just follow my instructions — it suggests optimizations I hadn't even considered. It’s like having a coding buddy who's fast, never tired, and knows the latest best practices.

My Workflow: ChatGPT + VS Code + Tailwind

Here's how I typically generate and refine React components using AI in my daily work:

  1. Start with a clear idea: I define what I want: e.g., "A responsive login form using Tailwind CSS and React hooks."
  2. Prompt the AI: I feed the prompt into ChatGPT: “Generate a React functional component for a login form using Tailwind CSS and useState hook.”
  3. Review and tweak: I paste the code into VS Code, test it in my dev server, and make any necessary adjustments.
  4. Refactor or extend: I often ask follow-up prompts like "Add error handling" or "Make this mobile responsive."

Example: Generating a Login Component

I recently needed a basic login form. Instead of coding it from scratch, I prompted ChatGPT:

// Prompt:
Generate a responsive React login form using Tailwind CSS and useState.

And here's what it generated:


import React, { useState } from 'react';

function LoginForm() {
  const [email, setEmail] = useState('');
  const [password, setPassword] = useState('');

  const handleSubmit = (e) => {
    e.preventDefault();
    console.log('Logging in with:', email, password);
  };

  return (
    <div className="flex justify-center items-center min-h-screen bg-gray-100">
      <form onSubmit={handleSubmit} className="bg-white p-6 rounded shadow-md w-80">
        <h2 className="text-xl font-bold mb-4">Login</h2>
        <input
          type="email"
          placeholder="Email"
          value={email}
          onChange={(e) => setEmail(e.target.value)}
          className="w-full mb-4 p-2 border rounded"
        />
        <input
          type="password"
          placeholder="Password"
          value={password}
          onChange={(e) => setPassword(e.target.value)}
          className="w-full mb-4 p-2 border rounded"
        />
        <button type="submit" className="bg-blue-500 text-white w-full py-2 rounded">
          Login
        </button>
      </form>
    </div>
  );
}

export default LoginForm;

I tested it in my React app, and it worked perfectly — responsive, clean, and functional. I made minor tweaks like adding loading states and validation, but 80% of the heavy lifting was already done.

Other Cool Components I've Generated

  • Animated sidebar with Tailwind and React Router
  • Theme toggler (dark/light) using useContext
  • Pricing table with gradient cards
  • Reusable modal with backdrop and transitions

Tips to Write Better AI Prompts for React

  • Be specific: Mention framework (React), styling (Tailwind), and behavior (e.g., "with useEffect to fetch API").
  • Ask for variations: e.g., "Make it mobile-first", "Add animation", "Support error messages".
  • Test and iterate: Always paste the code and test it. AI can’t know your exact context.

Pros and Cons of Using AI for React Components

✅ Pros

  • Saves time on repetitive tasks
  • Offers inspiration and best practices
  • Great for prototyping UI components fast

⚠️ Cons

  • Sometimes generates outdated or inefficient code
  • Lacks context of your app's architecture
  • You still need to understand the code to maintain it

Final Thoughts

AI is not here to replace us — it's here to help us code smarter and faster. For me, generating React components using AI is now part of my daily workflow. It feels like pair programming with an always-available expert who never gets tired. The key is to stay in control: let AI assist you, but make sure you understand and refine the output.

If you haven't tried using AI for component generation, start small — maybe a navbar or button component. Once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to go back to typing out boilerplate again.

Have you tried generating React components using AI? Share your experience in the comments or connect with me at KhanHub.

Comments

Post a Comment