Installation

This guide will help you get started with RetroUI.

RetroUI is a trusted registry for shadcn/ui components. Start building unique, playful interfaces with retro-brutalist design in minutes!



Quick Start

Add components directly from the RetroUI registry using the shadcn CLI:

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add @retroui/button

This will automatically add the RetroUI registry to your components.json:

{
  "registries": {
    "@retroui": "https://retroui.dev/r/{name}.json"
  }
}



Fonts & Theme Setup

RetroUI uses bold, playful typography and vibrant colors. You can customize the fonts and colors to match your brand. Here's how to set it up:


1. Add Fonts

We use Archivo Black for headings and Space Grotesk for body text:

import { Archivo_Black, Space_Grotesk } from "next/font/google";
 
const archivoBlack = Archivo_Black({
  subsets: ["latin"],
  weight: "400",
  variable: "--font-head",
  display: "swap",
});
 
const space = Space_Grotesk({
  subsets: ["latin"],
  weight: "400",
  variable: "--font-sans",
  display: "swap",
});
 
export default function RootLayout({
  children,
}: {
  children: React.ReactNode;
}) {
  return (
    <html lang="en">
      <body className={`${archivoBlack.variable} ${space.variable}`}>
        {children}
      </body>
    </html>
  );
}

2. Add Theme

Add this RetroUI theme to your global.css:

@theme {
  --font-head: var(--font-head);
  --font-sans: var(--font-sans);
  --radius: var(--radius);
 
  --shadow-xs: 1px 1px 0 0 var(--border);
  --shadow-sm: 2px 2px 0 0 var(--border);
  --shadow: 3px 3px 0 0 var(--border);
  --shadow-md: 4px 4px 0 0 var(--border);
  --shadow-lg: 6px 6px 0 0 var(--border);
  --shadow-xl: 10px 10px 0 1px var(--border);
  --shadow-2xl: 16px 16px 0 1px var(--border);
 
  --color-background: var(--background);
  --color-foreground: var(--foreground);
  --color-primary: var(--primary);
  --color-primary-foreground: var(--primary-foreground);
  --color-secondary: var(--secondary);
  --color-secondary-foreground: var(--secondary-foreground);
  --color-primary-hover: var(--primary-hover);
  --color-card: var(--card);
  --color-card-foreground: var(--card-foreground);
  --color-muted: var(--muted);
  --color-muted-foreground: var(--muted-foreground);
  --color-accent: var(--accent);
  --color-accent-foreground: var(--accent-foreground);
  --color-destructive: var(--destructive);
  --color-destructive-foreground: var(--destructive-foreground);
  --color-border: var(--border);
}
 
:root {
  --radius: 0;
  --background: #fff;
  --foreground: #000;
  --card: #fff;
  --card-foreground: #000;
  --primary: #ffdb33;
  --primary-hover: #ffcc00;
  --primary-foreground: #000;
  --secondary: #000;
  --secondary-foreground: #fff;
  --muted: #aeaeae;
  --muted-foreground: #5a5a5a;
  --accent: #fae583;
  --accent-foreground: #000;
  --destructive: #e63946;
  --destructive-foreground: #fff;
  --border: #000;
  --input: #fff;
}

Looking for more color schemes? Check out our other /themes for a collection of pre-made RetroUI themes.



Installing Components

To install any component from RetroUI, use the following command:

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add @retroui/[component]

Examples:

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add @retroui/card
# or
pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add @retroui/input
# or
pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add @retroui/dialog


Discovery & Search

View Components

Preview components from the RetroUI registry before installing:

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest view @retroui

Search Components

Search for specific components across the registry:

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest search @retroui

List All Components

See the complete list of available components:

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest list @retroui


Monorepo Support

Working in a monorepo? Specify the path to your workspace with the -c or --cwd option:

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest init -c ./apps/web

Or when adding components:

pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add @retroui/button -c ./apps/web


Need Help?

Join our Community or reach out via Twitter/X or Email.

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Last Updated: 30 May, 2025