Always consult assistant-ui.com/llms.txt for latest API.
Composable, unstyled components following Radix UI patterns.
References
-
./references/thread.md -- ThreadPrimitive deep dive
-
./references/composer.md -- ComposerPrimitive deep dive
-
./references/message.md -- MessagePrimitive deep dive
-
./references/action-bar.md -- ActionBarPrimitive deep dive
Import
import {
ThreadPrimitive,
ComposerPrimitive,
MessagePrimitive,
ActionBarPrimitive,
BranchPickerPrimitive,
AttachmentPrimitive,
ThreadListPrimitive,
ThreadListItemPrimitive,
} from "@assistant-ui/react";
Primitive Parts
| ThreadPrimitive
| .Root, .Viewport, .Messages, .Empty, .ScrollToBottom
| ComposerPrimitive
| .Root, .Input, .Send, .Cancel, .Attachments
| MessagePrimitive
| .Root, .Content, .Avatar, .If
| ActionBarPrimitive
| .Copy, .Edit, .Reload, .Speak
| BranchPickerPrimitive
| .Previous, .Next, .Number, .Count
Custom Thread Example
function CustomThread() {
return (
<ThreadPrimitive.Root className="flex flex-col h-full">
<ThreadPrimitive.Empty>
<div className="flex-1 flex items-center justify-center">
Start a conversation
</div>
</ThreadPrimitive.Empty>
<ThreadPrimitive.Viewport className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto p-4">
<ThreadPrimitive.Messages components={{
UserMessage: CustomUserMessage,
AssistantMessage: CustomAssistantMessage,
}} />
</ThreadPrimitive.Viewport>
<ComposerPrimitive.Root className="border-t p-4 flex gap-2">
<ComposerPrimitive.Input className="flex-1 rounded-lg border px-4 py-2" />
<ComposerPrimitive.Send className="bg-blue-500 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded-lg">
Send
</ComposerPrimitive.Send>
</ComposerPrimitive.Root>
</ThreadPrimitive.Root>
);
}
Conditional Rendering
<MessagePrimitive.If user>User only</MessagePrimitive.If>
<MessagePrimitive.If assistant>Assistant only</MessagePrimitive.If>
<MessagePrimitive.If running>Generating...</MessagePrimitive.If>
<MessagePrimitive.If hasBranches>Has edit history</MessagePrimitive.If>
<ComposerPrimitive.If submitting>
<ComposerPrimitive.Cancel>Stop</ComposerPrimitive.Cancel>
</ComposerPrimitive.If>
<ThreadPrimitive.If empty>No messages</ThreadPrimitive.If>
Content Parts
<MessagePrimitive.Content components={{
Text: ({ part }) => <p>{part.text}</p>,
Image: ({ part }) => <img src={part.image} alt="" />,
ToolCall: ({ part }) => <div>Tool: {part.toolName}</div>,
Reasoning: ({ part }) => <details><summary>Thinking</summary>{part.text}</details>,
}} />
Branch Picker
<MessagePrimitive.If hasBranches>
<BranchPickerPrimitive.Root className="flex items-center gap-1">
<BranchPickerPrimitive.Previous>←</BranchPickerPrimitive.Previous>
<span><BranchPickerPrimitive.Number /> / <BranchPickerPrimitive.Count /></span>
<BranchPickerPrimitive.Next>→</BranchPickerPrimitive.Next>
</BranchPickerPrimitive.Root>
</MessagePrimitive.If>
Common Gotchas
Primitives not rendering
-
Wrap in
AssistantRuntimeProvider -
Ensure parent primitive provides context
Styles not applying
-
Primitives are unstyled by default
-
Add className or use
@assistant-ui/styles