I have shipped more multi-step forms than I can count, and the pattern always repeats. You start with a clean three-step wizard, then pile on state tracking, progress lines, animations, and validation until half your file is plumbing instead of product.
So I pulled together the steppers I actually reach for. Each one runs on the same stack, installs with one command, and lands in your project as code you own and can edit line by line.
Here is how I evaluated these components: tech stack (React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, Framer Motion), install method (single CLI command across pnpm, npm, yarn, and bun), code ownership (direct copy-paste into your components folder), accessibility support (Radix UI and Base UI, both WAI-ARIA), animation support (Framer Motion slide and fade).
What is Shadcn Stepper?
A Shadcn Stepper is a component that splits a task into ordered steps. It marks which step is active, which are done, and which come next, so users always know where they stand in a flow.
Picture account setup, checkout, or an onboarding wizard. Instead of stacking every field on one screen, you break the work into clear stages. That cuts confusion and keeps each screen focused.
Under the hood, a stepper tracks an active step index, renders the progress connectors, and manages the move from one panel to the next. The Shadcn approach hands you that logic as editable code, so you adjust behavior directly instead of fighting a locked package.
How Shadcn Stepper Can Help Developers
The first win is state you do not have to write. Tracking the active index, marking completed steps, and toggling Back and Next controls all come handled, so your time goes to the form logic that matters.
Motion ships with it too. Each stepper uses Framer Motion (motion/react) for slide and fade transitions between panels, so you get smooth movement without building your own animation timeline.
Accessibility is a big reason I trust these. They sit on Radix UI and Base UI, both of which follow WAI-ARIA patterns with keyboard navigation and focus handling built in. Arrow keys, focus order, and screen reader labels work out of the box.
You also keep full control. Since the code lives in your repo, you change badge styles, connector logic, and validation hooks whenever your design shifts. No override wars, no wrapper hacks.
Developer Checklist
Run through this before you ship a stepper to production:
- Pick the variant that matches your flow (labels, numbers, animated line, or pill)
- Choose Radix UI or Base UI based on your current project setup
- Install with your package manager (pnpm, npm, yarn, or bun)
- Set a fixed or minimum height on the step container to stop page jumps between panels
- Add validation inside the
handleNext trigger before you increment the active step index
- Confirm keyboard navigation and focus order work across every step
- Test screen reader output for step labels and the current step count
- Wire Back, Next, and reset controls to your form state
- Tune the Framer Motion transition (fade, slide, or scale) to match your design
- Check the layout on small viewports and long label text
- Verify Tailwind theme tokens apply in both light and dark mode
Installation and Setup
All steppers are free. They run on React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and Framer Motion (motion/react), and each one supports both Radix UI and Base UI, so you match the primitive to your project.
Installation is a single CLI command. Here is the pnpm example:
pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add @shadcn-space/stepper-01
The same command works with npm, yarn, and bun, so you stay on whatever your project already uses:
npm
npx shadcn@latest add @shadcn-space/stepper-01
yarn
yarn dlx shadcn@latest add @shadcn-space/stepper-01
bun
bunx shadcn@latest add @shadcn-space/stepper-01
Every stepper follows a direct copy-paste approach. The CLI drops the source into your components folder, and from there the code is yours to edit, theme, and extend.
Best Shadcn Stepper Components and Examples
Here are the four shadcn stepper variants I keep coming back to. Each fits a different flow, so match the pick to the job in front of you.
This stepper pairs square badges with a title and a short line like "Create your account" or "Set up your profile," keeping labels and content readable side by side. The badges change state as you advance, so users read progress at a glance while a divider separates the header from the active panel. It leans on clear typography over heavy motion, which makes it a dependable default for form-heavy screens.
- Account creation flows with step titles and helper text
- Profile setup screens that group inputs by stage
- Review and finish steps before a final submit
- Settings wizards where each stage needs a label
- Onboarding sequences with short descriptions per step
Best for: Account and profile setup flows that need clear step labels.
This variant uses numbered badges with a title and subtext, such as "User Details" and "User data," arranged in a vertical or side layout. The numbering gives users a firm sense of order, and the active panel renders fields like first name, last name, and contact details while Back and Continue controls handle movement. It holds up well when a flow carries many stages, each with its own context.
- Workspace and network setup wizards
- User detail collection across several stages
- Software configuration flows with named steps
- Multi-stage registration forms
- Guided setup screens that need numbered order
Best for: Longer configuration wizards with distinct named stages.
This stepper puts motion front and center, animating the progress line and step markers as users move through Account, Profile, Upload, and Done. A "Step 1 of 4" counter keeps the position clear while Framer Motion drives the slide between panels, so each transition gives visible feedback. The effect feels lively without pulling focus from the form work underneath.
- Onboarding flows that reward each completed step
- Upload sequences with clear stage feedback
- Checkout funnels that show progress toward payment
- Setup flows where motion signals momentum
- Tutorials and walkthroughs with animated steps
Best for: Onboarding flows that benefit from visible progress motion.
This stepper wraps progress in a segmented pill with a "Setup" header and a "Step 1 of 4" counter across Account, Profile, Upload, and Done. Each segment fills as the user advances, giving a compact progress readout that fits tight headers and dashboard panels, with Back and Continue controls driving the flow. It is the most space-efficient option here, so it shines when screen real estate runs short.
- Dashboard panels with limited header space
- Compact checkout steps inside a card
- Settings flows where a slim progress cue fits best
- Small viewports that need a tight indicator
- Multi-stage forms embedded in smaller containers
Best for: Compact dashboard and card layouts with limited space.
FAQs
How do I install a Shadcn Stepper component in a Next.js project using pnpm?
Run pnpm dlx shadcn@latest add @shadcn-space/stepper-01 in your project root. The CLI copies the stepper source into your components folder, and you import it like any local component. The same command works with npm, yarn, and bun.
How do I add form validation before moving to the next step in a multi-step form React setup?
Put your check inside the handleNext trigger. Confirm every required input for the active step passes before you increment the step index. If a field fails, block the move and show the error, so users cannot skip ahead with bad data.
Should I pick Radix UI or Base UI for a Tailwind stepper in Next.js?
Pick Radix UI if your project already uses it and you want a widely adopted, battle-tested base. Pick Base UI if you are starting fresh or want the newer, actively maintained option from the same team. Both follow WAI-ARIA patterns and pair cleanly with Tailwind, so either fits a Next.js stepper.
Conclusion
A solid stepper saves you from rewriting the same state logic on every project. These four components hand you the active index tracking, progress connectors, and Framer Motion transitions as code you can edit, so your focus stays on the form itself.
Match the variant to the flow. Reach for square badges or numbered wizards when step labels carry weight, animated indicators when you want visible motion, and the segmented pill when space is tight.
Since each one installs through a single CLI command and lands as editable source, you keep control of the styling and behavior. Copy the one that fits, run your validation inside handleNext, and you have a clean multi-step flow ready for production.