How do I install File Diff?

File Diff is part of Charcoal UI Pro. Add the @charcoal registry to components.json with your access token, then run npx shadcn@latest add @charcoal/file-diff. It copies file-diff.tsx into components/ui and installs motion, clsx, tailwind-merge.

Is File Diff free for commercial use?

File Diff needs a Charcoal UI Pro seat, monthly or a one-time lifetime price. A seat covers unlimited personal and commercial projects, including client work, and every future Pro component.

Does File Diff work with Next.js?

Yes. It is a client component for React 19 styled with Tailwind CSS 4, so it works in the Next.js App Router and Pages Router, Vite, Remix and Astro.

Can an AI coding agent install File Diff?

Yes. Connect the Charcoal UI MCP server (https://charcoalui.com/mcp) to Claude Code, Cursor or any MCP client; get_component returns File Diff's props and get_install_command returns the exact command.

File Diff

A code diff computed in the browser: added and removed lines with gutters, unchanged stretches folded away, unified or split view, and accept and reject buttons for agent-proposed edits.

Category: AI
Licence: Charcoal UI Pro
Built with: React 19, Tailwind CSS 4, Motion
Dependencies: motion, clsx, tailwind-merge

Examples

File Diff

API reference

Prop	Type	Default
`filename`	`string`	—
`before / after`	`string`	—
`context`	`number`	`2`
`view`	`"unified" \| "split"`	`"unified"`
`review`	`boolean`	`false`
`onAccept / onReject`	`() => void`	—

About File Diff

File Diff computes a line diff in the browser and shows it with gutters, added and removed lines, and long unchanged stretches folded away. Switch between unified and split views, and accept or reject an agent's proposed edit right on the card.

File Diff is an AI interface component for React 19, styled with Tailwind CSS 4 and animated with Motion. It drops into Next.js, Vite, Remix or Astro through the shadcn CLI as a single file you own.

When to use File Diff

Reviewing AI coding agent changes.
Config and content version history.
Pull request style previews.
Before and after views in docs.

How it works

A longest-common-subsequence diff runs in the file, with no dependency. Context lines around each change are configurable, folded regions expand on click, and the review buttons only appear when you pass review handlers.

Streaming and status changes go through live regions, every action is a labelled button that works from the keyboard, and decorative motion stops for people who prefer reduced motion. With prefers-reduced-motion on, it holds still or settles instantly instead of animating.

Customizing File Diff

Every prop is documented in the API reference above with its type and default. The ones you will reach for first are listed here.

The Customize panel next to the preview lets you change view, review, context live, and the Code tab updates to match, so the snippet you copy already carries your values.

filename (string).
before / after (string).
context (number, default 2).
view ("unified" | "split", default "unified").
review (boolean, default false).

Goes well with File Diff

These ai pieces share its tokens and motion language, so they sit together on one page without clashing.

Typing Indicator: A React typing indicator: a bubble with rippling dots that tells screen readers who is typing
Thinking Orb: A React AI thinking orb with nine motions for nine kinds of busy
AI Prompt Input: An animated React AI chat input: growing field, attachments, model picker and a stop button
Voice Input: A React voice input: the mic expands into a live waveform with a timer and cancel
Message Scroller: A React chat viewport that follows streaming text and lets go when you scroll up

Install File Diff

npx shadcn@latest add @charcoal/file-diff

File Diff is part of Charcoal UI Pro. One seat unlocks all 393 Pro components, 112 landing-page sections and 100 full templates, for every personal and client project, with updates included. Add the @charcoal registry once with your access token, then the command above copies file-diff.tsx into components/ui and installs clsx, tailwind-merge.

You own the file you install: no runtime package, no lock-in, nothing to keep in sync. Change it however your product needs.

See Charcoal UI Pro pricing · Pro setup

Frequently asked questions

How do I install File Diff?: File Diff is part of Charcoal UI Pro. Add the @charcoal registry to components.json with your access token, then run npx shadcn@latest add @charcoal/file-diff. It copies file-diff.tsx into components/ui and installs motion, clsx, tailwind-merge.
Is File Diff free for commercial use?: File Diff needs a Charcoal UI Pro seat, monthly or a one-time lifetime price. A seat covers unlimited personal and commercial projects, including client work, and every future Pro component.
Does File Diff work with Next.js?: Yes. It is a client component for React 19 styled with Tailwind CSS 4, so it works in the Next.js App Router and Pages Router, Vite, Remix and Astro.
Can an AI coding agent install File Diff?: Yes. Connect the Charcoal UI MCP server (https://charcoalui.com/mcp) to Claude Code, Cursor or any MCP client; get_component returns File Diff's props and get_install_command returns the exact command.

File Diff as Markdown · llms.txt