What Chakra UI Developers Build
Chakra UI is a React component library built with accessibility as a core principle. Before requiring "Chakra UI experience," understand what it offers and why teams choose it.
Common Applications
Dashboard Interfaces:
Admin panels, analytics dashboards, and internal tools benefit from Chakra's consistent design language and accessible components.
Form-Heavy Applications:
Chakra's form components include validation, error states, and accessibility features out of the box—reducing development time for complex forms.
B2B SaaS Products:
Chakra's theming system makes it easy to customize for enterprise clients while maintaining consistency.
Real-World Chakra UI Users
Companies like Segment, Lattice, and many Y Combinator startups use Chakra UI for rapid, accessible development. The library's focus on developer experience makes it popular for teams that need to move fast without sacrificing accessibility.
Why Teams Choose Chakra UI
Accessibility by Default
Chakra components follow WAI-ARIA guidelines automatically:
- Keyboard navigation works out of the box
- ARIA attributes are built in
- Focus management is handled
- Screen reader support is included
This saves significant accessibility work compared to building from scratch.
Developer Experience
Chakra's style props API is intuitive:
- Responsive styles with array syntax
- Theme tokens for consistency
- Composition over configuration
- Dark mode support built in
Theming System
Chakra's theme customization is straightforward:
- Extend base theme with brand colors
- Override component defaults
- Create semantic token systems
- Support light/dark modes easily
Chakra UI vs Alternatives
Understanding the alternatives helps you evaluate candidates and make technology decisions:
| Aspect | Chakra UI | Material UI | Tailwind CSS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Component library | Component library | Utility classes |
| Accessibility | Built-in, excellent | Built-in, good | Manual implementation |
| Theming | Excellent | Good | CSS-based |
| Bundle Size | Moderate | Larger | Small (purged) |
| Design System | Neutral | Material Design | Custom |
| Learning Curve | Low | Moderate | Low |
When to choose Chakra UI:
- Accessibility is a priority
- You want rapid development with good defaults
- Custom branding is needed (not Material Design)
- Team values developer experience
When to choose alternatives:
- Material Design compliance is required (use MUI)
- Maximum bundle size optimization (consider Tailwind)
- Existing design system with different patterns
Skills Assessment for Chakra UI Developers
Essential Skills (Evaluate These)
React Fundamentals:
Chakra is React-only. Strong React skills are more important than Chakra-specific knowledge—Chakra is learnable.
Component Composition:
Chakra encourages composition over configuration. Candidates should understand how to build complex components from Chakra primitives.
Accessibility Understanding:
Chakra handles much of accessibility automatically, but developers should understand why it matters and what still needs manual attention.
Interview Approach
Theme Customization:
"How would you customize Chakra's theme for a brand with specific colors and typography?"
Good answers mention extending the theme, understanding token hierarchy, and considering dark mode implications.
Accessibility Awareness:
"How does Chakra UI help with accessibility? What would you still need to handle manually?"
Good answers recognize Chakra handles ARIA and keyboard navigation but content semantics and context still need attention.
Common Chakra UI Hiring Mistakes
Mistake 1: Requiring Chakra-Specific Experience
Why it's wrong: Chakra is learnable in days by experienced React developers. The underlying skills (React, accessibility, design systems) matter more.
Better approach: Require "React with component library experience" and evaluate accessibility understanding.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Accessibility Understanding
Why it's wrong: Chakra makes accessibility easier but doesn't eliminate the need for understanding. Developers who don't understand accessibility will make mistakes.
Better approach: Test accessibility knowledge regardless of Chakra experience.
Mistake 3: Treating UI Library as the Main Skill
Why it's wrong: Chakra is a tool, not a defining skill. React proficiency and component thinking matter more.
Better approach: Evaluate React skills first, then verify component library comfort.
Building Accessible React Applications
Why Chakra UI Appeals to Developers
Developers choose Chakra UI for specific reasons that matter for hiring:
Accessibility Without Extra Work:
Chakra components come with ARIA attributes, keyboard navigation, and focus management built in. Developers who choose Chakra often care about building inclusive products—this is a positive signal.
Developer Experience Focus:
The style props API, responsive array syntax, and theme system prioritize developer productivity. Engineers who value DX tend to write more maintainable code.
Composition Over Configuration:
Chakra encourages building complex components from simple primitives rather than configuring monolithic components. This aligns with React's composition philosophy.
Evaluating Accessibility Understanding
Even with Chakra handling much of accessibility automatically, developers need to understand the principles:
Questions that reveal accessibility awareness:
"Chakra handles ARIA attributes automatically. What accessibility concerns would you still need to address manually?"
Good answers mention:
- Semantic HTML structure and heading hierarchy
- Color contrast beyond component defaults
- Focus management in complex interactions
- Content that conveys meaning (alt text, labels)
- Testing with screen readers and keyboard navigation
"How would you test accessibility in a Chakra UI application?"
Good answers discuss:
- Automated tools like axe-core or Lighthouse
- Manual keyboard navigation testing
- Screen reader testing (VoiceOver, NVDA)
- Color contrast checkers
- User testing with people who use assistive technology
Chakra UI in Practice
Real-World Implementation Patterns
Theme Customization:
Most Chakra projects extend the default theme. Candidates should understand:
- How to add brand colors and typography
- Component style overrides for consistency
- Semantic tokens for design system alignment
- Dark mode implementation patterns
Component Composition:
Building complex UI from Chakra primitives requires understanding:
- When to use Box vs. specific components
- Combining layout components effectively
- Creating reusable compound components
- Managing component variants
Performance Considerations:
While Chakra is well-optimized, large applications need attention to:
- Bundle size and tree shaking
- Avoiding unnecessary re-renders
- Lazy loading for large component sets
- Theme provider optimization