Vibe Coding TinaCMS Custom Components
Custom field components are one of the most powerful ways to extend TinaCMS. They allow you to tailor the editing experience to match your content and workflows.
Traditionally, building these components requires writing React code and wiring it into your schema. But with modern AI tools, that process can be dramatically simplified.
In this walkthrough, we explore how to create and refine a custom field component using AI, starting from a basic idea and iterating toward a polished editing experience.
Starting with a TinaCMS Project
The process begins with a standard TinaCMS setup using a Next.js starter template.
Out of the box, the project includes a few predefined blocks such as:
- A hero block
- A content block
From here, the goal is to extend the page builder with a new custom block that mimics a terminal interface, complete with theming support.
Generating a New Block with AI
Instead of manually building the component, the first step is to describe the desired functionality in a prompt:
- A terminal-style block
- A title bar and text content
- Support for multiple themes
Using an AI coding assistant, this prompt is enough to generate the initial implementation. The result is a new block added to the TinaCMS editor, available alongside existing sections.
Once added to the page, the block renders immediately and includes basic editing controls, including a theme selector.
Iterating on the Editing Experience
The initial version works, but the editing experience can be improved.
Instead of a standard dropdown for theme selection, a more visual interface makes the feature easier to use. The next step is to generate a custom field component that replaces the dropdown with preview-based theme selection.
By prompting the AI again and providing relevant TinaCMS documentation for context, the system generates:
- A custom theme picker component
- Integration with the existing terminal block
- A visual preview for each theme option
This transforms the editing experience from a simple form input into an interactive UI.
Refining with Feedback
AI-generated code is rarely perfect on the first attempt.
In this case, a visual issue appears where the selected theme reduces text readability. Instead of manually debugging, a follow-up prompt describes the problem and suggests a fix.
The result is a quick adjustment to the styling logic, switching from a full background highlight to a border-based indicator. This improves clarity while preserving the visual feedback.
This iterative loop is key:
- Generate
- Test
- Refine with targeted prompts
Filling in Missing Details
One final improvement is adding a preview image for the new block within the TinaCMS block selector.
When the block is first created, it appears without a thumbnail. A simple prompt instructs the AI to add a preview image, and after applying the change, the block is fully integrated into the editor experience.
What This Unlocks
This workflow demonstrates a different way of building with TinaCMS.
Instead of starting from code, you can:
- Describe components in plain language
- Generate working implementations
- Iterate quickly based on real feedback
For developers, this reduces setup time and lowers the barrier to experimenting with custom editing experiences.
When to Use This Approach
AI-assisted component generation works especially well for:
- Prototyping new blocks
- Customizing editorial interfaces
- Rapid experimentation with UI patterns
For production use, you may still want to review and refine the generated code, but the initial lift is significantly reduced.
Closing Thoughts
Custom field components are a key part of making TinaCMS feel tailored to your project. With AI tools, creating those components is faster and more accessible than ever.
By combining Tina’s flexible architecture with prompt-driven development, you can go from idea to working editor UI in minutes and iterate as your needs evolve.