moai-icons-vector

Vector Icon Libraries: Enterprise Guide (10+ Libraries, 200K+ Icons)

Primary Agent: frontend-expert Secondary Agent: ui-ux-expert Version: 4.0.0 (Lucide v0.4+, React Icons 35K+, Tabler v2.0+, Phosphor v1.4+) Keywords: icons, vector icons, lucide, react icons, iconify, svg icons, accessibility

Level 1: Quick Reference

Library Selection Guide

Ecosystem Leaders (1000+ icons):

• Lucide (1000+): General UI, modern design, ~30KB
• React Icons (35K+): Multi-library support, modular bundles
• Tabler Icons (5900+): Dashboard optimized, ~22KB
• Ionicons (1300+): Mobile + web compatibility

Specialist Libraries (300-800 icons):

• Heroicons (300+): Official Tailwind CSS icons
• Phosphor (800+): 6 weights + duotone variations
• Material Design (900+): Google design system
• Bootstrap Icons (2000+): Bootstrap ecosystem

Compact & Specialized:

• Radix Icons (150+): Precise 15x15px, ~5KB
• Simple Icons (3300+): Brand logos only
• Iconify (200K+): Universal framework, CDN-based

Quick Decision Matrix

Scenario	Best Choice	Why
Want maximum icons	Iconify	200K+ icons from 150+ sets
Dashboard application	Tabler Icons	5900 optimized icons, 24px
Tailwind CSS project	Heroicons	Official integration
Flexible styling needed	Phosphor	6 weights + duotone
Minimal bundle size	Radix Icons	5KB, precise 15x15px
Brand logos	Simple Icons	3300+ company logos
General purpose UI	Lucide	1000+ modern, well-designed

Bundle Size Comparison

Radix Icons:        ~5KB   (150 icons)
Heroicons:         ~10KB  (300 icons)
Tabler Icons:      ~22KB  (5900 icons)
Ionicons:          ~25KB  (1300 icons)
Phosphor:          ~25KB  (800 icons with weights)
Lucide:            ~30KB  (1000 icons)
Simple Icons:      ~50KB  (3300+ brand icons)
React Icons:   Modular (varies by library)

Level 2: Practical Implementation

Core Library Patterns

Lucide React - General Purpose (1000+ icons)

import { Heart, Search, Settings, ChevronRight } from 'lucide-react'

export function LucideExample() {
  return (
    <div className="space-y-4">
      {/* Basic usage (24px default) */}
      <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
        <Search />
        <span>Search</span>
      </div>

      {/* Custom styling */}
      <Heart size={32} color="#ff0000" fill="#ff0000" />

      {/* Tailwind integration */}
      <Settings className="w-6 h-6 text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-900" />

      {/* Icon button */}
      <button className="p-2 rounded-lg hover:bg-gray-100">
        <ChevronRight size={20} />
      </button>
    </div>
  )
}

React Icons - Multi-Library (35K+ icons)

import { FaHome } from "react-icons/fa"        // Font Awesome
import { MdHome } from "react-icons/md"        // Material Design
import { BsHouse } from "react-icons/bs"       // Bootstrap
import { FiHome } from "react-icons/fi"        // Feather
import { SiReact } from "react-icons/si"       // Brand logos

export function MultiLibraryExample() {
  return (
    <div className="flex gap-4">
      <FaHome size={32} className="text-blue-600" />
      <MdHome size={32} className="text-green-600" />
      <BsHouse size={32} className="text-purple-600" />
      <FiHome size={32} className="text-orange-600" />
      <SiReact size={32} className="text-cyan-500" />
    </div>
  )
}

Phosphor Icons - Weight Variations (800+ icons)

import { Heart, Star } from "@phosphor-icons/react"

export function PhosphorExample() {
  const [rating, setRating] = React.useState(3)

  return (
    <div className="space-y-4">
      {/* Weight variations */}
      <div className="flex gap-2">
        <Heart weight="thin" />
        <Heart weight="light" />
        <Heart weight="regular" />
        <Heart weight="bold" />
        <Heart weight="fill" />
      </div>

      {/* Interactive rating */}
      <div className="flex gap-1">
        {[1, 2, 3, 4, 5].map((star) => (
          <button key={star}>
            <Star
              weight={star <= rating ? "fill" : "regular"}
              size={24}
              color={star <= rating ? "#fbbf24" : "#d1d5db"}
            />
          </button>
        ))}
      </div>
    </div>
  )
}

Iconify - Universal Framework (200K+ icons)

import { Icon } from "@iconify/react"

export function IconifyExample() {
  return (
    <div className="space-y-4">
      {/* String-based (CDN loaded) */}
      <Icon icon="fa:home" width="32" height="32" />
      <Icon icon="mdi:account" width="32" height="32" />
      <Icon icon="bi:house" width="32" height="32" />

      {/* Custom styling */}
      <Icon
        icon="heroicons:heart"
        width="48"
        height="48"
        style={{ color: "#ef4444" }}
      />
    </div>
  )
}

Type-Safe Icon Button

import { FC, SVGProps } from 'react'

type IconType = FC<SVGProps<SVGSVGElement>>

interface IconButtonProps {
  icon: IconType
  label: string
  variant?: 'primary' | 'secondary' | 'ghost'
  size?: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg'
  onClick?: () => void
}

const sizeMap = {
  sm: 'w-4 h-4',
  md: 'w-5 h-5',
  lg: 'w-6 h-6',
}

const variantMap = {
  primary: 'bg-blue-500 text-white hover:bg-blue-600',
  secondary: 'bg-gray-200 text-gray-900 hover:bg-gray-300',
  ghost: 'text-gray-600 hover:text-gray-900 hover:bg-gray-100',
}

export function IconButton({
  icon: Icon,
  label,
  variant = 'ghost',
  size = 'md',
  onClick,
}: IconButtonProps) {
  return (
    <button
      onClick={onClick}
      aria-label={label}
      title={label}
      className={`
        p-2 rounded-lg transition-all
        ${variantMap[variant]}
      `}
    >
      <Icon className={sizeMap[size]} />
    </button>
  )
}

Level 3: Advanced Integration

Custom Icon Component

import { forwardRef, SVGProps } from 'react'

interface CustomIconProps extends SVGProps<SVGSVGElement> {
  isActive?: boolean
  tooltip?: string
}

export const CustomIcon = forwardRef<SVGSVGElement, CustomIconProps>(
  ({ isActive, tooltip, className = '', ...props }, ref) => (
    <svg
      ref={ref}
      viewBox="0 0 24 24"
      width="24"
      height="24"
      className={`
        ${isActive ? 'text-blue-500' : 'text-gray-400'}
        ${tooltip ? 'cursor-help' : ''}
        ${className}
        transition-colors duration-200
      `}
      title={tooltip}
      {...props}
    >
      <path d="M12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.48 10 10 10 10-4.48 10-10S17.52 2 12 2z" />
    </svg>
  )
)

Icon Theme System

import { Heart, Settings } from 'lucide-react'

type IconTheme = 'light' | 'dark' | 'accent'

interface IconThemeConfig {
  color: string
  strokeWidth: number
  opacity: number
}

const themeConfig: Record<IconTheme, IconThemeConfig> = {
  light: { color: '#e5e7eb', strokeWidth: 2, opacity: 1 },
  dark: { color: '#1f2937', strokeWidth: 2, opacity: 1 },
  accent: { color: '#0ea5e9', strokeWidth: 2.5, opacity: 1 },
}

export function ThemedIcon({ theme, size = 24 }: { theme: IconTheme; size?: number }) {
  const config = themeConfig[theme]

  return (
    <div className="flex gap-4">
      <Heart size={size} color={config.color} strokeWidth={config.strokeWidth} />
      <Settings size={size} color={config.color} strokeWidth={config.strokeWidth} />
    </div>
  )
}

Icon Animation

import { Heart } from 'lucide-react'
import { useState } from 'react'

export function AnimatedIcon() {
  const [isActive, setIsActive] = useState(false)

  return (
    <button onClick={() => setIsActive(!isActive)} className="p-4">
      <Heart
        size={32}
        className={`
          text-red-500 transition-all duration-300
          ${isActive ? 'scale-125 animate-pulse' : 'scale-100'}
        `}
        fill={isActive ? '#ff0000' : 'none'}
      />
    </button>
  )
}

Performance & Best Practices

Performance Optimization

// ✅ Good: Tree-shake specific icons
import { Heart, Star } from 'lucide-react'

// ❌ Bad: Import entire library
import * as Icons from 'lucide-react'
const Icon = Icons[iconName]

// ✅ Good: Dynamic imports for large sets
const LazyIcon = React.lazy(() => import('lucide-react').then(module => ({
  default: module[iconName]
})))

// ✅ Good: Memoize components
const MemoHeart = React.memo(Heart)

Bundle Optimization Strategies

1. Choose right library size: Use Radix Icons for minimal bundles
2. Import specific icons: Avoid import * patterns
3. Dynamic loading: Load icons on-demand for large sets
4. Icon subsets: Create custom bundles per feature
5. Tree-shaking: Use ES modules and bundler optimization

Accessibility Essentials

• ✅ Use aria-label for icon-only buttons
• ✅ Ensure 4.5:1 color contrast ratio
• ✅ Support high contrast mode with currentColor
• ✅ Don't rely on color alone for meaning
• ✅ Use semantic HTML structure
• ✅ Test with screen readers

Library Comparison Summary

Library	Icons	Bundle Size	Best For
Lucide	1000+	~30KB	General purpose UI
Heroicons	300+	~10KB	Tailwind CSS projects
Phosphor	800+	~25KB	Weight flexibility needed
Tabler	5900+	~22KB	Dashboard applications
Radix	150+	~5KB	Minimal bundle size
React Icons	35K+	Modular	Multi-library support
Iconify	200K+	CDN	Maximum icon variety

Quick Installation Commands

# Core libraries
npm install lucide-react
npm install @heroicons/react
npm install @phosphor-icons/react
npm install @tabler/icons-react
npm install @radix-ui/react-icons

# Multi-library support
npm install react-icons
npm install @iconify/react

# Brand icons
npm install simple-icons

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Version: 4.0.0 Enterprise Last Updated: 2025-11-13 Status: Production Ready Enterprise Grade: ✅ Full Enterprise Support