Which USWDS will react-uswds continue to track beyond version 3.14?

[mdmower-csnw]

USWDS is changing, significantly. This question could be a bit premature, but maybe thought has already been put into the direction react-uswds will go. Will it continue to track https://github.com/uswds/uswds? Or will it track https://codeberg.org/uswds/uswds? Or will it move in a more independent direction?

[brandonlenz]

Hey @mdmower-csnw! I don't think we know at the time of writing, but we are aware of and tracking the changes happening with USWDS. We're looking for the right signals from the community and our federal clients which will help determine a path forward.

Here's my (personal) outlook, starting with some decision drivers:

• USWDS is likely to see dramatic changes in the near future.
• ReactUSWDS will not likely be able to absorb the pace and stability of upcoming USWDS changes.
• USWDS' success and widespread adoption was because of the expert-level research, design, and community engagement it fostered. This model is being/has been snuffed out.
• Similarly, React USWDS survives only by generous community contributions (like yours to get us to 3.14, and the many you've contributed in the past! Thank you!).
• React USWDS' primary purpose at inception was to expedite Truss' federal portfolio work where the tech stack matched, and extend that advantage to the community.

This means the future of React USWDS depends on two things:

1. Federal requirements imposed on our federal projects
2. Community support (or otherwise) for upkeep of React USWDS

If there is a requirement to use https://github.com/uswds/uswds going forward, this library might have to continue to track that version. If the broader open-source community understandably rejects that choice, the maintenance strategy will have to change.

In the absence of a federal requirement, if https://github.com/uswds/uswds becomes unstable enough for it to be rejected by our client agencies and/or the community, we would be free to track a different base USWDS fork. Ideally, this would preserve some level of community support.

The answer will almost surely not suit all consumers of the library, so either way community support (and therefore the ability to maintain React USWDS) will get more difficult.

[brandonlenz]

All that said, no major moves are being planned at this moment while we take stock of the situation, aside from getting caught up to 3.14 with the merge and release of #3634

[mdmower-csnw]

Very reasonable response, @brandonlenz. I appreciate how much of an impact the community has in the direction of react-uswds. Thank you!