Tailwind CSS v4 principles. CSS-first configuration, container queries, modern patterns, design token architecture.
npxskills add davila7/claude-code-templates--skill tailwind-patternsLoading…
Modern utility-first CSS with CSS-native configuration.
| v3 (Legacy) | v4 (Current) |
|---|---|
tailwind.config.js | CSS-based @theme directive |
| PostCSS plugin | Oxide engine (10x faster) |
| JIT mode | Native, always-on |
| Plugin system | CSS-native features |
@apply directive | Still works, discouraged |
| Concept | Description |
|---|
| CSS-first | Configuration in CSS, not JavaScript |
| Oxide Engine | Rust-based compiler, much faster |
| Native Nesting | CSS nesting without PostCSS |
| CSS Variables | All tokens exposed as --* vars |
@theme {
/* Colors - use semantic names */
--color-primary: oklch(0.7 0.15 250);
--color-surface: oklch(0.98 0 0);
--color-surface-dark: oklch(0.15 0 0);
/* Spacing scale */
--spacing-xs: 0.25rem;
--spacing-sm: 0.5rem;
--spacing-md: 1rem;
--spacing-lg: 2rem;
/* Typography */
--font-sans: 'Inter', system-ui, sans-serif;
--font-mono: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
}
| Action | Use When |
|---|---|
| Extend | Adding new values alongside defaults |
| Override | Replacing default scale entirely |
| Semantic tokens | Project-specific naming (primary, surface) |
| Type | Responds To |
|---|---|
Breakpoint (md:) | Viewport width |
Container (@container) | Parent element width |
| Pattern | Classes |
|---|---|
| Define container | @container on parent |
| Container breakpoint | @sm:, @md:, @lg: on children |
| Named containers | @container/card for specificity |
| Scenario | Use |
|---|---|
| Page-level layouts | Viewport breakpoints |
| Component-level responsive | Container queries |
| Reusable components | Container queries (context-independent) |
| Prefix | Min Width | Target |
|---|---|---|
| (none) | 0px | Mobile-first base |
sm: | 640px | Large phone / small tablet |
md: | 768px | Tablet |
lg: | 1024px | Laptop |
xl: | 1280px | Desktop |
2xl: | 1536px | Large desktop |
w-full md:w-1/2 lg:w-1/3| Method | Behavior | Use When |
|---|---|---|
class | .dark class toggles | Manual theme switcher |
media | Follows system preference | No user control |
selector | Custom selector (v4) | Complex theming |
| Element | Light | Dark |
|---|---|---|
| Background | bg-white | dark:bg-zinc-900 |
| Text | text-zinc-900 | dark:text-zinc-100 |
| Borders | border-zinc-200 | dark:border-zinc-700 |
| Pattern | Classes |
|---|---|
| Center (both axes) | flex items-center justify-center |
| Vertical stack | flex flex-col gap-4 |
| Horizontal row | flex gap-4 |
| Space between | flex justify-between items-center |
| Wrap grid | flex flex-wrap gap-4 |
| Pattern | Classes |
|---|---|
| Auto-fit responsive | grid grid-cols-[repeat(auto-fit,minmax(250px,1fr))] |
| Asymmetric (Bento) | grid grid-cols-3 grid-rows-2 with spans |
| Sidebar layout | grid grid-cols-[auto_1fr] |
Note: Prefer asymmetric/Bento layouts over symmetric 3-column grids.
| Format | Advantage |
|---|---|
| OKLCH | Perceptually uniform, better for design |
| HSL | Intuitive hue/saturation |
| RGB | Legacy compatibility |
| Layer | Example | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Primitive | --blue-500 | Raw color values |
| Semantic | --color-primary | Purpose-based naming |
| Component | --button-bg | Component-specific |
| Type | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Sans | 'Inter', 'SF Pro', system-ui, sans-serif |
| Mono | 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira Code', monospace |
| Display | 'Outfit', 'Poppins', sans-serif |
| Class | Size | Use |
|---|---|---|
text-xs | 0.75rem | Labels, captions |
text-sm | 0.875rem | Secondary text |
text-base | 1rem | Body text |
text-lg | 1.125rem | Lead text |
text-xl+ | 1.25rem+ | Headings |
| Class | Effect |
|---|---|
animate-spin | Continuous rotation |
animate-ping | Attention pulse |
animate-pulse | Subtle opacity pulse |
animate-bounce | Bouncing effect |
| Pattern | Classes |
|---|---|
| All properties | transition-all duration-200 |
| Specific | transition-colors duration-150 |
| With easing | ease-out or ease-in-out |
| Hover effect | hover:scale-105 transition-transform |
| Signal | Action |
|---|---|
| Same class combo 3+ times | Extract component |
| Complex state variants | Extract component |
| Design system element | Extract + document |
| Method | Use When |
|---|---|
| React/Vue component | Dynamic, JS needed |
| @apply in CSS | Static, no JS needed |
| Design tokens | Reusable values |
| Don't | Do |
|---|---|
| Arbitrary values everywhere | Use design system scale |
!important | Fix specificity properly |
Inline style= | Use utilities |
| Duplicate long class lists | Extract component |
| Mix v3 config with v4 | Migrate fully to CSS-first |
Use @apply heavily | Prefer components |
| Principle | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Purge unused | Automatic in v4 |
| Avoid dynamism | No template string classes |
| Use Oxide | Default in v4, 10x faster |
| Cache builds | CI/CD caching |
Remember: Tailwind v4 is CSS-first. Embrace CSS variables, container queries, and native features. The config file is now optional.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).