home / skills / bobmatnyc / claude-mpm-skills / tailwind

This skill helps you accelerate UI development with Tailwind CSS by mastering utility-first patterns, responsive design, and dark mode configuration.

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SKILL.md
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---
name: tailwind-css
description: "Tailwind CSS utility-first framework for rapid UI development with responsive design and dark mode"
progressive_disclosure:
  entry_point:
    summary: "Tailwind CSS utility-first framework for rapid UI development with responsive design and dark mode"
    when_to_use: "When working with tailwind-css or related functionality."
    quick_start: "1. Review the core concepts below. 2. Apply patterns to your use case. 3. Follow best practices for implementation."
---
# Tailwind CSS Skill

---
progressive_disclosure:
  entry_point:
    - summary
    - when_to_use
    - quick_start
  sections:
    core_concepts:
      - utility_first_approach
      - responsive_design
      - configuration
    advanced:
      - dark_mode
      - custom_utilities
      - plugins
      - performance_optimization
    integration:
      - framework_integration
      - component_patterns
    reference:
      - common_utilities
      - breakpoints
      - color_system
tokens:
  entry: 75
  full: 4500
---

## Summary

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that provides low-level utility classes to build custom designs without writing CSS. It offers responsive design, dark mode, customization through configuration, and integrates seamlessly with modern frameworks.

## When to Use

**Best for:**
- Rapid prototyping with consistent design systems
- Component-based frameworks (React, Vue, Svelte)
- Projects requiring responsive and dark mode support
- Teams wanting to avoid CSS file maintenance
- Design systems with standardized spacing/colors

**Consider alternatives when:**
- Team unfamiliar with utility-first approach (learning curve)
- Project requires extensive custom CSS animations
- Legacy browser support needed (IE11)
- Minimal CSS footprint required without build process

## Quick Start

### Installation

```bash
# npm
npm install -D tailwindcss postcss autoprefixer
npx tailwindcss init -p

# yarn
yarn add -D tailwindcss postcss autoprefixer
npx tailwindcss init -p

# pnpm
pnpm add -D tailwindcss postcss autoprefixer
npx tailwindcss init -p
```

### Configuration

**tailwind.config.js:**
```javascript
/** @type {import('tailwindcss').Config} */
module.exports = {
  content: [
    "./src/**/*.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}",
    "./public/index.html",
  ],
  theme: {
    extend: {},
  },
  plugins: [],
}
```

### Basic CSS Setup

**styles/globals.css:**
```css
@tailwind base;
@tailwind components;
@tailwind utilities;
```

### First Component

```jsx
// Simple button with Tailwind utilities
function Button({ children, variant = 'primary' }) {
  const baseClasses = "px-4 py-2 rounded-lg font-medium transition-colors";
  const variants = {
    primary: "bg-blue-600 text-white hover:bg-blue-700",
    secondary: "bg-gray-200 text-gray-900 hover:bg-gray-300",
    danger: "bg-red-600 text-white hover:bg-red-700"
  };

  return (
    <button className={`${baseClasses} ${variants[variant]}`}>
      {children}
    </button>
  );
}
```

---

## Core Concepts

### Utility-First Approach

Tailwind provides single-purpose utility classes that map directly to CSS properties.

#### Layout Utilities

**Flexbox:**
```jsx
// Centered flex container
<div className="flex items-center justify-center">
  <div>Centered content</div>
</div>

// Responsive flex direction
<div className="flex flex-col md:flex-row gap-4">
  <div className="flex-1">Column 1</div>
  <div className="flex-1">Column 2</div>
</div>

// Flex wrapping and alignment
<div className="flex flex-wrap items-start justify-between">
  <div className="w-1/2 md:w-1/4">Item</div>
  <div className="w-1/2 md:w-1/4">Item</div>
</div>
```

**Grid:**
```jsx
// Basic grid
<div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-4">
  <div>1</div>
  <div>2</div>
  <div>3</div>
</div>

// Responsive grid
<div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-6">
  <div className="col-span-1 md:col-span-2">Wide item</div>
  <div>Item</div>
  <div>Item</div>
</div>

// Auto-fit grid
<div className="grid grid-cols-[repeat(auto-fit,minmax(250px,1fr))] gap-4">
  <div>Auto-sized item</div>
  <div>Auto-sized item</div>
</div>
```

#### Spacing System

**Padding and Margin:**
```jsx
// Uniform spacing
<div className="p-4">Padding all sides</div>
<div className="m-8">Margin all sides</div>

// Directional spacing
<div className="pt-4 pb-8 px-6">Top 4, bottom 8, horizontal 6</div>
<div className="ml-auto mr-0">Right-aligned with margin</div>

// Negative margins
<div className="mt-4 -mb-2">Overlap bottom</div>

// Responsive spacing
<div className="p-2 md:p-4 lg:p-8">Responsive padding</div>
```

**Space Between:**
```jsx
// Gap between children
<div className="flex gap-4">
  <div>Item 1</div>
  <div>Item 2</div>
</div>

// Responsive gap
<div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-2 md:gap-4 lg:gap-6">
  <div>1</div>
  <div>2</div>
  <div>3</div>
</div>
```

#### Typography

```jsx
// Font sizes and weights
<h1 className="text-4xl font-bold">Heading</h1>
<p className="text-base font-normal leading-relaxed">Paragraph</p>
<span className="text-sm font-medium text-gray-600">Caption</span>

// Text alignment and decoration
<p className="text-center underline">Centered underlined text</p>
<p className="text-right line-through">Right-aligned strikethrough</p>

// Responsive typography
<h1 className="text-2xl md:text-4xl lg:text-6xl font-bold">
  Responsive heading
</h1>

// Text overflow handling
<p className="truncate">This text will be truncated with ellipsis...</p>
<p className="line-clamp-3">
  This text will be clamped to 3 lines with ellipsis...
</p>
```

#### Colors

```jsx
// Background colors
<div className="bg-blue-500">Blue background</div>
<div className="bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-800">Adaptive background</div>

// Text colors
<p className="text-red-600">Red text</p>
<p className="text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300">Adaptive text</p>

// Border colors
<div className="border border-gray-300 hover:border-blue-500">
  Hover border
</div>

// Opacity modifiers
<div className="bg-blue-500/50">50% opacity blue</div>
<div className="bg-black/25">25% opacity black</div>
```

### Responsive Design

Tailwind uses mobile-first breakpoint system.

#### Breakpoints

```javascript
// Default breakpoints (tailwind.config.js)
{
  theme: {
    screens: {
      'sm': '640px',   // Small devices
      'md': '768px',   // Medium devices
      'lg': '1024px',  // Large devices
      'xl': '1280px',  // Extra large
      '2xl': '1536px', // 2X extra large
    }
  }
}
```

#### Responsive Patterns

```jsx
// Hide/show at breakpoints
<div className="hidden md:block">Visible on desktop</div>
<div className="block md:hidden">Visible on mobile</div>

// Responsive layout
<div className="
  flex flex-col          // Mobile: stack vertically
  md:flex-row           // Desktop: horizontal
  gap-4 md:gap-8        // Larger gap on desktop
">
  <aside className="w-full md:w-64">Sidebar</aside>
  <main className="flex-1">Content</main>
</div>

// Responsive grid
<div className="
  grid
  grid-cols-1           // Mobile: 1 column
  sm:grid-cols-2        // Small: 2 columns
  lg:grid-cols-3        // Large: 3 columns
  xl:grid-cols-4        // XL: 4 columns
  gap-4
">
  {items.map(item => <Card key={item.id} {...item} />)}
</div>

// Container with responsive padding
<div className="
  container mx-auto
  px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8
  max-w-7xl
">
  <h1>Responsive container</h1>
</div>
```

### Configuration

#### Theme Extension

**tailwind.config.js:**
```javascript
/** @type {import('tailwindcss').Config} */
module.exports = {
  content: ['./src/**/*.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}'],
  theme: {
    extend: {
      colors: {
        brand: {
          50: '#f0f9ff',
          100: '#e0f2fe',
          500: '#0ea5e9',
          900: '#0c4a6e',
        },
        accent: '#ff6b6b',
      },
      spacing: {
        '18': '4.5rem',
        '88': '22rem',
        '128': '32rem',
      },
      fontFamily: {
        sans: ['Inter', 'system-ui', 'sans-serif'],
        display: ['Poppins', 'sans-serif'],
        mono: ['Fira Code', 'monospace'],
      },
      fontSize: {
        '2xs': '0.625rem',
        '3xl': '2rem',
      },
      borderRadius: {
        '4xl': '2rem',
      },
      boxShadow: {
        'inner-lg': 'inset 0 2px 4px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1)',
      },
      animation: {
        'slide-in': 'slideIn 0.3s ease-out',
        'fade-in': 'fadeIn 0.2s ease-in',
      },
      keyframes: {
        slideIn: {
          '0%': { transform: 'translateX(-100%)' },
          '100%': { transform: 'translateX(0)' },
        },
        fadeIn: {
          '0%': { opacity: '0' },
          '100%': { opacity: '1' },
        },
      },
    },
  },
  plugins: [],
}
```

#### Custom Breakpoints

```javascript
module.exports = {
  theme: {
    screens: {
      'xs': '475px',
      'sm': '640px',
      'md': '768px',
      'lg': '1024px',
      'xl': '1280px',
      '2xl': '1536px',
      '3xl': '1920px',
      // Custom breakpoints
      'tablet': '640px',
      'laptop': '1024px',
      'desktop': '1280px',
      // Max-width breakpoints
      'max-md': {'max': '767px'},
    },
  },
}
```

---

## Advanced Features

### Dark Mode

#### Class Strategy (Recommended)

**tailwind.config.js:**
```javascript
module.exports = {
  darkMode: 'class', // or 'media' for OS preference
  // ...
}
```

**Implementation:**
```jsx
// Toggle component
function DarkModeToggle() {
  const [isDark, setIsDark] = useState(false);

  useEffect(() => {
    if (isDark) {
      document.documentElement.classList.add('dark');
    } else {
      document.documentElement.classList.remove('dark');
    }
  }, [isDark]);

  return (
    <button
      onClick={() => setIsDark(!isDark)}
      className="p-2 rounded-lg bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700"
    >
      {isDark ? '🌞' : '🌙'}
    </button>
  );
}

// Dark mode styles
function Card() {
  return (
    <div className="
      bg-white dark:bg-gray-800
      text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100
      border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700
      shadow-lg dark:shadow-none
    ">
      <h2 className="text-xl font-bold mb-2">Card Title</h2>
      <p className="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
        Card content adapts to dark mode
      </p>
    </div>
  );
}
```

#### System Preference Strategy

```javascript
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
  darkMode: 'media', // Uses OS preference
}
```

```jsx
// Automatically adapts to system preference
<div className="bg-white dark:bg-gray-900">
  Content adapts automatically
</div>
```

### Custom Utilities

#### Adding Custom Utilities

**tailwind.config.js:**
```javascript
const plugin = require('tailwindcss/plugin');

module.exports = {
  plugins: [
    plugin(function({ addUtilities, addComponents, theme }) {
      // Custom utilities
      addUtilities({
        '.scrollbar-hide': {
          '-ms-overflow-style': 'none',
          'scrollbar-width': 'none',
          '&::-webkit-scrollbar': {
            display: 'none',
          },
        },
        '.text-balance': {
          'text-wrap': 'balance',
        },
      });

      // Custom components
      addComponents({
        '.btn': {
          padding: theme('spacing.4'),
          borderRadius: theme('borderRadius.lg'),
          fontWeight: theme('fontWeight.medium'),
          '&:hover': {
            opacity: 0.9,
          },
        },
        '.card': {
          backgroundColor: theme('colors.white'),
          borderRadius: theme('borderRadius.lg'),
          padding: theme('spacing.6'),
          boxShadow: theme('boxShadow.lg'),
        },
      });
    }),
  ],
}
```

#### Custom Variants

```javascript
const plugin = require('tailwindcss/plugin');

module.exports = {
  plugins: [
    plugin(function({ addVariant }) {
      // Custom variant for third child
      addVariant('third', '&:nth-child(3)');

      // Custom variant for not-last child
      addVariant('not-last', '&:not(:last-child)');

      // Custom variant for group-hover with specific element
      addVariant('group-hover-show', '.group:hover &');
    }),
  ],
}

// Usage
<div className="third:font-bold not-last:border-b">
  Custom variant styles
</div>
```

### Plugins

#### Official Plugins

```bash
npm install -D @tailwindcss/forms @tailwindcss/typography @tailwindcss/aspect-ratio
```

**tailwind.config.js:**
```javascript
module.exports = {
  plugins: [
    require('@tailwindcss/forms'),
    require('@tailwindcss/typography'),
    require('@tailwindcss/aspect-ratio'),
  ],
}
```

#### Forms Plugin

```jsx
// Automatic form styling
<form className="space-y-4">
  <input
    type="text"
    className="
      form-input
      rounded-lg
      border-gray-300
      focus:border-blue-500
      focus:ring-blue-500
    "
    placeholder="Name"
  />

  <select className="form-select rounded-lg">
    <option>Option 1</option>
    <option>Option 2</option>
  </select>

  <label className="flex items-center">
    <input type="checkbox" className="form-checkbox text-blue-600" />
    <span className="ml-2">Agree to terms</span>
  </label>
</form>
```

#### Typography Plugin

```jsx
// Beautiful prose styling
<article className="
  prose
  prose-lg
  prose-slate
  dark:prose-invert
  max-w-none
">
  <h1>Article Title</h1>
  <p>Automatic typography styles for markdown content...</p>
  <ul>
    <li>Styled lists</li>
    <li>Proper spacing</li>
  </ul>
</article>
```

#### Aspect Ratio Plugin

```jsx
// Maintain aspect ratios
<div className="aspect-w-16 aspect-h-9">
  <iframe src="..." className="w-full h-full" />
</div>

<div className="aspect-square">
  <img src="..." className="object-cover w-full h-full" />
</div>
```

### Performance Optimization

#### Content Configuration

```javascript
// Optimize purge paths
module.exports = {
  content: [
    './src/**/*.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}',
    './public/index.html',
    // Include component libraries
    './node_modules/@my-ui/**/*.js',
  ],
  // Safelist dynamic classes
  safelist: [
    'bg-red-500',
    'bg-green-500',
    {
      pattern: /bg-(red|green|blue)-(400|500|600)/,
      variants: ['hover', 'focus'],
    },
  ],
}
```

#### JIT Mode (Default in v3+)

Just-In-Time compilation generates styles on-demand:

```jsx
// Arbitrary values work instantly
<div className="top-[117px]">Custom value</div>
<div className="bg-[#1da1f2]">Custom color</div>
<div className="grid-cols-[1fr_500px_2fr]">Custom grid</div>

// No rebuild needed for new utilities
<div className="before:content-['★']">Star before</div>
```

#### Build Optimization

```javascript
// postcss.config.js
module.exports = {
  plugins: {
    tailwindcss: {},
    autoprefixer: {},
    // Production minification
    ...(process.env.NODE_ENV === 'production'
      ? { cssnano: {} }
      : {}),
  },
}
```

---

## Framework Integration

### React / Next.js

**Installation:**
```bash
npx create-next-app@latest my-app --tailwind
# or add to existing project
npm install -D tailwindcss postcss autoprefixer
npx tailwindcss init -p
```

**next.config.js:**
```javascript
/** @type {import('next').NextConfig} */
module.exports = {
  // Tailwind works out of box with Next.js
}
```

**_app.tsx:**
```typescript
import '@/styles/globals.css'
import type { AppProps } from 'next/app'

export default function App({ Component, pageProps }: AppProps) {
  return <Component {...pageProps} />
}
```

**Component Example:**
```tsx
// components/Button.tsx
import { ButtonHTMLAttributes, forwardRef } from 'react'
import { cva, type VariantProps } from 'class-variance-authority'

const buttonVariants = cva(
  "inline-flex items-center justify-center rounded-lg font-medium transition-colors",
  {
    variants: {
      variant: {
        default: "bg-blue-600 text-white hover:bg-blue-700",
        outline: "border border-gray-300 hover:bg-gray-100",
        ghost: "hover:bg-gray-100",
      },
      size: {
        sm: "px-3 py-1.5 text-sm",
        md: "px-4 py-2",
        lg: "px-6 py-3 text-lg",
      },
    },
    defaultVariants: {
      variant: "default",
      size: "md",
    },
  }
)

interface ButtonProps
  extends ButtonHTMLAttributes<HTMLButtonElement>,
    VariantProps<typeof buttonVariants> {}

const Button = forwardRef<HTMLButtonElement, ButtonProps>(
  ({ className, variant, size, ...props }, ref) => {
    return (
      <button
        ref={ref}
        className={buttonVariants({ variant, size, className })}
        {...props}
      />
    )
  }
)

export default Button
```

### SvelteKit

**Installation:**
```bash
npx sv create my-app
# Select Tailwind CSS option
# or add to existing
npm install -D tailwindcss postcss autoprefixer
npx tailwindcss init -p
```

**svelte.config.js:**
```javascript
import adapter from '@sveltejs/adapter-auto';
import { vitePreprocess } from '@sveltejs/vite-plugin-svelte';

export default {
  preprocess: vitePreprocess(),
  kit: {
    adapter: adapter()
  }
};
```

**Component Example:**
```svelte
<!-- Button.svelte -->
<script lang="ts">
  export let variant: 'primary' | 'secondary' = 'primary';
  export let size: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg' = 'md';

  const variants = {
    primary: 'bg-blue-600 text-white hover:bg-blue-700',
    secondary: 'bg-gray-200 text-gray-900 hover:bg-gray-300'
  };

  const sizes = {
    sm: 'px-3 py-1.5 text-sm',
    md: 'px-4 py-2',
    lg: 'px-6 py-3 text-lg'
  };
</script>

<button
  class="rounded-lg font-medium transition-colors {variants[variant]} {sizes[size]}"
  on:click
>
  <slot />
</button>
```

### Vue 3

**Installation:**
```bash
npm create vue@latest my-app
# Select Tailwind CSS
# or add to existing
npm install -D tailwindcss postcss autoprefixer
npx tailwindcss init -p
```

**main.ts:**
```typescript
import { createApp } from 'vue'
import App from './App.vue'
import './assets/main.css'

createApp(App).mount('#app')
```

**Component Example:**
```vue
<!-- Button.vue -->
<script setup lang="ts">
import { computed } from 'vue'

interface Props {
  variant?: 'primary' | 'secondary'
  size?: 'sm' | 'md' | 'lg'
}

const props = withDefaults(defineProps<Props>(), {
  variant: 'primary',
  size: 'md'
})

const classes = computed(() => {
  const base = 'rounded-lg font-medium transition-colors'
  const variants = {
    primary: 'bg-blue-600 text-white hover:bg-blue-700',
    secondary: 'bg-gray-200 text-gray-900 hover:bg-gray-300'
  }
  const sizes = {
    sm: 'px-3 py-1.5 text-sm',
    md: 'px-4 py-2',
    lg: 'px-6 py-3 text-lg'
  }

  return `${base} ${variants[props.variant]} ${sizes[props.size]}`
})
</script>

<template>
  <button :class="classes">
    <slot />
  </button>
</template>
```

---

## Component Patterns

### Layout Components

#### Container

```jsx
function Container({ children, size = 'default' }) {
  const sizes = {
    sm: 'max-w-3xl',
    default: 'max-w-7xl',
    full: 'max-w-full'
  };

  return (
    <div className={`container mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8 ${sizes[size]}`}>
      {children}
    </div>
  );
}
```

#### Grid Layout

```jsx
function GridLayout({ children, cols = { default: 1, md: 2, lg: 3 } }) {
  return (
    <div className={`
      grid
      grid-cols-${cols.default}
      md:grid-cols-${cols.md}
      lg:grid-cols-${cols.lg}
      gap-6
    `}>
      {children}
    </div>
  );
}
```

#### Stack (Vertical Spacing)

```jsx
function Stack({ children, spacing = 4 }) {
  return (
    <div className={`flex flex-col gap-${spacing}`}>
      {children}
    </div>
  );
}
```

### UI Components

#### Card

```jsx
function Card({ title, description, image, footer }) {
  return (
    <div className="
      bg-white dark:bg-gray-800
      rounded-lg shadow-lg
      overflow-hidden
      transition-transform hover:scale-105
    ">
      {image && (
        <img
          src={image}
          alt={title}
          className="w-full h-48 object-cover"
        />
      )}
      <div className="p-6">
        <h3 className="text-xl font-bold mb-2 text-gray-900 dark:text-white">
          {title}
        </h3>
        <p className="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">
          {description}
        </p>
      </div>
      {footer && (
        <div className="px-6 py-4 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-gray-700 border-t border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-600">
          {footer}
        </div>
      )}
    </div>
  );
}
```

#### Modal

```jsx
function Modal({ isOpen, onClose, title, children }) {
  if (!isOpen) return null;

  return (
    <div className="fixed inset-0 z-50 overflow-y-auto">
      {/* Backdrop */}
      <div
        className="fixed inset-0 bg-black/50 backdrop-blur-sm"
        onClick={onClose}
      />

      {/* Modal */}
      <div className="flex min-h-full items-center justify-center p-4">
        <div className="
          relative bg-white dark:bg-gray-800
          rounded-lg shadow-xl
          max-w-md w-full
          p-6
          animate-fade-in
        ">
          <h2 className="text-2xl font-bold mb-4">
            {title}
          </h2>
          <button
            onClick={onClose}
            className="absolute top-4 right-4 text-gray-400 hover:text-gray-600"
          >
            ✕
          </button>
          {children}
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
  );
}
```

#### Form Input

```jsx
function Input({ label, error, ...props }) {
  return (
    <div className="mb-4">
      {label && (
        <label className="block text-sm font-medium mb-2 text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300">
          {label}
        </label>
      )}
      <input
        className={`
          w-full px-4 py-2 rounded-lg
          border ${error ? 'border-red-500' : 'border-gray-300'}
          focus:outline-none focus:ring-2
          ${error ? 'focus:ring-red-500' : 'focus:ring-blue-500'}
          bg-white dark:bg-gray-700
          text-gray-900 dark:text-white
          placeholder-gray-400
        `}
        {...props}
      />
      {error && (
        <p className="mt-1 text-sm text-red-500">{error}</p>
      )}
    </div>
  );
}
```

#### Badge

```jsx
function Badge({ children, variant = 'default', size = 'md' }) {
  const variants = {
    default: 'bg-gray-100 text-gray-800',
    primary: 'bg-blue-100 text-blue-800',
    success: 'bg-green-100 text-green-800',
    warning: 'bg-yellow-100 text-yellow-800',
    danger: 'bg-red-100 text-red-800',
  };

  const sizes = {
    sm: 'text-xs px-2 py-0.5',
    md: 'text-sm px-2.5 py-1',
    lg: 'text-base px-3 py-1.5',
  };

  return (
    <span className={`
      inline-flex items-center
      rounded-full font-medium
      ${variants[variant]}
      ${sizes[size]}
    `}>
      {children}
    </span>
  );
}
```

---

## Reference

### Common Utility Classes

#### Display & Positioning

```
display: block, inline-block, inline, flex, inline-flex, grid, inline-grid, hidden
position: static, fixed, absolute, relative, sticky
top/right/bottom/left: 0, auto, 1-96 (in 0.25rem increments)
z-index: z-0, z-10, z-20, z-30, z-40, z-50, z-auto
```

#### Flexbox & Grid

```
flex-direction: flex-row, flex-col, flex-row-reverse, flex-col-reverse
justify-content: justify-start, justify-center, justify-end, justify-between, justify-around
align-items: items-start, items-center, items-end, items-baseline, items-stretch
gap: gap-0 to gap-96 (in 0.25rem increments)
grid-cols: grid-cols-1 to grid-cols-12, grid-cols-none
```

#### Sizing

```
width: w-0 to w-96, w-auto, w-full, w-screen, w-1/2, w-1/3, w-2/3, etc.
height: h-0 to h-96, h-auto, h-full, h-screen
min/max-width: min-w-0, min-w-full, max-w-xs to max-w-7xl
min/max-height: min-h-0, min-h-full, max-h-screen
```

#### Spacing (0.25rem = 4px increments)

```
padding: p-0 to p-96, px-*, py-*, pt-*, pr-*, pb-*, pl-*
margin: m-0 to m-96, mx-*, my-*, mt-*, mr-*, mb-*, ml-*, -m-*
space-between: space-x-*, space-y-*
```

#### Typography

```
font-size: text-xs, text-sm, text-base, text-lg, text-xl to text-9xl
font-weight: font-thin to font-black (100-900)
text-align: text-left, text-center, text-right, text-justify
line-height: leading-none to leading-loose
letter-spacing: tracking-tighter to tracking-widest
```

#### Colors (50-900 scale)

```
text-{color}-{shade}: text-gray-500, text-blue-600, text-red-700
bg-{color}-{shade}: bg-white, bg-gray-100, bg-blue-500
border-{color}-{shade}: border-gray-300, border-blue-500
Colors: slate, gray, zinc, neutral, stone, red, orange, amber, yellow, lime,
        green, emerald, teal, cyan, sky, blue, indigo, violet, purple, fuchsia,
        pink, rose
```

#### Borders

```
border-width: border, border-0, border-2, border-4, border-8
border-style: border-solid, border-dashed, border-dotted, border-double, border-none
border-radius: rounded-none, rounded-sm, rounded, rounded-lg, rounded-full
border-color: border-gray-300, etc.
```

#### Effects

```
shadow: shadow-sm, shadow, shadow-md, shadow-lg, shadow-xl, shadow-2xl, shadow-none
opacity: opacity-0 to opacity-100 (in 5% increments)
blur: blur-none, blur-sm, blur, blur-lg, blur-xl
```

#### Transitions & Animations

```
transition: transition-none, transition-all, transition, transition-colors, transition-opacity
duration: duration-75 to duration-1000 (ms)
timing: ease-linear, ease-in, ease-out, ease-in-out
animation: animate-none, animate-spin, animate-ping, animate-pulse, animate-bounce
```

### Responsive Breakpoints

```
sm:  640px  @media (min-width: 640px)
md:  768px  @media (min-width: 768px)
lg:  1024px @media (min-width: 1024px)
xl:  1280px @media (min-width: 1280px)
2xl: 1536px @media (min-width: 1536px)
```

### State Variants

```
hover:     &:hover
focus:     &:focus
active:    &:active
disabled:  &:disabled
visited:   &:visited (links)
checked:   &:checked (inputs)
group-hover: .group:hover &
peer-focus:  .peer:focus ~ &
first:     &:first-child
last:      &:last-child
odd:       &:nth-child(odd)
even:      &:nth-child(even)
```

### Dark Mode

```
dark:      .dark &
dark:hover: .dark &:hover
dark:focus: .dark &:focus
```

---

## Best Practices

### Class Organization

```jsx
// Group classes logically
<div className={`
  // Layout
  flex items-center justify-between
  // Spacing
  px-4 py-2 gap-2
  // Typography
  text-lg font-medium
  // Colors
  bg-white text-gray-900
  // Borders & Effects
  border border-gray-200 rounded-lg shadow-sm
  // States
  hover:bg-gray-50 focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500
  // Responsive
  md:px-6 md:py-3
  // Dark mode
  dark:bg-gray-800 dark:text-white
`}>
  Content
</div>
```

### Extracting Components

```jsx
// DON'T repeat complex class strings
<button className="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-blue-700">
  Button 1
</button>
<button className="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-blue-700">
  Button 2
</button>

// DO extract to component
function Button({ children }) {
  return (
    <button className="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-blue-700">
      {children}
    </button>
  );
}
```

### Using CSS Variables

```javascript
// tailwind.config.js
module.exports = {
  theme: {
    extend: {
      colors: {
        primary: 'rgb(var(--color-primary) / <alpha-value>)',
        secondary: 'rgb(var(--color-secondary) / <alpha-value>)',
      },
    },
  },
}
```

```css
/* globals.css */
:root {
  --color-primary: 59 130 246; /* RGB values for blue-500 */
  --color-secondary: 139 92 246; /* RGB values for purple-500 */
}

.dark {
  --color-primary: 96 165 250; /* Lighter blue for dark mode */
  --color-secondary: 167 139 250; /* Lighter purple for dark mode */
}
```

```jsx
// Usage with opacity
<div className="bg-primary/50 text-primary">
  50% opacity primary color
</div>
```

### Avoiding Class Conflicts

```jsx
// DON'T use conflicting utilities
<div className="text-center text-left"> {/* text-left wins */}

// DO use conditional classes
<div className={isCenter ? 'text-center' : 'text-left'}>

// Or use clsx/cn utility
import { clsx } from 'clsx'
import { twMerge } from 'tailwind-merge'

function cn(...inputs) {
  return twMerge(clsx(inputs))
}

<div className={cn(
  'text-center',
  isLeft && 'text-left'  // Properly overrides
)}>
```

---

## Troubleshooting

### Styles Not Applying

1. **Check content paths in config:**
   ```javascript
   content: ['./src/**/*.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}']
   ```

2. **Verify CSS imports:**
   ```css
   @tailwind base;
   @tailwind components;
   @tailwind utilities;
   ```

3. **Rebuild for dynamic classes:**
   ```javascript
   // DON'T - won't be detected
   <div className={`text-${color}-500`}>

   // DO - use safelist or complete class names
   <div className={color === 'red' ? 'text-red-500' : 'text-blue-500'}>
   ```

### Build Size Issues

1. **Optimize content configuration**
2. **Remove unused plugins**
3. **Use environment-specific configs**
4. **Enable compression in production**

### Dark Mode Not Working

1. **Check darkMode setting in config**
2. **Verify 'dark' class on html/body**
3. **Test dark: variant syntax**
4. **Check system preferences (media strategy)**

---

## Resources

- **Official Docs:** https://tailwindcss.com/docs
- **Playground:** https://play.tailwindcss.com
- **Tailwind UI:** https://tailwindui.com (Premium components)
- **Headless UI:** https://headlessui.com (Unstyled accessible components)
- **Tailwind CLI:** https://tailwindcss.com/docs/installation
- **Class Variance Authority:** https://cva.style (Type-safe variants)
- **Prettier Plugin:** https://github.com/tailwindlabs/prettier-plugin-tailwindcss

Overview

This skill packages practical guidance for using Tailwind CSS, a utility-first framework for rapid UI development with responsive design and dark mode. It focuses on configuration, core utilities, advanced features like custom plugins and dark-mode strategies, and performance best practices to integrate Tailwind into modern projects.

How this skill works

The skill inspects common Tailwind concepts and provides actionable patterns: utility classes for layout, spacing, typography, colors, and responsive breakpoints. It explains configuration (theme extension, custom breakpoints), advanced features (dark mode, custom utilities, plugins), and optimization strategies (content purge, JIT usage) so you can adopt Tailwind efficiently.

When to use it

  • Rapid prototyping or building component-driven UIs with minimal custom CSS
  • Projects that require consistent responsive layouts and a design token system
  • When you need built-in dark mode support and theming through config
  • Teams aiming to reduce CSS maintenance by using utility classes
  • Integrations with React, Vue, Svelte, or other modern frameworks

Best practices

  • Configure content paths and safelist dynamic classes to keep production CSS small
  • Use darkMode: 'class' for predictable toggles, or 'media' to follow OS preference
  • Extend the theme for brand colors, spacing, and typography instead of overriding utilities
  • Leverage official plugins (@tailwindcss/forms, typography, aspect-ratio) for common UI needs
  • Prefer component-level class composition (or utility helpers) for repeated patterns

Example use cases

  • A React design system with tokenized colors, spacing, and responsive breakpoints
  • A marketing site with fast iteration where JIT builds avoid frequent rebuilds
  • A dashboard that supports dark mode toggling and accessible forms via plugins
  • A component library that adds custom utilities and variants via Tailwind plugins
  • A blog or docs site using the typography plugin for readable prose styling

FAQ

How do I enable dark mode?

Set darkMode: 'class' in tailwind.config.js and toggle the 'dark' class on document.documentElement, or use darkMode: 'media' to follow system preference.

How can I keep the final CSS bundle small?

Specify accurate content paths, safelist only necessary dynamic classes, and rely on the JIT engine (default v3+) to generate only the utilities you use.