--- name: tailwind-best-practices description: Tailwind CSS patterns and conventions. Use when writing responsive designs, implementing dark mode, creating reusable component styles, configuring Tailwind, or migrating from v3 to v4. Triggers on tasks involving Tailwind classes, responsive design, dark mode, CSS styling, or "migrate to Tailwind v4". license: MIT metadata: author: agent-skills version: "1.0.0" tailwindVersion: "3.4+ / 4.0+" --- # Tailwind CSS Best Practices Comprehensive patterns for building consistent, maintainable interfaces with Tailwind CSS v3.4+ and v4. Contains 29 rules covering responsive design, dark mode, component patterns, configuration, and v4 migration. ## Metadata - **Version:** 1.0.0 - **Framework:** Tailwind CSS v3.4+ / v4.0+ - **Rule Count:** 29 rules across 8 categories - **License:** MIT - **Documentation:** [tailwindcss.com/docs](https://tailwindcss.com/docs) ## Step 1: Detect Tailwind Version **Always check the version before giving any advice.** v3 and v4 are fundamentally different. Check `package.json` for the installed version: ```json { "tailwindcss": "^3.x" } // → v3 rules apply { "tailwindcss": "^4.x" } // → v4 rules apply ``` Also check for these signals: | Signal | Version | |--------|---------| | `tailwind.config.js` exists | v3 | | `@import "tailwindcss"` in CSS | v4 | | `@tailwindcss/vite` in dependencies | v4 | | `@tailwindcss/postcss` in dependencies | v4 | | `@theme {}` block in CSS | v4 | **If v3**: Apply `resp-`, `dark-`, `comp-`, `config-` rules. Note that v4 is available. **If v4**: Apply `v4-` rules. `tailwind.config.js` patterns do NOT apply — use `@theme {}` instead. **If migrating v3 → v4**: Follow `v4-migration` rules directly. ## When to Apply Reference these guidelines when: - Writing responsive layouts - Implementing dark mode - Creating reusable component styles - Configuring Tailwind (v3 or v4) - Migrating a project from v3 to v4 - Setting up a new project with v4 ## Rule Categories by Priority | Priority | Category | Impact | Prefix | Version | |----------|----------|--------|--------|---------| | 1 | Responsive Design | CRITICAL | `resp-` | v3 / v4 | | 2 | Dark Mode | CRITICAL | `dark-` | v3 / v4 | | 3 | Component Patterns | HIGH | `comp-` | v3 / v4 | | 4 | Custom Configuration | HIGH | `config-` | v3 | | 5 | V4 & Migration | HIGH | `v4-` | v4 only | | 6 | Spacing & Typography | MEDIUM | `space-` | v3 / v4 | | 7 | Animation | MEDIUM | `anim-` | v3 / v4 | | 8 | Performance | LOW | `perf-` | v3 / v4 | ## Quick Reference ### 1. Responsive Design (CRITICAL) - `resp-mobile-first` - Mobile-first approach - `resp-breakpoints` - Use breakpoints correctly - `resp-container` - Container patterns - `resp-grid-flex` - Grid vs Flexbox decisions - `resp-hidden-shown` - Conditional display ### 2. Dark Mode (CRITICAL) - `dark-setup` - Configure dark mode - `dark-classes` - Apply dark mode classes - `dark-toggle` - Implement dark mode toggle - `dark-system-preference` - Respect system preference - `dark-colors` - Design for both modes ### 3. Component Patterns (HIGH) - `comp-clsx-cn` - Conditional classes utility - `comp-variants` - Component variants pattern - `comp-slots` - Slot-based components - `comp-composition` - Composing utilities ### 4. Custom Configuration — v3 only (HIGH) - `config-extend` - Extend vs override theme - `config-colors` - Custom color palette - `config-fonts` - Custom fonts - `config-screens` - Custom breakpoints - `config-plugins` - Using plugins ### 5. V4 & Migration (HIGH) - `v4-installation` - Install v4 with Vite or PostCSS, `@source`, `@reference` - `v4-theme-configuration` - Replace `tailwind.config.js` with `@theme {}` in CSS - `v4-custom-utilities` - `@utility`, `@custom-variant`, `@variant`, `@plugin` - `v4-migration` - Step-by-step v3 → v4 migration with renamed utilities, `starting:`, `forced-colors:` ### 6. Spacing & Typography (MEDIUM) - `space-consistent` - Consistent spacing scale - `space-margins` - Margin patterns - `space-padding` - Padding patterns - `typo-scale` - Typography scale - `typo-line-height` - Line height ### 7. Animation (MEDIUM) - `anim-transitions` - Transition utilities - `anim-keyframes` - Custom keyframes - `anim-reduced-motion` - Respect motion preferences ### 8. Performance (LOW) - `perf-purge` - Content configuration - `perf-jit` - JIT mode benefits - `perf-arbitrary` - Arbitrary values usage ## Essential Patterns ### Mobile-First Responsive Design ```tsx // ✅ Mobile-first: start with mobile, add larger breakpoints
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