Build scalable design systems with Tailwind CSS v4, design tokens, component libraries, and responsive patterns. Use when creating component libraries, implementing design systems, or standardizing UI patterns.
Build scalable design systems with Tailwind CSS v4, design tokens, component libraries, and responsive patterns. Use when creating component libraries, implementing design systems, or standardizing UI patterns.
Tailwind Design System (v4)
Build production-ready design systems with Tailwind CSS v4, including CSS-first configuration, design tokens, component variants, responsive patterns, and accessibility.
Note: This skill targets Tailwind CSS v4 (2024+). For v3 projects, refer to the upgrade guide.
When to Use This Skill
Creating a component library with Tailwind v4
Implementing design tokens and theming with CSS-first configuration
Building responsive and accessible components
Standardizing UI patterns across a codebase
Migrating from Tailwind v3 to v4
Setting up dark mode with native CSS features
Key v4 Changes
v3 Pattern
v4 Pattern
tailwind.config.ts
@theme in CSS
@tailwind base/components/utilities
@import "tailwindcss"
darkMode: "class"
@custom-variant dark (&:where(.dark, .dark *))
theme.extend.colors
@theme { --color-*: value }
require("tailwindcss-animate")
CSS @keyframes in @theme + @starting-style for entry animations
Quick Start
/* app.css - Tailwind v4 CSS-first configuration */@import"tailwindcss";
/* Define your theme with @theme */@theme {
/* Semantic color tokens using OKLCH for better color perception */--color-background: oklch(100%00);
--color-foreground: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
--color-primary: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
--color-primary-foreground: oklch(98%0.01264);
--color-secondary: oklch(96%0.01264);
--color-secondary-foreground: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
--color-muted: oklch(96%0.01264);
--color-muted-foreground: oklch(46%0.02264);
--color-accent: oklch(96%0.01264);
--color-accent-foreground: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
--color-destructive: oklch(53%0.2227);
--color-destructive-foreground: oklch(98%0.01264);
--color-border: oklch(91%0.01264);
--color-ring: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
--color-card: oklch(100%00);
--color-card-foreground: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
/* Ring offset for focus states */--color-ring-offset: oklch(100%00);
/* Radius tokens */--radius-sm: 0.25rem;
--radius-md: 0.375rem;
--radius-lg: 0.5rem;
--radius-xl: 0.75rem;
/* Animation tokens - keyframes inside @theme are output when referenced by --animate-* variables */--animate-fade-in: fade-in 0.2s ease-out;
--animate-fade-out: fade-out 0.2s ease-in;
--animate-slide-in: slide-in 0.3s ease-out;
--animate-slide-out: slide-out 0.3s ease-in;
@keyframes fade-in {
from {
opacity: 0;
}
to {
opacity: 1;
}
}
@keyframes fade-out {
from {
opacity: 1;
}
to {
opacity: 0;
}
}
@keyframes slide-in {
from {
transform: translateY(-0.5rem);
opacity: 0;
}
to {
transform: translateY(0);
opacity: 1;
}
}
@keyframes slide-out {
from {
transform: translateY(0);
opacity: 1;
}
to {
transform: translateY(-0.5rem);
opacity: 0;
}
}
}
/* Dark mode variant - use @custom-variant for class-based dark mode */@custom-variant dark (&:where(.dark, .dark *));
/* Dark mode theme overrides */.dark {
--color-background: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
--color-foreground: oklch(98%0.01264);
--color-primary: oklch(98%0.01264);
--color-primary-foreground: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
--color-secondary: oklch(22%0.02264);
--color-secondary-foreground: oklch(98%0.01264);
--color-muted: oklch(22%0.02264);
--color-muted-foreground: oklch(65%0.02264);
--color-accent: oklch(22%0.02264);
--color-accent-foreground: oklch(98%0.01264);
--color-destructive: oklch(42%0.1527);
--color-destructive-foreground: oklch(98%0.01264);
--color-border: oklch(22%0.02264);
--color-ring: oklch(83%0.02264);
--color-card: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
--color-card-foreground: oklch(98%0.01264);
--color-ring-offset: oklch(14.5%0.025264);
}
/* Base styles */@layer base {
* {
@apply border-border;
}
body {
@apply bg-background text-foreground antialiased;
}
}
/* Use @theme inline when referencing other CSS variables */@theme inline {
--font-sans: var(--font-inter), system-ui;
}
/* Use @theme static to always generate CSS variables (even when unused) */@theme static {
--color-brand: oklch(65%0.15240);
}
/* Import with theme options */@import"tailwindcss" theme(static);
Namespace Overrides
@theme {
/* Clear all default colors and define your own */--color-*: initial;
--color-white: #fff;
--color-black: #000;
--color-primary: oklch(45%0.2260);
--color-secondary: oklch(65%0.15200);
/* Clear ALL defaults for a minimal setup *//* --*: initial; */
}
Semi-transparent Color Variants
@theme {
/* Use color-mix() for alpha variants */--color-primary-50: color-mix(in oklab, var(--color-primary) 5%, transparent);
--color-primary-100: color-mix(
in oklab,
var(--color-primary) 10%,
transparent
);
--color-primary-200: color-mix(
in oklab,
var(--color-primary) 20%,
transparent
);
}