
tailwind-4
Tailwind CSS 4 patterns and best practices. Trigger: When styling with Tailwind - cn(), theme variables, no var() in className.
- Installs
- 276
- Last 24h
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- Security
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/gentleman-programming/gentleman-skills --skill tailwind-4- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads tailwind-4 automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Styling Decision Tree
Tailwind class exists? → className="..."
Dynamic value? → style={{ width: `${x}%` }}
Conditional styles? → cn("base", condition && "variant")
Static only? → className="..." (no cn() needed)
Library can't use class?→ style prop with var() constants
Critical Rules
Never Use var() in className
// ❌ NEVER: var() in className
<div className="bg-[var(--color-primary)]" />
<div className="text-[var(--text-color)]" />
// ✅ ALWAYS: Use Tailwind semantic classes
<div className="bg-primary" />
<div className="text-slate-400" />
Never Use Hex Colors
// ❌ NEVER: Hex colors in className
<p className="text-[#ffffff]" />
<div className="bg-[#1e293b]" />
// ✅ ALWAYS: Use Tailwind color classes
<p className="text-white" />
<div className="bg-slate-800" />
The cn() Utility
import { clsx } from "clsx";
import { twMerge } from "tailwind-merge";
export function cn(...inputs: ClassValue[]) {
return twMerge(clsx(inputs));
}
When to Use cn()
// ✅ Conditional classes
<div className={cn("base-class", isActive && "active-class")} />
// ✅ Merging with potential conflicts
<button className={cn("px-4 py-2", className)} /> // className might override
// ✅ Multiple conditions
<div className={cn(
"rounded-lg border",
variant === "primary" && "bg-blue-500 text-white",
variant === "secondary" && "bg-gray-200 text-gray-800",
disabled && "opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed"
)} />
When NOT to Use cn()
// ❌ Static classes - unnecessary wrapper
<div className={cn("flex items-center gap-2")} />
// ✅ Just use className directly
<div className="flex items-center gap-2" />
Style Constants for Charts/Libraries
When libraries don't accept className (like Recharts):
// ✅ Constants with var() - ONLY for library props
const CHART_COLORS = {
primary: "var(--color-primary)",
secondary: "var(--color-secondary)",
text: "var(--color-text)",
gridLine: "var(--color-border)",
};
// Usage with Recharts (can't use className)
<XAxis tick={{ fill: CHART_COLORS.text }} />
<CartesianGrid stroke={CHART_COLORS.gridLine} />
Dynamic Values
// ✅ style prop for truly dynamic values
<div style={{ width: `${percentage}%` }} />
<div style={{ opacity: isVisible ? 1 : 0 }} />
// ✅ CSS custom properties for theming
<div style={{ "--progress": `${value}%` } as React.CSSProperties} />
Common Patterns
Flexbox
<div className="flex items-center justify-between gap-4" />
<div className="flex flex-col gap-2" />
<div className="inline-flex items-center" />
Grid
<div className="grid grid-cols-3 gap-4" />
<div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-4 gap-6" />
Spacing
// Padding
<div className="p-4" /> // All sides
<div className="px-4 py-2" /> // Horizontal, vertical
<div className="pt-4 pb-2" /> // Top, bottom
// Margin
<div className="m-4" />
<div className="mx-auto" /> // Center horizontally
<div className="mt-8 mb-4" />
Typography
<h1 className="text-2xl font-bold text-white" />
<p className="text-sm text-slate-400" />
<span className="text-xs font-medium uppercase tracking-wide" />
Borders & Shadows
<div className="rounded-lg border border-slate-700" />
<div className="rounded-full shadow-lg" />
<div className="ring-2 ring-blue-500 ring-offset-2" />
States
<button className="hover:bg-blue-600 focus:ring-2 active:scale-95" />
<input className="focus:border-blue-500 focus:outline-none" />
<div className="group-hover:opacity-100" />
Responsive
<div className="w-full md:w-1/2 lg:w-1/3" />
<div className="hidden md:block" />
<div className="text-sm md:text-base lg:text-lg" />
Dark Mode
<div className="bg-white dark:bg-slate-900" />
<p className="text-gray-900 dark:text-white" />
Arbitrary Values (Escape Hatch)
// ✅ OK for one-off values not in design system
<div className="w-[327px]" />
<div className="top-[117px]" />
<div className="grid-cols-[1fr_2fr_1fr]" />
// ❌ Don't use for colors - use theme instead
<div className="bg-[#1e293b]" /> // NO
Keywords
tailwind, css, styling, cn, utility classes, responsive
FAQ
What does the tailwind-4 skill do?
Tailwind CSS 4 patterns and best practices. Trigger: When styling with Tailwind - cn(), theme variables, no var() in className.
How do I install tailwind-4?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/gentleman-programming/gentleman-skills --skill tailwind-4 in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/tailwind-4/ (personal) or .claude/skills/tailwind-4/ (project).
Which AI agents can use tailwind-4?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is tailwind-4 safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains tailwind-4?
It is published by gentleman-programming in gentleman-programming/gentleman-skills. It has 276 recorded installs.
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