---
name: tailwind-ops
description: "Tailwind CSS utility patterns, responsive design, component patterns, v4 migration, and configuration. Use for: tailwind, tailwindcss, utility classes, responsive design, dark mode, tailwind v4, tailwind config, tw, container queries, @apply, prose, typography, animation."
license: MIT
allowed-tools: "Read Write Bash"
metadata:
  author: claude-mods
  related-skills: react-ops, vue-ops, astro-ops
---

# Tailwind Operations

Comprehensive Tailwind CSS patterns covering layout, responsive design, components, dark mode, animations, and v4 migration.

## Layout Decision Tree

```
Which layout approach?
│
├─ Items in a single row or column?
│  └─ Use Flexbox
│     ├─ Row:    class="flex items-center gap-4"
│     ├─ Column: class="flex flex-col gap-4"
│     ├─ Wrap:   class="flex flex-wrap gap-4"
│     └─ Push item to end: class="flex" + child class="ml-auto"
│
├─ Items in a 2D grid (rows AND columns)?
│  └─ Use CSS Grid
│     ├─ Equal columns:   class="grid grid-cols-3 gap-6"
│     ├─ Responsive grid:  class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-6"
│     ├─ Sidebar layout:  class="grid grid-cols-[250px_1fr] gap-6"
│     ├─ Spanning:         child class="col-span-2" or "row-span-2"
│     └─ Auto-fill:        class="grid grid-cols-[repeat(auto-fill,minmax(250px,1fr))] gap-6"
│
├─ Component should adapt to its CONTAINER size (not viewport)?
│  └─ Use Container Queries (v3.2+ / v4 native)
│     ├─ Parent:  class="@container"
│     ├─ Child:   class="@sm:flex-row @lg:grid-cols-3"
│     └─ Named:   class="@container/sidebar" → child: "@sm/sidebar:flex-row"
│
├─ Centering something?
│  ├─ Horizontal text:  class="text-center"
│  ├─ Horizontal block: class="mx-auto" (needs width)
│  ├─ Flex center:      class="flex items-center justify-center"
│  ├─ Grid center:      class="grid place-items-center"
│  └─ Absolute center:  class="absolute top-1/2 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2"
│
└─ Full-page layout (header/sidebar/content/footer)?
   └─ Use Grid with named areas or template rows
      ├─ Sticky header:  class="grid grid-rows-[auto_1fr_auto] min-h-screen"
      └─ Sidebar + main: class="grid grid-cols-[250px_1fr] min-h-screen"
```

## Responsive Design Quick Reference

### Breakpoints (Mobile-First)

| Prefix | Min Width | Typical Target |
|--------|-----------|----------------|
| _(none)_ | 0px | Mobile (default) |
| `sm:` | 640px | Large phones, landscape |
| `md:` | 768px | Tablets |
| `lg:` | 1024px | Small laptops |
| `xl:` | 1280px | Desktops |
| `2xl:` | 1536px | Large screens |

**Mobile-first means**: base styles apply to mobile, add breakpoint prefixes to override upward.

```html
<!-- Stack on mobile, 2 columns on tablet, 3 on desktop -->
<div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-6">
  <div>Card 1</div>
  <div>Card 2</div>
  <div>Card 3</div>
</div>

<!-- Hide on mobile, show on desktop -->
<nav class="hidden lg:flex items-center gap-6">...</nav>

<!-- Full width on mobile, constrained on desktop -->
<div class="w-full max-w-3xl mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">...</div>
```

### Container Queries

```html
<!-- Parent declares itself as a container -->
<div class="@container">
  <!-- Children respond to PARENT width, not viewport -->
  <div class="flex flex-col @sm:flex-row @lg:grid @lg:grid-cols-3 gap-4">
    <div>Adapts to container</div>
  </div>
</div>

<!-- Named container (useful when nesting) -->
<div class="@container/card">
  <h2 class="text-sm @md/card:text-lg">Responds to card container</h2>
</div>
```

### Fluid Typography with clamp()

```html
<!-- Fluid heading: 1.5rem at small, 3rem at large, scales between -->
<h1 class="text-[clamp(1.5rem,4vw,3rem)]">Fluid Heading</h1>

<!-- Fluid body text -->
<p class="text-[clamp(0.875rem,1.5vw,1.125rem)] leading-relaxed">
  Body text that scales smoothly.
</p>
```

## Dark Mode Decision Tree

```
Which dark mode strategy?
│
├─ Manual toggle (user preference stored)?
│  └─ class strategy (v3) / selector strategy (v4)
│
│     v3: tailwind.config.js
│     module.exports = { darkMode: 'class' }
│     → Add class="dark" to <html> element
│
│     v4: CSS @custom-variant or default behavior
│     @custom-variant dark (&:where(.dark, .dark *));
│     → Same toggle, add class="dark" to <html>
│
├─ Follow system preference only?
│  └─ media strategy
│
│     v3: tailwind.config.js
│     module.exports = { darkMode: 'media' }
│     → Uses prefers-color-scheme automatically
│
│     v4: Default behavior (no config needed)
│     → Uses prefers-color-scheme out of the box
│
└─ Custom selector (data attribute, etc.)?
   └─ selector strategy (v4 only)

      v4: @custom-variant dark (&:where([data-theme="dark"], [data-theme="dark"] *));
      → Add data-theme="dark" to <html>
```

### Dark Mode Patterns

```html
<!-- Background and text -->
<div class="bg-white dark:bg-gray-900 text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100">

  <!-- Card with dark variant -->
  <div class="bg-gray-50 dark:bg-gray-800 rounded-lg p-6 border border-gray-200 dark:border-gray-700">
    <h3 class="text-gray-900 dark:text-white font-semibold">Card Title</h3>
    <p class="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">Card content adapts to dark mode.</p>
  </div>

  <!-- Input with dark variant -->
  <input type="text"
    class="bg-white dark:bg-gray-800 border border-gray-300 dark:border-gray-600
           text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100 placeholder-gray-400 dark:placeholder-gray-500
           focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 rounded-lg px-4 py-2"
    placeholder="Type here...">
</div>
```

## Component Patterns Quick Reference

```html
<!-- Card -->
<div class="bg-white dark:bg-gray-800 rounded-lg shadow-md p-6">
  <h3 class="text-lg font-semibold text-gray-900 dark:text-white mb-2">Title</h3>
  <p class="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400">Content here.</p>
</div>

<!-- Button variants -->
<button class="bg-blue-600 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded-lg hover:bg-blue-700 focus-visible:outline-2 focus-visible:outline-offset-2 focus-visible:outline-blue-600 transition-colors">Primary</button>
<button class="bg-gray-200 text-gray-800 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg hover:bg-gray-300 transition-colors">Secondary</button>
<button class="border border-gray-300 text-gray-700 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg hover:bg-gray-50 transition-colors">Outline</button>
<button class="text-blue-600 px-4 py-2 rounded-lg hover:bg-blue-50 transition-colors">Ghost</button>

<!-- Form input -->
<label class="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 dark:text-gray-300 mb-1">Email</label>
<input type="email"
  class="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 dark:border-gray-600 rounded-lg
         bg-white dark:bg-gray-800 text-gray-900 dark:text-gray-100
         focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-transparent"
  placeholder="you@example.com">

<!-- Navbar -->
<nav class="bg-white dark:bg-gray-900 shadow">
  <div class="max-w-7xl mx-auto px-4 flex items-center justify-between h-16">
    <a href="/" class="text-xl font-bold text-gray-900 dark:text-white">Logo</a>
    <div class="hidden md:flex items-center gap-6">
      <a href="#" class="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-300 hover:text-gray-900 dark:hover:text-white">Home</a>
      <a href="#" class="bg-blue-600 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded-lg hover:bg-blue-700">CTA</a>
    </div>
  </div>
</nav>

<!-- Modal overlay -->
<div class="fixed inset-0 z-50 flex items-center justify-center">
  <div class="fixed inset-0 bg-black/50" aria-hidden="true"></div>
  <div class="relative bg-white dark:bg-gray-800 rounded-xl shadow-xl p-6 w-full max-w-md mx-4" role="dialog" aria-modal="true">
    <h2 class="text-lg font-semibold text-gray-900 dark:text-white mb-4">Modal Title</h2>
    <p class="text-gray-600 dark:text-gray-400 mb-6">Modal content goes here.</p>
    <div class="flex justify-end gap-3">
      <button class="px-4 py-2 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-100 rounded-lg">Cancel</button>
      <button class="px-4 py-2 bg-blue-600 text-white rounded-lg hover:bg-blue-700">Confirm</button>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

<!-- Badge -->
<span class="inline-flex items-center px-2.5 py-0.5 rounded-full text-xs font-medium bg-green-100 text-green-800 dark:bg-green-900 dark:text-green-300">Active</span>

<!-- Alert -->
<div class="flex items-start gap-3 p-4 rounded-lg bg-red-50 dark:bg-red-900/20 border border-red-200 dark:border-red-800" role="alert">
  <span class="text-red-600 dark:text-red-400 mt-0.5" aria-hidden="true">&#10007;</span>
  <div>
    <h4 class="text-sm font-medium text-red-800 dark:text-red-300">Error</h4>
    <p class="text-sm text-red-700 dark:text-red-400 mt-1">Something went wrong. Please try again.</p>
  </div>
</div>
```

## Tailwind v4 Quick Reference

### Major Changes from v3

| Area | v3 | v4 |
|------|----|----|
| Configuration | `tailwind.config.js` | CSS-first: `@theme` in CSS |
| Theme values | JS `theme.extend.colors` | `@theme { --color-brand: #3b82f6; }` |
| Plugins | JS `plugin()` function | `@plugin "my-plugin"` in CSS |
| Config file | `module.exports = {...}` | `@config "./legacy.config.js"` (compat) |
| PostCSS | `tailwindcss` package | `@tailwindcss/postcss` |
| Vite | PostCSS plugin | `@tailwindcss/vite` (faster) |
| Colors | Named scales (gray-50..950) | Same + OKLCH support |
| Container queries | Plugin required | Native `@container`, `@sm:`, `@md:` |
| Entry animations | JS needed | `@starting-style` (CSS native) |

### v4 CSS-First Config

```css
/* v4: Define theme in CSS */
@import "tailwindcss";

@theme {
  --color-brand: #3b82f6;
  --color-brand-dark: #1d4ed8;
  --font-display: "Inter", sans-serif;
  --breakpoint-3xl: 1920px;
  --spacing-18: 4.5rem;
}

/* v4: Import a plugin */
@plugin "@tailwindcss/typography";

/* v4: Use legacy JS config as fallback */
@config "./tailwind.config.js";
```

### v4 New Utilities

```html
<!-- Container queries (native in v4) -->
<div class="@container">
  <div class="@sm:flex @md:grid @md:grid-cols-2">Adapts to container</div>
</div>

<!-- @starting-style: entry animations without JS -->
<!-- Applied via CSS - Tailwind v4 supports it natively -->

<!-- Anchor positioning (experimental) -->
<!-- Position elements relative to an anchor element via CSS -->

<!-- New shadow and ring defaults -->
<div class="shadow-sm ring ring-blue-500/20">Improved defaults</div>
```

## Animation Patterns

### Transition Utilities

```html
<!-- Color transition (most common) -->
<button class="bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-700 transition-colors duration-150">
  Hover me
</button>

<!-- Multiple properties -->
<div class="transform hover:scale-105 hover:shadow-lg transition-all duration-200 ease-in-out">
  Scale and shadow on hover
</div>

<!-- Specific properties -->
<div class="transition-[transform,opacity] duration-300 ease-out">
  Only transform and opacity animate
</div>
```

### Built-in Animations

```html
<!-- Spin (loading spinners) -->
<svg class="animate-spin h-5 w-5 text-blue-600" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
  <circle class="opacity-25" cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="4" fill="none"/>
  <path class="opacity-75" fill="currentColor" d="M4 12a8 8 0 018-8V0C5.373 0 0 5.373 0 12h4z"/>
</svg>

<!-- Pulse (skeleton loaders) -->
<div class="animate-pulse bg-gray-200 dark:bg-gray-700 h-4 rounded w-3/4"></div>

<!-- Ping (notification indicator) -->
<span class="relative flex h-3 w-3">
  <span class="animate-ping absolute inline-flex h-full w-full rounded-full bg-red-400 opacity-75"></span>
  <span class="relative inline-flex rounded-full h-3 w-3 bg-red-500"></span>
</span>

<!-- Bounce -->
<div class="animate-bounce">&#8595;</div>
```

### Custom Keyframes (v3 Config)

```js
// tailwind.config.js (v3)
module.exports = {
  theme: {
    extend: {
      keyframes: {
        'fade-in': {
          '0%': { opacity: '0', transform: 'translateY(10px)' },
          '100%': { opacity: '1', transform: 'translateY(0)' },
        },
        'slide-in-right': {
          '0%': { transform: 'translateX(100%)' },
          '100%': { transform: 'translateX(0)' },
        },
      },
      animation: {
        'fade-in': 'fade-in 0.3s ease-out',
        'slide-in-right': 'slide-in-right 0.3s ease-out',
      },
    },
  },
}
```

### Custom Keyframes (v4 CSS)

```css
/* v4: Define in CSS with @theme */
@theme {
  --animate-fade-in: fade-in 0.3s ease-out;
  --animate-slide-in-right: slide-in-right 0.3s ease-out;
}

@keyframes fade-in {
  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(10px); }
  to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}

@keyframes slide-in-right {
  from { transform: translateX(100%); }
  to { transform: translateX(0); }
}
```

### Entry Animations with @starting-style (v4)

```css
/* Dialog that animates in from transparent/translated */
dialog[open] {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translateY(0);
  transition: opacity 0.3s, transform 0.3s;

  @starting-style {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(10px);
  }
}
```

## State Modifiers Quick Reference

| Modifier | Triggers On | Example |
|----------|-------------|---------|
| `hover:` | Mouse hover | `hover:bg-blue-700` |
| `focus:` | Element focused (all focus) | `focus:ring-2` |
| `focus-visible:` | Keyboard focus only | `focus-visible:outline-2` |
| `focus-within:` | Child is focused | `focus-within:ring-2` |
| `active:` | Being clicked/pressed | `active:scale-95` |
| `disabled:` | `disabled` attribute | `disabled:opacity-50 disabled:cursor-not-allowed` |
| `group-hover:` | Parent `.group` hovered | `group-hover:text-blue-600` |
| `group-focus:` | Parent `.group` focused | `group-focus:ring-2` |
| `peer-checked:` | Sibling `.peer` checked | `peer-checked:bg-blue-600` |
| `peer-invalid:` | Sibling `.peer` invalid | `peer-invalid:text-red-500` |
| `data-[state=open]:` | Custom data attribute | `data-[state=open]:rotate-180` |
| `aria-expanded:` | `aria-expanded="true"` | `aria-expanded:bg-gray-100` |
| `aria-selected:` | `aria-selected="true"` | `aria-selected:font-bold` |
| `open:` | `<details>` or `<dialog>` open | `open:bg-gray-50` |
| `first:` | First child | `first:rounded-t-lg` |
| `last:` | Last child | `last:rounded-b-lg` |
| `odd:` | Odd children | `odd:bg-gray-50` |
| `even:` | Even children | `even:bg-white` |
| `placeholder:` | Placeholder text | `placeholder:text-gray-400` |
| `motion-reduce:` | Prefers reduced motion | `motion-reduce:transition-none` |
| `motion-safe:` | No motion preference | `motion-safe:animate-bounce` |
| `print:` | Print media | `print:hidden` |

### Group and Peer Patterns

```html
<!-- Group: parent state affects children -->
<a href="#" class="group flex items-center gap-3 p-3 rounded-lg hover:bg-gray-100">
  <div class="w-10 h-10 bg-gray-200 group-hover:bg-blue-100 rounded-lg"></div>
  <span class="text-gray-700 group-hover:text-blue-600">Hover the whole card</span>
</a>

<!-- Named groups (nested groups) -->
<div class="group/card p-4">
  <div class="group/button">
    <span class="group-hover/card:text-blue-600 group-hover/button:underline">
      Responds to specific parent
    </span>
  </div>
</div>

<!-- Peer: sibling state affects next sibling -->
<input type="checkbox" class="peer sr-only" id="toggle">
<label for="toggle" class="peer-checked:bg-blue-600 peer-checked:text-white px-4 py-2 rounded-lg cursor-pointer">
  Toggle me
</label>

<!-- Form validation with peer -->
<input type="email" class="peer" required>
<p class="hidden peer-invalid:block text-sm text-red-500 mt-1">
  Please enter a valid email.
</p>
```

## Common Gotchas

| Gotcha | Why | Fix |
|--------|-----|-----|
| Dynamic class names don't work: `` `bg-${color}-500` `` | Tailwind scans source for complete class strings at build time. String interpolation produces classes it never sees. | Use complete classes: `const colors = { red: 'bg-red-500', blue: 'bg-blue-500' }` and select by key. |
| Styles not applying (specificity) | Another CSS rule or `@apply` has higher specificity. | Use `!important` modifier: `!text-red-500`. Or restructure to avoid conflicts. |
| `@apply` breaks with component libraries | `@apply` resolves at build time and can't access runtime theme values or conflict with scoped styles. | Prefer inline utility classes. Reserve `@apply` for base styles or markdown content. |
| Prose plugin styles leak | `@tailwindcss/typography` `prose` applies broad element selectors (h1, p, a, etc.). | Scope with `prose` only on content wrappers. Use `not-prose` class to exclude sections. |
| Classes missing in production | JIT content detection didn't scan the file containing the class. | Ensure `content` paths in config cover all template files including component libraries. |
| Dark mode flash (FOUC) | Class-based dark mode renders light first until JS adds `dark` class. | Add inline `<script>` in `<head>` that reads localStorage and sets `dark` class before paint. |
| Container queries not scoped | Child `@sm:` responds to nearest `@container` ancestor, which may not be the intended one. | Use named containers: `@container/card` and `@sm/card:flex`. |
| Arbitrary values vs config | `w-[137px]` works but creates one-off values. Repeated arbitrary values signal missing design tokens. | Add recurring values to theme config: `spacing: { '137': '137px' }`. |
| `group` / `peer` naming collisions | Nested groups without names cause children to respond to wrong ancestor. | Use named groups: `group/card`, `group/button`. |
| Responsive order matters | Adding `lg:flex` without base `block` or `hidden` can cause unexpected behavior on smaller screens. | Always define the mobile-first base, then override upward: `hidden lg:flex`. |
| Transition on `display: none` | `hidden` to `block` can't be transitioned because `display` isn't animatable. | Use `opacity-0`/`opacity-100` with `invisible`/`visible`, or use `@starting-style` (v4). |
| Purge removes dynamic classes | Tailwind purges classes not found as complete strings in scanned files. | Add classes to `safelist` in config, or use a safelist comment in the source file. |

## Reference Files

| File | Content | Lines |
|------|---------|-------|
| `references/component-patterns.md` | Cards, buttons, forms, navigation, modals, tables, alerts, badges, avatars, dropdowns, tooltips, skeleton loaders, accessibility | ~700 |
| `references/v4-migration.md` | CSS-first config, @theme, @plugin, removed utilities, container queries, @starting-style, migration steps, breaking changes | ~500 |
| `references/configuration.md` | Theme config (v3+v4), colors, spacing, typography, plugins, @layer, @apply, custom variants, dark mode, container queries | ~500 |

## See Also

- `react-ops` - React component patterns using Tailwind
- `vue-ops` - Vue component patterns using Tailwind
- `astro-ops` - Astro project patterns with Tailwind integration
- Tailwind docs: https://tailwindcss.com/docs
- Tailwind v4 blog: https://tailwindcss.com/blog/tailwindcss-v4