Tailwind CSS v4 Summary

Tailwind CSS v4.0 introduces numerous new features that enhance performance and flexibility. Below are the key updates:

Key Features and Updates

1. High-Performance Engine

• Full builds up to 5× faster, and incremental builds over 100× faster.

2. Designed for the Modern Web

• Leverages the latest CSS features such as cascade layers, registered custom properties with @property, and color-mix().

3. Simplified Installation

• Fewer dependencies, zero configuration, and only requires a single line in your CSS file.

4. Official Vite Plugin

• Tight integration for maximum performance and minimal configuration.

5. Automatic Content Detection

• All your template files are automatically detected without requiring configuration.

6. Built-in Import Support

• No extra tooling required to combine multiple CSS files.

7. CSS-Based Configuration

• Improved developer experience by customizing and extending the framework directly in CSS.

8. CSS Theme Variables

• All your design tokens are exposed as native CSS variables, making them accessible anywhere.

9. Dynamic Utility Values and Variants

• No more guessing what values exist in your spacing scale or extending configuration for basic data attributes.

10. Modernized P3 Color Palette

• A more vibrant color palette that fully takes advantage of modern display technology.

11. Container Queries

• First-class API for styling elements based on their container size without requiring plugins.

12. New 3D Transform Utilities

• Transform elements in 3D space directly in your HTML.

13. Expanded Gradient API

• Radial and conic gradients, interpolation modes, and more.

14. @starting-style Support

• New variant that enables entering and exiting transitions without requiring JavaScript.

15. not-* Variants

• Style elements only when they do not match another variant, custom selector, or media/feature query.

16. More New Utilities and Variants

• Includes support for color-scheme, field-sizing, complex shadows, inert, and more.

Installation and Upgrade

To install Tailwind v4, run:

npm install -D tailwindcss@latest

To upgrade from v3:

npm update tailwindcss

Conclusion

Tailwind CSS v4 is a major step forward in utility-first CSS, improving performance, theming, and developer experience. Upgrade today and enjoy a more efficient workflow! 🚀

For more details, visit Tailwind CSS v4.0.