Unlock the Power of Tailwind CSS: A Game-Changing JIT Compiler
Revolutionizing Frontend Development
Tailwind CSS has taken a massive leap forward with the introduction of its Just-in-Time (JIT) compiler. This innovative feature is set to transform the way developers work, making their lives easier and more productive. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the world of Tailwind’s JIT mode, exploring its benefits, exciting new use cases, potential pitfalls, and how to get started.
What is JIT Mode?
Starting from Tailwind CSS version 2.1, the JIT compiler generates templates on demand, rather than creating everything in advance during the initial construction period. This shift has significant implications for your daily frontend work.
Why Should You Use JIT Mode?
No Custom CSS Needed
With JIT mode, you can create arbitrary values for almost any Tailwind class, eliminating the need for custom CSS. This feature allows you to use Tailwind with custom values, even when your design system doesn’t support it.
Super Fast Build Times
Compilation times have been drastically reduced, with even the largest projects now compiling in under 800ms, regardless of the tool used.
All Variants Work Out of the Box
Every variant is enabled by default, eliminating the need to configure them manually.
Staging Styles Are the Same as Production Styles
With JIT mode, there’s no need to purge unused styles for production, ensuring that your carefully crafted designs remain intact.
New Possibilities with JIT Mode
Let’s explore some exciting new things you can do with the JIT compiler. We’ll build a simple modal screen, applying the new JIT features step by step.
Arbitrary Values
Use arbitrary values to solve common problems, like creating a pixel-perfect design. With JIT mode, you can use the brackets [arbitrary_value] syntax to style your elements precisely.
All Variants Enabled by Default
No need to specify which variants are available for each core plugin. Use variants without defining them in your tailwind.config.js file beforehand.
Stack Variants
Combine variants to target specific situations without writing custom CSS. This feature is especially helpful when working with responsive design breakpoint variants.
Pseudo-Elements
Use specific Tailwind classes to style almost every pseudo-element, like ::before, ::after, and ::first-letter. Set the content property, which can be super useful for the new before and after variants.
Per-Side Border Colors
Last but not least, let’s take a look at per-side border colors, a feature that was previously impossible due to file size considerations.
Installing JIT Mode
To get started, refer to Tailwind’s documentation for installation instructions. Nearly every installation approach consists of two steps: running npm install -D tailwindcss@latest postcss@latest autoprefixer@latest and setting the mode to jit in your tailwind.config.js file.
Potential Drawbacks of JIT Mode
While JIT mode offers many benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. Arbitrary values can lead to an undocumented mess if not used cautiously. Additionally, nesting @apply... within @screen is no longer possible, and JIT mode is still experimental, meaning details may change as the Tailwind team refines them.
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve explored the exciting world of Tailwind’s JIT mode, its benefits, and potential pitfalls. With its ability to make projects run faster, equip developers with new exciting Tailwind classes, and make code more streamlined, JIT mode is definitely worth considering. So, what are you waiting for? Opt-in to the new JIT mode and take your frontend development to the next level!