Tailwind CSS and Next.js: A Robust Frontend Development Stack
A utility-based CSS framework like Tailwind CSS paired with a JavaScript framework like Next.js is a powerful combination for building robust and scalable frontend applications. Next.js, a popular JavaScript framework, enables developers to create flexible React apps with ease. Even with basic knowledge of React, you can start building apps with Next.js. When combined with Tailwind CSS, this duo can save you a significant amount of time working on the UI of your apps.
Common Issues with Tailwind CSS and Next.js
However, as with any technology stack, there can be times when Tailwind CSS doesn’t work as expected with a Next.js setup. In this article, we’ll explore the common issues that arise when using Tailwind CSS with Next.js and provide solutions to help you overcome them.
Incorrect Usage of Tailwind Features and Functionalities
One category of problems stems from the incorrect usage of Tailwind features and functionalities, including:
- Not having the Tailwind directives in the main CSS file
- Not assigning CSS classes correctly to elements
- Using incorrect class names in template files
- Incorrect usage of dark mode utilities
- Using extension utilities without installing the required plugin
Improper or Incomplete Configuration of Tailwind or Next.js
The second category of issues arises from the improper or incomplete configuration of Tailwind or Next.js, including:
- Using the old purge method to specify source paths in Tailwind 3.0
- Lack of correct content path
- Not defining dynamic paths when using a modern build system like Nx
- Using Next experimental features
Setting Up a Sample Next.js Project with Tailwind CSS
Let’s set up a sample Next.js project with Tailwind CSS. We’ll start by installing Next.js using the standard command. After installation, we’ll create a new project directory and run our app to ensure it’s working as expected.
Next, we’ll install Tailwind CSS and its prerequisites using the following commands:
bash
npm install tailwindcss postcss autoprefixer
npx tailwindcss init -p
We’ll then add some utility classes to our index page and run the app to see if it’s working as expected.
Solving Common Issues
If you encounter issues during setup, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Let’s go through some common issues and their solutions:
Check for Correct Directives
Ensure the global CSS file contains all the Tailwind directives. Without these directives, Tailwind won’t know what base, utility, and component classes to provide.
Assign CSS Classes the Right Way
Use className instead of class in JSX to assign CSS classes to elements.
Avoid Incorrect Class Names
Double-check that Tailwind class names have no typographical errors. Use the official Tailwind CSS IntelliSense extension for Visual Studio Code to avoid errors.
Install Required Plugins
Install the required plugins for the utilities you’re using, such as the typography plugin.
Use Content Instead of Purge
Switch from purge to content in Tailwind 3.0 to specify source paths.
Use Correct Paths
Provide the correct paths to templates stored in the pages and component folders in the content variable of the Tailwind configuration file.
Using Next.js Example Project with TailwindCSS
If none of the above solutions work, try using the Next.js example project template that comes with Tailwind CSS pre-installed.
Using Dark Mode Correctly
Implement dark mode with Tailwind’s typography plugin by specifying the darkMode property as class in the tailwind.config.js file.
Using Dynamic Paths with Build Systems
Optimize path definitions in the config files to get Tailwind working with a monorepo. Use the --dirname variable to specify the absolute path to the current directory dynamically.
Turning Off Next.js Experimental Features
Try turning off Next.js experimental features by setting the concurrentFeatures option to false in the next.config.js file.
By following these solutions, you should be able to overcome common issues with Tailwind CSS and Next.js. Happy coding!