[Lucasoato]

Disclaimer: I’m extremely newbie in front end, probably less than 6 months of experience combined in the last 6 years.

I can’t stress enough how easy it is using Tailwind, it just works! I don’t care about the long ass lines because for how I’m used to format html pages, I’d have to go to a new line anyway, it’s just that now I can understand what’s happening in react components without too many troubles.

Another plus is that by checking other people’s html code, I can immediately see their tailwind tags, without searching through files for css definitions, I see how they change their stuff there and I can immediately learn how to replicate their patterns. Imagine how fruitful saving time is, especially when using framework like nextjs, you can literally launch a prototype in few days of work with these technologies.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that you’re not going to build the next Facebook or Microsoft with Tailwind and Nextjs, they have their drawbacks, but their impact on the critical path from the idea to a working MVP can’t be ignored.

[lenkite]

I don't quite get the hate for having CSS in another file. Do you also put all your react stuff in one single file ? That same logic and argument can be applied against all modularization.

And really 20-50 tailwind classes in a single element is VERY hard to read and keep in mind. No - it does not make things clear or understandable. One tends to need to re-read and scan over from the beginning and eyes glaze over. Esp if some elements only vary with a few classes missing. I guess it works for people with very high attention to detail and high amount of working memory. I only find it personally frustrating. With a CSS class applied to that component, one at-least has a singular NAME to refer to that piece of composite styling and your memory can be used for other matters.

Maybe tailwind css works well for some bright, big-memory developers. I did try it for a couple of projects, including needing to maintain someone else's tailwind project - and only felt stupendous pain.

However, the "atomic css" philosophy behind tailwind is great. I find frameworks like https://open-props.style/ a far better application of that principle.

[chrischen]

You are supposed to abstract messy tailwind classes via your programming language and the component framework.

For example: using loops, breaking things into smaller reusable components, etc.

Tailwind devs specifically recommend against making your own abstractions in your CSS that coincide with your abstractions in your programming language.

So for example instead of CSS classes for buttons just make components for the buttons to be used directly.

[gryzzly]

yeah, it works, but try getting back to this codebase in 3 months and then refactor something small. worse, it’s someone else who will have to do it after you.