Tailwind CSS in the real world: when to use it, when not

Tailwind gets criticized for 'long class lists', but used with discipline it's a rare productivity tool.

# Extract when it repeats

When a class combination appears many times, pull it into a reusable component instead of copy-pasting everywhere.

# Use design tokens

Put colors, spacing, and radii into your theme config for a consistent UI that's easy to re-theme.

• Keep class order readable
• Avoid magic numbers, prefer the scale
• Combine with components for reuse

A good tool still needs a disciplined hand.