Expo Tailwind Setup V3

Tailwind CSS Setup for Expo with react-native-css

Overview

This public intake copy packages plugins/antigravity-bundle-expo-react-native/skills/expo-tailwind-setup from https://github.com/sickn33/antigravity-awesome-skills into the native Omni Skills editorial shape without hiding its origin.

Use it when the operator needs the upstream workflow, support files, and repository context to stay intact while the public validator and private enhancer continue their normal downstream flow.

This intake keeps the copied upstream files intact and uses the external_source block in metadata.json plus ORIGIN.md as the provenance anchor for review.

Tailwind CSS Setup for Expo with react-native-css This guide covers setting up Tailwind CSS v4 in Expo using react-native-css and NativeWind v5 for universal styling across iOS, Android, and Web.

Imported source sections that did not map cleanly to the public headings are still preserved below or in the support files. Notable imported sections: Configuration Files, IMPORTANT: No Babel Config Needed, CSS Component Wrappers, Custom Theme Variables, Platform-Specific Styles, Apple System Colors with CSS Variables.

When to Use This Skill

Use this section as the trigger filter. It should make the activation boundary explicit before the operator loads files, runs commands, or opens a pull request.

• You need to set up Tailwind CSS v4 styling in an Expo app using react-native-css and NativeWind v5.
• The task involves configuring Metro, PostCSS, global CSS, or package versions for Expo + Tailwind.
• You want one styling setup that works across iOS, Android, and web in an Expo project.
• Use when the request clearly matches the imported source intent: Set up Tailwind CSS v4 in Expo with react-native-css and NativeWind v5 for universal styling.
• Use when the operator should preserve upstream workflow detail instead of rewriting the process from scratch.
• Use when provenance needs to stay visible in the answer, PR, or review packet.

Operating Table

Workflow

This workflow is intentionally editorial and operational at the same time. It keeps the imported source useful to the operator while still satisfying the public intake standards that feed the downstream enhancer flow.

1. autoprefixer is not needed in Expo because of lightningcss
2. postcss is included in expo by default
3. Confirm the user goal, the scope of the imported workflow, and whether this skill is still the right router for the task.
4. Read the overview and provenance files before loading any copied upstream support files.
5. Load only the references, examples, prompts, or scripts that materially change the outcome for the current request.
6. Execute the upstream workflow while keeping provenance and source boundaries explicit in the working notes.
7. Validate the result against the upstream expectations and the evidence you can point to in the copied files.

Imported Workflow Notes

Imported: Installation

# Install dependencies
npx expo install tailwindcss@^4 nativewind@5.0.0-preview.2 react-native-css@0.0.0-nightly.5ce6396 @tailwindcss/postcss tailwind-merge clsx

Add resolutions for lightningcss compatibility:

// package.json
{
  "resolutions": {
    "lightningcss": "1.30.1"
  }
}

• autoprefixer is not needed in Expo because of lightningcss
• postcss is included in expo by default

Imported: Overview

This setup uses:

• Tailwind CSS v4 - Modern CSS-first configuration
• react-native-css - CSS runtime for React Native
• NativeWind v5 - Metro transformer for Tailwind in React Native
• @tailwindcss/postcss - PostCSS plugin for Tailwind v4

Imported: Configuration Files

Metro Config

Create or update metro.config.js:

// metro.config.js
const { getDefaultConfig } = require("expo/metro-config");
const { withNativewind } = require("nativewind/metro");

/** @type {import('expo/metro-config').MetroConfig} */
const config = getDefaultConfig(__dirname);

module.exports = withNativewind(config, {
  // inline variables break PlatformColor in CSS variables
  inlineVariables: false,
  // We add className support manually
  globalClassNamePolyfill: false,
});

PostCSS Config

Create postcss.config.mjs:

// postcss.config.mjs
export default {
  plugins: {
    "@tailwindcss/postcss": {},
  },
};

Global CSS

Create src/global.css:

@import "tailwindcss/theme.css" layer(theme);
@import "tailwindcss/preflight.css" layer(base);
@import "tailwindcss/utilities.css";

/* Platform-specific font families */
@media android {
  :root {
    --font-mono: monospace;
    --font-rounded: normal;
    --font-serif: serif;
    --font-sans: normal;
  }
}

@media ios {
  :root {
    --font-mono: ui-monospace;
    --font-serif: ui-serif;
    --font-sans: system-ui;
    --font-rounded: ui-rounded;
  }
}

Examples

Example 1: Ask for the upstream workflow directly

Use @expo-tailwind-setup-v3 to handle <task>. Start from the copied upstream workflow, load only the files that change the outcome, and keep provenance visible in the answer.

Explanation: This is the safest starting point when the operator needs the imported workflow, but not the entire repository.

Example 2: Ask for a provenance-grounded review

Review @expo-tailwind-setup-v3 against metadata.json and ORIGIN.md, then explain which copied upstream files you would load first and why.

Explanation: Use this before review or troubleshooting when you need a precise, auditable explanation of origin and file selection.

Example 3: Narrow the copied support files before execution

Use @expo-tailwind-setup-v3 for <task>. Load only the copied references, examples, or scripts that change the outcome, and name the files explicitly before proceeding.

Explanation: This keeps the skill aligned with progressive disclosure instead of loading the whole copied package by default.

Example 4: Build a reviewer packet

Review @expo-tailwind-setup-v3 using the copied upstream files plus provenance, then summarize any gaps before merge.

Explanation: This is useful when the PR is waiting for human review and you want a repeatable audit packet.

Imported Usage Notes

Imported: Usage

Import CSS-wrapped components from your tw directory:

import { View, Text, ScrollView, Image } from "@/tw";

export default function MyScreen() {
  return (
    <ScrollView className="flex-1 bg-white">
      <View className="p-4 gap-4">
        <Text className="text-xl font-bold text-gray-900">Hello Tailwind!</Text>
        <Image
          className="w-full h-48 rounded-lg object-cover"
          source={{ uri: "https://example.com/image.jpg" }}
        />
      </View>
    </ScrollView>
  );
}

Best Practices

Treat the generated public skill as a reviewable packaging layer around the upstream repository. The goal is to keep provenance explicit and load only the copied source material that materially improves execution.

• Keep the imported skill grounded in the upstream repository; do not invent steps that the source material cannot support.
• Prefer the smallest useful set of support files so the workflow stays auditable and fast to review.
• Keep provenance, source commit, and imported file paths visible in notes and PR descriptions.
• Point directly at the copied upstream files that justify the workflow instead of relying on generic review boilerplate.
• Treat generated examples as scaffolding; adapt them to the concrete task before execution.
• Route to a stronger native skill when architecture, debugging, design, or security concerns become dominant.

Troubleshooting

Problem: The operator skipped the imported context and answered too generically

Symptoms: The result ignores the upstream workflow in plugins/antigravity-bundle-expo-react-native/skills/expo-tailwind-setup, fails to mention provenance, or does not use any copied source files at all. Solution: Re-open metadata.json, ORIGIN.md, and the most relevant copied upstream files. Check the external_source block first, then restate the provenance before continuing.

Problem: The imported workflow feels incomplete during review

Symptoms: Reviewers can see the generated SKILL.md, but they cannot quickly tell which references, examples, or scripts matter for the current task. Solution: Point at the exact copied references, examples, scripts, or assets that justify the path you took. If the gap is still real, record it in the PR instead of hiding it.

Problem: The task drifted into a different specialization

Symptoms: The imported skill starts in the right place, but the work turns into debugging, architecture, design, security, or release orchestration that a native skill handles better. Solution: Use the related skills section to hand off deliberately. Keep the imported provenance visible so the next skill inherits the right context instead of starting blind.

Imported Troubleshooting Notes

Imported: Troubleshooting

Styles not applying

1. Ensure you have the CSS file imported in your app entry
2. Check that components are wrapped with useCssElement
3. Verify Metro config has withNativewind applied

Platform colors not working

1. Use platformColor() in @media ios blocks
2. Fall back to light-dark() for web/Android

TypeScript errors

Add className to component props:

type Props = React.ComponentProps<typeof RNView> & { className?: string };

Related Skills

• @2d-games-v3 - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
• @3d-games-v3 - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
• @algolia-search-v4 - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.
• @algorithmic-art-v4 - Use when the work is better handled by that native specialization after this imported skill establishes context.

Additional Resources

Use this support matrix and the linked files below as the operator packet for this imported skill. They should reflect real copied source material, not generic scaffolding.

Imported Reference Notes

Imported: IMPORTANT: No Babel Config Needed

With Tailwind v4 and NativeWind v5, you do NOT need a babel.config.js for Tailwind. Remove any NativeWind babel presets if present:

// DELETE babel.config.js if it only contains NativeWind config
// The following is NO LONGER needed:
// module.exports = function (api) {
//   api.cache(true);
//   return {
//     presets: [
//       ["babel-preset-expo", { jsxImportSource: "nativewind" }],
//       "nativewind/babel",
//     ],
//   };
// };

Imported: CSS Component Wrappers

Since react-native-css requires explicit CSS element wrapping, create reusable components:

Main Components (src/tw/index.tsx)

import {
  useCssElement,
  useNativeVariable as useFunctionalVariable,
} from "react-native-css";

import { Link as RouterLink } from "expo-router";
import Animated from "react-native-reanimated";
import React from "react";
import {
  View as RNView,
  Text as RNText,
  Pressable as RNPressable,
  ScrollView as RNScrollView,
  TouchableHighlight as RNTouchableHighlight,
  TextInput as RNTextInput,
  StyleSheet,
} from "react-native";

// CSS-enabled Link
export const Link = (
  props: React.ComponentProps<typeof RouterLink> & { className?: string }
) => {
  return useCssElement(RouterLink, props, { className: "style" });
};

Link.Trigger = RouterLink.Trigger;
Link.Menu = RouterLink.Menu;
Link.MenuAction = RouterLink.MenuAction;
Link.Preview = RouterLink.Preview;

// CSS Variable hook
export const useCSSVariable =
  process.env.EXPO_OS !== "web"
    ? useFunctionalVariable
    : (variable: string) => `var(${variable})`;

// View
export type ViewProps = React.ComponentProps<typeof RNView> & {
  className?: string;
};

export const View = (props: ViewProps) => {
  return useCssElement(RNView, props, { className: "style" });
};
View.displayName = "CSS(View)";

// Text
export const Text = (
  props: React.ComponentProps<typeof RNText> & { className?: string }
) => {
  return useCssElement(RNText, props, { className: "style" });
};
Text.displayName = "CSS(Text)";

// ScrollView
export const ScrollView = (
  props: React.ComponentProps<typeof RNScrollView> & {
    className?: string;
    contentContainerClassName?: string;
  }
) => {
  return useCssElement(RNScrollView, props, {
    className: "style",
    contentContainerClassName: "contentContainerStyle",
  });
};
ScrollView.displayName = "CSS(ScrollView)";

// Pressable
export const Pressable = (
  props: React.ComponentProps<typeof RNPressable> & { className?: string }
) => {
  return useCssElement(RNPressable, props, { className: "style" });
};
Pressable.displayName = "CSS(Pressable)";

// TextInput
export const TextInput = (
  props: React.ComponentProps<typeof RNTextInput> & { className?: string }
) => {
  return useCssElement(RNTextInput, props, { className: "style" });
};
TextInput.displayName = "CSS(TextInput)";

// AnimatedScrollView
export const AnimatedScrollView = (
  props: React.ComponentProps<typeof Animated.ScrollView> & {
    className?: string;
    contentClassName?: string;
    contentContainerClassName?: string;
  }
) => {
  return useCssElement(Animated.ScrollView, props, {
    className: "style",
    contentClassName: "contentContainerStyle",
    contentContainerClassName: "contentContainerStyle",
  });
};

// TouchableHighlight with underlayColor extraction
function XXTouchableHighlight(
  props: React.ComponentProps<typeof RNTouchableHighlight>
) {
  const { underlayColor, ...style } = StyleSheet.flatten(props.style) || {};
  return (
    <RNTouchableHighlight
      underlayColor={underlayColor}
      {...props}
      style={style}
    />
  );
}

export const TouchableHighlight = (
  props: React.ComponentProps<typeof RNTouchableHighlight>
) => {
  return useCssElement(XXTouchableHighlight, props, { className: "style" });
};
TouchableHighlight.displayName = "CSS(TouchableHighlight)";

Image Component (src/tw/image.tsx)

import { useCssElement } from "react-native-css";
import React from "react";
import { StyleSheet } from "react-native";
import Animated from "react-native-reanimated";
import { Image as RNImage } from "expo-image";

const AnimatedExpoImage = Animated.createAnimatedComponent(RNImage);

export type ImageProps = React.ComponentProps<typeof Image>;

function CSSImage(props: React.ComponentProps<typeof AnimatedExpoImage>) {
  // @ts-expect-error: Remap objectFit style to contentFit property
  const { objectFit, objectPosition, ...style } =
    StyleSheet.flatten(props.style) || {};

  return (
    <AnimatedExpoImage
      contentFit={objectFit}
      contentPosition={objectPosition}
      {...props}
      source={
        typeof props.source === "string" ? { uri: props.source } : props.source
      }
      // @ts-expect-error: Style is remapped above
      style={style}
    />
  );
}

export const Image = (
  props: React.ComponentProps<typeof CSSImage> & { className?: string }
) => {
  return useCssElement(CSSImage, props, { className: "style" });
};

Image.displayName = "CSS(Image)";

Animated Components (src/tw/animated.tsx)

import * as TW from "./index";
import RNAnimated from "react-native-reanimated";

export const Animated = {
  ...RNAnimated,
  View: RNAnimated.createAnimatedComponent(TW.View),
};

Imported: Custom Theme Variables

Add custom theme variables in your global.css using @theme:

@layer theme {
  @theme {
    /* Custom fonts */
    --font-rounded: "SF Pro Rounded", sans-serif;

    /* Custom line heights */
    --text-xs--line-height: calc(1em / 0.75);
    --text-sm--line-height: calc(1.25em / 0.875);
    --text-base--line-height: calc(1.5em / 1);

    /* Custom leading scales */
    --leading-tight: 1.25em;
    --leading-snug: 1.375em;
    --leading-normal: 1.5em;
  }
}

Imported: Platform-Specific Styles

Use platform media queries for platform-specific styling:

@media ios {
  :root {
    --font-sans: system-ui;
    --font-rounded: ui-rounded;
  }
}

@media android {
  :root {
    --font-sans: normal;
    --font-rounded: normal;
  }
}

Imported: Apple System Colors with CSS Variables

Create a CSS file for Apple semantic colors:

/* src/css/sf.css */
@layer base {
  html {
    color-scheme: light;
  }
}

:root {
  /* Accent colors with light/dark mode */
  --sf-blue: light-dark(rgb(0 122 255), rgb(10 132 255));
  --sf-green: light-dark(rgb(52 199 89), rgb(48 209 89));
  --sf-red: light-dark(rgb(255 59 48), rgb(255 69 58));

  /* Gray scales */
  --sf-gray: light-dark(rgb(142 142 147), rgb(142 142 147));
  --sf-gray-2: light-dark(rgb(174 174 178), rgb(99 99 102));

  /* Text colors */
  --sf-text: light-dark(rgb(0 0 0), rgb(255 255 255));
  --sf-text-2: light-dark(rgb(60 60 67 / 0.6), rgb(235 235 245 / 0.6));

  /* Background colors */
  --sf-bg: light-dark(rgb(255 255 255), rgb(0 0 0));
  --sf-bg-2: light-dark(rgb(242 242 247), rgb(28 28 30));
}

/* iOS native colors via platformColor */
@media ios {
  :root {
    --sf-blue: platformColor(systemBlue);
    --sf-green: platformColor(systemGreen);
    --sf-red: platformColor(systemRed);
    --sf-gray: platformColor(systemGray);
    --sf-text: platformColor(label);
    --sf-text-2: platformColor(secondaryLabel);
    --sf-bg: platformColor(systemBackground);
    --sf-bg-2: platformColor(secondarySystemBackground);
  }
}

/* Register as Tailwind theme colors */
@layer theme {
  @theme {
    --color-sf-blue: var(--sf-blue);
    --color-sf-green: var(--sf-green);
    --color-sf-red: var(--sf-red);
    --color-sf-gray: var(--sf-gray);
    --color-sf-text: var(--sf-text);
    --color-sf-text-2: var(--sf-text-2);
    --color-sf-bg: var(--sf-bg);
    --color-sf-bg-2: var(--sf-bg-2);
  }
}

Then use in components:

<Text className="text-sf-text">Primary text</Text>
<Text className="text-sf-text-2">Secondary text</Text>
<View className="bg-sf-bg">...</View>

Imported: Using CSS Variables in JavaScript

Use the useCSSVariable hook:

import { useCSSVariable } from "@/tw";

function MyComponent() {
  const blue = useCSSVariable("--sf-blue");

  return <View style={{ borderColor: blue }} />;
}

Imported: Key Differences from NativeWind v4 / Tailwind v3

1. No babel.config.js - Configuration is now CSS-first
2. PostCSS plugin - Uses @tailwindcss/postcss instead of tailwindcss
3. CSS imports - Use @import "tailwindcss/..." instead of @tailwind directives
4. Theme config - Use @theme in CSS instead of tailwind.config.js
5. Component wrappers - Must wrap components with useCssElement for className support
6. Metro config - Use withNativewind with different options (inlineVariables: false)

Imported: Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.