Pikacss Expert

Purpose

Use this skill to assist users with PikaCSS, an Atomic CSS-in-JS engine that transforms CSS-in-JS code into atomic CSS at build time. This skill provides expert guidance on syntax, configuration, plugins, best practices, and troubleshooting.

When to Use This Skill

• User asks about PikaCSS features, concepts, or usage
• User needs help writing pika() style declarations
• User wants to configure PikaCSS (config file, plugins, shortcuts, etc.)
• User needs TypeScript autocomplete or type safety guidance
• User asks about selectors, nested styles, or special properties
• User wants to use or create plugins (icons, reset, typography, custom)
• User needs integration help (Vite, Nuxt, Webpack, Rspack, esbuild, Farm)
• Troubleshooting PikaCSS-related issues

Core Concepts

What is PikaCSS?

PikaCSS is an Atomic CSS-in-JS engine that lets you:

• Write styles in familiar CSS-in-JS syntax (no utility class memorization)
• Output atomic CSS classes for optimal performance
• Transform styles at build time (zero runtime overhead)
• Support any framework (framework-agnostic)
• Get TypeScript autocomplete and type safety

⚠️ Zero Runtime Constraint: Because PikaCSS transforms styles at build time, all arguments to pika() functions must be statically analyzable. Runtime variables, dynamic expressions, or function calls are not supported.

Key Benefits:

• Zero learning curve (just use CSS property names)
• Zero runtime (build-time transformation)
• Small CSS bundle size (atomic CSS deduplication)
• Excellent DX (TypeScript support, style preview)

Basic Usage

The pika() Function

The main API is the pika() function with three variants:

// pika.str(...) - Returns space-separated class names (default)
const classes = pika.str({ color: 'red', fontSize: '16px' })
// Returns: "a b"

// pika.arr(...) - Returns array of class names
const classList = pika.arr({ color: 'red', fontSize: '16px' })
// Returns: ["a", "b"]

// pika.inl(...) - Returns inline class string (unquoted)
const inline = `class="${pika.inl({ color: 'red' })}"`
// Returns: "class=a"

// Short form defaults to .str
const shorthand = pika({ color: 'red' })
// Same as pika.str({ color: 'red' })

⚠️ Build-Time Evaluation: All pika() arguments are evaluated at build time:

// ✅ VALID - Static values
const classes = pika({ color: 'red', fontSize: '16px' })

// ✅ VALID - String literals
const primary = pika({ color: '#3b82f6' })

// ❌ INVALID - Runtime variables
const userColor = getUserColor() // Runtime function
const classes = pika({ color: userColor }) // ERROR: Cannot evaluate at build time

// ❌ INVALID - Dynamic expressions
const size = props.size // Runtime prop
const classes = pika({ fontSize: size }) // ERROR: Dynamic value

// ✅ SOLUTION - Use CSS variables for runtime values
const classes = pika({ color: 'var(--user-color)' })
// Then set the variable at runtime: style={{ '--user-color': userColor }}

Style Objects

pika({
  // Standard CSS properties
  display: 'flex',
  alignItems: 'center',
  padding: '1rem',
  
  // camelCase or kebab-case both work
  backgroundColor: '#fff',
  'background-color': '#fff',
  
  // Numbers or strings
  margin: 0,
  fontSize: '16px',
})

Selectors and Nesting

The $ Symbol

Use $ to represent the current element's selector (the atomic class):

pika({
  'color': 'black',
  
  // Pseudo-classes
  '$:hover': {
    color: 'blue',
  },
  '$:active': {
    transform: 'scale(0.98)',
  },
  
  // Pseudo-elements
  '$::before': {
    content: '"*"',
    color: 'red',
  },
  '$::after': {
    content: '""',
    display: 'block',
  },
  
  // Combinators
  '$ > span': {
    fontWeight: 'bold',
  },
  '$ + div': {
    marginTop: '1rem',
  },
  '$ ~ p': {
    color: 'gray',
  },
  
  // Class combinations
  '$.active': {
    backgroundColor: 'yellow',
  },
  '$.disabled:hover': {
    cursor: 'not-allowed',
  },
  
  // Parent selectors
  'div > $': {
    margin: '1rem',
  },
  '.container $': {
    padding: '1rem',
  },
})

Output: Each selector gets transformed to CSS:

• $:hover → .xxx:hover
• $::before → .xxx::before
• $ > span → .xxx > span
• $.active → .xxx.active
• div > $ → div > .xxx

Nested Structures

pika({
  'display': 'grid',
  'gap': '1rem',
  
  // Media query with selectors
  '@media (min-width: 768px)': {
    '$:hover': {
      transform: 'scale(1.05)',
    },
  },
  
  // Selector with media query
  '$:hover': {
    '@media (prefers-reduced-motion)': {
      transition: 'none',
    },
  },
  
  // Complex nesting
  '$.active::before': {
    'content': '"✓"',
    '@media (max-width: 768px)': {
      display: 'none',
    },
  },
  
  // Feature queries
  '@supports (display: grid)': {
    '$ > *': {
      gridColumn: 'span 2',
    },
  },
})

Limit: Nesting is limited to 5 levels (sufficient for most use cases).

Special Properties

__important

Adds !important to all properties:

pika({
  __important: true,
  color: 'red',
  fontSize: '16px'
})
// Output: color: red !important; font-size: 16px !important;

__shortcut

Apply shortcuts within style objects:

// Single shortcut
pika({
  __shortcut: 'btn',
  color: 'blue'
})

// Multiple shortcuts
pika({
  __shortcut: ['btn', 'text-center']
})

Shortcuts

Shortcuts are reusable style combinations defined in pika.config.ts:

Static Shortcuts

export default defineEngineConfig({
  shortcuts: {
    shortcuts: [
      ['flex-center', {
        display: 'flex',
        alignItems: 'center',
        justifyContent: 'center',
      }],
      ['card', {
        padding: '1rem',
        borderRadius: '0.5rem',
        boxShadow: '0 2px 10px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)',
      }],
    ]
  }
})

Dynamic Shortcuts

shortcuts: [
  // Pattern matching with transform function
  [/^m-(\d+)$/, m => ({ margin: `${m[1]}px` }), ['m-4', 'm-8', 'm-16']],
  [/^p-(\d+)$/, m => ({ padding: `${m[1]}px` }), ['p-4', 'p-8']],
  [/^grid-cols-(\d+)$/, m => ({
    display: 'grid',
    gridTemplateColumns: `repeat(${m[1]}, minmax(0, 1fr))`
  }), ['grid-cols-2', 'grid-cols-3', 'grid-cols-4']],
]

Third parameter provides autocomplete suggestions.

Using Shortcuts

// Direct string usage
pika('flex-center')
pika('flex-center', 'card')
pika('m-4')

// Combine with style objects
pika('flex-center', { color: 'blue' })

// Using __shortcut property
pika({
  __shortcut: 'flex-center',
  color: 'blue',
})

Configuration

Create pika.config.ts in your project root:

/// <reference path="./src/pika.gen.ts" />

import { defineEngineConfig } from '@pikacss/core'
// Or from integration packages:
// import { defineEngineConfig } from '@pikacss/unplugin-pikacss'

export default defineEngineConfig({
  // Register plugins
  plugins: [
    icons(),
    reset(),
  ],
  
  // Prefix for atomic class IDs
  prefix: 'pika-',
  
  // Default selector format (% = atomic ID)
  defaultSelector: '.%',
  // Or use attribute selector: '[data-pika~="%"]'
  
  // Global CSS (CSS variables, animations, resets)
  preflights: [
    ':root { --color-primary: #3b82f6; }',
    // Or function:
    ({ engine, isFormatted }) => {
      return '/* Generated preflight */'
    }
  ],
  
  // Shortcuts configuration
  shortcuts: {
    shortcuts: [
      ['flex-center', { display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center' }],
    ]
  },
  
  // Other plugin options...
  icons: {
    prefix: 'i-',
    scale: 1,
  },
})

Important: Always add /// <reference path="./src/pika.gen.ts" /> at the top for TypeScript support.

Plugin System

Core Plugins (Built-in)

• variables: CSS custom properties management
• keyframes: @keyframes animations
• selectors: Custom selector transformations
• shortcuts: Style shortcuts
• important: !important declarations

Official Plugins

Icons Plugin

npm install -D @pikacss/plugin-icons

import { icons } from '@pikacss/plugin-icons'

export default defineEngineConfig({
  plugins: [icons()],
  icons: {
    prefix: 'i-',
    scale: 1.2,
    collections: ['mdi', 'carbon'],
  }
})

Reset Plugin

npm install -D @pikacss/plugin-reset

import { reset } from '@pikacss/plugin-reset'

export default defineEngineConfig({
  plugins: [reset()],
  reset: 'modern-normalize' // 'modern-normalize' | 'normalize' | 'andy-bell' | 'eric-meyer' | 'the-new-css-reset'
})

Typography Plugin

npm install -D @pikacss/plugin-typography

pika.config.ts:

import { defineEngineConfig } from '@pikacss/core'
import { typography } from '@pikacss/plugin-typography'

export default defineEngineConfig({
  plugins: [
    typography({
      variables: {
        '--pk-prose-color-body': '#374151',
        '--pk-prose-color-headings': '#111827',
      }
    })
  ]
})

Usage:

// Complete prose (all typography styles)
pika('prose')

// Modular shortcuts - each automatically includes prose-base
pika('prose-headings prose-paragraphs')
pika('prose-headings prose-code prose-lists')

// Common combinations
pika('prose-headings prose-paragraphs prose-links prose-emphasis prose-lists') // Blog post
pika('prose-headings prose-paragraphs prose-code prose-lists prose-links') // Technical docs
pika('prose-headings prose-paragraphs prose-links prose-quotes prose-media') // News article
pika('prose-headings prose-paragraphs prose-tables') // Data page

// Size modifiers (includes full prose styles)
pika('prose-sm')  // Small
pika('prose-lg')  // Large
pika('prose-xl')  // Extra large
pika('prose-2xl') // 2X large

Available modular shortcuts (each includes prose-base automatically):

• prose-base - Base container styles (color, max-width, font-size, line-height)
• prose-paragraphs - Paragraph and lead text styles (includes prose-base)
• prose-links - Link styles (includes prose-base)
• prose-emphasis - Strong/em styles (includes prose-base)
• prose-kbd - Keyboard input styles (includes prose-base)
• prose-lists - List styles (ul, ol, li, dl, dt, dd) (includes prose-base)
• prose-hr - Horizontal rule (includes prose-base)
• prose-headings - h1-h4 styles (includes prose-base)
• prose-quotes - Blockquote styles (includes prose-base)
• prose-media - Image/video/figure styles (includes prose-base)
• prose-code - Code/pre styles (includes prose-base)
• prose-tables - Table styles (includes prose-base)
• prose - Combines all modular shortcuts (not prose-base directly, but includes it through modular shortcuts)

Modular benefits:

• ✅ Smaller CSS bundle (only load what you need)
• ✅ Better performance (less CSS to parse)
• ✅ More flexible (combine exactly what you need)
• ✅ Easier debugging (know exactly which styles are applied)
• ✅ Automatic deduplication (engine removes duplicate prose-base)

Plugin Configuration Pattern

export default defineEngineConfig({
  // 1. Register plugin in plugins array
  plugins: [icons()],
  
  // 2. Configure at root level
  icons: {
    prefix: 'i-',
    scale: 1,
  }
})

Common mistake: Don't forget to call the plugin function: plugins: [icons()] not plugins: [icons]

Framework Integration

Vite

npm install -D @pikacss/unplugin-pikacss

// vite.config.ts
import { defineConfig } from 'vite'
import pikacss from '@pikacss/unplugin-pikacss/vite'

export default defineConfig({
  plugins: [
    pikacss({ /* options */ })
  ]
})

Nuxt

npm install -D @pikacss/nuxt-pikacss

// nuxt.config.ts
export default defineNuxtConfig({
  modules: ['@pikacss/nuxt-pikacss'],
  pikacss: {
    // options
  }
})

Webpack / Rspack / esbuild / Farm

All use the unplugin adapter:

npm install -D @pikacss/unplugin-pikacss

See integration documentation for specific bundler setup.

TypeScript Support

PikaCSS automatically generates type definitions:

1. Auto-generated file: src/pika.gen.ts (or configured location)
2. Autocomplete: Get suggestions for shortcuts, selectors, CSS properties
3. Type safety: Catch errors at compile time
4. Style preview: Hover over pikap() function to see generated CSS

Previewing Styles

Use pikap() instead of pika() to enable hover preview:

// Hover over pikap() to see generated CSS
const classes = pikap({
  color: 'red',
  fontSize: '16px',
})

Best Practices

1. Organize Shortcuts Logically

// Layout shortcuts
['flex-center', ...],
['grid-cols-3', ...],

// Component shortcuts
['btn', ...],
['card', ...],

// Utility shortcuts
[/^m-(\d+)$/, ...],
[/^p-(\d+)$/, ...],

2. Use Composition

Create small, focused shortcuts and compose them:

['btn-base', { padding: '0.5rem 1rem', borderRadius: '0.25rem' }],
['btn-primary', { __shortcut: 'btn-base', backgroundColor: 'blue', color: 'white' }],
['btn-secondary', { __shortcut: 'btn-base', backgroundColor: 'gray', color: 'white' }],

3. Provide Autocomplete

Always include autocomplete array for dynamic shortcuts:

[/^m-(\d+)$/, m => ({ margin: `${m[1]}px` }), ['m-4', 'm-8', 'm-16', 'm-24']],

4. Use Semantic Names

// Good
['primary-button', ...],
['error-message', ...],

// Avoid
['blue-btn', ...],
['red-text', ...],

5. Leverage Preflights for Global Styles

Use preflights for CSS variables, global animations, and base styles:

preflights: [
  ':root { --primary: #3b82f6; --secondary: #64748b; }',
  '@keyframes fadeIn { from { opacity: 0; } to { opacity: 1; } }',
]

Common Patterns

Responsive Design

pika({
  'width': '100%',
  '@media (min-width: 640px)': {
    width: '50%',
  },
  '@media (min-width: 1024px)': {
    width: '33.333%',
  },
})

Dark Mode

pika({
  'backgroundColor': '#fff',
  'color': '#000',
  '@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark)': {
    backgroundColor: '#000',
    color: '#fff',
  },
})

Component Variants

// Define shortcuts for variants
shortcuts: [
  ['btn-base', {
    display: 'inline-flex',
    padding: '0.5rem 1rem',
    borderRadius: '0.25rem',
    cursor: 'pointer',
  }],
  ['btn-sm', { __shortcut: 'btn-base', padding: '0.25rem 0.5rem', fontSize: '14px' }],
  ['btn-lg', { __shortcut: 'btn-base', padding: '0.75rem 1.5rem', fontSize: '18px' }],
]

// Usage
<button className={pika('btn-sm')}>Small</button>
<button className={pika('btn-base')}>Normal</button>
<button className={pika('btn-lg')}>Large</button>

Troubleshooting

Issue: Styles Not Applied

1. Verify the generated CSS file is imported in your entry file
2. Check pika.gen.css exists in the output directory
3. Ensure the build tool plugin is correctly configured
4. Check browser DevTools to see if classes are present

Issue: TypeScript Errors

1. Add /// <reference path="./src/pika.gen.ts" /> to config file
2. Ensure pika.gen.ts is generated (run dev/build once)
3. Restart TypeScript server (VS Code: "TypeScript: Restart TS Server")

Issue: Shortcuts Not Working

1. Verify shortcut is defined in pika.config.ts
2. Check shortcut name matches exactly (case-sensitive)
3. For dynamic shortcuts, ensure pattern matches input
4. Rebuild to regenerate type definitions

Issue: Build Performance

1. Use filters when working in monorepos
2. Keep shortcuts focused and avoid overly complex patterns
3. Minimize deep nesting (remember 5-level limit)

Reference Documentation

For detailed information, refer to:

• API Reference - Complete API documentation
• Plugin Hooks - Plugin development details
• Examples - Real-world usage patterns

Key Reminders

1. PikaCSS is build-time only - No runtime overhead; all pika() arguments must be statically analyzable
2. No runtime code in pika() calls - Cannot use variables, function calls, or dynamic expressions that are only available at runtime
3. Use CSS variables for dynamic values - When you need runtime flexibility, use CSS custom properties
4. Use $ for selectors - Represents current atomic class
5. Shortcuts are powerful - Use them for reusable patterns
6. TypeScript is first-class - Always configure properly
7. Framework agnostic - Works with any framework
8. Atomic CSS output - Small, optimized CSS bundles
9. Zero learning curve - Just CSS properties, no memorization

Example: Complete Setup

// pika.config.ts
/// <reference path="./src/pika.gen.ts" />

import { defineEngineConfig } from '@pikacss/unplugin-pikacss'
import { icons } from '@pikacss/plugin-icons'
import { reset } from '@pikacss/plugin-reset'

export default defineEngineConfig({
  plugins: [icons(), reset()],
  
  prefix: 'pika-',
  
  preflights: [
    ':root { --primary: #3b82f6; --secondary: #64748b; }',
  ],
  
  shortcuts: {
    shortcuts: [
      // Layout
      ['flex-center', {
        display: 'flex',
        alignItems: 'center',
        justifyContent: 'center',
      }],
      
      // Components
      ['btn', {
        display: 'inline-flex',
        alignItems: 'center',
        padding: '0.5rem 1rem',
        borderRadius: '0.25rem',
        cursor: 'pointer',
      }],
      
      // Utilities
      [/^m-(\d+)$/, m => ({ margin: `${m[1]}px` }), ['m-4', 'm-8', 'm-16']],
    ]
  },
  
  icons: {
    prefix: 'i-',
    scale: 1,
  },
  
  reset: 'modern-normalize',
})

// App.tsx

function App() {
  return (
    <div className={pika('flex-center', { height: '100vh' })}>
      <button className={pika('btn', {
        'backgroundColor': 'var(--primary)',
        'color': 'white',
        '$:hover': {
          backgroundColor: 'var(--secondary)',
        },
      })}>
        Click Me
      </button>
    </div>
  )
}

Debugging and Troubleshooting

Quick Debug Checklist

1. Verify pika.gen.{css,ts} exist
2. Check import 'pika.css' in entry
3. Inspect element → classes → computed styles
4. Network tab → CSS loaded?
5. Console → errors?
6. Source → pika() transformed?
7. Config → plugin loaded?

Common Fixes

• No styles: Import pika.css, check gen files, verify Network tab
• pika undefined: Add /// <reference path="./pika.gen.ts" />, ensure file is in scan.include, restart TS
• TS errors: Update tsconfig.json includes, restart TS server
• No HMR: Check scan patterns, restart dev

Performance Tips

Build: Optimize scan patterns, use shortcuts for repeated styles Runtime: CSS bundle 5-100KB (atomic, auto-optimized) Loading: Inline critical CSS or preload, enable minification

Migration Quick Reference

Tailwind → PikaCSS: class="flex p-4" → pika({ display: 'flex', padding: '1rem' }) Styled → PikaCSS: Replace & with $, use shortcuts for reuse Key: Build-time only - use CSS variables for runtime values

Testing Best Practice

Test computed styles, not class names:

const styles = window.getComputedStyle(button)
expect(styles.backgroundColor).toBe('rgb(59, 130, 246)')

Additional Documentation

• Real-World Examples
• Performance Optimization
• Testing & Debugging
• SSR/SSG Guide
• Plugin Development
• Comparison Guide
• Migration Guide
• FAQ
• Contributing