<overview> Protocol for initializing shadcn/ui with Tailwind CSS v4 in a **Vite** project. </overview> <instructions> This skill is Vite-specific due to: - Vite's solution-style `tsconfig.json` (references pattern) - `@tailwindcss/vite` plugin requirement - CSS entry file conventions (`src/index.css`)

For Next.js, Remix, or other frameworks, You MUST use their respective shadcn installation guides.

<question_tool>

•Batching Rule: You MUST use only for 2+ related questions; single questions use plain text.
•Syntax Constraints: header max 12 chars, labels 1-5 words, mark defaults with (Recommended).
•Purpose: Clarify component selection, style preferences, and optional AI elements before running shadcn CLI. </question_tool>

</instructions> <workflow> <phase name="verify-prerequisites"> ## Step 1: Verify Prerequisites Check that the project is ready: - `vite.config.ts` MUST exist. - `package.json` MUST contain `tailwindcss` (v4+) and `@tailwindcss/vite`. - TypeScript MUST be configured.

If prerequisites are missing, You MUST help the user set up Tailwind v4 first. </phase>

<phase name="fix-typescript-aliases"> ## Step 2: Fix TypeScript Aliases The shadcn CLI fails if paths aren't in the root `tsconfig.json`. Vite uses a solution-style config with references, but shadcn doesn't parse those.

Action: You MUST update tsconfig.json to include compilerOptions:

json

{
  "files": [],
  "references": [
    { "path": "./tsconfig.app.json" },
    { "path": "./tsconfig.node.json" }
  ],
  "compilerOptions": {
    "baseUrl": ".",
    "paths": {
      "@/*": ["./src/*"]
    }
  }
}

</phase> <phase name="verify-vite-config"> ## Step 3: Verify Vite Config You MUST confirm `vite.config.ts` has the Tailwind plugin and path alias:

import tailwindcss from "@tailwindcss/vite";
import path from "path";

export default defineConfig({
  plugins: [react(), tailwindcss()],
  resolve: {
    alias: {
      "@": path.resolve(__dirname, "./src"),
    },
  },
});

</phase> <phase name="initialize-shadcn"> ## Step 4: Initialize Shadcn You MUST instruct the user to run: ```bash npx shadcn@latest init ```

You SHOULD recommend these settings:

•Style: New York
•Base Color: Neutral or Zinc
•CSS Variables: Yes

You MUST wait for user confirmation before continuing. </phase>

<phase name="add-components"> ## Step 5: Add Components You MUST instruct the user to run: ```bash npx shadcn@latest add ```

You SHOULD instruct them to select all components (a then Enter).

You MUST wait for user confirmation before continuing. </phase>

<phase name="add-extensions"> ## Step 6: Add Extensions (Optional) If user wants AI elements, You MUST instruct them to run: ```bash npx shadcn@latest add @ai-elements/all ```

You SHOULD instruct them to answer NO to all overwrite prompts.

You MUST wait for user confirmation before continuing. </phase>

<phase name="install-missing-dependencies"> ## Step 7: Install Missing Dependencies The CLI MAY miss dependencies. You MUST check `package.json` and install any missing.

Required packages:

•tw-animate-css (devDep) - v4 replacement for tailwindcss-animate
•tailwind-merge (dep) - used by cn() utility
•clsx (dep) - used by cn() utility
•class-variance-authority (dep) - used by shadcn components

You MUST run if any are missing:

bash

npm install tailwind-merge clsx class-variance-authority
npm install -D tw-animate-css

</phase> <phase name="clean-css"> ## Step 8: Clean CSS for v4 Compliance You MUST rewrite `src/index.css` to match strict v4 structure:

css

@import "tailwindcss";
@import "tw-animate-css";

@custom-variant dark (&:is(.dark *));

@theme inline {
  /* Variable mappings: --color-X: var(--X); */
}

:root {
  /* Token definitions using oklch() */
}

.dark {
  /* Dark mode tokens using oklch() */
}

@layer base {
  * {
    @apply border-border outline-ring/50;
  }
  body {
    @apply bg-background text-foreground;
  }
}

You MUST remove these if present:

•@media (prefers-color-scheme) blocks
•Duplicate @theme blocks (keep only @theme inline)
•@config directives </phase>

<phase name="verify-setup"> ## Step 9: Verify Setup You MUST run typecheck to catch any issues: ```bash npm run lint ```

You MUST fix any TypeScript errors before marking setup complete. </phase>

</workflow>