shadcn-layouts
Generate correct shadcn/Tailwind layouts by applying CSS mental models. This skill should be used when the user asks to 'create a shadcn layout', 'fix layout issues', 'debug CSS height problems', 'make scrolling work', or has issues with Tailwind flex/grid. Keywords: shadcn, Tailwind, layout, CSS, flex, grid, height, scroll, overflow.
Works with
---
name: shadcn-layouts
description: Generate correct shadcn/Tailwind layouts by applying CSS mental models. This skill should be used when the user asks to 'create a shadcn layout', 'fix layout issues', 'debug CSS height problems', 'make scrolling work', or has issues with Tailwind flex/grid. Keywords: shadcn, Tailwind, layout, CSS, flex, grid, height, scroll, overflow.
license: MIT
---
# shadcn/Tailwind Layouts
Help generate shadcn/Tailwind components that render correctly the first time. Most agent-generated UI fails due to missing mental models about how CSS layout works—not syntax errors, but assumption gaps.
## When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when:
- Creating shadcn/Tailwind layouts
- Debugging height/scroll issues
- Fixing flex/grid problems
- Setting up full-page app shells
Do NOT use this skill when:
- Writing backend code
- Working on non-Tailwind CSS projects
- Designing (use frontend-design first)
## Core Principle
**CSS layout flows from constraints. Height flows down from explicit ancestors. Width flows up from content. Agents fail because they apply classes without understanding the constraint chain.**
## Critical Mental Models
### Model 1: Height Inheritance Chain
`h-full` means `height: 100%`. 100% of what? **100% of the parent's computed height.**
```
BROKEN (chain incomplete):
<html> <!-- no height -->
<body> <!-- no height -->
<div class="h-full"> <!-- 100% of nothing = 0 -->
WORKING (chain complete):
<html class="h-full"> <!-- 100% of viewport -->
<body class="h-full"> <!-- 100% of html -->
<div class="h-full"> <!-- 100% of body = works -->
```
**Rule:** Trace from element up to `<html>`. Every ancestor needs explicit height, OR use viewport units (`h-screen`) to break the chain.
### Model 2: Flex Overflow Gotcha
Flex children have implicit `min-height: auto`, preventing shrinking below content size.
```tsx
// BROKEN (won't scroll)
<div className="flex flex-col h-screen">
<main className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto"> {/* Can't shrink! */}
// WORKING (scrolls correctly)
<div className="flex flex-col h-screen">
<main className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto min-h-0"> {/* Can shrink */}
```
**Rule:** Flex children that scroll need `min-h-0`. Children that shouldn't shrink need `shrink-0`.
### Model 3: Grid Parent/Child Separation
Grid is defined on the **parent**. Children just occupy cells.
```tsx
// BROKEN
<div className="grid-cols-3"> {/* Missing 'grid'! */}
// WORKING
<div className="grid grid-cols-3"> {/* 'grid' enables grid-cols-* */}
```
**Rule:** `flex` or `grid` must be declared on parent before direction/template classes work.
### Model 4: Scroll Container Dimensions
Scroll containers need **explicit dimensions** to know when to scroll.
```tsx
// BROKEN (never scrolls)
<ScrollArea> {/* No height constraint */}
// WORKING (flex-constrained)
<div className="flex flex-col h-screen">
<ScrollArea className="flex-1 min-h-0">
```
## Diagnostic States
### SL1: Height Chain Broken
**Symptoms:** Elements collapse, `h-full` not working
**Fix:** Trace to html, add heights or use `h-screen`
### SL2: Flex Overflow Blocked
**Symptoms:** Scroll doesn't work, content overflows
**Fix:** Add `min-h-0` to flex children that scroll
### SL3: Grid Structure Wrong
**Symptoms:** Items stack vertically instead of columns
**Fix:** Ensure `grid grid-cols-*` on parent
### SL4: Styles Not Applying
**Symptoms:** Unstyled components, colors wrong
**Fix:** Check Tailwind content paths, CSS variables in globals.css
### SL5: Component Dependencies Missing
**Symptoms:** "Module not found", functionality broken
**Fix:** `npx shadcn add [component]`, install peer deps
## Common Layout Patterns
### Full-Page App Shell
```tsx
// layout.tsx
<html lang="en" className="h-full">
<body className="h-full">{children}</body>
</html>
// page.tsx
<div className="flex h-full">
<aside className="w-64 shrink-0 border-r overflow-y-auto">
<nav>...</nav>
</aside>
<main className="flex-1 min-w-0 overflow-y-auto">
{children}
</main>
</div>
```
### Dashboard with Header
```tsx
<div className="flex flex-col h-screen">
<header className="h-16 shrink-0 border-b">...</header>
<div className="flex flex-1 min-h-0">
<aside className="w-64 shrink-0 border-r overflow-y-auto">...</aside>
<main className="flex-1 min-w-0 overflow-y-auto p-6">
{children}
</main>
</div>
</div>
```
### Card Grid
```tsx
<div className="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-6">
{items.map(item => (
<Card key={item.id}>
<CardHeader><CardTitle>{item.title}</CardTitle></CardHeader>
<CardContent>{item.content}</CardContent>
</Card>
))}
</div>
```
## Anti-Patterns
### The Height Assumption
Using `h-full` without verifying ancestor chain.
**Fix:** Trace to html. Use `h-screen` to break chain.
### The Overflow Ignorance
Adding `overflow-y-auto` without `min-h-0` on flex children.
**Fix:** Flex children need `min-h-0` to shrink.
### The Import Guess
Guessing import paths like `shadcn/ui`.
**Fix:** Check `components.json` for alias. Usually `@/components/ui/*`.
### The Flat Compound
Flattening compound components (Dialog without DialogTrigger/DialogContent).
**Fix:** Maintain required nesting structure.
## Pre-Generation Checklist
- [ ] Import alias known (`@/components/ui/*`)
- [ ] html has `h-full`
- [ ] body has `h-full` or `min-h-full`
- [ ] Scroll containers have explicit height
- [ ] Flex scroll children have `min-h-0`
- [ ] Fixed elements have `shrink-0`
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