fix(design-tokens): add gotchas for @theme var resolution and default mode inversion#45
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KailasMahavarkar merged 1 commit intomainfrom Apr 11, 2026
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… mode inversion - @theme generates Tailwind utilities, NOT CSS custom properties on :root. If :root references var() values only defined in @theme, they resolve to undefined at runtime — all text/backgrounds go white. - Before refactoring a site's color system, verify its existing aesthetic direction. Dark-first sites break if :root is set to light values.
KailasMahavarkar
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Apr 14, 2026
fix(design-tokens): add gotchas for @theme var resolution and default mode inversion
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Two production-critical gotchas added to the design-tokens plugin:
@theme does NOT emit CSS custom properties on :root — If :root uses var(--color-brand-400) and that value is only defined in @theme, the var() resolves to undefined at runtime, making all text/backgrounds white. Correct architecture: raw OKLCH values on :root and .dark, @theme inline bridges to utilities.
Respect aesthetic direction before inverting defaults — If a codebase uses dark backgrounds with light text everywhere, dark IS the default. Setting :root to light values breaks 90% of text until every component is migrated.