Understanding Utility-First CSS

Utility-first CSS is a workflow where you build interfaces by composing small, single-purpose classes directly in your markup. Instead of inventing a new CSS selector for every component, you use predictable utilities for spacing, layout, color, typography, borders, shadows, and states.

In this lesson, Professor Amanda Davis introduces the mental model behind Tailwind CSS: design with constraints, compose styles locally, and keep visual decisions visible at the point of use. You will learn why utility classes are different from inline styles, how they reduce context switching, and when duplication should be handled through components rather than custom CSS.