# Tailwindcss external build process

**URL:** <https://forum.pinegrow.com/t/tailwindcss-external-build-process/10061>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [December 1, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.pinegrow.com/t/tailwindcss-external-build-process/10061 "2024-12-01T17:38:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lutz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/forum.pinegrow.com/lutz/32/6496_2.png) [@Lutz](https://forum.pinegrow.com/u/Lutz)\
**Post date:** [December 1, 2024, 5:38pm UTC](https://forum.pinegrow.com/t/tailwindcss-external-build-process/10061/1 "2024-12-01T17:38:45Z")

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Hi,  
I have a clean Pinegrow 8.2 installation. When I start a new Tailwindcss (3.4.13) project and want to use the external build process, I am prompted to install “npm install @pinegrow/tailwindcss-plugin@latest -D”. This was never the case with Pinegrow 8 and before. Tailwind CSS is activated under Libraries & Plugins Manager. Is it now always necessary to install “npm install @pinegrow/tailwindcss-plugin@latest -D” ?

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**Author:** ![TechAkayy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@TechAkayy](https://forum.pinegrow.com/u/TechAkayy)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 9:57am UTC](https://forum.pinegrow.com/t/tailwindcss-external-build-process/10061/2 "2024-12-02T09:57:41Z")

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Hi @Lutz,

Our `@pinegrow/tailwindcss-plugin` helps match your internal compiler experience in an external build setup. External build setup gives you the full capability to customize your tailwind config & use any tailwind plugins.

Note, it is optional to have it installed, but we highly recommend it. You just have to have it installed in your project, and don’t have to add it anywhere, or run anything, it’s just install-and-forget.

- It provides intellisense by showing all possible (thousands) tailwind classes in the ‘Add class’ and other visual controls. This includes even utilities classes from tailwind plugins, for eg, daisyui, etc (see 1 in below screenshot).
- Automatically customize all visual controls in the tailwind visual builder addon, for eg, see addition of 3xl screen via `tailwind.config.js` and how it automatically got added in the props panel, and you can see it everywhere like class tree, floating panel etc (see 2 in below screenshot).
- It will use the specific tailwind version your project is using, so if you updated your tailwind to a newer version, the new set of utlity classes will automatically show-up in your intellisense.
- You can easily connect your design panel theme with your config (see theme.extend below where we added pg\_colors etc) and all the customized colors, fonts, background image will automatically show in your visual controls and change if you updated them via the DP.

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/pinegrow/original/2X/e/e94f0a6098ba87d4e6e37694feff6d2a6c6f40d7.jpeg)

Any other questions, let us know. Cheers!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lutz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/forum.pinegrow.com/lutz/32/6496_2.png) [@Lutz](https://forum.pinegrow.com/u/Lutz)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 12:22pm UTC](https://forum.pinegrow.com/t/tailwindcss-external-build-process/10061/3 "2024-12-02T12:22:43Z")

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Hi @TechAkayy,

thank you for your reply. That was helpful.