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CVA - Component Variants Automator
CVA (Component Variants Automator) is a utility library that helps manage CSS class names and variants in a structured and type-safe way, making it easier to create and maintain consistent component styling across applications.
https://cva.design/?ref=aipure
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Product Information
Updated:Feb 28, 2025
What is CVA - Component Variants Automator
Class Variance Authority (CVA) is a powerful utility designed to help developers manage component variants and CSS class names in a more organized and maintainable way. It provides a straightforward API for defining and applying class variants, particularly useful when working with CSS frameworks like Tailwind CSS. CVA is best utilized in Server-Side Rendering (SSR) or Static Site Generation (SSG) environments, offering a lightweight solution for handling component styling variations without requiring client-side JavaScript.
Key Features of CVA - Component Variants Automator
CVA (Component Variants Automator) is a utility library that helps developers manage CSS class names and component variants in a structured and type-safe way. It provides a straightforward API for defining and applying class variants, making it easier to handle different component states without manually modifying each variant, especially useful when working with frameworks like React, Next.js, and styling solutions like Tailwind CSS.
Variant Management: Allows definition of multiple style variants with no limit, including boolean variants and compound variants that can be applied when multiple conditions are met
Type-Safe API: Provides first-class variant API with TypeScript support for maintaining type safety across component variants
Default Variants: Enables setting default styles when no specific variants are provided, ensuring consistent component appearance
Compound Variants: Supports defining styles that apply when multiple variant conditions are met simultaneously
Use Cases of CVA - Component Variants Automator
Design System Development: Creating and maintaining consistent component libraries with multiple style variations across large applications
Component Styling with Tailwind: Managing complex Tailwind CSS class combinations for components with multiple variants and states
Reusable Component Creation: Building flexible, reusable components that can adapt to different contexts and requirements without code duplication
Pros
Improves code maintainability and readability
Reduces manual work in variant management
Provides type safety and better developer experience
Cons
Best used in SSR/SSG environment as it adds JavaScript overhead
May have limitations for complex design systems
Learning curve for new developers
How to Use CVA - Component Variants Automator
Install CVA: Install the CVA library in your project by running 'npm i class-variance-authority'
Import CVA: Import the cva function and VariantProps from class-variance-authority in your component file
Define Base Styles: Create a variable that calls cva() with your base/default styles as the first argument (can be array of class names)
Configure Variants: Add a variants object as the second argument to cva() to define different style variations (like size, intent, color etc)
Add Compound Variants (Optional): Define compound variants to apply styles when multiple variant conditions are met using the compoundVariants property
Set Default Variants (Optional): Specify default values for variants using the defaultVariants property
Create Component Props Interface: Create a props interface that extends both HTML element props and VariantProps from your cva styles
Use in Component: Use the cva function in your component to generate the appropriate class names based on the provided variant props
Apply Variants: When using the component, pass variant props to get the corresponding styles applied
CVA - Component Variants Automator FAQs
CVA (Component Variants Automator) is a tool that automatically generates component variants, primarily designed to save time by automating the repetitive work of creating component variations in design systems.