20 Tailwind CSS Kbd Keys
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All 20 in 20 Tailwind CSS Kbd Keys

  1. 01Tailwind CSS Kbd Tag Styling for Inline Keyboard Keys
  2. 02Tailwind 3D Keycap Button with Press-Down Effect
  3. 03Tailwind Keyboard Shortcut Combo with Plus Separators
  4. 04Flat Minimalist Tailwind Kbd Key for Body Text
  5. 05Responsive Tailwind Kbd Sizing with Em Units
  6. 06Tailwind Mac Cmd vs Windows Ctrl Shortcut Toggle
  7. 07Tailwind Arrow Keys and Navigation Key Layout
  8. 08Auto-Detect OS Keyboard Shortcuts (Cmd or Ctrl) in Tailwind
  9. 09Tailwind Keyboard Layout with Function Keys and Space Bar
  10. 10Tailwind Icon Keycaps with Inline SVG
  11. 11Tailwind Search Input with Cmd+K Shortcut Hint
  12. 12Tailwind Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet Grid
  13. 13Tailwind Tooltip with Keyboard Shortcut Hint
  14. 14Tailwind Keyboard Shortcut Settings Table
  15. 15Live Key Press Visualizer with Tailwind CSS
  16. 16Neumorphic Keycap Design in Tailwind CSS
  17. 17Glassmorphism Keyboard Keys in Tailwind CSS
  18. 18Retro Typewriter Round Keys in Tailwind CSS
  19. 19Terminal-Style Monospace Kbd Keys in Tailwind
  20. 20Dark Mode Kbd Keys with Tailwind CSS Variables
Tailwind + JSMIT licensed

Live Key Press Visualizer with Tailwind CSS

A keystroke visualizer for screencasts and docs: focus the pad, press anything, and each press appears as a cap group — modifiers included, so Ctrl + Shift + K shows as one chord. Caps animate in with zero JS via starting: (@starting-style), leave via a data-out: variant, and a readout shows event.key beside event.code so the difference is visible.

Live Demo
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The code

<section id="kbd-15-root" class="kbd-15 relative w-full min-h-svh scheme-light kbd15-dark:scheme-dark bg-kbd15-bg bg-[radial-gradient(70%_55%_at_50%_45%,var(--color-kbd15-glow),transparent_70%)] text-kbd15-ink font-kbd15-sans" aria-label="Live key press feedback demo">
  <div class="grid min-h-svh place-items-center px-5 pt-20 pb-12">
    <div class="grid w-full min-w-0 max-w-[40rem] justify-items-center gap-6 text-center">
      <button type="button" data-pad class="group grid min-h-56 w-full place-content-center gap-5 rounded-3xl border border-dashed border-kbd15-rim bg-kbd15-pad p-6 transition-[border-color,box-shadow] focus:border-solid focus:border-kbd15-acc focus:shadow-[0_0_0_4px_var(--color-kbd15-ring)] focus:outline-none motion-reduce:transition-none">
        <span data-idle class="text-[15px] text-kbd15-mut"><span class="group-focus:hidden">Click here, then press any key</span><span class="hidden group-focus:inline">Listening — press any key or chord</span></span>
        <span data-list aria-live="polite" class="flex min-h-14 flex-wrap items-center justify-center gap-3"></span>
      </button>
      <p data-readout class="min-h-5 font-kbd15-mono text-[12.5px] text-kbd15-mut">key · code readout appears here</p>
      <p class="text-[12.5px] text-kbd15-mut">One group per physical press · repeats suppressed · Tab still moves focus</p>
      <kbd data-chip hidden class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-2xl bg-kbd15-tray p-1.5 ring-1 ring-kbd15-rule transition-[opacity,translate,scale] duration-300 ease-out starting:translate-y-3 starting:scale-90 starting:opacity-0 data-out:-translate-y-2 data-out:opacity-0 motion-reduce:transition-none"></kbd>
      <kbd data-cap hidden class="inline-flex h-14 min-w-14 items-center justify-center rounded-xl border border-kbd15-caprim bg-linear-to-b from-kbd15-captop to-kbd15-cap px-4 font-kbd15-mono text-lg font-semibold text-kbd15-capink shadow-[0_4px_0_var(--color-kbd15-edge)]"></kbd>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="absolute top-3.5 right-4 z-10">
    <input id="kbd-15-theme" type="checkbox" class="peer sr-only">
    <label for="kbd-15-theme" class="inline-flex min-h-11 cursor-pointer select-none items-center gap-2.5 rounded-full border border-current/55 px-4 font-sans text-[11px] font-bold uppercase leading-none tracking-[0.16em] text-kbd15-ink transition-colors hover:border-current peer-focus-visible:outline-3 peer-focus-visible:outline-offset-2 peer-focus-visible:outline-kbd15-acc">
      <span aria-hidden="true" class="size-3 flex-none rounded-full bg-current transition-[background-color,box-shadow] duration-300 kbd15-dark:bg-transparent kbd15-dark:shadow-[inset_-4px_-2px_0_0_currentColor] motion-reduce:transition-none"></span>
      <span class="kbd15-dark:hidden">Light</span><span class="hidden kbd15-dark:inline">Dark</span><span class="sr-only"> theme</span>
    </label>
  </div>
</section>
@import "tailwindcss";
/* Theme state: follows the OS; the corner switch flips it for THIS demo only. */

@custom-variant kbd15-dark {
  @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
    &:where(.kbd-15:not(:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked)), .kbd-15:not(:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked)) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }

  @media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
    &:where(.kbd-15:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked), .kbd-15:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }
}
/* Every colour is light-dark(day, night): the root's scheme-light / scheme-dark utility picks the side. */

@theme {
  --color-kbd15-bg: light-dark(#eef0f4, #08090c);
  --color-kbd15-bg: light-dark(oklch(0.955 0.006 264.5), oklch(0.14 0.007 269.7));
  --color-kbd15-glow: light-dark(#dfe5ff, #141a33);
  --color-kbd15-glow: light-dark(oklch(0.925 0.036 275.4), oklch(0.226 0.049 271.8));
  --color-kbd15-pad: light-dark(#ffffff, #0f1116);
  --color-kbd15-pad: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.178 0.011 268.1));
  --color-kbd15-ring: light-dark(#4f6bed33, #7c93ff40);
  --color-kbd15-ring: light-dark(oklch(0.579 0.198 270 / 0.2), oklch(0.694 0.16 272.5 / 0.25));
  --color-kbd15-ink: light-dark(#151821, #e9ebf2);
  --color-kbd15-ink: light-dark(oklch(0.21 0.018 270.4), oklch(0.941 0.01 273.4));
  --color-kbd15-mut: light-dark(#585f6e, #979eae);
  --color-kbd15-mut: light-dark(oklch(0.485 0.026 265.6), oklch(0.699 0.025 266.8));
  --color-kbd15-rim: light-dark(#c4cad6, #2f3442);
  --color-kbd15-rim: light-dark(oklch(0.838 0.018 264.5), oklch(0.326 0.026 269.6));
  --color-kbd15-rule: light-dark(#dde1ea, #23283a);
  --color-kbd15-rule: light-dark(oklch(0.909 0.013 266.7), oklch(0.28 0.034 272.1));
  --color-kbd15-tray: light-dark(#f1f3f8, #161a26);
  --color-kbd15-tray: light-dark(oklch(0.964 0.007 268.5), oklch(0.22 0.024 270.1));
  --color-kbd15-cap: light-dark(#f6f7fb, #222838);
  --color-kbd15-cap: light-dark(oklch(0.977 0.005 275), oklch(0.278 0.031 268.5));
  --color-kbd15-captop: light-dark(#ffffff, #2d3449);
  --color-kbd15-captop: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.328 0.039 270));
  --color-kbd15-caprim: light-dark(#c9cfdb, #3d4560);
  --color-kbd15-caprim: light-dark(oklch(0.853 0.018 264.5), oklch(0.395 0.047 271.4));
  --color-kbd15-edge: light-dark(#a9b0c0, #040509);
  --color-kbd15-edge: light-dark(oklch(0.757 0.024 266.9), oklch(0.116 0.012 270.7));
  --color-kbd15-capink: light-dark(#1c2030, #eef0f8);
  --color-kbd15-capink: light-dark(oklch(0.247 0.031 273.1), oklch(0.956 0.011 274.9));
  --color-kbd15-acc: light-dark(#4f6bed, #7c93ff);
  --color-kbd15-acc: light-dark(oklch(0.579 0.198 270), oklch(0.694 0.16 272.5));
  --font-kbd15-sans: 'Space Grotesk', system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-kbd15-mono: 'JetBrains Mono', ui-monospace, monospace;
}
/* Root rule: the full-bleed contract, stated in CSS as well as utilities so the stage is sized before the browser build compiles. */

.kbd-15 {
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100svh;
  position: relative;
}
(() => {
  const root = document.getElementById('kbd-15-root');
  if (!root || root.dataset.wired) return;
  root.dataset.wired = '1';
  const pad = root.querySelector('[data-pad]'), list = root.querySelector('[data-list]');
  const chip = root.querySelector('[data-chip]'), cap = root.querySelector('[data-cap]'), readout = root.querySelector('[data-readout]');
  const isMac = /mac/i.test(navigator.userAgentData?.platform || navigator.platform);
  const names = { ' ': 'Space', Escape: 'Esc', Control: 'Ctrl', Meta: isMac ? '\u2318' : 'Win', ArrowUp: '\u2191', ArrowDown: '\u2193', ArrowLeft: '\u2190', ArrowRight: '\u2192' };
  const label = (k) => names[k] ?? (k.length === 1 ? k.toUpperCase() : k);
  const clone = (el) => { const c = el.cloneNode(); c.removeAttribute('hidden'); return c; };
  pad.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => {
    if (e.repeat || e.key === 'Tab') return;
    e.preventDefault();
    const mods = [e.ctrlKey && 'Control', e.altKey && 'Alt', e.shiftKey && 'Shift', e.metaKey && 'Meta'].filter((m) => m && m !== e.key);
    const g = clone(chip);
    [...mods, e.key].forEach((k) => { const c = clone(cap); c.textContent = label(k); g.append(c); });
    list.append(g);
    readout.textContent = 'key: "' + e.key + '" \u00b7 code: "' + e.code + '"';
    while (list.childElementCount > 4) list.firstElementChild.remove();
    setTimeout(() => { g.setAttribute('data-out', ''); setTimeout(() => g.remove(), 300); }, 1600);
  });
})();

Setup — do this once per project

Skip this if your project already runs Tailwind v4.

1Load Tailwind
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@tailwindcss/browser@4"></script>

Compiles in the browser — perfect for a CodePen or a quick test, not for production.

2Add the stylesheetRequiredthe @theme block is what makes the custom utilities exist
@import "tailwindcss";
/* Theme state: follows the OS; the corner switch flips it for THIS demo only. */

@custom-variant kbd15-dark {
  @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
    &:where(.kbd-15:not(:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked)), .kbd-15:not(:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked)) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }

  @media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
    &:where(.kbd-15:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked), .kbd-15:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }
}
/* Every colour is light-dark(day, night): the root's scheme-light / scheme-dark utility picks the side. */

@theme {
  --color-kbd15-bg: light-dark(#eef0f4, #08090c);
  --color-kbd15-bg: light-dark(oklch(0.955 0.006 264.5), oklch(0.14 0.007 269.7));
  --color-kbd15-glow: light-dark(#dfe5ff, #141a33);
  --color-kbd15-glow: light-dark(oklch(0.925 0.036 275.4), oklch(0.226 0.049 271.8));
  --color-kbd15-pad: light-dark(#ffffff, #0f1116);
  --color-kbd15-pad: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.178 0.011 268.1));
  --color-kbd15-ring: light-dark(#4f6bed33, #7c93ff40);
  --color-kbd15-ring: light-dark(oklch(0.579 0.198 270 / 0.2), oklch(0.694 0.16 272.5 / 0.25));
  --color-kbd15-ink: light-dark(#151821, #e9ebf2);
  --color-kbd15-ink: light-dark(oklch(0.21 0.018 270.4), oklch(0.941 0.01 273.4));
  --color-kbd15-mut: light-dark(#585f6e, #979eae);
  --color-kbd15-mut: light-dark(oklch(0.485 0.026 265.6), oklch(0.699 0.025 266.8));
  --color-kbd15-rim: light-dark(#c4cad6, #2f3442);
  --color-kbd15-rim: light-dark(oklch(0.838 0.018 264.5), oklch(0.326 0.026 269.6));
  --color-kbd15-rule: light-dark(#dde1ea, #23283a);
  --color-kbd15-rule: light-dark(oklch(0.909 0.013 266.7), oklch(0.28 0.034 272.1));
  --color-kbd15-tray: light-dark(#f1f3f8, #161a26);
  --color-kbd15-tray: light-dark(oklch(0.964 0.007 268.5), oklch(0.22 0.024 270.1));
  --color-kbd15-cap: light-dark(#f6f7fb, #222838);
  --color-kbd15-cap: light-dark(oklch(0.977 0.005 275), oklch(0.278 0.031 268.5));
  --color-kbd15-captop: light-dark(#ffffff, #2d3449);
  --color-kbd15-captop: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.328 0.039 270));
  --color-kbd15-caprim: light-dark(#c9cfdb, #3d4560);
  --color-kbd15-caprim: light-dark(oklch(0.853 0.018 264.5), oklch(0.395 0.047 271.4));
  --color-kbd15-edge: light-dark(#a9b0c0, #040509);
  --color-kbd15-edge: light-dark(oklch(0.757 0.024 266.9), oklch(0.116 0.012 270.7));
  --color-kbd15-capink: light-dark(#1c2030, #eef0f8);
  --color-kbd15-capink: light-dark(oklch(0.247 0.031 273.1), oklch(0.956 0.011 274.9));
  --color-kbd15-acc: light-dark(#4f6bed, #7c93ff);
  --color-kbd15-acc: light-dark(oklch(0.579 0.198 270), oklch(0.694 0.16 272.5));
  --font-kbd15-sans: 'Space Grotesk', system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-kbd15-mono: 'JetBrains Mono', ui-monospace, monospace;
}
/* Root rule: the full-bleed contract, stated in CSS as well as utilities so the stage is sized before the browser build compiles. */

.kbd-15 {
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100svh;
  position: relative;
}
3Fonts used by this demooptional — skip if you have your own type stack
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Space+Grotesk:wght@400..700&family=JetBrains+Mono:wght@500;600;700&display=swap">

What changed in the port

Which parts became utilities, which stayed CSS, and why.

  • Runtime class strings ('kbd-15__key kbd-15__key--wide') became cloned prototypes, so the Tailwind browser build has seen every utility before the script uses it — and the script contains no class names at all.
  • The exit animation moved from a JS-timed class to a data-out: variant; the entry is pure starting:.
  • UI upgrade: modifier chords now render as one group (Ctrl + Shift + K) instead of three unrelated caps, and a live event.key / event.code readout teaches the difference.
  • UI upgrade: the listener is scoped to the pad instead of document, so the demo no longer swallows keys typed elsewhere on the page, and Tab still escapes.
Paste this into ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, or any coding assistant. The block below is pre-framed with everything the AI needs to integrate this demo into your project — markup, styles, scoping notes, and the source URL. Hit Copy and paste straight into your chat.
Here's a working CSS demo from CodeFronts. Use it as-is or adapt to your framework. All classes are scoped under a unique prefix so the code won't collide with your existing styles. MIT licensed.
Demo: Live Key Press Visualizer with Tailwind CSS
Source: https://codefronts.com/snippets/tailwind-css-kbd-keys/live-key-press-visualizer-tailwind-css/

A keystroke visualizer for screencasts and docs: focus the pad, press anything, and each press appears as a cap group — modifiers included, so Ctrl + Shift + K shows as one chord. Caps animate in with zero JS via starting: (@starting-style), leave via a data-out: variant, and a readout shows event.key beside event.code so the difference is visible.
## HTML
```html
<section id="kbd-15-root" class="kbd-15 relative w-full min-h-svh scheme-light kbd15-dark:scheme-dark bg-kbd15-bg bg-[radial-gradient(70%_55%_at_50%_45%,var(--color-kbd15-glow),transparent_70%)] text-kbd15-ink font-kbd15-sans" aria-label="Live key press feedback demo">
  <div class="grid min-h-svh place-items-center px-5 pt-20 pb-12">
    <div class="grid w-full min-w-0 max-w-[40rem] justify-items-center gap-6 text-center">
      <button type="button" data-pad class="group grid min-h-56 w-full place-content-center gap-5 rounded-3xl border border-dashed border-kbd15-rim bg-kbd15-pad p-6 transition-[border-color,box-shadow] focus:border-solid focus:border-kbd15-acc focus:shadow-[0_0_0_4px_var(--color-kbd15-ring)] focus:outline-none motion-reduce:transition-none">
        <span data-idle class="text-[15px] text-kbd15-mut"><span class="group-focus:hidden">Click here, then press any key</span><span class="hidden group-focus:inline">Listening — press any key or chord</span></span>
        <span data-list aria-live="polite" class="flex min-h-14 flex-wrap items-center justify-center gap-3"></span>
      </button>
      <p data-readout class="min-h-5 font-kbd15-mono text-[12.5px] text-kbd15-mut">key · code readout appears here</p>
      <p class="text-[12.5px] text-kbd15-mut">One group per physical press · repeats suppressed · Tab still moves focus</p>
      <kbd data-chip hidden class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 rounded-2xl bg-kbd15-tray p-1.5 ring-1 ring-kbd15-rule transition-[opacity,translate,scale] duration-300 ease-out starting:translate-y-3 starting:scale-90 starting:opacity-0 data-out:-translate-y-2 data-out:opacity-0 motion-reduce:transition-none"></kbd>
      <kbd data-cap hidden class="inline-flex h-14 min-w-14 items-center justify-center rounded-xl border border-kbd15-caprim bg-linear-to-b from-kbd15-captop to-kbd15-cap px-4 font-kbd15-mono text-lg font-semibold text-kbd15-capink shadow-[0_4px_0_var(--color-kbd15-edge)]"></kbd>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="absolute top-3.5 right-4 z-10">
    <input id="kbd-15-theme" type="checkbox" class="peer sr-only">
    <label for="kbd-15-theme" class="inline-flex min-h-11 cursor-pointer select-none items-center gap-2.5 rounded-full border border-current/55 px-4 font-sans text-[11px] font-bold uppercase leading-none tracking-[0.16em] text-kbd15-ink transition-colors hover:border-current peer-focus-visible:outline-3 peer-focus-visible:outline-offset-2 peer-focus-visible:outline-kbd15-acc">
      <span aria-hidden="true" class="size-3 flex-none rounded-full bg-current transition-[background-color,box-shadow] duration-300 kbd15-dark:bg-transparent kbd15-dark:shadow-[inset_-4px_-2px_0_0_currentColor] motion-reduce:transition-none"></span>
      <span class="kbd15-dark:hidden">Light</span><span class="hidden kbd15-dark:inline">Dark</span><span class="sr-only"> theme</span>
    </label>
  </div>
</section>
```
## CSS
```css
@import "tailwindcss";
/* Theme state: follows the OS; the corner switch flips it for THIS demo only. */

@custom-variant kbd15-dark {
  @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
    &:where(.kbd-15:not(:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked)), .kbd-15:not(:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked)) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }

  @media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
    &:where(.kbd-15:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked), .kbd-15:has(#kbd-15-theme:checked) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }
}
/* Every colour is light-dark(day, night): the root's scheme-light / scheme-dark utility picks the side. */

@theme {
  --color-kbd15-bg: light-dark(#eef0f4, #08090c);
  --color-kbd15-bg: light-dark(oklch(0.955 0.006 264.5), oklch(0.14 0.007 269.7));
  --color-kbd15-glow: light-dark(#dfe5ff, #141a33);
  --color-kbd15-glow: light-dark(oklch(0.925 0.036 275.4), oklch(0.226 0.049 271.8));
  --color-kbd15-pad: light-dark(#ffffff, #0f1116);
  --color-kbd15-pad: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.178 0.011 268.1));
  --color-kbd15-ring: light-dark(#4f6bed33, #7c93ff40);
  --color-kbd15-ring: light-dark(oklch(0.579 0.198 270 / 0.2), oklch(0.694 0.16 272.5 / 0.25));
  --color-kbd15-ink: light-dark(#151821, #e9ebf2);
  --color-kbd15-ink: light-dark(oklch(0.21 0.018 270.4), oklch(0.941 0.01 273.4));
  --color-kbd15-mut: light-dark(#585f6e, #979eae);
  --color-kbd15-mut: light-dark(oklch(0.485 0.026 265.6), oklch(0.699 0.025 266.8));
  --color-kbd15-rim: light-dark(#c4cad6, #2f3442);
  --color-kbd15-rim: light-dark(oklch(0.838 0.018 264.5), oklch(0.326 0.026 269.6));
  --color-kbd15-rule: light-dark(#dde1ea, #23283a);
  --color-kbd15-rule: light-dark(oklch(0.909 0.013 266.7), oklch(0.28 0.034 272.1));
  --color-kbd15-tray: light-dark(#f1f3f8, #161a26);
  --color-kbd15-tray: light-dark(oklch(0.964 0.007 268.5), oklch(0.22 0.024 270.1));
  --color-kbd15-cap: light-dark(#f6f7fb, #222838);
  --color-kbd15-cap: light-dark(oklch(0.977 0.005 275), oklch(0.278 0.031 268.5));
  --color-kbd15-captop: light-dark(#ffffff, #2d3449);
  --color-kbd15-captop: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.328 0.039 270));
  --color-kbd15-caprim: light-dark(#c9cfdb, #3d4560);
  --color-kbd15-caprim: light-dark(oklch(0.853 0.018 264.5), oklch(0.395 0.047 271.4));
  --color-kbd15-edge: light-dark(#a9b0c0, #040509);
  --color-kbd15-edge: light-dark(oklch(0.757 0.024 266.9), oklch(0.116 0.012 270.7));
  --color-kbd15-capink: light-dark(#1c2030, #eef0f8);
  --color-kbd15-capink: light-dark(oklch(0.247 0.031 273.1), oklch(0.956 0.011 274.9));
  --color-kbd15-acc: light-dark(#4f6bed, #7c93ff);
  --color-kbd15-acc: light-dark(oklch(0.579 0.198 270), oklch(0.694 0.16 272.5));
  --font-kbd15-sans: 'Space Grotesk', system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-kbd15-mono: 'JetBrains Mono', ui-monospace, monospace;
}
/* Root rule: the full-bleed contract, stated in CSS as well as utilities so the stage is sized before the browser build compiles. */

.kbd-15 {
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100svh;
  position: relative;
}
```

## JavaScript
```js
(() => {
  const root = document.getElementById('kbd-15-root');
  if (!root || root.dataset.wired) return;
  root.dataset.wired = '1';
  const pad = root.querySelector('[data-pad]'), list = root.querySelector('[data-list]');
  const chip = root.querySelector('[data-chip]'), cap = root.querySelector('[data-cap]'), readout = root.querySelector('[data-readout]');
  const isMac = /mac/i.test(navigator.userAgentData?.platform || navigator.platform);
  const names = { ' ': 'Space', Escape: 'Esc', Control: 'Ctrl', Meta: isMac ? '\u2318' : 'Win', ArrowUp: '\u2191', ArrowDown: '\u2193', ArrowLeft: '\u2190', ArrowRight: '\u2192' };
  const label = (k) => names[k] ?? (k.length === 1 ? k.toUpperCase() : k);
  const clone = (el) => { const c = el.cloneNode(); c.removeAttribute('hidden'); return c; };
  pad.addEventListener('keydown', (e) => {
    if (e.repeat || e.key === 'Tab') return;
    e.preventDefault();
    const mods = [e.ctrlKey && 'Control', e.altKey && 'Alt', e.shiftKey && 'Shift', e.metaKey && 'Meta'].filter((m) => m && m !== e.key);
    const g = clone(chip);
    [...mods, e.key].forEach((k) => { const c = clone(cap); c.textContent = label(k); g.append(c); });
    list.append(g);
    readout.textContent = 'key: "' + e.key + '" \u00b7 code: "' + e.code + '"';
    while (list.childElementCount > 4) list.firstElementChild.remove();
    setTimeout(() => { g.setAttribute('data-out', ''); setTimeout(() => g.remove(), 300); }, 1600);
  });
})();
```

How this works

The script clones; Tailwind styles. Classes added at runtime must exist somewhere Tailwind can scan, so the chip and cap are real elements with hidden, cloned on each press:

<kbd data-chip hidden class="… transition duration-300
  starting:opacity-0 starting:translate-y-3 data-out:opacity-0">

key, not code. event.key is the character the layout produced (z on AZERTY's W position); event.code is the physical key (KeyW). A display of what the user typed wants key — the readout shows both. Repeat events are dropped so holding a key does not flood the pad.

Make it yours

  • Longer on-screen time for recordings: raise the 1600 ms timeout.
  • Bigger caps for 4K screencasts: h-20 min-w-20 text-2xl on the cap prototype.
  • Global capture: move the listener to document — only for a dedicated overlay page.

Gotchas — read before shipping

  • Browser-reserved shortcuts (Ctrl + W, Cmd + Q) never reach the page; preventDefault() cannot stop them.
  • Tab is passed through untouched so keyboard users can leave the pad.
  • @starting-style needs Chrome 117 / Safari 17.5 / Firefox 129; older engines show caps without the entry animation.

Browser support

ChromeSafariFirefoxEdge
123+17.5+129+123+

starting: compiles to @starting-style (Firefox 129+); without it caps appear instantly. Tailwind v4 + light-dark() set the rest of the floor.

Techniques used in this demo

Utilitiesfirst-class utility or variant

@starting-styletw ↗prefers-reduced-motiontw ↗

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