20 Tailwind CSS Kbd Keys
03 / 20

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
Pure TailwindMIT licensed

Tailwind Keyboard Shortcut Combo with Plus Separators

The two shapes a shortcut takes, styled so they can never be confused: chords (held together) sit in one shared tray joined by +, while sequences (pressed in order) float free with a then pill between them. The outer <kbd> wraps inner <kbd>s per the HTML spec, and the separators are siblings with aria-hidden.

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The code

<section class="kbd-03 relative w-full min-h-svh scheme-light kbd03-dark:scheme-dark bg-kbd03-bg text-kbd03-ink font-kbd03-sans" aria-label="Keyboard shortcut chord and sequence demo">
  <div class="grid min-h-svh place-items-center px-5 pt-20 pb-12">
      <section class="w-full min-w-0 max-w-[30rem] rounded-2xl border border-kbd03-rule bg-kbd03-panel p-6 shadow-[0_1px_2px_var(--color-kbd03-shade),0_12px_32px_-12px_var(--color-kbd03-shade)] sm:p-7">
        <header class=" flex flex-wrap items-baseline justify-between gap-x-3 gap-y-1"><h2 class="text-lg font-semibold tracking-tight">Chords</h2><p class="text-xs text-kbd03-mut">Held together · joined by plus</p></header>
        <ul class="mt-2">
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Copy selection</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1 rounded-[10px] bg-kbd03-tray p-1 ring-1 ring-kbd03-rule"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Ctrl</kbd><span class="px-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium text-kbd03-mut" aria-hidden="true">+</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">C</kbd></kbd></li>
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Toggle sidebar</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1 rounded-[10px] bg-kbd03-tray p-1 ring-1 ring-kbd03-rule"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Ctrl</kbd><span class="px-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium text-kbd03-mut" aria-hidden="true">+</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">B</kbd></kbd></li>
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Split editor right</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1 rounded-[10px] bg-kbd03-tray p-1 ring-1 ring-kbd03-rule"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Ctrl</kbd><span class="px-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium text-kbd03-mut" aria-hidden="true">+</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Shift</kbd><span class="px-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium text-kbd03-mut" aria-hidden="true">+</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Backslash</kbd></kbd></li>
        </ul>
        <header class="mt-7 flex flex-wrap items-baseline justify-between gap-x-3 gap-y-1"><h2 class="text-lg font-semibold tracking-tight">Sequences</h2><p class="text-xs text-kbd03-mut">Pressed in order · separated by then</p></header>
        <ul class="mt-2">
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Go to pull requests</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">G</kbd><span class="rounded-full bg-kbd03-thenbg px-2 py-1 text-[10px] font-bold uppercase leading-none tracking-[0.12em] text-kbd03-then">then</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">P</kbd></kbd></li>
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Go to issues</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">G</kbd><span class="rounded-full bg-kbd03-thenbg px-2 py-1 text-[10px] font-bold uppercase leading-none tracking-[0.12em] text-kbd03-then">then</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">I</kbd></kbd></li>
        </ul>
      </section>
  </div>
  <div class="absolute top-3.5 right-4 z-10">
    <input id="kbd-03-theme" type="checkbox" class="peer sr-only">
    <label for="kbd-03-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-kbd03-ink transition-colors hover:border-current peer-focus-visible:outline-3 peer-focus-visible:outline-offset-2 peer-focus-visible:outline-kbd03-acc">
      <span aria-hidden="true" class="size-3 flex-none rounded-full bg-current transition-[background-color,box-shadow] duration-300 kbd03-dark:bg-transparent kbd03-dark:shadow-[inset_-4px_-2px_0_0_currentColor] motion-reduce:transition-none"></span>
      <span class="kbd03-dark:hidden">Light</span><span class="hidden kbd03-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 kbd03-dark {
  @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
    &:where(.kbd-03:not(:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked)), .kbd-03:not(:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked)) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }

  @media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
    &:where(.kbd-03:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked), .kbd-03:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }
}
/* Every colour is light-dark(day, night): the root's scheme-light / scheme-dark utility picks the side. */

@theme {
  --color-kbd03-bg: light-dark(#eef1f5, #0f1318);
  --color-kbd03-bg: light-dark(oklch(0.957 0.006 255.5), oklch(0.185 0.012 254.1));
  --color-kbd03-panel: light-dark(#ffffff, #171c23);
  --color-kbd03-panel: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.225 0.016 256.8));
  --color-kbd03-shade: light-dark(#1a2a3d1f, #00000080);
  --color-kbd03-shade: light-dark(oklch(0.28 0.041 253.4 / 0.12), oklch(0 0 0 / 0.5));
  --color-kbd03-ink: light-dark(#16202b, #e6ecf2);
  --color-kbd03-ink: light-dark(oklch(0.239 0.026 251.3), oklch(0.94 0.01 247.9));
  --color-kbd03-mut: light-dark(#536173, #94a2b3);
  --color-kbd03-mut: light-dark(oklch(0.488 0.034 254.8), oklch(0.707 0.03 253.3));
  --color-kbd03-rule: light-dark(#e1e6ec, #262d37);
  --color-kbd03-rule: light-dark(oklch(0.923 0.01 252.8), oklch(0.295 0.021 257.3));
  --color-kbd03-cap: light-dark(#ffffff, #232a35);
  --color-kbd03-cap: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.283 0.023 259.4));
  --color-kbd03-rim: light-dark(#c6cfda, #3b4655);
  --color-kbd03-rim: light-dark(oklch(0.851 0.018 253.4), oklch(0.39 0.029 256.2));
  --color-kbd03-edge: light-dark(#aeb9c6, #06080b);
  --color-kbd03-edge: light-dark(oklch(0.781 0.022 252.5), oklch(0.133 0.008 254.4));
  --color-kbd03-capink: light-dark(#1d2834, #e3eaf2);
  --color-kbd03-capink: light-dark(oklch(0.272 0.027 251), oklch(0.934 0.013 251.6));
  --color-kbd03-tray: light-dark(#eef2f6, #10151b);
  --color-kbd03-tray: light-dark(oklch(0.959 0.007 247.9), oklch(0.193 0.014 253.2));
  --color-kbd03-then: light-dark(#6e35b8, #c8a6f7);
  --color-kbd03-then: light-dark(oklch(0.476 0.194 298.6), oklch(0.784 0.118 303.1));
  --color-kbd03-thenbg: light-dark(#f1e8fc, #2a2140);
  --color-kbd03-thenbg: light-dark(oklch(0.944 0.028 306), oklch(0.274 0.057 295.8));
  --color-kbd03-acc: light-dark(#2f6fd6, #7aa8f5);
  --color-kbd03-acc: light-dark(oklch(0.557 0.172 259.7), oklch(0.73 0.123 260.3));
  --font-kbd03-sans: 'Geist', system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-kbd03-mono: 'Geist 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-03 {
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100svh;
  position: relative;
}

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 kbd03-dark {
  @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
    &:where(.kbd-03:not(:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked)), .kbd-03:not(:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked)) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }

  @media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
    &:where(.kbd-03:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked), .kbd-03:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }
}
/* Every colour is light-dark(day, night): the root's scheme-light / scheme-dark utility picks the side. */

@theme {
  --color-kbd03-bg: light-dark(#eef1f5, #0f1318);
  --color-kbd03-bg: light-dark(oklch(0.957 0.006 255.5), oklch(0.185 0.012 254.1));
  --color-kbd03-panel: light-dark(#ffffff, #171c23);
  --color-kbd03-panel: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.225 0.016 256.8));
  --color-kbd03-shade: light-dark(#1a2a3d1f, #00000080);
  --color-kbd03-shade: light-dark(oklch(0.28 0.041 253.4 / 0.12), oklch(0 0 0 / 0.5));
  --color-kbd03-ink: light-dark(#16202b, #e6ecf2);
  --color-kbd03-ink: light-dark(oklch(0.239 0.026 251.3), oklch(0.94 0.01 247.9));
  --color-kbd03-mut: light-dark(#536173, #94a2b3);
  --color-kbd03-mut: light-dark(oklch(0.488 0.034 254.8), oklch(0.707 0.03 253.3));
  --color-kbd03-rule: light-dark(#e1e6ec, #262d37);
  --color-kbd03-rule: light-dark(oklch(0.923 0.01 252.8), oklch(0.295 0.021 257.3));
  --color-kbd03-cap: light-dark(#ffffff, #232a35);
  --color-kbd03-cap: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.283 0.023 259.4));
  --color-kbd03-rim: light-dark(#c6cfda, #3b4655);
  --color-kbd03-rim: light-dark(oklch(0.851 0.018 253.4), oklch(0.39 0.029 256.2));
  --color-kbd03-edge: light-dark(#aeb9c6, #06080b);
  --color-kbd03-edge: light-dark(oklch(0.781 0.022 252.5), oklch(0.133 0.008 254.4));
  --color-kbd03-capink: light-dark(#1d2834, #e3eaf2);
  --color-kbd03-capink: light-dark(oklch(0.272 0.027 251), oklch(0.934 0.013 251.6));
  --color-kbd03-tray: light-dark(#eef2f6, #10151b);
  --color-kbd03-tray: light-dark(oklch(0.959 0.007 247.9), oklch(0.193 0.014 253.2));
  --color-kbd03-then: light-dark(#6e35b8, #c8a6f7);
  --color-kbd03-then: light-dark(oklch(0.476 0.194 298.6), oklch(0.784 0.118 303.1));
  --color-kbd03-thenbg: light-dark(#f1e8fc, #2a2140);
  --color-kbd03-thenbg: light-dark(oklch(0.944 0.028 306), oklch(0.274 0.057 295.8));
  --color-kbd03-acc: light-dark(#2f6fd6, #7aa8f5);
  --color-kbd03-acc: light-dark(oklch(0.557 0.172 259.7), oklch(0.73 0.123 260.3));
  --font-kbd03-sans: 'Geist', system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-kbd03-mono: 'Geist 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-03 {
  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=Geist:wght@400..700&family=Geist+Mono:wght@400;500&display=swap">

What changed in the port

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

  • The --then modifier class became its own utility list on the separator — no BEM modifiers survive the port.
  • .kbd-03__item:last-child became last:border-0 on the <li>.
  • UI upgrade: chords now share a tray, so “held together” is visible at a glance instead of relying on the separator glyph alone.
  • UI upgrade: the then separator became a high-contrast pill (6.9:1), and combos wrap instead of overflowing on 320px screens.
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: Tailwind Keyboard Shortcut Combo with Plus Separators
Source: https://codefronts.com/snippets/tailwind-css-kbd-keys/tailwind-keyboard-shortcut-combo-plus-separators/

The two shapes a shortcut takes, styled so they can never be confused: chords (held together) sit in one shared tray joined by +, while sequences (pressed in order) float free with a then pill between them. The outer <kbd> wraps inner <kbd>s per the HTML spec, and the separators are siblings with aria-hidden.
## HTML
```html
<section class="kbd-03 relative w-full min-h-svh scheme-light kbd03-dark:scheme-dark bg-kbd03-bg text-kbd03-ink font-kbd03-sans" aria-label="Keyboard shortcut chord and sequence demo">
  <div class="grid min-h-svh place-items-center px-5 pt-20 pb-12">
      <section class="w-full min-w-0 max-w-[30rem] rounded-2xl border border-kbd03-rule bg-kbd03-panel p-6 shadow-[0_1px_2px_var(--color-kbd03-shade),0_12px_32px_-12px_var(--color-kbd03-shade)] sm:p-7">
        <header class=" flex flex-wrap items-baseline justify-between gap-x-3 gap-y-1"><h2 class="text-lg font-semibold tracking-tight">Chords</h2><p class="text-xs text-kbd03-mut">Held together · joined by plus</p></header>
        <ul class="mt-2">
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Copy selection</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1 rounded-[10px] bg-kbd03-tray p-1 ring-1 ring-kbd03-rule"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Ctrl</kbd><span class="px-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium text-kbd03-mut" aria-hidden="true">+</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">C</kbd></kbd></li>
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Toggle sidebar</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1 rounded-[10px] bg-kbd03-tray p-1 ring-1 ring-kbd03-rule"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Ctrl</kbd><span class="px-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium text-kbd03-mut" aria-hidden="true">+</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">B</kbd></kbd></li>
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Split editor right</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-1 rounded-[10px] bg-kbd03-tray p-1 ring-1 ring-kbd03-rule"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Ctrl</kbd><span class="px-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium text-kbd03-mut" aria-hidden="true">+</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Shift</kbd><span class="px-0.5 text-[11px] font-medium text-kbd03-mut" aria-hidden="true">+</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">Backslash</kbd></kbd></li>
        </ul>
        <header class="mt-7 flex flex-wrap items-baseline justify-between gap-x-3 gap-y-1"><h2 class="text-lg font-semibold tracking-tight">Sequences</h2><p class="text-xs text-kbd03-mut">Pressed in order · separated by then</p></header>
        <ul class="mt-2">
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Go to pull requests</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">G</kbd><span class="rounded-full bg-kbd03-thenbg px-2 py-1 text-[10px] font-bold uppercase leading-none tracking-[0.12em] text-kbd03-then">then</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">P</kbd></kbd></li>
          <li class="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-4 gap-y-2 border-b border-kbd03-rule py-3 last:border-0"><span class="min-w-0 text-[14.5px]">Go to issues</span><kbd class="inline-flex flex-wrap items-center gap-2"><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">G</kbd><span class="rounded-full bg-kbd03-thenbg px-2 py-1 text-[10px] font-bold uppercase leading-none tracking-[0.12em] text-kbd03-then">then</span><kbd class="inline-flex h-7 min-w-7 items-center justify-center rounded-md border border-kbd03-rim bg-kbd03-cap px-2 font-kbd03-mono text-xs font-medium leading-none text-kbd03-capink shadow-[0_1px_0_var(--color-kbd03-edge)]">I</kbd></kbd></li>
        </ul>
      </section>
  </div>
  <div class="absolute top-3.5 right-4 z-10">
    <input id="kbd-03-theme" type="checkbox" class="peer sr-only">
    <label for="kbd-03-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-kbd03-ink transition-colors hover:border-current peer-focus-visible:outline-3 peer-focus-visible:outline-offset-2 peer-focus-visible:outline-kbd03-acc">
      <span aria-hidden="true" class="size-3 flex-none rounded-full bg-current transition-[background-color,box-shadow] duration-300 kbd03-dark:bg-transparent kbd03-dark:shadow-[inset_-4px_-2px_0_0_currentColor] motion-reduce:transition-none"></span>
      <span class="kbd03-dark:hidden">Light</span><span class="hidden kbd03-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 kbd03-dark {
  @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
    &:where(.kbd-03:not(:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked)), .kbd-03:not(:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked)) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }

  @media (prefers-color-scheme: light) {
    &:where(.kbd-03:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked), .kbd-03:has(#kbd-03-theme:checked) *) {
      @slot;
    }
  }
}
/* Every colour is light-dark(day, night): the root's scheme-light / scheme-dark utility picks the side. */

@theme {
  --color-kbd03-bg: light-dark(#eef1f5, #0f1318);
  --color-kbd03-bg: light-dark(oklch(0.957 0.006 255.5), oklch(0.185 0.012 254.1));
  --color-kbd03-panel: light-dark(#ffffff, #171c23);
  --color-kbd03-panel: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.225 0.016 256.8));
  --color-kbd03-shade: light-dark(#1a2a3d1f, #00000080);
  --color-kbd03-shade: light-dark(oklch(0.28 0.041 253.4 / 0.12), oklch(0 0 0 / 0.5));
  --color-kbd03-ink: light-dark(#16202b, #e6ecf2);
  --color-kbd03-ink: light-dark(oklch(0.239 0.026 251.3), oklch(0.94 0.01 247.9));
  --color-kbd03-mut: light-dark(#536173, #94a2b3);
  --color-kbd03-mut: light-dark(oklch(0.488 0.034 254.8), oklch(0.707 0.03 253.3));
  --color-kbd03-rule: light-dark(#e1e6ec, #262d37);
  --color-kbd03-rule: light-dark(oklch(0.923 0.01 252.8), oklch(0.295 0.021 257.3));
  --color-kbd03-cap: light-dark(#ffffff, #232a35);
  --color-kbd03-cap: light-dark(oklch(1 0 0), oklch(0.283 0.023 259.4));
  --color-kbd03-rim: light-dark(#c6cfda, #3b4655);
  --color-kbd03-rim: light-dark(oklch(0.851 0.018 253.4), oklch(0.39 0.029 256.2));
  --color-kbd03-edge: light-dark(#aeb9c6, #06080b);
  --color-kbd03-edge: light-dark(oklch(0.781 0.022 252.5), oklch(0.133 0.008 254.4));
  --color-kbd03-capink: light-dark(#1d2834, #e3eaf2);
  --color-kbd03-capink: light-dark(oklch(0.272 0.027 251), oklch(0.934 0.013 251.6));
  --color-kbd03-tray: light-dark(#eef2f6, #10151b);
  --color-kbd03-tray: light-dark(oklch(0.959 0.007 247.9), oklch(0.193 0.014 253.2));
  --color-kbd03-then: light-dark(#6e35b8, #c8a6f7);
  --color-kbd03-then: light-dark(oklch(0.476 0.194 298.6), oklch(0.784 0.118 303.1));
  --color-kbd03-thenbg: light-dark(#f1e8fc, #2a2140);
  --color-kbd03-thenbg: light-dark(oklch(0.944 0.028 306), oklch(0.274 0.057 295.8));
  --color-kbd03-acc: light-dark(#2f6fd6, #7aa8f5);
  --color-kbd03-acc: light-dark(oklch(0.557 0.172 259.7), oklch(0.73 0.123 260.3));
  --font-kbd03-sans: 'Geist', system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-kbd03-mono: 'Geist 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-03 {
  width: 100%;
  min-height: 100svh;
  position: relative;
}
```

How this works

Visual grammar carries meaning. A chord and a sequence with the same separator teach users to hold keys meant to be tapped. Here a chord is one physical group:

<kbd class="inline-flex gap-1 rounded-[10px] bg-kbd03-tray p-1 ring-1">
  <kbd …>Ctrl</kbd><span aria-hidden="true">+</span><kbd …>C</kbd>
</kbd>

A sequence keeps the caps apart and spells the word then — a real word, read aloud by screen readers, while the decorative + is hidden.

Make it yours

  • Use a thin arrow instead of then only if you keep the word in a sr-only span.
  • Tighter trays for dense UIs: p-0.5 gap-0.5 rounded-lg.
  • Mono vs sans labels: swap font-kbd03-mono for font-kbd03-sans.

Gotchas — read before shipping

  • Hide the visual + and let the key names stand, or add sr-only “plus” text if your audience needs it.
  • Never nest a separator inside a key; it becomes part of the key's name.
  • ring-* draws a box-shadow; it will not clip with overflow-hidden parents the way a border does.

Browser support

ChromeSafariFirefoxEdge
123+17.5+128+123+

Tailwind v4's own sheet needs Chrome 111 / Safari 16.4 / Firefox 128 (cascade layers, @property, color-mix()); the light-dark() theme tokens raise the floor to Chrome 123 / Safari 17.5.

Techniques used in this demo

Utilitiesfirst-class utility or variant

flexboxtw ↗

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