Preline Theme Generator
This file is for the AGENT (LLM) only — not end users.
Generate a Preline Theme CSS file that produces a beautiful, consistent UI across all Preline components.
Docs
docs/step-1.md to docs/step-7.md (detailed workflow guidance)
docs/palette-guidance.md (mood, hue, neutral mapping, OKLCH rules)
docs/validation-checklist.md
docs/token-reference.md
docs/examples.md
Agent workflow (FOLLOW THIS)
When user requests a theme, the agent MUST:
Step 1: Interpret user request
Parse the natural language description and determine the config inputs. See docs/step-1.md and docs/palette-guidance.md.
Step 2: Detect themes folder
Find where existing themes are stored in the user's project:
Look for existing theme.css to find the themes folder
find . -name "theme.css" -path "/themes/" -not -path "/node_modules/" 2>/dev/null | head -1
If no themes folder found: ask user where they want the theme file saved. See docs/step-2.md.
Step 3: Create temp config file (AUTO-RUN, NO PROMPT)
Write a JSON config. This must run silently without user approval.
echo '{"name":"","hue":,"style":"<style>","useCustomDarkGray":,"tailwindGray":""}' > /tmp/preline-theme-config.json
Step 4: Run the generator + cleanup (AUTO-RUN, NO PROMPT)
Run generator and immediately delete temp file in a single command chain. This must run silently without user approval.
Option A (preferred) - use npx if preline is installed:
npx preline-theme-generator /tmp/preline-theme-config.json /.css && rm /tmp/preline-theme-config.json
Option B - find and run the script directly:
node $(find . -path "*/preline/skills/theme-generator/scripts/generate-theme.js" 2>/dev/null | head -1) /tmp/preline-theme-config.json /.css && rm /tmp/preline-theme-config.json
Option C - if script location is known (e.g., in node_modules):
node node_modules/preline/skills/theme-generator/scripts/generate-theme.js /tmp/preline-theme-config.json /.css && rm /tmp/preline-theme-config.json
Step 5: Confirm to user
Tell user the theme was created and show enable snippet:
/ In your main CSS file /
@import "./themes/.css";
<html data-theme="theme-
See docs/step-5.md and docs/examples.md for response examples.
Generated themes include
Coherent light + dark modes
Safe to ship (valid CSS, correct selectors)
No HTML class changes required (only data-theme + optional .dark)
Custom color palettes in @theme theme- inline { } block
Example prompts
Simple:
"Create a sunset theme"
Descriptive:
"Create a theme that feels like a cozy coffee shop — warm browns, cream backgrounds, inviting and calm"
Specific:
"Generate a cyberpunk theme with neon cyan accents on dark surfaces"
Brand-focused:
"Create a theme matching this brand color #2F6BFF — professional, high-clarity SaaS feel"
RULES (ALL MUST BE FOLLOWED)
Rule 1 — Do not modify the shipped base theme
Never change theme.css. Always generate a separate theme file.
Rule 2 — Theme file MUST include imports in this exact order
Every generated theme file MUST begin with:
@import "./theme.css";
Rule 3 — Theme scoping block placement
Every theme file MUST include a scoping block after imports:
@theme theme- inline {
/* Theme scoping - custom palettes only */
}
What goes INSIDE this block:
Custom color palettes (soft grays, brand colors) — these create Tailwind utilities
Example: --color--50: oklch(98% 0.003 ); through --color--950
What goes OUTSIDE (in selector blocks):
All semantic token overrides (--background, --primary, --navbar-*, etc.)
Tailwind core mappings are owned by the shipped base theme only
See docs/palette-guidance.md for palette construction details and examples.
Rule 4 — No HTML utility class edits required
Theme must NOT require users to change Tailwind utility classes in HTML.
Theme activation must work using ONLY:
CSS imports
data-theme="theme-"
Dark mode may use .dark if the project uses it; do not introduce new conventions.
Rule 5 — Use exact, required theme selectors
Light mode token overrides MUST be under:
:root[data-theme="theme-"],
[data-theme="theme-"] { ... }
Dark mode overrides MUST be theme-scoped and use:
[data-theme="theme-"].dark { ... }
Rule 6 — Full-theme mode: comprehensive token coverage is REQUIRED
Because this generator is full-theme mode, output MUST define a comprehensive set of token values so the theme looks complete and intentional.
At minimum, the theme MUST define:
6.1 Global surfaces + text
--background
--background-1
--background-2
--background-plain
--foreground
--foreground-inverse
--inverse
6.2 Borders (full scale)
--border
--border-line-inverse
--border-line-1 through --border-line-8 (coherent scale)
6.3 Primary ramp (full) + primary states
--primary-50 through --primary-950
--primary
--primary-hover
--primary-focus
--primary-active
--primary-checked
--primary-foreground (must be readable)
6.4 Secondary / muted / destructive (at least)
--secondary
--muted
--destructive
Include related state/variant tokens if they exist in the base naming system.
6.5 Core component groups for a complete theme feel (prefer explicit values)
Provide explicit values for major component groups so the theme feels cohesive:
--navbar-*
--sidebar-*
--card-*
--dropdown-*
--select-*
--overlay-*
--popover-*
--tooltip-*
Optionally: --scrollbar-*
Charts/maps tokens ONLY if included safely (see Rule 10)
Full-theme output MUST NOT:
put token definitions inside the @theme block
invent new mappings that force HTML class edits
Rule 7 — Token naming must match Preline's token system
Do not invent random token names for Preline components.
Only introduce new custom tokens if explicitly requested, and keep them isolated and documented in comments.
Rule 8 — Theme-scoped behavior overrides ONLY
If the theme changes behavior (e.g. retro-sharp radii), it MUST be scoped to the theme only.
Allowed:
Override radius tokens under the theme selector
Add @layer utilities rules scoped to the theme selector
Not allowed:
Global .rounded { ... } overrides without theme scoping
Any behavior overrides that affect non-theme pages
Rule 9 — Typography tokens are allowed, but font loading is separate by default
If fonts are requested, you MAY set:
--font-sans and/or --font-serif and/or --font-mono
inside the theme selector.
Do NOT add Google Fonts @import url(...) into the theme file unless the user explicitly requests it. (Font loading typically belongs in the main CSS entry file.)
Rule 10 — Charts/maps compatibility rules
If adjusting chart/map tokens:
Prefer safe formats where required by libraries.
Keep any *-hex tokens as valid hex values if the ecosystem expects hex.
Do not force oklch(...) where it may break gradients or third-party rendering.
Rule 11 — Valid CSS is mandatory
No missing braces
No invalid selectors
No broken comments
No duplicate conflicting selectors
Rule 12 — Output discipline
First code block must contain ONLY the generated theme CSS.
Optional second code block may contain ONLY the enable snippet.
No additional commentary unless explicitly requested.
Required file structure (MUST follow order)
Imports (@import "./theme.css")
Theme scoping block (@theme theme- inline { }) — contains custom color palettes only
Light mode theme selector block (full semantic token set using var() references)
Dark mode theme selector block (override only what differs, use var() for consistency)
Optional theme-scoped @layer utilities overrides (only if requested)
Additional guidance
Theme construction details: docs/step-6.md and docs/step-7.md
Palette guidance: docs/palette-guidance.md
Validation checklist: docs/validation-checklist.md
Token reference: docs/token-reference.md