Cascade Layers
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
Cascade layers let you group CSS rules into named layers and control the order they apply. Put third-party styles in a 'reset' layer, your design system in a 'components' layer, your overrides in an 'overrides' layer. Specificity wars end.
Real Talk
Cascade layers (@layer) are a CSS feature that groups rules into explicit ordered layers, with layer precedence taking priority over specificity. Solves long-standing cascade ordering problems when mixing third-party CSS, utility frameworks, and component styles. Widely supported since 2022. Enables safer CSS architecture without resorting to !important or deeply-nested selectors.
When You'll Hear This
"Wrapped the reset in @layer — no more specificity fights." / "Cascade layers made Tailwind and component styles coexist cleanly."
Related Terms
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
CSS is the makeup and wardrobe for your HTML skeleton. It decides what color everything is, how big things are, and where stuff goes on the page.
Tailwind
Tailwind is a CSS framework where instead of writing CSS files you add utility classes directly to your HTML.