Building a Sticky Changelog Component with Tailwind CSS

A sticky changelog component built with Tailwind CSS keeps update dates visible while scrolling for better clarity and navigation. It enhances user experience by making version tracking and content scanning seamless and intuitive.

Vanshika Sharma

3 months ago

building-a-sticky-changelog-component-with-tailwind-css

Hello developers!
In this quick tutorial, we'll create a clean, sticky changelog UI using Tailwind CSS — simple to implement, but super effective for clarity and user experience.

Originally published on lexingtonthemes.com

Why Use a Sticky Changelog?

Adding a sticky date element to your changelog helps users by:

  • Providing Timeline Context – Dates give a clear view of when changes happened.

  • Improving Navigation – Sticky headings let users scan updates without getting lost.

  • Supporting Version Control – Release tracking becomes easier when dates are always visible.

  • Demonstrating Transparency – Frequent updates show commitment and active maintenance.

  • Fulfilling Compliance Needs – Especially useful for regulated environments that require audit trails.

  • Boosting Engagement – Clear, visible updates keep users informed and interested.

Key Tailwind Classes Used

Here are the main Tailwind utility classes used to build the sticky layout:

  • lg:sticky: Applies sticky positioning, activating only on large screens.

  • top-0: Ensures the sticky element stays at the top of the viewport.

  • lg:pb-16: Adds padding beneath the sticky element to preserve layout flow.

  • grid grid-cols-1 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-12 lg:gap-32: Establishes a responsive grid layout with spacing.

Heads up: Sticky behavior won't work if any parent container has overflow-hidden.

Code Walkthrough

Here’s how to structure your changelog component:

jsx

{

changelogEntries.map((entry) => (

<div class="grid grid-cols-1 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-12 lg:gap-32">

{/* Sticky Date Section */}

<div>

<div class="top-0 lg:sticky lg:pb-16">

<div class="pt-8">

<p>{entry.date}</p>

</div>

</div>

</div>

{/* Content Section */}

<div class="pt-8 lg:col-span-2">

<div class="flex-shrink-0">

{/* Your changelog content goes here */}

</div>

</div>

</div>

))

}

Final Thoughts

And there you have it! A simple yet powerful enhancement to your UI. This sticky changelog approach is more than just a visual upgrade — it improves usability, transparency, and helps your users follow along with confidence.

Small design touches like these go a long way in elevating the overall user experience. Try it out and see the difference!

Happy coding, and keep building thoughtful UIs!