Is Bulma better than Bootstrap?

For modern projects? Hell yes. Bootstrap is legacy baggage with jQuery dependencies and confusing class names. Bulma's CSS-only approach means no version conflicts when you're already using React or Vue. Plus, you actually understand what `.is-primary` does without checking docs.Bootstrap wins when dealing with enterprise clients who insist on "industry standard" frameworks and dead browser support. But for modern browsers, Bulma will save your sanity.

Can I use Bulma with React/Vue/Angular?

Skip the wrapper libraries - most are dead or dying. Just use Bulma classes directly in your components: ```jsx // React - works perfectly Submit ``` [Buefy for Vue](https://buefy.org/) is mostly unmaintained now. [React Bulma Components](https://github.com/couds/react-bulma-components) is still active but adds unnecessary abstraction weight.

Does Bulma support Internet Explorer?

Nope, and thank god. IE11 officially died June 15, 2022 - Microsoft pulled the plug. Still get this question in 2025 though. Bulma v1.0+ uses CSS Variables and modern Flexbox - IE can't even parse it. If your client demands IE support in 2025, you're either working government contracts or dealing with someone living in 2015. Stick with Bootstrap 4 or build a separate stylesheet. Don't waste time polyfilling modern CSS for a browser that's been dead for 3 years.

How do I customize Bulma without breaking everything?

v1.0+ uses CSS Variables for runtime theming: ```css :root { --bulma-primary-h: 204deg; --bulma-primary-s: 71%; --bulma-primary-l: 53%; } ``` The HSL format is weird at first, but [enables better color palette generation](https://bulma.io/documentation/features/css-variables/). Use [color.adobe.com](https://color.adobe.com/) to convert your brand colors. For complex customization, stick with [Sass variable overrides](https://bulma.io/documentation/customize/) - more powerful but requires build-time compilation.

What's the difference between Bulma and Tailwind?

Tailwind is for masochists who enjoy HTML that looks like this: ```html Button ``` Bulma gives you readable classes: ```html Button ``` Choose Tailwind if you want granular control and don't mind HTML that looks like ass. Choose Bulma if you want to ship fast with maintainable code.

Why is Bulma 191KB? That seems huge.

Compared to what? Bootstrap is 163KB + like 60KB JavaScript = 220KB+ total. Plus Bootstrap requires Popper.js for tooltips and dropdowns. Full Bulma includes every component. In practice, [selective importing](https://bulma.io/documentation/customize/with-sass/) gets you to ~50KB: ```scss // Only what you need @import "bulma/sass/utilities/_all"; @import "bulma/sass/base/_all"; @import "bulma/sass/elements/button"; @import "bulma/sass/components/navbar"; ``` Modern bundlers + [PurgeCSS](https://purgecss.com/) eliminate unused styles automatically.

Does dark mode actually work now?

Finally, yes. Add `data-theme="dark"` to your ` ` tag and everything switches. Took them until v1.0 to get this right, but it's solid now. Before v1.0, dark mode required [third-party themes](https://jenil.github.io/bulmaswatch/darkly/) or custom Sass that broke with updates. The new [CSS Variables approach](https://bulma.io/documentation/features/css-variables/) handles theme switching at runtime.

Can I just use the CDN and avoid build tools?

For prototypes, absolutely: ```html ``` You lose customization beyond CSS variable overrides, but it works instantly. The [jsDelivr CDN](https://www.jsdelivr.com/package/npm/bulma) is reliable - never seen it go down. For production apps, you probably want build-time optimization and selective imports.

Is Bulma still maintained or is it dead?

Very much alive. [Jeremy Thomas](https://jgthms.com) releases regular updates. v1.0.4 dropped this past April with bug fixes and improvements. The [GitHub repo](https://github.com/jgthms/bulma) shows active development. Compare to Bootstrap's corporate bureaucracy or Tailwind's constant breaking changes - Bulma's stability is refreshing.

Will migrating from v0.9 to v1.0 break everything?

HTML stays identical (thank god), but Sass customizations will ruin your day. Budget like 4-6 hours for a complex project (took me 8 on a Friday afternoon - Windows + deadlines = disaster): - `$primary-color` became `$primary` and throws "Error: Color: undefined is not a color" with no line numbers - node-sass throws `Error: Expected ";" at line 1, column 1` with zero helpful context - CSS Variables break IE11 builds, triggering panic calls from QA about "the site is broken" - Dark mode switched from Sass mixins to `data-theme` attributes, breaking custom theme switching logic The [official migration guide](https://bulma.io/documentation/start/migrating-to-v1/) covers the happy path, but edge cases will bite you. Test on staging first, not at 5pm Friday like I did.

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Bulma CSS Framework - AI-Optimized Technical Reference

Framework Overview

Architecture: CSS-only framework with no JavaScript dependencies
Bundle Size: 191KB minified (vs Bootstrap 163KB + 60KB JS = 220KB+ total)
Grid System: Pure Flexbox implementation, not retrofitted
Browser Support: Modern browsers only (IE11+ officially dead since June 2022)

Critical Success Factors

CSS-Only Advantage

Eliminates: JavaScript version conflicts during framework upgrades
Production Impact: Bootstrap modals breaking checkout flows during React upgrades (null property errors)
Resource Requirements: Single CSS file vs multiple JS dependencies

Flexbox Grid Implementation

Auto-sizing columns: No manual 12-column math calculations
Failure Prevention: Eliminates Bootstrap's nested column collapse on iPad Pro
Common Pain Point: Bootstrap's .col-md-4 offset-md-2 math that "somehow never adds up to 12"

Installation & Configuration

Production-Ready Setup

npm Installation

npm install bulma
# CRITICAL: Requires Dart Sass, not node-sass for v1.0+
npm uninstall node-sass
npm install sass --save-dev

Common Failure: Error: Expected ";" at line 1, column 1 - indicates old node-sass usage
Time Investment: 2+ hours debugging if using wrong Sass compiler

CDN Implementation

<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bulma@1.0.4/css/bulma.min.css">

Use Case: Prototypes and "make it look decent quickly" requests
Limitation: Zero customization beyond CSS variable overrides

Bundle Size Optimization

Selective Import Strategy

@import "bulma/sass/utilities/_all";
@import "bulma/sass/base/_all";
@import "bulma/sass/elements/button";
@import "bulma/sass/components/navbar";

Result: ~50KB (75% reduction from full bundle)
Time Savings: Eliminates unused component weight

Version Migration Critical Warnings

v0.9 to v1.0 Migration

Time Investment: Budget 4-6 hours for complex projects (actual: 8+ hours)
Breaking Changes:

Sass variable renames: $primary-color → $primary
Import path changes: @import "~/bulma" → @use "bulma/sass"
Dark mode variables completely renamed
Windows builds fail with path separator issues while Linux works

Error Messages with No Context:

Error: Color: undefined is not a color (no line numbers)
Variables "buried in bullet point #47" of changelog

Framework Integration Patterns

React Implementation

// Avoid wrapper libraries - use classes directly
function MyButton({ loading, children }) {
  return (
    <button className={`button is-primary ${loading ? 'is-loading' : ''}`}>
      {children}
    </button>
  );
}

Wrapper Library Status:

Bloomer: Dead (no commits since 2019)
React Bulma Components: Active but adds dependency weight

Vue Implementation

<button :class="['button', 'is-primary', { 'is-loading': loading }]">
  {{ text }}
</button>

Buefy Status: Development stalled, check commit dates before using

Angular Integration

Reality: Limited ecosystem support, most developers use raw CSS classes

Performance in Production

Real-World Metrics

Load Times: <800ms on Cloudflare with 100K+ users
Tree-Shaking Results: 50KB when importing only essentials
PurgeCSS Optimization: 60% bundle size reduction possible

Performance Comparison

Framework	CSS Size	JS Requirements	Total Bundle
Bulma	191KB	None	191KB
Bootstrap	163KB	60KB + Popper.js	220KB+
Tailwind	2KB-3MB	None	Varies drastically

Customization Approaches

CSS Variables (v1.0+ Runtime Theming)

:root {
  --bulma-primary-h: 204deg; /* HSL format required */
  --bulma-primary-s: 71%;
  --bulma-primary-l: 53%;
}

Advantage: Runtime theme switching without Sass recompilation
Learning Curve: HSL format unusual but enables better color palette generation

Sass Override (Build-Time Customization)

@use "bulma/sass" with (
  $primary: #3b82f6,
  $family-primary: '"Inter", sans-serif'
);

Use Case: Complex theme logic requiring compile-time changes

Dark Mode Implementation

v1.0+ Native Support

<html data-theme="dark">

Previous Requirement: Third-party solutions or custom Sass overrides that broke with updates
Current Status: CSS Variables approach handles runtime theme switching

Class Naming Philosophy

Readable Modifiers

Bulma: .is-primary, .is-large, .has-text-centered
Bootstrap: .btn-primary, .btn-lg (cryptic abbreviations)

Maintenance Advantage: Code readability after 6+ months without documentation

Consistent Component Patterns

Rule: Base class + modifier across entire framework
Example: Every component follows same pattern vs Bootstrap's inconsistent naming

Framework Comparison Decision Matrix

Criterion	Bulma	Bootstrap	Tailwind	Verdict
Modern Architecture	CSS-only, Flexbox	Legacy jQuery baggage	Utility-first	Bulma for modern projects
HTML Readability	Clean component classes	Moderate complexity	Utility soup	Bulma for maintainability
Customization	CSS vars + Sass	Sass only	Config file	Tied - different approaches
Enterprise Support	Individual maintainer	Corporate backing	VC-funded	Bootstrap for enterprise clients
Learning Curve	Gentle	Moderate	Steep	Bulma for rapid development

Common Implementation Failures

JavaScript Dependency Conflicts

Scenario: Framework upgrades breaking existing functionality
Bootstrap Example: Modal backdrop preventing form submissions in production
Bulma Advantage: CSS-only eliminates version conflict potential

Grid System Math Errors

Bootstrap Problem: Manual column calculations that don't add up
Bulma Solution: Auto-sizing columns eliminate manual math
Impact: Eliminates Friday afternoon debugging sessions

Build Tool Incompatibilities

v1.0+ Requirement: Dart Sass compiler
Failure Mode: Cryptic error messages with no context
Prevention: Verify Sass compiler before upgrading

Resource Requirements

Development Time Investment

Initial Setup: 30 minutes (CDN) to 2+ hours (custom build)
Migration Time: 4-8 hours for complex v0.9 → v1.0 projects
Learning Curve: 1-2 days for developers familiar with CSS frameworks

Expertise Requirements

Basic Usage: Standard CSS knowledge
Customization: Sass familiarity for advanced theming
Integration: Framework-specific class binding patterns

Maintenance Considerations

Project Health Indicators

Active Development: Regular releases from Jeremy Thomas
Community Support: 49.9K GitHub stars, 250K+ weekly npm downloads
Stability: Fewer breaking changes compared to Tailwind's frequent updates

Ecosystem Status

React Integration: Use raw classes, avoid unmaintained wrappers
Vue Integration: Buefy stalled, use direct class implementation
Angular Integration: Limited ecosystem, manual class usage required

Critical Decision Points

Choose Bulma When:

Building modern web applications
Want CSS-only approach without JavaScript conflicts
Need readable, maintainable class names
Require fast prototyping with clean code

Avoid Bulma When:

Supporting IE11 or legacy browsers required
Enterprise clients demand "industry standard" frameworks
Need extensive ecosystem of third-party components
Working with teams unfamiliar with modern CSS approaches

Migration Risk Assessment

Low Risk: New projects starting with v1.0+
Medium Risk: Existing v0.9 projects with minimal customization
High Risk: Heavily customized v0.9 implementations with Windows development environments

Useful Links for Further Investigation

Essential Bulma Resources and Links

Link	Description
Bulma Official Website	Actually decent documentation that doesn't suck. Interactive demos that work (looking at you, Bootstrap).
Bulma Documentation	Comprehensive docs that are actually helpful. Live code examples that you can copy-paste and they work.
GitHub Repository	Main source code repository with 49.9K stars. Access to issues, pull requests, releases, and contribution guidelines.
Bulma Brand Assets	Official logos, icons, and brand guidelines for Bulma including PNG and SVG formats in multiple color variants.
Bulma on npm	Official npm package with installation instructions and version history. Over 250K weekly downloads.
jsDelivr CDN	Fast, reliable CDN hosting for Bulma CSS files with global distribution and performance analytics.
GitHub Releases	Direct downloads for all Bulma versions including source files, compiled CSS, and release notes.
Bulma Extensions	Official collection of additional components and utilities extending core Bulma functionality.
Buefy - Vue.js Components	Last commit was like 8 months ago - basically dead. Use raw Bulma classes instead unless you enjoy debugging unmaintained dependencies.
React Bulma Components	React wrapper components for Bulma with TypeScript support and comprehensive component coverage.
Bloomer	Dead as disco. Haven't seen a commit since 2019. Save yourself the headache and just use className directly in React.
Bulma Expo	Official showcase of websites and applications built with Bulma, demonstrating real-world implementations.
Made with Bulma	Community badge and directory for projects using Bulma framework.
Awesome Bulma	Curated list of Bulma-related resources, templates, tools, and community projects.
CSS Masterclass	Official Bulma creator's CSS learning platform with interactive courses and project-based tutorials.
Bulma Templates	Free HTML templates built with Bulma for rapid project bootstrapping and learning reference.
Bulmaswatch - Free Themes	These saved my ass before v1.0 had real dark mode. Still useful for quick theme prototypes when you need something that doesn't look like every other Bulma site.
BulmaJS	JavaScript integration for Bulma components with ES6 implementation and data-* API support.
Bulma CSS Class Completion	IDE extensions for Bulma class name autocompletion in HTML and template files.
Django Bulma	Django integration package for Bulma framework with template tags and form rendering.
Bulma Sponsors	Information about supporting Bulma development through sponsorship and donations.
GitHub Issues & Community	Official issue tracker and community support for bug reports, feature requests, and technical discussion.

Bulma CSS Framework - AI-Optimized Technical Reference

Framework Overview

Critical Success Factors

CSS-Only Advantage

Flexbox Grid Implementation

Installation & Configuration

Production-Ready Setup

npm Installation

CDN Implementation

Bundle Size Optimization

Selective Import Strategy

Version Migration Critical Warnings

v0.9 to v1.0 Migration

Framework Integration Patterns

React Implementation

Vue Implementation

Angular Integration

Performance in Production

Real-World Metrics

Performance Comparison

Customization Approaches

CSS Variables (v1.0+ Runtime Theming)

Sass Override (Build-Time Customization)

Dark Mode Implementation

v1.0+ Native Support

Class Naming Philosophy

Readable Modifiers

Consistent Component Patterns

Framework Comparison Decision Matrix

Common Implementation Failures

JavaScript Dependency Conflicts

Grid System Math Errors

Build Tool Incompatibilities

Resource Requirements

Development Time Investment

Expertise Requirements

Maintenance Considerations

Project Health Indicators

Ecosystem Status

Critical Decision Points

Choose Bulma When:

Avoid Bulma When:

Migration Risk Assessment

Useful Links for Further Investigation

Essential Bulma Resources and Links

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