Client-First (Finsweet)

What Is Client-First?

Client-First is a CSS naming convention, style system, and build strategy for Webflow, created and maintained by Finsweet. It provides a standardized set of guidelines for organizing classes, structuring page layouts, managing spacing, and handling typography — so that any developer or client can understand and maintain a Webflow project.

Core Principles of Client-First

Client-First is built around clarity and transferability. Class names are descriptive and human-readable — no abbreviations or cryptic shorthand. The system distinguishes between custom classes (specific to a component, prefixed with an underscore) and utility classes (reusable across the project, like spacing and color helpers). A standardized core structure — with sections, containers, and component wrappers — ensures consistency across pages. Client-First also enforces rem-based sizing for accessibility, allowing layouts to scale properly with browser font settings.

Client-First in the Webflow Ecosystem

Client-First has become one of the most widely adopted frameworks in the Webflow community. It powers the Relume component library, is featured in Finsweet's official certification program, and is documented in more than twelve languages. Many agencies and freelancers use it as their default starting point for new projects.

Why Client-First Matters

A well-structured Webflow project reduces maintenance costs, speeds up onboarding for new developers, and empowers non-technical clients to manage their own content. Client-First was designed to solve exactly these challenges, making it a foundational tool for professional Webflow development.