diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index a8087a60e8c2..af3d866f3e07 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,12 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+### Added
+
+- Parallelize parsing of individual source files ([#15270](https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss/pull/15270))
+- Support Vite 6 in the Vite plugin ([#15274](https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss/issues/15274))
+- Add a new `@import "…" reference` syntax for only importing the Tailwind CSS configurations of a stylesheets ([#15228](https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss/pull/15228))
+
 ### Fixed
 
 - Ensure absolute `url()`s inside imported CSS files are not rebased when using `@tailwindcss/vite` ([#15275](https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss/pull/15275))
@@ -15,11 +21,6 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 - Ensure other plugins can run after `@tailwindcss/postcss` ([#15273](https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss/pull/15273))
 - Rebase `url()` inside imported CSS files when using Vite with the `@tailwindcss/postcss` extension ([#15273](https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss/pull/15273))
 
-### Added
-
-- Parallelize parsing of individual source files ([#15270](https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss/pull/15270))
-- Support Vite 6 in the Vite plugin ([#15274](https://github.com/tailwindlabs/tailwindcss/issues/15274))
-
 ## [4.0.0-beta.4] - 2024-11-29
 
 ### Fixed
diff --git a/integrations/vite/svelte.test.ts b/integrations/vite/svelte.test.ts
index b0950f9f9cd2..0f7953c63e1c 100644
--- a/integrations/vite/svelte.test.ts
+++ b/integrations/vite/svelte.test.ts
@@ -48,10 +48,7 @@ test(
           target: document.body,
         })
       `,
-      'src/index.css': css`
-        @import 'tailwindcss/theme' theme(reference);
-        @import 'tailwindcss/utilities';
-      `,
+      'src/index.css': css`@import 'tailwindcss' reference;`,
       'src/App.svelte': html`
         <script>
           import './index.css'
diff --git a/integrations/vite/vue.test.ts b/integrations/vite/vue.test.ts
index 550f9a523ccf..dec61d808350 100644
--- a/integrations/vite/vue.test.ts
+++ b/integrations/vite/vue.test.ts
@@ -45,15 +45,13 @@ test(
       `,
       'src/App.vue': html`
         <style>
-          @import 'tailwindcss/utilities';
-          @import 'tailwindcss/theme' theme(reference);
+          @import 'tailwindcss' reference;
           .foo {
             @apply text-red-500;
           }
         </style>
         <style scoped>
-          @import 'tailwindcss/utilities';
-          @import 'tailwindcss/theme' theme(reference);
+          @import 'tailwindcss' reference;
           :deep(.bar) {
             color: red;
           }
diff --git a/packages/tailwindcss/src/ast.ts b/packages/tailwindcss/src/ast.ts
index 5245db2df0d1..e20f6042223a 100644
--- a/packages/tailwindcss/src/ast.ts
+++ b/packages/tailwindcss/src/ast.ts
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ export type Comment = {
 
 export type Context = {
   kind: 'context'
-  context: Record<string, string>
+  context: Record<string, string | boolean>
   nodes: AstNode[]
 }
 
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ export function comment(value: string): Comment {
   }
 }
 
-export function context(context: Record<string, string>, nodes: AstNode[]): Context {
+export function context(context: Record<string, string | boolean>, nodes: AstNode[]): Context {
   return {
     kind: 'context',
     context,
@@ -115,12 +115,12 @@ export function walk(
     utils: {
       parent: AstNode | null
       replaceWith(newNode: AstNode | AstNode[]): void
-      context: Record<string, string>
+      context: Record<string, string | boolean>
       path: AstNode[]
     },
   ) => void | WalkAction,
   parentPath: AstNode[] = [],
-  context: Record<string, string> = {},
+  context: Record<string, string | boolean> = {},
 ) {
   for (let i = 0; i < ast.length; i++) {
     let node = ast[i]
@@ -175,12 +175,12 @@ export function walkDepth(
     utils: {
       parent: AstNode | null
       path: AstNode[]
-      context: Record<string, string>
+      context: Record<string, string | boolean>
       replaceWith(newNode: AstNode[]): void
     },
   ) => void,
   parentPath: AstNode[] = [],
-  context: Record<string, string> = {},
+  context: Record<string, string | boolean> = {},
 ) {
   for (let i = 0; i < ast.length; i++) {
     let node = ast[i]
diff --git a/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/apply-compat-hooks.ts b/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/apply-compat-hooks.ts
index 841a1c2e2860..0564bcf91344 100644
--- a/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/apply-compat-hooks.ts
+++ b/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/apply-compat-hooks.ts
@@ -34,8 +34,9 @@ export async function applyCompatibilityHooks({
   globs: { origin?: string; pattern: string }[]
 }) {
   let features = Features.None
-  let pluginPaths: [{ id: string; base: string }, CssPluginOptions | null][] = []
-  let configPaths: { id: string; base: string }[] = []
+  let pluginPaths: [{ id: string; base: string; reference: boolean }, CssPluginOptions | null][] =
+    []
+  let configPaths: { id: string; base: string; reference: boolean }[] = []
 
   walk(ast, (node, { parent, replaceWith, context }) => {
     if (node.kind !== 'at-rule') return
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ export async function applyCompatibilityHooks({
       }
 
       pluginPaths.push([
-        { id: pluginPath, base: context.base },
+        { id: pluginPath, base: context.base as string, reference: !!context.reference },
         Object.keys(options).length > 0 ? options : null,
       ])
 
@@ -114,7 +115,11 @@ export async function applyCompatibilityHooks({
         throw new Error('`@config` cannot be nested.')
       }
 
-      configPaths.push({ id: node.params.slice(1, -1), base: context.base })
+      configPaths.push({
+        id: node.params.slice(1, -1),
+        base: context.base as string,
+        reference: !!context.reference,
+      })
       replaceWith([])
       features |= Features.JsPluginCompat
       return
@@ -153,23 +158,25 @@ export async function applyCompatibilityHooks({
 
   let [configs, pluginDetails] = await Promise.all([
     Promise.all(
-      configPaths.map(async ({ id, base }) => {
+      configPaths.map(async ({ id, base, reference }) => {
         let loaded = await loadModule(id, base, 'config')
         return {
           path: id,
           base: loaded.base,
           config: loaded.module as UserConfig,
+          reference,
         }
       }),
     ),
     Promise.all(
-      pluginPaths.map(async ([{ id, base }, pluginOptions]) => {
+      pluginPaths.map(async ([{ id, base, reference }, pluginOptions]) => {
         let loaded = await loadModule(id, base, 'plugin')
         return {
           path: id,
           base: loaded.base,
           plugin: loaded.module as Plugin,
           options: pluginOptions,
+          reference,
         }
       }),
     ),
@@ -203,22 +210,32 @@ function upgradeToFullPluginSupport({
     path: string
     base: string
     config: UserConfig
+    reference: boolean
   }[]
   pluginDetails: {
     path: string
     base: string
     plugin: Plugin
     options: CssPluginOptions | null
+    reference: boolean
   }[]
 }) {
   let features = Features.None
   let pluginConfigs = pluginDetails.map((detail) => {
     if (!detail.options) {
-      return { config: { plugins: [detail.plugin] }, base: detail.base }
+      return {
+        config: { plugins: [detail.plugin] },
+        base: detail.base,
+        reference: detail.reference,
+      }
     }
 
     if ('__isOptionsFunction' in detail.plugin) {
-      return { config: { plugins: [detail.plugin(detail.options)] }, base: detail.base }
+      return {
+        config: { plugins: [detail.plugin(detail.options)] },
+        base: detail.base,
+        reference: detail.reference,
+      }
     }
 
     throw new Error(`The plugin "${detail.path}" does not accept options`)
@@ -227,9 +244,9 @@ function upgradeToFullPluginSupport({
   let userConfig = [...pluginConfigs, ...configs]
 
   let { resolvedConfig } = resolveConfig(designSystem, [
-    { config: createCompatConfig(designSystem.theme), base },
+    { config: createCompatConfig(designSystem.theme), base, reference: true },
     ...userConfig,
-    { config: { plugins: [darkModePlugin] }, base },
+    { config: { plugins: [darkModePlugin] }, base, reference: true },
   ])
   let { resolvedConfig: resolvedUserConfig, replacedThemeKeys } = resolveConfig(
     designSystem,
@@ -242,8 +259,8 @@ function upgradeToFullPluginSupport({
     },
   })
 
-  for (let { handler } of resolvedConfig.plugins) {
-    handler(pluginApi)
+  for (let { handler, reference } of resolvedConfig.plugins) {
+    handler(reference ? { ...pluginApi, addBase: () => {} } : pluginApi)
   }
 
   // Merge the user-configured theme keys into the design system. The compat
diff --git a/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/config/resolve-config.ts b/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/config/resolve-config.ts
index c486de8ae33d..6801c7b60f98 100644
--- a/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/config/resolve-config.ts
+++ b/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/config/resolve-config.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ export interface ConfigFile {
   path?: string
   base: string
   config: UserConfig
+  reference: boolean
 }
 
 interface ResolutionContext {
@@ -128,7 +129,10 @@ export type PluginUtils = {
   colors: typeof colors
 }
 
-function extractConfigs(ctx: ResolutionContext, { config, base, path }: ConfigFile): void {
+function extractConfigs(
+  ctx: ResolutionContext,
+  { config, base, path, reference }: ConfigFile,
+): void {
   let plugins: PluginWithConfig[] = []
 
   // Normalize plugins so they share the same shape
@@ -136,17 +140,17 @@ function extractConfigs(ctx: ResolutionContext, { config, base, path }: ConfigFi
     if ('__isOptionsFunction' in plugin) {
       // Happens with `plugin.withOptions()` when no options were passed:
       // e.g. `require("my-plugin")` instead of `require("my-plugin")(options)`
-      plugins.push(plugin())
+      plugins.push({ ...plugin(), reference })
     } else if ('handler' in plugin) {
       // Happens with `plugin(…)`:
       // e.g. `require("my-plugin")`
       //
       // or with `plugin.withOptions()` when the user passed options:
       // e.g. `require("my-plugin")(options)`
-      plugins.push(plugin)
+      plugins.push({ ...plugin, reference })
     } else {
       // Just a plain function without using the plugin(…) API
-      plugins.push({ handler: plugin })
+      plugins.push({ handler: plugin, reference })
     }
   }
 
@@ -158,7 +162,7 @@ function extractConfigs(ctx: ResolutionContext, { config, base, path }: ConfigFi
   }
 
   for (let preset of config.presets ?? []) {
-    extractConfigs(ctx, { path, base, config: preset })
+    extractConfigs(ctx, { path, base, config: preset, reference })
   }
 
   // Apply configs from plugins
@@ -166,7 +170,7 @@ function extractConfigs(ctx: ResolutionContext, { config, base, path }: ConfigFi
     ctx.plugins.push(plugin)
 
     if (plugin.config) {
-      extractConfigs(ctx, { path, base, config: plugin.config })
+      extractConfigs(ctx, { path, base, config: plugin.config, reference: !!plugin.reference })
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/plugin-api.test.ts b/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/plugin-api.test.ts
index 6a0c0e4bc156..b1c04e655ce6 100644
--- a/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/plugin-api.test.ts
+++ b/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/plugin-api.test.ts
@@ -1490,6 +1490,52 @@ describe('theme', async () => {
   })
 })
 
+describe('addBase', () => {
+  test('does not create rules when imported via `@import "…" reference`', async () => {
+    let input = css`
+      @tailwind utilities;
+      @plugin "outside";
+      @import './inside.css' reference;
+    `
+
+    let compiler = await compile(input, {
+      loadModule: async (id, base) => {
+        if (id === 'inside') {
+          return {
+            base,
+            module: plugin(function ({ addBase }) {
+              addBase({ inside: { color: 'red' } })
+            }),
+          }
+        }
+        return {
+          base,
+          module: plugin(function ({ addBase }) {
+            addBase({ outside: { color: 'red' } })
+          }),
+        }
+      },
+      async loadStylesheet() {
+        return {
+          content: css`
+            @plugin "inside";
+          `,
+          base: '',
+        }
+      },
+    })
+
+    expect(compiler.build([])).toMatchInlineSnapshot(`
+      "@layer base {
+        outside {
+          color: red;
+        }
+      }
+      "
+    `)
+  })
+})
+
 describe('addVariant', () => {
   test('addVariant with string selector', async () => {
     let { build } = await compile(
diff --git a/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/plugin-api.ts b/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/plugin-api.ts
index fb6020f0f013..99c84483c73f 100644
--- a/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/plugin-api.ts
+++ b/packages/tailwindcss/src/compat/plugin-api.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,13 @@ import * as SelectorParser from './selector-parser'
 
 export type Config = UserConfig
 export type PluginFn = (api: PluginAPI) => void
-export type PluginWithConfig = { handler: PluginFn; config?: UserConfig }
+export type PluginWithConfig = { 
+  handler: PluginFn;
+  config?: UserConfig;
+  
+  /** @internal */
+  reference?: boolean
+}
 export type PluginWithOptions<T> = {
   (options?: T): PluginWithConfig
   __isOptionsFunction: true
diff --git a/packages/tailwindcss/src/index.test.ts b/packages/tailwindcss/src/index.test.ts
index 73a26dd6f227..1c4afe2efa93 100644
--- a/packages/tailwindcss/src/index.test.ts
+++ b/packages/tailwindcss/src/index.test.ts
@@ -3088,3 +3088,89 @@ it("should error when `layer(…)` is used, but it's not the first param", async
     `[Error: \`layer(…)\` in an \`@import\` should come before any other functions or conditions]`,
   )
 })
+
+describe('`@import "…" reference`', () => {
+  test('recursively removes styles', async () => {
+    let loadStylesheet = async (id: string, base: string) => {
+      if (id === './foo/baz.css') {
+        return {
+          content: css`
+            .foo {
+              color: red;
+            }
+            @utility foo {
+              color: red;
+            }
+            @theme {
+              --breakpoint-md: 768px;
+            }
+            @variant hocus (&:hover, &:focus);
+          `,
+          base: '/root/foo',
+        }
+      }
+      return {
+        content: css`
+          @import './foo/baz.css';
+        `,
+        base: '/root/foo',
+      }
+    }
+
+    await expect(
+      compileCss(
+        `
+          @import './foo/bar.css' reference;
+
+          .bar {
+            @apply md:hocus:foo;
+          }
+        `,
+        [],
+        { loadStylesheet },
+      ),
+    ).resolves.toMatchInlineSnapshot(`
+      "@media (width >= 768px) {
+        .bar:hover, .bar:focus {
+          color: red;
+        }
+      }"
+    `)
+  })
+
+  test('removes styles when the import resolver was handled outside of Tailwind CSS', async () => {
+    await expect(
+      compileCss(
+        `
+          @media reference {
+            @layer theme {
+              @theme {
+                --breakpoint-md: 48rem;
+              }
+              .foo {
+                color: red;
+              }
+            }
+            @utility foo {
+              color: red;
+            }
+            @variant hocus (&:hover, &:focus);
+          }
+
+          .bar {
+            @apply md:hocus:foo;
+          }
+        `,
+        [],
+      ),
+    ).resolves.toMatchInlineSnapshot(`
+      "@layer theme;
+
+      @media (width >= 48rem) {
+        .bar:hover, .bar:focus {
+          color: red;
+        }
+      }"
+    `)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/packages/tailwindcss/src/index.ts b/packages/tailwindcss/src/index.ts
index 9678cc592020..e8cdbd4a97cf 100644
--- a/packages/tailwindcss/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/tailwindcss/src/index.ts
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ async function parseCss(
           }
 
           root = {
-            base: context.sourceBase ?? context.base,
+            base: (context.sourceBase as string) ?? (context.base as string),
             pattern: path.slice(1, -1),
           }
         }
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ async function parseCss(
       ) {
         throw new Error('`@source` paths must be quoted.')
       }
-      globs.push({ base: context.base, pattern: path.slice(1, -1) })
+      globs.push({ base: context.base as string, pattern: path.slice(1, -1) })
       replaceWith([])
       return
     }
@@ -364,6 +364,37 @@ async function parseCss(
           important = true
         }
 
+        // Handle `@import "…" reference`
+        else if (param === 'reference') {
+          walk(node.nodes, (child, { replaceWith }) => {
+            if (child.kind !== 'at-rule') {
+              replaceWith([])
+              return WalkAction.Skip
+            }
+            switch (child.name) {
+              case '@theme': {
+                let themeParams = segment(child.params, ' ')
+                if (!themeParams.includes('reference')) {
+                  child.params = (child.params === '' ? '' : ' ') + 'reference'
+                }
+                return WalkAction.Skip
+              }
+              case '@import':
+              case '@config':
+              case '@plugin':
+              case '@variant':
+              case '@utility': {
+                return WalkAction.Skip
+              }
+
+              // Other at-rules, like `@media`, `@supports`, or `@layer` should
+              // be recursively traversed as these might be inserted by the
+              // `@import` resolution.
+            }
+          })
+          node.nodes = [contextNode({ reference: true }, node.nodes)]
+        }
+
         //
         else {
           unknownParams.push(param)