Frontend Design Skill
Use this skill when the user asks to build web components, pages, or applications. The goal is to produce creative, polished, production-grade UI that avoids generic "AI slop" aesthetics.
Workflow
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Design thinking first
- •Purpose: What problem does this interface solve? Who uses it?
- •Tone: Commit to a clear aesthetic (brutalist, editorial, industrial, soft, etc.).
- •Constraints: Framework, performance, accessibility, existing design system.
- •Differentiation: Decide the one memorable visual idea and execute it.
- •
Implement real code
- •Build working HTML/CSS/JS or framework components (React/Vue/etc.).
- •Match implementation complexity to the aesthetic vision.
- •
Polish
- •Typography hierarchy, spacing rhythm, and visual tension.
- •One strong motion moment (page-load stagger or hero reveal) over scattered micro-motions.
- •Backgrounds/texture for atmosphere, not flat single-color panels.
Frontend Aesthetics Guidelines
Typography
- •ResiDesk: Space Grotesk for headings, Geist for body.
- •Use tight letter spacing (
-0.05em) for headings and UI elements. - •Avoid generic fonts (Inter, Roboto, Arial, system stacks).
Color & Theme
- •Commit to a cohesive palette; use CSS variables for consistency.
- •Prefer dominant colors with sharp accents over timid, evenly distributed palettes.
- •ResiDesk tokens only:
bg-background,text-foreground,border-border,bg-muted,hsl(var(--variable)). - •Never hardcode colors (white/black/hex) when ResiDesk tokens apply.
Motion
- •Use high-impact motion: page-load staggered reveal or a single hero animation.
- •Prefer CSS-only animation for HTML; use Motion library in React when available.
Spatial Composition
- •Embrace asymmetry, overlap, diagonal flow, or grid-breaking elements.
- •Use either generous negative space or intentional density.
Backgrounds & Visual Detail
- •Add depth with gradients, noise, patterns, layered transparency, or custom borders.
- •Avoid flat single-color backgrounds when a richer atmosphere fits the concept.
ResiDesk Typography System (if applicable)
- •Headings: Space Grotesk (h1–h6)
- •Body: Geist
- •Both are loaded via Google Fonts and configured in Tailwind.
- •Reference
/brand-hubfor full guidelines.
Dark Mode Requirements (if applicable)
- •Use theme tokens only; dark mode is automatic via CSS variables.
- •Use
useTheme()when conditional theme logic is needed:import { useTheme } from '../contexts/ThemeContext'
Non-Goals
- •Do not default to generic layouts, default font stacks, or purple-on-white gradients.
- •Do not produce placeholder/mock-only styling; ship working, production-grade UI.