frontend-design

Host Compatibility

If you are running this skill in Codex, read ../references/codex-compatibility.md before following host-specific tool instructions. Claude Code should continue to use the Claude-specific tools and command wrappers described here.

This skill guides creation of distinctive, production-grade frontend interfaces that avoid generic "AI slop" aesthetics. Implement real working code with exceptional attention to aesthetic details and creative choices.

Before Generating: Reuse Check (Soloship override)

If docs/architecture/COMPONENTS.md exists, read it before creating or specifying UI components — reuse or extend an existing component on purpose match, cite what you found, and apply the rule of three (see references/component-inventory.md). This skill generates new UI — which makes it the primary place duplicates are born. Before writing any new component, state what the inventory (or a git grep for likely names) showed and whether you are reusing, extending, or creating — then design boldly within that decision.

Design Direction

Commit to a BOLD aesthetic direction:

• Purpose: What problem does this interface solve? Who uses it?
• Tone: Pick an extreme: brutally minimal, maximalist chaos, retro-futuristic, organic/natural, luxury/refined, playful/toy-like, editorial/magazine, brutalist/raw, art deco/geometric, soft/pastel, industrial/utilitarian, etc. There are so many flavors to choose from. Use these for inspiration but design one that is true to the aesthetic direction.
• Constraints: Technical requirements (framework, performance, accessibility).
• Differentiation: What makes this UNFORGETTABLE? What's the one thing someone will remember?

CRITICAL: Choose a clear conceptual direction and execute it with precision. Bold maximalism and refined minimalism both work—the key is intentionality, not intensity.

Then implement working code that is:

• Production-grade and functional
• Visually striking and memorable
• Cohesive with a clear aesthetic point-of-view
• Meticulously refined in every detail

Frontend Aesthetics Guidelines

Typography

→ Consult typography reference for scales, pairing, and loading strategies.

Choose fonts that are beautiful, unique, and interesting. Pair a distinctive display font with a refined body font.

DO: Use a modular type scale with fluid sizing (clamp) DO: Vary font weights and sizes to create clear visual hierarchy DON'T: Use overused fonts—Inter, Roboto, Arial, Open Sans, system defaults DON'T: Use monospace typography as lazy shorthand for "technical/developer" vibes DON'T: Put large icons with rounded corners above every heading—they rarely add value and make sites look templated

Color & Theme

→ Consult color reference for OKLCH, palettes, and dark mode.

Commit to a cohesive palette. Dominant colors with sharp accents outperform timid, evenly-distributed palettes.

DO: Use modern CSS color functions (oklch, color-mix, light-dark) for perceptually uniform, maintainable palettes DO: Tint your neutrals toward your brand hue—even a subtle hint creates subconscious cohesion DON'T: Use gray text on colored backgrounds—it looks washed out; use a shade of the background color instead DON'T: Use pure black (#000) or pure white (#fff)—always tint; pure black/white never appears in nature DON'T: Use the AI color palette: cyan-on-dark, purple-to-blue gradients, neon accents on dark backgrounds DON'T: Use gradient text for "impact"—especially on metrics or headings; it's decorative rather than meaningful DON'T: Default to dark mode with glowing accents—it looks "cool" without requiring actual design decisions

Layout & Space

→ Consult spatial reference for grids, rhythm, and container queries.

Create visual rhythm through varied spacing—not the same padding everywhere. Embrace asymmetry and unexpected compositions. Break the grid intentionally for emphasis.

DO: Create visual rhythm through varied spacing—tight groupings, generous separations DO: Use fluid spacing with clamp() that breathes on larger screens DO: Use asymmetry and unexpected compositions; break the grid intentionally for emphasis DON'T: Wrap everything in cards—not everything needs a container DON'T: Nest cards inside cards—visual noise, flatten the hierarchy DON'T: Use identical card grids—same-sized cards with icon + heading + text, repeated endlessly DON'T: Use the hero metric layout template—big number, small label, supporting stats, gradient accent DON'T: Center everything—left-aligned text with asymmetric layouts feels more designed DON'T: Use the same spacing everywhere—without rhythm, layouts feel monotonous

Visual Details

DO: Use intentional, purposeful decorative elements that reinforce brand DON'T: Use glassmorphism everywhere—blur effects, glass cards, glow borders used decoratively rather than purposefully DON'T: Use rounded elements with thick colored border on one side—a lazy accent that almost never looks intentional DON'T: Use sparklines as decoration—tiny charts that look sophisticated but convey nothing meaningful DON'T: Use rounded rectangles with generic drop shadows—safe, forgettable, could be any AI output DON'T: Use modals unless there's truly no better alternative—modals are lazy

Motion

→ Consult motion reference for timing, easing, and reduced motion.

Focus on high-impact moments: one well-orchestrated page load with staggered reveals creates more delight than scattered micro-interactions.

DO: Use motion to convey state changes—entrances, exits, feedback DO: Use exponential easing (ease-out-quart/quint/expo) for natural deceleration DO: For height animations, use grid-template-rows transitions instead of animating height directly DON'T: Animate layout properties (width, height, padding, margin)—use transform and opacity only DON'T: Use bounce or elastic easing—they feel dated and tacky; real objects decelerate smoothly

Interaction

→ Consult interaction reference for forms, focus, and loading patterns.

Make interactions feel fast. Use optimistic UI—update immediately, sync later.

DO: Use progressive disclosure—start simple, reveal sophistication through interaction (basic options first, advanced behind expandable sections; hover states that reveal secondary actions) DO: Design empty states that teach the interface, not just say "nothing here" DO: Make every interactive surface feel intentional and responsive DON'T: Repeat the same information—redundant headers, intros that restate the heading DON'T: Make every button primary—use ghost buttons, text links, secondary styles; hierarchy matters

Responsive

→ Consult responsive reference for mobile-first, fluid design, and container queries.

DO: Use container queries (@container) for component-level responsiveness DO: Adapt the interface for different contexts—don't just shrink it DON'T: Hide critical functionality on mobile—adapt the interface, don't amputate it

UX Writing

→ Consult ux-writing reference for labels, errors, and empty states.

DO: Make every word earn its place DON'T: Repeat information users can already see

The AI Slop Test

Critical quality check: If you showed this interface to someone and said "AI made this," would they believe you immediately? If yes, that's the problem.

A distinctive interface should make someone ask "how was this made?" not "which AI made this?"

Review the DON'T guidelines above—they are the fingerprints of AI-generated work from 2024-2025.

Implementation Principles

Match implementation complexity to the aesthetic vision. Maximalist designs need elaborate code with extensive animations and effects. Minimalist or refined designs need restraint, precision, and careful attention to spacing, typography, and subtle details.

Interpret creatively and make unexpected choices that feel genuinely designed for the context. No design should be the same. Vary between light and dark themes, different fonts, different aesthetics. NEVER converge on common choices across generations.

Remember: Claude is capable of extraordinary creative work. Don't hold back—show what can truly be created when thinking outside the box and committing fully to a distinctive vision.