Web UI Design

Web UI Design

Create intentional interfaces instead of default-looking layouts. Persist design decisions in a project system file so every page and component stays coherent across sessions.

Workflow

1) Confirm scope and intent

Use this skill for application interfaces, not marketing pages.

Establish these three anchors before designing:

• Human: Who uses this screen right now?
• Task: What concrete action must they finish?
• Feel: What emotional/brand tone should the UI convey?

If the user did not specify enough context, ask concise questions or make a clearly labeled best-fit assumption.

2) Load or establish the design system

Use .interface-design/system.md as project memory.

• If the file exists: apply it as the default source of truth.
• If the file does not exist: propose one direction and explain why it fits the product and user task.

To bootstrap from existing code, run:

python3 <path-to-skill>/scripts/extract_interface_system.py --path <project-root>

Use references/system-template.md when creating or updating .interface-design/system.md.

3) Declare choices before implementation

Before each major component/page, state a short design contract:

• Intent
• Palette/foundation
• Depth strategy
• Surface hierarchy
• Typography approach
• Spacing grid

Then implement the component and keep every value consistent with that contract.

4) Enforce non-negotiables

• Use one spacing base (4px or 8px), then keep all spacing on that scale.
• Keep depth strategy explicit and consistent (borders-only, subtle-shadows, or layered-shadows).
• Keep typography hierarchy intentional through size, weight, and contrast.
• Include interactive states for controls (hover/focus/active/disabled).
• Keep content coherent with the product domain (no placeholder mismatch).

5) Critique and rebuild

After the first pass, run a critique pass using references/critique-checklist.md. Rebuild weak sections instead of patching with one-off style fixes.

6) Audit drift when editing existing code

Run:

python3 <path-to-skill>/scripts/audit_interface_system.py --path <project-root> --system <project-root>/.interface-design/system.md

Use violations to fix off-grid spacing and depth inconsistencies.

7) Persist new decisions

When the implementation introduces new stable patterns, update .interface-design/system.md so future sessions inherit the same design language.

Direction Selection

Use references/direction-profiles.md only when choosing or revising direction. Pick one dominant direction, then tune details inside that direction instead of mixing incompatible styles.

Resources

scripts/

• scripts/extract_interface_system.py: extract repeated tokens and suggest a starting system.
• scripts/audit_interface_system.py: check spacing/depth violations against the active system file.

references/

• references/system-template.md: canonical system structure for project memory.
• references/direction-profiles.md: concise direction options with tradeoffs.
• references/critique-checklist.md: craft review checklist for second-pass improvements.