Graffiti Best Practices

Graffiti Best Practices

Generate high-quality Graffiti markup using current library constraints.

Graffiti is the baseline design layer when this skill is active: it provides the default system for elements, layout primitives, utilities, components, and color/theme tokens.

This skill extends Graffiti patterns; it does not create a parallel styling system.

This skill is strict about class-first composition, minimal inline style usage, semantic HTML, and repeatable quality checks.

It is also strict about template-first adaptation: when a matching hosted template baseline exists, start from that template and customize it.

Quality bar: passing the markup contract is necessary but not sufficient. Output must also clear an aesthetic bar (voice, density, imagery, restraint). Markup that satisfies every contract check but ships with AI-shaped content (generic copy, decorative gradients, invented SVG icons, fake numbers, emoji-as-icons) still fails. See references/AESTHETIC_GUIDE.md.

Audience: developers using Graffiti in real applications and websites.

Package Structure

• SKILL.md - activation rules, boundaries, and execution workflow
• references/OUTPUT_CONTRACT.md - required response structure and scoring gates
• references/GRAFFITI_SYSTEM.md - Graffiti identity, token/variable model, and source-of-truth lookup rules
• references/COMPONENT_INTENT_MATRIX.md - role boundaries for core components (use-when, do-not-use, fallback)
• references/CANONICAL_SNIPPETS.md - critical pattern snippets that must be used as first-choice baselines
• references/RECIPES_LAYOUTS.md - page shell and layout recipes
• references/RECIPES_SECTIONS.md - section-level recipes by intent
• references/RECIPES_COMPONENTS.md - component-level recipe snippets
• references/ANTI_PATTERNS.md - failure mode catalog and detection heuristics
• references/RECOVERY_TRANSFORMS.md - deterministic rewrite transforms
• references/EXAMPLES.md - prompt/response behavior examples
• references/TROUBLESHOOTING.md - ambiguous prompt handling and recovery guidance
• references/AESTHETIC_GUIDE.md - taste / voice / density / imagery / anti-slop rules (output quality)
• references/THEMING_AND_TOKENS.md - color-scheme and opaque-scale gotchas, theme override chain
• references/MOBILE_AND_CONTAINERS.md - container queries vs media queries, drawer pattern, dvh + safe-area
• references/CHEAT_SHEET.md - fast "I want X, use Y" lookup

Trigger Conditions

Activate this skill when the request includes one or more of these signals:

• Build or refactor a page/section using Graffiti classes
• Convert inline-styled markup to class-first markup
• Produce template-like structures (landing, dashboard, blog, settings, chat, forms, navigation)
• Improve markup quality, semantics, responsiveness, or consistency for Graffiti outputs

Do Not Activate For

• Non-UI/backend-only tasks
• Requests to design a brand new CSS framework or token system
• Requests where Graffiti is not the target styling system

Hard Boundaries (Refusal + Redirect Rules)

1. Do not invent class names not present in current Graffiti CSS/docs.
2. Do not invent CSS custom properties (--*) that are not part of Graffiti's documented token/component contracts.
3. Use Graffiti-first composition: exhaust existing classes/tokens before adding custom CSS.
4. Custom CSS is allowed when needed, but apply it systemically: create reusable project-level classes/utilities instead of one-off component-local overrides.
5. Do not hardcode raw color literals (#hex, rgb(), oklch(...)) inline unless explicitly requested.
6. Do not add JS/Svelte state for purely static structure; add state only when interaction or data requirements actually need it.
7. If a requested pattern is not supported by current classes/tokens, return the closest canonical fallback and clearly note the limitation plus an optional reusable extension path.
8. If a matching hosted template baseline exists for the requested intent, use it as the baseline. Do not generate an unrelated structure from scratch unless the user explicitly asks for a fresh build.
9. Do not re-implement built-in Graffiti primitives with bespoke wrappers/CSS/JS. This is a hard fail for critical patterns including dialog/modal, card/card-link, bubble/chat, callout, input-group, form rows/actions.
10. Do not create a duplicate design system (new ad-hoc utility framework, component framework, or token family) when Graffiti primitives already satisfy the request.
11. Do not ship AI-shaped content: generic feature-grid copy, fake testimonials, invented stat numbers, emoji-as-icons, hand-drawn SVG illustrations more complex than a basic shape, "Coming soon" decorative badges, gradient backgrounds on every section. See references/AESTHETIC_GUIDE.md for the full anti-slop list.
12. Do not inline-override hue tokens (--blue, --red, etc.) and expect their opaque scales (--blue-opaque-N) to follow. Use a theme class instead. See references/THEMING_AND_TOKENS.md.
13. Do not use @media queries for component-internal responsiveness. Default to @container queries with container-type: inline-size. See references/MOBILE_AND_CONTAINERS.md.

Graffiti Identity (Non-Negotiable)

Treat these as fixed truths for this skill:

• Graffiti is a class-first drop-in CSS system. Markup should compose existing classes instead of rebuilding primitives with inline CSS.
• Graffiti is the baseline layer for page styling in projects using this skill (elements + layouts + utilities + components + full token system).
• Graffiti is a substrate, not a look. The framework's value comes from re-skinning, not from the default look being everything. Output quality depends on the content + assets + tokens the markup carries — slop in, slop out.
• The source of truth is hosted Graffiti docs/templates plus local package evidence, in this order:
  1. https://graffiti-ui.com/base, https://graffiti-ui.com/utilities, https://graffiti-ui.com/elements, https://graffiti-ui.com/ui-blocks requested with Accept: text/markdown, plus topic routes like https://graffiti-ui.com/elements/buttons
  2. https://graffiti-ui.com/templates and template pages such as https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/landing, https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/dashboard, https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/blog, https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/settings, https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/ai-chat, https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/docs-portal
  3. Installed Graffiti stylesheet/package exports in the target project (actual selectors and variable contracts)
  4. Skill recipes in references/* (guidance layer, never higher authority than source files)
• Graffiti variables are contracts, not free-form style knobs. Use documented tokens/overrides only.
• If guidance in skill references conflicts with source files, source files win.

System-First Preflight (Required)

Before writing or editing markup, run this preflight in order:

1. Variables: identify required tokens from https://graffiti-ui.com/base markdown and installed Graffiti CSS contracts.
2. Theme: confirm theme/color intent can be solved with Graffiti tokens/classes first. If theming a non-default surface, consult references/THEMING_AND_TOKENS.md to pick the right override level (theme class vs --primary swap vs component override token).
3. Layout: map top-level structure to existing layout primitives. For mobile-responsive layout primitives, default to @container per references/MOBILE_AND_CONTAINERS.md.
4. Utilities: map text/state/alignment behavior to existing utilities.
5. Components: map each requested UI piece to canonical built-in components.

If any category cannot be mapped, choose a documented fallback and record it before writing final markup.

Aesthetic-First Preflight (Required for content surfaces)

For any surface that includes content (marketing, dashboard with copy, templates, blog, etc.) ALSO run this preflight per references/AESTHETIC_GUIDE.md:

1. Theme: pick a theme class FIRST. Decide whether it lives globally (on <html> / app root) or locally (on a section/feature root). Default-canvas-with-no-theme is a deliberate choice, not a fallback. See references/THEMING_AND_TOKENS.md.
2. Voice: commit to a tone (editorial / technical / product / luxury / brutalist / etc.) and stay in it.
3. Density: declare the per-section content budget (e.g. hero = 1 headline + 1 subhead + 2 CTAs; feature grid = 3–6 items, each ≤30 words). If unsure, default LOW.
4. Imagery: decide what every image slot actually contains. If no real imagery is available, use .box.invisible + gradient-* + monospace label as placeholder. Never invent decorative SVGs.
5. Icons: Graffiti ships no icon set and blesses none. Use whatever icon library the project already includes (check package.json and existing imports first). If the project has no icon library, use the <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> placeholder pattern with a single Unicode glyph until a real icon is supplied. Never invent SVG icons more complex than a basic shape (circle / square / arrow / chevron / plus / minus / X / check). Never use emoji as feature icons. Never mix icon sets in one page.

If theme / voice / density / imagery is ambiguous in the user's request and they didn't provide guidance, ASK before generating — do not silently choose generic SaaS defaults.

Component Intent Steering (Required)

Classes are role-bearing primitives, not generic visual wrappers.

Specific-Over-Generic Rule (the anti-generic-container rule)

.box, .stack, .cluster, .split, .surface are fallbacks, not defaults. Reaching for them when a role-specific primitive exists is the single largest source of ugly, generic-looking Graffiti output.

Before composing any container with a neutral wrapper, walk the role menu in this order and stop at the first match:

1. Is this a metric/KPI readout? → .stat-card
2. Is this a feature/value-prop entry? → .feature-card
3. Is this a record-like content unit (article, product, plan, recipe, post preview)? → .card (or .card.featured / .card.linked)
4. Is this a notice / contextual message (info, warning, error, success)? → .callout + semantic variant
5. Is this a chat / message turn? → .chat-thread + .chat-row + .bubble
6. Is this a tool call / activity log entry / function invocation? → .log-card
7. Is this a compact disclosure (FAQ-style)? → <details class="bordered"> + <summary>
8. Is this a modal/confirmation surface? → native <dialog> + .close
9. Is this a form field row / submit row / option label? → .row / .form-actions / .form-option-row
10. Is this an input coupled with one button? → .input-group
11. Is this a multi-line message composer with toolbar? → <form class="composer">
12. Is this a TOC for a long document? → .toc
13. Is this a vertical icon-only nav rail? → .icon-rail
14. Is this a secondary inspector/workbench pane in an app shell? → .workbench-panel inside .layout-rail.with-workbench
15. Is this a selectable pill / filter / suggestion? → .chip (with aria-pressed)
16. Is this a status pill / category label? → .tag (semantic variant first)
17. Is this a pull quote? → <blockquote class="pull-quote">
18. Is this a section eyebrow / overline? → .eyebrow

Only after exhausting the role menu is .box / .stack / .cluster / .split / .surface allowed — and even then, justify why no role primitive fits.

Three-fit validation (apply once a role primitive is selected):

1. Intent fit: component role matches the requested job.
2. Semantic fit: host element semantics match the pattern.
3. Shape fit: content shape (single metric, repeating article, form control row, notice, etc.) matches the primitive.

Hard boundaries:

• .card and .card.featured are for repeating content units (article/product/plan-like records), not generic section/page wrappers.
• .card.linked is for card-as-link preview units, not nav containers or generic anchor wrappers.
• .stat-card is for KPI/metric values, not long-form copy or feature marketing blurbs.
• .feature-card is for feature-list entries, not arbitrary content blocks.
• .log-card is for activity entries (tool calls, deploys, audit lines), not generic cards.
• .composer is for multi-line message composition with a toolbar; do not reach for it as a generic form wrapper.
• .icon-rail and .workbench-panel belong inside .layout-rail shells; do not use them as standalone decoration.
• Neutral wrappers are fallbacks. If you used .box / .stack / .surface and the result looks unstyled, you probably skipped the role menu above — go back and reselect.

Variable System Rules

When using inline custom properties or token references:

1. Prefer core tokens documented on https://graffiti-ui.com/base markdown and implemented in Graffiti CSS contracts.
2. Prefer semantic status classes before color token overrides (for example .tag.success before --tag-color).
3. Use component override vars only where documented (for example --button-color, --tag-color, --bubble-*, --toggle-color, --callout-*).
4. Do not invent new --* variable names in markup unless the user explicitly requests a project extension path.
5. For spacing/layout, prefer existing layout classes first; if override is still needed, use documented variables such as --gap, --layout-gap, --min-card-width, --max-width.
6. To re-color a whole surface, prefer applying a theme class (class="theme-X") over inline-overriding hue tokens. Inline hue overrides do not propagate to opaque scales. See references/THEMING_AND_TOKENS.md.
7. When inline-overriding --bg or --fg, also pin color-scheme on the same element to prevent light-dark() resolution drift.

Theming Decision (Required Before Markup)

Pick the lowest level that solves the requested change. Decide once, apply once.

Available stock themes (verify against src/lib/themes/ before referencing): theme-editorial, theme-paper, theme-system, theme-soft-consumer, theme-neon-arcade, theme-studio, theme-signal, theme-lumen. The unstyled canvas (no theme class) is also a valid choice — pick it deliberately, not by accident.

Hard rules:

• Do not inline-override a hue token (--blue, --red, etc.) and expect the opaque scales (--blue-opaque-N) to follow. Use a theme class instead.
• Do not scatter theme decisions across many elements. Apply theme high; let inheritance handle the rest.
• Do not use !important to force a token to win — that always means the structural choice was wrong.

Required Workflow

Follow this sequence every time.

1. Classify intent

   • Map request to one or more intents: layout shell, neutral container, nav, form, repeating content unit, table/data, chat, utility/text.

2. Resolve hosted template baseline first

   • Check https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/* for the closest intent match.
   • If a match exists, treat it as the required starter and preserve its canonical section/component composition unless the user asked to replace it.
   • Record the selected template path in the output contract.

3. Run system-first preflight

   • Complete variable/theme/layout/utilities/components checks from references/GRAFFITI_SYSTEM.md.

4. Run aesthetic-first preflight (content surfaces)

   • For any output that includes content/copy/imagery, declare voice / density / imagery / icons / theme up front per references/AESTHETIC_GUIDE.md.
   • If the user's brief doesn't fix these choices, ask before generating.

5. Resolve source-of-truth class and variable contracts

   • For requested components/sections, read https://graffiti-ui.com/base, https://graffiti-ui.com/utilities, https://graffiti-ui.com/elements, and https://graffiti-ui.com/ui-blocks with Accept: text/markdown and use documented classes/examples as canonical patterns.
   • Prefer topic routes (for example https://graffiti-ui.com/elements/buttons) when you only need one topic to reduce context noise.
   • Use https://graffiti-ui.com/base markdown for global token names and categories.
   • If uncertain about availability, confirm against selectors/variables in installed Graffiti CSS.

6. Create primitive mapping before coding

   • For each requested component/interaction, map user intent to an existing Graffiti primitive and cite source file.
   • If no direct primitive exists, map to closest fallback and record limitation.
   • Use references/CHEAT_SHEET.md as a fast lookup when the intent is unambiguous.

7. Run component intent fit check

   • Validate each selected component class against references/COMPONENT_INTENT_MATRIX.md before writing markup.
   • If a component only matches visual styling (but not role), remap to the proper primitive.
   • Treat role mismatch as a blocking error, not a stylistic preference.

8. Resolve canonical snippets for critical patterns

   • For dialog/modal, card/link, bubble/chat, form actions/options, input-group, and callouts, start from references/CANONICAL_SNIPPETS.md baselines.

9. Select canonical recipe path

   • Choose the closest reference pattern from:
     • references/OUTPUT_CONTRACT.md
     • references/RECIPES_LAYOUTS.md, references/RECIPES_SECTIONS.md, references/RECIPES_COMPONENTS.md, references/CANONICAL_SNIPPETS.md
   • Recipes refine the baseline template; they do not replace it when a baseline exists.

10. Build a class plan before writing markup

    • Identify layout classes, component classes, utility classes, semantic wrappers, and ARIA/state attributes.
    • Record why each role-specific component was selected and why neutral wrappers were rejected.
    • Build a variable plan: list every --* you intend to use and cite its source file.

11. Plan responsive behavior

    • Decide whether each responsive concern is page-shaped (@media) or component-shaped (@container). Default to @container for component internals per references/MOBILE_AND_CONTAINERS.md.
    • Use [popover].drawer + .drawer-toggle for mobile menus; do not write a JS-toggled menu.
    • Use 100dvh (not 100vh) for any "fill the visible viewport" need.

12. Apply class-first decision tree

    • If a class exists, use it.
    • Inline style is only allowed for approved token overrides or bounded layout exceptions (see output contract).
    • If custom CSS is required, prefer reusable extension classes over local one-off overrides.

13. Write semantic structure first, then style with classes

    • Use landmarks and semantic tags (header, nav, main, section, article, aside, footer, lists, tables, labels).

14. Run accessibility minimum checks

    • Labels, heading order, keyboard-relevant semantics, aria-current/state attributes, table semantics, media alt text.

15. Run responsiveness checks

    • Ensure composition degrades correctly at narrow widths using existing layout primitives + container queries.

16. Run class and variable validation checks

    • Every class in output must be traceable to hosted docs markdown, hosted templates, or installed Graffiti CSS.
    • Every inline --* override must map to documented Graffiti token/override names.
    • Every role-specific component must pass intent-fit validation from references/COMPONENT_INTENT_MATRIX.md.
    • Confirm no built-in primitives were re-implemented with custom wrappers/CSS/JS.
    • Confirm no duplicate utility/component/token system was introduced.

17. Run aesthetic compliance checks

    • Run the anti-slop checklist from references/AESTHETIC_GUIDE.md.
    • Confirm no AI-shaped content (generic copy, decorative gradients on every section, emoji icons, fake numbers, hand-drawn SVG illustrations).
    • Confirm voice is consistent throughout the output.

18. Emit output using required contract

    • Response must follow references/OUTPUT_CONTRACT.md section order.
    • Must include a post-edit compliance report proving no duplicate system was created.

19. Handle ambiguity with deterministic defaults

    • Apply troubleshooting defaults from references/TROUBLESHOOTING.md.
    • Prefer safe class-first fallback plus explicit limitation note over invented classes.

Hosted Template Baseline Map

Use this map before writing markup:

• Landing/marketing pages -> https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/landing
• Dashboard/admin pages -> https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/dashboard
• Blog/content pages -> https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/blog
• Settings/account pages -> https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/settings
• AI chat pages -> https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/ai-chat
• Docs/knowledge-base pages -> https://graffiti-ui.com/templates/docs-portal

If no direct match exists, use recipes as primary source and state "No baseline template match found" in the output contract.

Class-First Decision Tree

1. Is there an existing Graffiti class or class combination for this requirement?

   • Yes: use class-based implementation.
   • No: go to step 2.

2. Can this be represented as an approved token override?

   • Yes: use inline custom properties only (for example --gap; use --tag-color only for custom categories when semantic tag variants do not fit).
   • No: go to step 3.

3. Is it a bounded layout exception (for example one-off max width wrapper)?

   • Yes: allow minimal inline declaration and record rationale in verification.
   • No: return closest class-based fallback and document limitation + reusable extension option.

Status defaults:

• Prefer semantic tag variants for status labels: .tag.success, .tag.warning, .tag.error, .tag.info.
• Use --tag-color as a fallback for non-status category colors.
• Prefer .card.linked for card-as-link patterns instead of inline link reset styles.
• Prefer .form-option-row for checkbox/radio label rows instead of inline display: inline-flex recipes.
• Prefer .row inside forms/fieldsets for field wrappers (label + input + help text) instead of repeated stack + --gap compositions.
• Prefer .form-actions for submit/cancel rows instead of bare cluster compositions (provides responsive stacking).
• Prefer native <dialog> + .close for modal flows before custom modal wrappers or JS toggles.

Accessibility Minimums (Must Pass)

• Landmark structure is present for page-level outputs.
• Heading hierarchy is logical (no skipped levels without rationale).
• Every form control has an accessible label.
• Interactive nav/menu patterns include state signals (aria-current, open, checked state).
• Tables use proper table, thead, tbody, th, and td semantics.

Compatibility Policy

• Default output is framework-agnostic HTML.
• If user asks for Svelte, keep markup-first output and only add Svelte logic when interaction or data-binding is explicitly required.
• For static structure in Svelte files, prefer markup-first output without unnecessary script/state blocks.

Pass/Fail Gates

Treat output as failed if any hard fail occurs:

• Unknown class names
• Unknown custom property names
• Re-implementation of built-in Graffiti primitives
• Role-specific component used outside its intended role boundary (for example .card as generic wrapper)
• Duplicate styling system introduced instead of Graffiti composition
• Disallowed inline styles
• Missing required semantic/accessibility structure
• Response does not follow output contract sections
• Matching hosted template exists but output does not use it as baseline (unless user explicitly requested a fresh build)
• AI-shaped content shipped (generic feature copy, fake testimonials, emoji icons, decorative gradients on multiple sections, hand-drawn SVG illustrations)
• Inline hue token override expected to propagate to opaque scales (without a theme class)
• @media query used for component-internal responsiveness when @container was appropriate

Treat output as pass only if all sections in references/OUTPUT_CONTRACT.md pass their checks AND the aesthetic checklist in references/AESTHETIC_GUIDE.md is clear.

References

• references/OUTPUT_CONTRACT.md
• references/GRAFFITI_SYSTEM.md
• references/COMPONENT_INTENT_MATRIX.md
• references/CANONICAL_SNIPPETS.md
• references/RECIPES_LAYOUTS.md
• references/RECIPES_SECTIONS.md
• references/RECIPES_COMPONENTS.md
• references/ANTI_PATTERNS.md
• references/RECOVERY_TRANSFORMS.md
• references/EXAMPLES.md
• references/TROUBLESHOOTING.md
• references/AESTHETIC_GUIDE.md
• references/THEMING_AND_TOKENS.md
• references/MOBILE_AND_CONTAINERS.md
• references/CHEAT_SHEET.md

Source: stolinski/graffiti — distributed by TomeVault.