Design System

Canonical visual and accessibility rules for AI-Created and beyond. Now pressure-tested in production at Human, Actually. Every pixel shaped with AI, grounded in a rigorous design system.

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PrinciplesColorsTypographyLayoutAccessibilityPage ArchetypesComponentsMotionTheme Rules

Principles

These are the non-negotiable rules behind the live site. Everything else should follow from them.

Product-First

The site exists to support shipped work. Brand expression matters, but proof, hierarchy, and navigation win over spectacle.

Editorial Restraint

Large serif moments create tone. Most UI stays quiet, geometric, and highly legible so the work can carry the personality.

Dark-Native

Dark mode defines the atmosphere. Light mode is warm, calm, and equally intentional rather than a quick inversion.

System Before Novelty

New visual ideas must earn their place. Shared rules beat one-off styling, and route drift is treated as design debt.

Accessible by Default

Keyboard access, visible focus, readable contrast, clear labels, and reduced-motion support are core system requirements, not finishing work.

Change Discipline

  • -If a change adds a new route pattern, update the page archetypes before shipping it.
  • -If a change adds a new component style, update both /design-system and DESIGN-SYSTEM.md in the same pass.
  • -If a new UI need appears, try existing primitives first. Promote it into a shared component only when the pattern repeats or clearly belongs across routes.
  • -If a change affects interaction, verify keyboard use, focus states, contrast, and reduced-motion behavior before shipping.
  • -Do not introduce a second visual language for one part of the site unless it is explicitly documented as a sub-system.

Colors

A dual-theme palette with explicit hierarchy, one accent red, one solid action red, and a small semantic status layer for system feedback.

Layering

Use bg for page background, surface for primary cards and modules, and surface2 for nested controls or quieter sub-panels.

Text Hierarchy

text is primary content, text2 is supporting copy, and text3 is reserved for metadata, labels, and low-emphasis UI only.

Accent Restraint

The bright red token is for emphasis, dividers, and active state cues. Filled controls with white text use the darker solid red token.

Light Mode Discipline

Because light mode is warmer and softer, avoid leaning too hard on text3 for important copy or navigation.

Semantic Status

Success, info, warning, and error use dedicated tokens so status UI does not overload the brand red system.

Red Roles

The red system is intentionally narrow. There are only two public-facing jobs here: a brighter accent red for signal and a darker action red for filled controls. Hover values exist as state, not as standalone color identities.

Click any swatch or token row to copy its current value.

Accent red

signal only

The brighter red is for emphasis, active cues, rules, and selective highlights. It should read as signal, not as a filled control.

Hover state--color-red-hover
active cueUse the brighter red to point, not to shout.

Signal and selective emphasis should feel deliberate.

UseUse for dividers, highlighted text, active markers, and selective accents.
GuardrailDo not use this as a filled button with white text.

Contrast: 4.47:1 with white in dark mode

Action red

filled controls

The darker red is the functional action color. It exists so filled controls can keep the same brand feel while remaining accessible.

Hover state--color-red-solid-hover
Launch ProductHover State

Filled red actions must preserve the brand while still reading clearly with white text.

UseUse for primary buttons, submit actions, and any red surface carrying white text.
GuardrailThis is the default red for filled CTAs.

Contrast: 5.41:1 with white in dark mode

Supporting Tokens

These tokens support the main palette. They matter, but they are not meant to compete with the primary color roles above.

Backgrounds

Text

Red Support

UI

Semantic Status

Accessibility Notes

  • -Primary and secondary text tokens are safe for navigation, labels, and helper copy. `text3` is not.
  • -Filled red controls use `red-solid` because the accent red is intentionally brighter and warmer, while `#D41010` reaches 5.41:1 with white text in dark mode.
  • -Hover reds are state tokens, not separate brand colors. They support interaction feedback, not palette expansion.
  • -Focus uses its own token so interactive outlines are visible in both themes without borrowing random utility colors.
  • -Accent red should never become the only way to communicate meaning; it reinforces, it does not carry the whole signal.
  • -Semantic status tokens are for confirmations, warnings, guidance, and failures. They should support meaning without competing with the core palette.

Dark ↔ Light

Dark Mode
bg#0A0A0B
surface#101113
surface2#14161A
borderrgba(255,255,255,0.10)
border-strongrgba(255,255,255,0.16)
text#F5F7FA
text2rgba(245,247,250,0.72)
text3rgba(245,247,250,0.62)
red#FF4B2B
red-hover#F13A1D
Light Mode
bg#F2EDE6
surface#F7F3EC
surface2#EAE4DB
borderrgba(0,0,0,0.10)
border-strongrgba(0,0,0,0.18)
text#1D1D1F
text2rgba(29,29,31,0.72)
text3rgba(29,29,31,0.68)
red#DE3A1F
red-hover#C92C18

In Context

Card Heading

Body text on a surface background. This demonstrates how the token hierarchy creates readable, layered interfaces.

Primary ActionSecondary

Card Heading

Body text on a surface background. This demonstrates how the token hierarchy creates readable, layered interfaces.

Primary ActionSecondary

Typography

One serif for tone, one sans for almost everything else, and monospace for structure. The system works because serif usage is restrained.

Displayfont-display

Instrument Serif

The art of building software

The art of building software

The art of building software

Aa400 Regular

Hero titles, section headers, editorial moments. The only serif in the system — used sparingly for maximum impact.

Primary Sansfont-heading

Space Grotesk

Products that ship. Clear, readable text that scales from captions to paragraphs.

Products that ship. Clear, readable text that scales from captions to paragraphs.

Products that ship. Clear, readable text that scales from captions to paragraphs.

Aa300 Light
Aa400 Regular
Aa500 Medium
Aa600 Semi
Aa700 Bold

Headings, body text, navigation, UI labels. The workhorse typeface — geometric, distinctive, readable at every size.

Monospacefont-mono

System Monospace

const system = { status: "live" }

const system = { status: "live" }

const system = { status: "live" }

Aa400 Regular

Code, technical labels, badges, metadata. Uses the platform’s native monospace (SF Mono, Menlo, Consolas).

Role Recipes

Hero Title

font-display text-4xl md:text-7xl tracking-wide

Reserved for route-level hero moments and major page framing.

Section Title

font-display text-3xl md:text-5xl tracking-wide

Used for major sections on the homepage and key interior pages.

Card Title

font-heading text-lg or text-xl font-medium

Most UI titles should stay in Space Grotesk rather than borrowing display styling.

Metadata

font-mono text-xs uppercase tracking-wider

Use for dates, labels, statuses, platform markers, and structural utility copy.

Type Scale

Base font-size is set to 125% (20px). These are the computed sizes at that base.

text-xs15px
Published May 2026Meta labels, timestamps, badges
text-sm17.5px
Structured product and editorial copy.Card copy, controls, supporting UI
text-base20px
Clear, confident body text for authored content.Primary paragraphs and intro copy
text-lg22.5px
A system that stays readable while feeling premium.Hero subheads and summary lines
text-xl25px
What the interface should make obviousCard titles and callout headings
text-3xl37.5px
Section HeadingSection titles
text-5xl60px
Design SystemLarge display moments
Pairing in context

Building in the open

Editorial voice plus quiet UI typography

Serif creates the atmosphere. Space Grotesk carries the actual reading load. That split keeps the site expressive without making it fragile.

rule: use display typography sparingly

Accessibility Notes

  • -The effective base size is 20px, so the UI starts from a readable floor instead of relying on micro-type.
  • -Use real heading levels in page templates; display styling never replaces document structure.
  • -Serif is reserved for expressive moments. Dense UI, forms, and filters stay in Space Grotesk to preserve legibility.

Spacing & Layout

The site relies on a small set of repeatable spacing and layout recipes. Consistency here is what keeps the visual system tight.

Layout Recipes

Hero Frame

pt-32 pb-20 with centered max-w-4xl copy block

Used on browse and context pages. Homepage hero is larger, but follows the same centered copy logic.

Standard Section

py-20 with one clear heading and one primary grid or block

The default rhythm across homepage sections and most interior modules.

Feature Card

bg-surface border rounded-md p-8 md:p-12

Primary module shell for proof blocks, summaries, and larger content groups.

Grid Rhythm

gap-6 for cards and related modules

The system mostly relies on 24px gaps; larger jumps should be intentional and rare.

Spacing Scale

p-1
0.25rem4px
p-2
0.5rem8px
p-3
0.75rem12px
p-4
1rem16px
p-6
1.5rem24px
p-8
2rem32px
p-10
2.5rem40px
p-12
3rem48px
p-16
4rem64px
p-18
4.5rem72pxCustom
p-20
5rem80px
p-24
6rem96px
p-32
8rem128px

Border Radius

rounded-sm4px
rounded6px
rounded-md6px
rounded-lg10px
rounded-full9999px

Container

Viewport
.container-custom
max-width: 1400pxpadding: 2vw / 6vw on mobile

Responsive Strategy

Mobile-first with standard Tailwind breakpoints. Content wrappers control reading width, not the container.

sm: 640pxSmall tablets, 2-col grids
md: 768pxTablets, hero text scaling
lg: 1024pxDesktop sidebar, nav
xl: 1280pxWide grids, split layouts
Articlesmax-w-3xl
Hero Copymax-w-4xl
Gridsmax-w-6xl

Image Patterns

Consistent image handling across heroes, cards, and media embeds.

Video Embedsaspect-video or padding-bottom: 56.25% for 16:9
Fill Imagesnext/image with fill + sizes prop
Object Fitobject-cover default, object-contain for full visibility
LoadingLazy by default, priority for above-fold heroes

Accessibility Notes

  • -Every route must expose the shared skip-link target: `#main-content`.
  • -Source order should stay logical on mobile and desktop; visual rearrangement cannot break reading or tab order.
  • -Headings, sections, and landmarks are part of layout, not content garnish. The system expects both visual rhythm and structural rhythm.

Accessibility

Accessibility is part of the system contract. The site should feel refined without asking users to trade off clarity, control, or comfort.

Keyboard First

Every interactive control must be reachable, usable, and understandable without a mouse. Skip links, nav order, and visible focus are baseline requirements.

Readable Contrast

Text, controls, and status states must hold up in both themes. Metadata can be quieter, but navigation, form labels, and key actions cannot disappear into the background.

Reduced Motion

Motion is optional enhancement. Users who prefer reduced motion should still get clear hierarchy, state change, and orientation without animated dependency.

Clear Naming

Decorative imagery stays decorative. Interactive elements need explicit names, external-link behavior should be communicated, and live feedback should be announced.

Release Checklist
  • Use one skip link target: `#main-content`.
  • Do not remove focus rings without providing an equally visible replacement.
  • Use `text3` for metadata only. Navigation, labels, and helper copy should usually use `text2` or `text`.
  • Filled red controls with white text must use the solid red action token rather than the brighter accent red.
  • Treat decorative icons and hero images as decorative with empty alt text and `aria-hidden` where appropriate.
  • Announce changing UI states with `role="status"`, `aria-live`, or `role="alert"` when the user needs confirmation.
  • Respect `prefers-reduced-motion`. Motion should never gate comprehension.

Focus Strategy

Triggerfocus-visible (not focus)
Outline2px solid var(--color-focus)
Offsetoutline-offset: 3px
Selection::selection uses rgba(255, 75, 43, 0.22)

Applies to: a, button, input, textarea, select, summary, [tabindex]:not([tabindex="-1"])

Pattern
Usage
aria-current="page"
Active nav links
aria-expanded
Hamburger menu toggle
aria-controls
Buttons linked to controlled panels
aria-pressed
Toggle filter buttons
aria-busy
Forms during submission
aria-live="polite"
Non-error status updates
role="alert"
Error messages
role="dialog" + aria-modal
Modal overlays
aria-labelledby
Sections linked to headings
aria-hidden="true"
Decorative SVGs and images
sr-only
Screen-reader-only text labels
Keyboard Patterns
EscapeCloses modals (exits fullscreen first), closes mobile menu
FToggles fullscreen in video modal
TabFocus trap in modals, natural flow elsewhere
EnterForm submission, button activation
Element
Accessibility Contract
Color
Text hierarchy carries semantic weight. `text3` is metadata only, focus uses a dedicated accent token, and filled red controls use the darker solid token so white text remains compliant in both themes.
Typography
Body and UI text stay readable at the system scale, headings stay semantic, and serif never becomes a legibility tax in dense interfaces.
Layout
Every page exposes `#main-content`, keeps logical source order, and uses real landmarks and headings before visual flourishes.
Page Archetypes
Home, browse, detail, and context pages each carry distinct accessibility expectations: skip targets, browse feedback, breadcrumbs, and clear onward paths.
Components
Cards, filters, forms, badges, media controls, and navigation all need keyboard support, visible focus, explicit names, and honest state communication.
Motion
Motion may clarify hierarchy or state, but reduced-motion users must still understand the interface without animation.
Theme
Dark and light modes are equally real. A component fails the system if focus, contrast, or affordance breaks in either theme.

Page Archetypes

Every live route should fit a known template. New pages inherit an archetype before they get bespoke styling.

Home

/

Set the thesis, prove the work, and move people into products, stories, or contact.

  • -Immersive hero with one core message
  • -Proof sections before opinion-heavy copy
  • -Featured products and supporting content modules
  • -Direct contact path at the bottom

Browse

/products, /stories, /lab-notes, /media

Help people scan, compare, and choose where to go next.

  • -Clear hero with route-specific framing, usually via ThemedHeroImage
  • -Structured filters only when they improve findability
  • -Card grids with consistent metadata hierarchy
  • -Strong empty states and clear onward links

Detail

/products/[slug], /stories/[slug], /lab-notes/[slug]

Let one piece of work or writing carry focus without clutter.

  • -Breadcrumb or route context
  • -Tight headline and supporting metadata
  • -Primary proof block: copy, media, or article body
  • -Shared article shell for editorial detail routes, with citation, author context, comments, and return path
  • -Related links that keep the user inside the system

Context

/about, /resume

Establish credibility, experience, and point of view without turning the site into a generic personal brand funnel.

  • -Direct framing and authored copy
  • -Structured credibility blocks
  • -Clear tie-back to products and shipped work
  • -Simple CTAs that point back into the main system

IA Rules

  • -Public navigation is fixed: Home, Products, 0→1 Stories, Lab Notes, Media, About, Design System.
  • -Legacy routes are redirected, not visually maintained as separate systems.
  • -A new top-level route must justify its place in navigation and match an existing page archetype or create a documented new one.
  • -Route-level heroes and article pages should start from shared primitives like ThemedHeroImage and ArticleLayout before adding route-specific variation.

Accessibility By Archetype

  • -Home: one clear H1, obvious primary CTA, and a skip path to proof before long scrolling.
  • -Browse: filters must be labeled, keyboard reachable, and paired with live result feedback or clear empty states.
  • -Detail: breadcrumb or route context, readable hero copy, and media with meaningful fallback text or explicit decoration.
  • -Context: credibility content should remain structured, not collapse into decorative cards with vague headings.

Components

These are the shared production patterns. Experimental showcase components are not part of the core public system.

Component Rules

  • -Start with shared primitives: Button, Surface, TextInput, and TextArea carry the interaction contract for the public site.
  • -Prefer existing shells before inventing a new card style.
  • -Do not add checklist components for completeness. A new shared component should answer a real product need, not a hypothetical one.
  • -Keep metadata systems compact and mono-driven: status, platform, date, category, read time.
  • -Use the bright red accent for emphasis and state. Use the solid red token for filled actions with white text.
  • -Route-level composition counts as a component decision. Shared shells like ArticleLayout and ThemedHeroImage are part of the system, not implementation trivia.
  • -Interactive components need visible focus, explicit naming, and correct HTML semantics before they are considered done.
  • -If a component only appears on one route, question whether it should be part of the design system at all.

Buttons & Links

The public site uses one shared button primitive with variant and size options. Primary buttons use the solid red action fill. Secondary actions are bordered and quieter. Tertiary actions are text links.

Focus-visible
Loading
Disabled

Shared UI Primitives

These are the reusable building blocks now used by the production site and the design-system page itself.

Button

Handles primary, secondary, ghost, filter, and icon styles with consistent sizing and disabled states.

Surface

Encodes the shared shell language for cards, panels, notices, and accent modules instead of repeating border and background recipes inline.

default
muted
accent
info

When to Add a Component

This system grows by product pressure, not by checklist completeness. New components should be promoted when the pattern is real, repeated, or clearly cross-route.

Component admission rule

  • -First use: solve the product problem with existing primitives and route-level composition.
  • -Second similar use: identify the repeated interaction, content shape, and accessibility contract.
  • -Shared or repeated use: promote it into a canonical component, then document it here and in DESIGN-SYSTEM.md in the same pass.
  • -Badges, dropdowns, radio groups, sliders, toggles, dialogs, and tooltips are now shared primitives. Tooltip + Badge is the standard composition for interactive status pills. Tables and other patterns wait until the live site needs them.
Promotion checklist

Use the real product need first.

Add the shared primitive or variant.

Ship the full accessibility and state contract.

Document it on `/design-system` and in `DESIGN-SYSTEM.md`.

Metadata System

Status pills, platform badges, and stack chips carry most of the structural utility language across the site.

LIVEBETAIN DEV
iOSAndroidmacOSWindowsWEB
Next.jsOpenAIWhisperTailwindFramer Motion

Status & Loading

Async feedback now uses a shared notice primitive and a small skeleton primitive instead of ad hoc status markup.

Saved changes

A small semantic surface for confirmations and success states.

Sync in progress

Informational updates stay distinct from brand actions and error states.
Use skeletons for content that is genuinely loading. Keep them quiet, structural, and motion-light.

Shared Layout Primitives

Some of the most important system pieces are compositional. Article pages and hero media should reuse the same primitives instead of rebuilding the shell route by route.

ArticleLayout

Shared editorial shell

Stories and lab notes use the same hero, citation, author block, comments, and back-navigation structure.

Hero
Article body
Comments
Citation
Author block
Back nav / share
ThemedHeroImage

Shared hero media wrapper

Every route-level hero uses this single primitive. It handles dark/light image swapping, overlay strength, edge fade gradients, and transparent-PNG blending, all backed by design system tokens.

darkSrc / lightSrc
overlay: default | strong | soft | none
fadeTop: gradient from bg to transparent
fadeBottom: gradient from bg to transparent
blendLight: multiply blend for transparent PNGs in light mode
theme-aware image swap + hero text colors

default is the standard overlay for most browse pages.

strong is heavier, used for the homepage hero and high-contrast moments.

soft is 20% more transparent than strong, for subtler image presence.

fadeBottom blends the hero edge into the page background. Used on all browse-page heroes.

fadeTop same effect at the top. Used when content flows into the hero from above.

blendLight uses mix-blend-multiply on images in light mode so transparent PNGs blend into the warm beige background.

Product Surfaces

The catalog relies on two card weights: a featured artifact card and a denser browse card.

Form Controls

Forms now use the shared field primitives so hover, focus, placeholder, and disabled behavior stay aligned with the production contact and browse flows.

Helper copy stays quiet but readable, and status feedback uses semantic tokens.

Browse Controls

Search plus low-friction filters are the preferred pattern when a route needs more than a simple grid.

Type

Tabs

Horizontal tab bar for switching between related views. Uses roving tabindex with arrow-key navigation, Home/End support, and proper ARIA tab pattern.

Active panel: overview
KeyboardArrow Left/Right moves focus and selection. Home/End jump to first/last tab.
ARIArole="tablist", role="tab", aria-selected, aria-controls, roving tabindex

Checkbox

Binary toggle with a visually hidden native input and a styled indicator. Focus-visible outlines appear on the visual box. Labels are always required for accessibility.

FocusNative input is sr-only; focus-visible outline renders on the visual box via peer selector.
StatesUnchecked, checked (red-solid fill), hover (border brightens), disabled (opacity 50%).
SemanticsNative <input type="checkbox"> with <label> linked by generated id.

Dropdown

Single-select dropdown built on Headless UI Listbox. Full keyboard navigation with Arrow Up/Down, Enter/Space to select, Escape to close, and type-ahead search.

KeyboardArrow Up/Down navigates, Enter/Space selects, Escape closes, type-ahead jumps.
ARIAHeadless UI Listbox provides role, aria-selected, aria-activedescendant automatically.
StatesClosed, open, active option (bg-surface2), selected (check icon), disabled (opacity 50%).

Radio Group

Single-select group using native radio inputs in a fieldset. Arrow keys move selection. Styled indicators follow the checkbox visual pattern with a centered dot.

Category
Horizontal
KeyboardArrow keys move selection within the group. Tab moves focus out of the group.
SemanticsNative <fieldset> with <legend>, native <input type="radio"> with shared name.
StatesUnselected, selected (red-solid fill + white dot), hover (border brightens), disabled (opacity 50%).

Slider

Range input with a styled track and thumb. The filled portion uses the red accent. Includes an output element for the current value with aria-valuetext for screen readers.

65%
$250
50
TrackFilled portion uses red-solid, unfilled uses surface2. Border matches input fields.
ThumbRed-solid fill, bg border for contrast. Scales up on hover for better grab target.
ARIAaria-valuemin, aria-valuemax, aria-valuenow, aria-valuetext with formatted display value.

Toggle

On/off switch visually distinct from checkboxes. Uses role='switch' with aria-checked. Sliding track animation with the red accent for the on state.

Semanticsrole="switch" with aria-checked. Native <button> for keyboard activation.
StatesOff (surface2 track), on (red-solid track + translated knob), hover (border brightens), disabled (opacity 50%).
FocusFocus-visible outline on the track, not a wrapper. 2px outline, 3px offset.

Badge

Pill-shaped semantic label for status indicators, counters, and metadata tags. Six variants map to the semantic color system. Use for inline status, category markers, and audit metadata.

Variants
DefaultMutedSuccessWarningErrorInfo
Status row
completedextractingpartial successfailedqueued
Audit counters
12 pages captured3 roles extracted8 requirements5 evidence items
Shaperounded-full with border, px-2 py-0.5, 11px font. Compact enough for inline use.
ColorsMaps to semantic color triplets: border, surface, and text for each variant.
ComposableWrap in Tooltip for hover detail. Override rounded-full with className for square badges.

Dialog

Modal dialog built on Headless UI with automatic focus trap, Escape to close, backdrop click to close, and transition animations. Size variants from sm to xl.

FocusHeadless UI traps focus inside the dialog. Focus restores to the trigger on close.
KeyboardEscape closes, Tab/Shift+Tab cycles focusable elements.
ARIArole="dialog", aria-modal, aria-labelledby from DialogTitle, aria-describedby optional.
Sizessm (max-w-sm), md (max-w-lg), lg (max-w-2xl), xl (max-w-4xl).

Tooltip

Contextual hint that appears on hover and focus. Configurable position and delay. Uses role='tooltip' with aria-describedby for screen reader support.

TriggerShows on hover and focus. Configurable delay (default 300ms). Hides on mouse leave and blur.
ARIArole="tooltip" on the popup, aria-describedby on the trigger when visible.
PositionTop, bottom, left, or right. Centered on the trigger axis.

Tooltip + Badge

Badges wrapped in Tooltip create interactive status pills with explanatory hover text. Use cursor-help to signal the tooltip is available. This composition is the standard pattern for audit metadata and status indicators.

Status with detail
completedextractingpartial successfailed
Fit assessment
strong fitpartial fitno evidence
PatternTooltip wraps Badge. Add cursor-help to signal interactivity.
When to useStatus labels, fit assessments, and audit metadata where a one-word label needs supporting context.
OverridesUse className to swap rounded-full for rounded, adjust text size, or change padding for compact rows.

Card Hover System

Cards follow a consistent hover progression: border brightens, text lifts in contrast, and images scale subtly. Use the group selector for coordinated effects.

Defaultborder-border
Hoverborder-border-strong
Featured Hoverborder-red2
Border: border-border → border-border-strong
Text: text-text2 → text-text
Image: group-hover:scale-[1.02] duration-500
Lift: whileHover={{ y: -2 }} (Framer Motion)
Featured: border-red-border → border-red2

Dividers

Three divider weights for different contexts. Structural for lists, decorative for subtle breaks, accent for emphasis.

Structural
border-t border-border
Decorative
h-px bg-highlight
Accent
h-px w-20 bg-red

Empty States

When filters or search return nothing, show a direct, non-cute message. Always provide context or a way forward.

No articles found.

Try adjusting your search or clearing filters.

Modal / Dialog

Modals use focus trapping, keyboard controls, and proper ARIA semantics. The video modal is the canonical implementation.

KeyboardEscape closes, F toggles fullscreen, Tab cycles focus
FocusTrap inside modal, restore to trigger on close
ARIArole="dialog", aria-modal, aria-labelledby
BackdropClick to close, body overflow hidden while open

Navigation

The header is fixed, transparent by default, and gains a background on scroll. Mobile uses an animated hamburger menu.

DefaultFixed top, z-50, transparent background
Scrolledbg-bg with border-b border-border at 50px
Active Linktext-text (inactive: text-text2)
MobileAnimated hamburger, collapsible menu panel

Breadcrumbs

Used on detail pages to show route context. Mono font, slash separators, current page is not linked.

Icon Sizing

Icons follow three size tiers. Small for inline metadata, medium for interactive controls, large for decorative or standalone use.

w-4 h-4inline
w-5 h-5controls
w-8 h-8decorative

Accessibility By Component

  • -Buttons and links must keep visible focus and communicate destination or action clearly.
  • -Buttons ship with default, hover, focus-visible, loading, and disabled states. The design system should show those states, not imply them.
  • -Cards that act as links should expose one clear accessible name and treat supporting imagery as decorative.
  • -Forms require labels, helper copy when needed, autocomplete where appropriate, and success/error announcements.
  • -Browse controls should use real fieldsets, legends, pressed states, and live feedback when results change.
  • -Modals must trap focus, restore focus on close, support Escape to dismiss, and use role="dialog" with aria-modal and aria-labelledby.
  • -Tabs use role="tablist" with arrow-key navigation, Home/End support, and roving tabindex. Each tab has role="tab", aria-selected, and aria-controls linking to its panel.
  • -Checkboxes pair a visually hidden native input with a styled indicator. Focus-visible outlines render on the visual box via peer selectors. Labels are always required.
  • -Empty states must communicate clearly to screen readers. Avoid placeholder SVGs without alt text.
  • -Breadcrumbs use nav with aria-label="Breadcrumb" and plain text for the current page.
  • -Dropdowns use Headless UI Listbox with full keyboard navigation (Arrow Up/Down, Enter, Escape, type-ahead). Selected option shows a check icon.
  • -Radio groups use native radio inputs in a fieldset with legend. Arrow keys move selection. Styled indicators mirror the checkbox pattern with a centered dot.
  • -Sliders use native range input with a styled track and thumb. The filled portion uses the red accent. aria-valuemin, aria-valuemax, aria-valuenow, and aria-valuetext are set.
  • -Toggles use role="switch" with aria-checked. Visually distinct from checkboxes with a sliding track. Focus-visible outline on the track.
  • -Dialogs use Headless UI Dialog with automatic focus trap, Escape to close, backdrop click to close, and transition animations. Close button has an aria-label.
  • -Tooltips appear on hover and focus with a configurable delay. Use role="tooltip" with aria-describedby on the trigger. Positioned top/bottom/left/right.
  • -Badges are inline semantic labels. When wrapped in Tooltip, add cursor-help so users know hover detail is available. The Tooltip provides aria-describedby on the Badge automatically.

Motion

Motion should support structure, emphasis, and state changes. If it cannot explain its purpose, it should not ship.

Entrance

Default to simple fade/slide reveals in the 0.45s to 0.6s range. They should clarify hierarchy, not become a visual event.

Hover

Use subtle lift, border emphasis, and color shifts. The public site should feel alive, not animated for its own sake.

State Change

The strongest motion belongs to real UI state changes such as menu open/close, theme toggles, and media interactions.

Allowed Patterns

These are the motion patterns that fit the public site.

Entrance

Fade plus a small upward movement.

Hover

Small lift plus stronger border, nothing theatrical.

State Cue

Reserved for actual state communication, not ambient decoration.

CSS Motion Tokens

These are the utility-level animations available to the system. Keep usage narrow and intentional.

Framer Motion Patterns

These are the standard Framer Motion patterns used across the site. Keep them consistent rather than inventing variations.

Entryinitial={{ opacity: 0, y: 20 }}
whileInView={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
Viewportviewport={{ once: true }}
Animate once on scroll, do not repeat
Staggertransition={{ delay: index * 0.1 }}
Sequential items in grids and lists
Exit<AnimatePresence>
Mobile menu, theme toggle icon swap
Card HoverwhileHover={{ y: -2 }}
Subtle lift, duration 0.2s
Button TapwhileTap={{ scale: 0.85 }}
Toggle buttons, theme toggle

Avoid By Default

  • -Glitch, wave, shimmer, or neon treatments on core public pages.
  • -Perpetual decorative motion unless the route is explicitly an experimental surface.
  • -Large hover transforms that make cards feel unstable or playful when the rest of the system is controlled.

Accessibility Notes

  • -Motion must degrade cleanly under `prefers-reduced-motion`; the interface still needs clear hierarchy and state without animation.
  • -Do not rely on motion alone to explain selection, success, error, or hierarchy.
  • -Continuous motion should be rare and tied to state, never treated as ambient decoration on core routes.

Theme Rules

The site is dark-native, but not dark-only. Theme support is part of the system contract, including layout, motion, and semantic feedback tokens.

Implementation rules

  • -Prefer semantic tokens such as bg-bg, bg-surface, text-text2, and border-border before reaching for raw white or black utilities.
  • -text3 is metadata only. Do not use it for critical navigation or long-form body copy, especially in light mode.
  • -Use bg-red-solid and bg-red-solid-hover for filled actions with white text. bg-red remains the brighter accent token.
  • -Prefer shared primitives such as Button, Surface, TextInput, and TextArea before rebuilding interaction styling route by route.
  • -Hover reds are state values, not separate palette identities. Document them as interaction feedback, not as standalone brand colors.
  • -Focus styling is tokenized. Do not invent ad hoc focus colors that drift from the system.
  • -Status feedback uses semantic success, info, warning, and error tokens instead of borrowing brand red for every message.
  • -Hero media uses shared theme variables and the ThemedHeroImage component. Do not hand-roll overlay colors or theme swaps in route components.
  • -A component is not done until it works credibly in both dark and light themes.

How it works

ThemeProvider→localStorage→html.light class→CSS vars update

A script in the document head reads localStorage before first paint, preventing flash of wrong theme. The .theme-transitioning class enables smooth 0.3s transitions only after user-initiated toggles.

Toggle the site theme

Every documented token adapts. If a component breaks here, it is not following the system.

css
:root {
  --radius-md: 6px;
  --layout-container-max: 1400px;
  --motion-base: 0.3s;
  --color-bg: #0A0A0B;
  --color-surface: #101113;
  --color-text: #F5F7FA;
  --color-focus: rgba(255,75,43,0.72);
  --color-red: #FF4B2B;
  --color-red-hover: #F13A1D;
  --color-red-solid: #D41010;
  --color-red-solid-hover: #B80E0E;
  --color-success: #55D39A;
  --color-info: #6BB9FF;
}

html.light {
  --color-bg: #F2EDE6;
  --color-surface: #F7F3EC;
  --color-text: #1D1D1F;
  --color-focus: rgba(222,58,31,0.64);
  --color-red: #DE3A1F;
  --color-red-hover: #C92C18;
  --color-red-solid: #D41010;
  --color-red-solid-hover: #B80E0E;
  --color-success: #0F9F6E;
  --color-info: #1F6FEB;
}

Token Reference

Variable
Dark
Light
--radius-md
6px
6px
--layout-container-max
1400px
1400px
--motion-base
0.3s
0.3s
--color-bg
#0A0A0B
#F2EDE6
--color-surface
#101113
#F7F3EC
--color-surface2
#14161A
#EAE4DB
--color-text
#F5F7FA
#1D1D1F
--color-text2
rgba(245,247,250,0.72)
rgba(29,29,31,0.72)
--color-text3
rgba(245,247,250,0.62)
rgba(29,29,31,0.68)
--color-red
#FF4B2B
#DE3A1F
--color-red-hover
#F13A1D
#C92C18
--color-red-solid
#D41010
#D41010
--color-red-solid-hover
#B80E0E
#B80E0E
--color-border
rgba(255,255,255,0.10)
rgba(0,0,0,0.10)
--color-border-strong
rgba(255,255,255,0.16)
rgba(0,0,0,0.18)
--color-focus
rgba(255,75,43,0.72)
rgba(222,58,31,0.64)
--color-overlay
rgba(0,0,0,0.60)
rgba(0,0,0,0.45)
--color-highlight
rgba(255,255,255,0.05)
rgba(0,0,0,0.04)
--color-success
#55D39A
#0F9F6E
--color-success-surface
rgba(85,211,154,0.12)
rgba(15,159,110,0.08)
--color-info
#6BB9FF
#1F6FEB
--color-warning
#F2B84B
#A86800
--color-error
#FF6B6B
#C81E1E

Accessibility Checks

  • -Verify contrast and focus visibility in both themes before shipping.
  • -Filled red controls should pass with white text because they use the solid action red, not the brighter accent red.
  • -Success, info, warning, and error surfaces should remain readable in both themes and should not become accidental brand accents.
  • -The theme toggle itself must remain clearly named and keyboard-usable.
  • -If a theme-specific exception is required, document why it exists and how it avoids becoming permanent design debt.