frontend-design

name	frontend-design
description	UI/UX design principles for developers - visual hierarchy, spacing, contrast, accessibility (WCAG), component states, interaction patterns, forms, mobile UX. Use for design decisions and UX guidance. For Tailwind CSS use tailwind skill. For shadcn components use shadcn-svelte skill.
license	MIT
compatibility	opencode
metadata	{"author":"OpenCode Community","version":"1.1.0"}

Frontend Design (UI/UX for Developers)

Practical UI/UX guidance with strict best-practice enforcement for responsive, accessible interfaces.

When to Use Me

Use me when:

• Building user interfaces (web, mobile, desktop)
• Designing forms, dashboards, landing pages
• Implementing responsive layouts
• Adding animations or micro-interactions
• Reviewing UI for accessibility issues
• Creating component states (loading, error, empty)
• Setting up design systems

Do not use me for:

• Backend architecture
• Database design
• API development
• Business logic implementation

---

Non-Negotiable Enforcement Rules

For restyling/design tasks, these rules are mandatory:

1. Mobile-first is required: build 375px base first, then enhance with breakpoints.
2. All domain checks must pass: mobile, typography, hierarchy, states, forms, interaction, animation, accessibility.
3. Final deep scan is required: run domain-by-domain validation and patch gaps before final output.
4. No partial completion: if a domain fails, iterate until all critical checks pass.

---

Workflow (Best-Practice Enforcement)

1. Analyze requirements

   • Identify product type and constraints from references/product-recommendations.csv
   • Determine primary user action and success metric

2. Apply mobile-first (VERPLICHT)

   • Start with mobile base (375px), no desktop-first classes
   • Enforce touch targets >= 44x44 and >= 8px spacing
   • Place primary actions in thumb-friendly zones

3. Apply typography system

   • Max 2 fonts
   • Consistent type scale and heading/body contrast
   • Body text min 16px, readable line height

4. Apply visual hierarchy

   • Prioritize with size -> color -> weight -> position
   • Keep clear scanning order (headline, key value, CTA, details)

5. Enhance for larger screens

   • Add sm:, md:, lg:, xl: progressively
   • Validate on 375, 768, 1024, and 1440 widths

6. Implement component and form states

   • Component states: default, hover, focus, active, disabled, loading, error, success
   • Form UX: visible labels, field-level errors, correct input types, submit feedback

7. Review interaction patterns

   • Apply Fitts's Law (target size/proximity)
   • Apply Hick's Law (limit choices)
   • Add explicit feedback timing for user actions

8. Apply motion safely

   • Use short, purposeful motion
   • Animate transform/opacity only
   • Respect reduced-motion preferences

9. Check accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA)

   • Contrast >= 4.5:1 for normal text
   • Visible focus states and keyboard reachability
   • ARIA labels where needed
   • No color-only meaning

10. Run deep scan and iterate

    • Run the domain checklist below
    • Fix all failed items
    • Re-scan until zero critical failures

---

Domain Gate Checklist (Must Pass)

Domain	Mandatory Checks	Reference
Mobile UX	375px base first, touch >= 44x44, spacing >= 8px, thumb-friendly actions, no desktop-first	references/mobile-ux.md
Typography	Max 2 fonts, min 16px body text, readable line-height, stable type scale	references/typography.md
Visual Hierarchy	Size/color/weight/position priorities are clear	references/visual-hierarchy.md
Component States	default/hover/focus/active/disabled/loading/error/success all covered	references/component-states.md
Forms UX	Visible labels, input types, validation timing, field-level errors, submit feedback	references/forms-ux.md
Interaction Patterns	Fitts + Hick + error prevention + timed feedback	references/interaction-patterns.md
Animation	<= 300ms UI motion, transform/opacity only, reduced-motion support	references/animation.md
Accessibility	WCAG contrast, focus visibility, ARIA naming, keyboard flow, no color-only signals	references/contrast-accessibility.md
UX Guidelines	Resolve any high-severity conflicts before final output	references/ux-guidelines.csv
Product Fit	Style direction aligns with product type and context	references/product-recommendations.csv

If any row fails, do not finalize. Fix and re-run the checklist.

---

Quick Reference

Component States Checklist

Every interactive component needs:

State	Visual	Code Example
Default	Normal appearance	class="btn"
Hover	Subtle feedback	hover:bg-gray-100
Focus	Visible ring (a11y)	focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500
Active	Pressed feedback	active:scale-95
Disabled	Reduced opacity	opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed
Loading	Spinner + disabled	disabled spinner
Error	Red border + message	border-red-500 text-red-600
Success	Positive confirmation	text-green-700 border-green-300

Touch Targets

• Minimum size: 44x44px
• Minimum gap: 8px between targets
• Code: min-h-[44px] min-w-[44px]

Typography Quick Rules

Element	Size	Weight	Line Height
H1	32-48px	Bold	1.2-1.3
H2	24-32px	Semibold	1.3-1.4
Body	16px	Regular	1.5-1.6
Small	12-14px	Regular	1.4-1.5
Minimum	12px	-	-

• Max fonts: 2 families
• Line length: 65-75ch desktop, 30-40ch mobile

Color Accessibility

• Normal text: 4.5:1 contrast ratio minimum
• Large text: 3:1 contrast ratio minimum
• Never rely on color alone - add icons or text

Mobile-First Checklist

Bij elke styling taak:

Check	Voorbeeld
✅ Base = mobile (375px)	flex flex-col gap-4 p-4
✅ Enhance met breakpoints	md:flex-row md:gap-8
✅ Touch targets ≥ 44px	min-h-[44px] min-w-[44px]
✅ Primary actions bottom	Fixed bottom nav
❌ No desktop-first	Niet lg: als basis

Motion Checklist

• UI motion meestal <= 300ms
• Alleen transform en opacity animeren
• prefers-reduced-motion respecteren
• Geen decoratieve oneindige animaties

---

Mobile-First Regel (Altijd Toepassen)

❌ FOUT: Desktop first, dan "fixen" voor mobile
   class="flex-row gap-8 p-8 md:flex-col md:gap-4 md:p-4"

✅ GOED: Mobile base, enhance voor desktop
   class="flex flex-col gap-4 p-4 md:flex-row md:gap-8 md:p-8"

Tailwind volgorde: base styles (mobile) → sm: (640px) → md: (768px) → lg: (1024px) → xl: (1280px)

---

Key Principles

1. Mobile-First (VERPLICHT)

Bij ELKE styling of restyling taak: begin met mobile (375px), enhance voor grotere schermen.

Dit is niet optioneel - mobile-first zorgt voor:

• Betere performance (minder CSS op mobile)
• Betere UX (meest beperkte scherm eerst)
• Eenvoudigere code (additive, niet subtractive)

<!-- ❌ FOUT: Desktop first -->
<div class="flex-row gap-8 p-8 md:flex-col md:gap-4 md:p-4"></div>

<!-- ✅ GOED: Mobile first -->
<div class="flex flex-col gap-4 p-4 md:flex-row md:gap-8 md:p-8"></div>

Zie: references/mobile-ux.md voor complete mobile patterns.

2. Typography Before Decoration

Text clarity comes before ornamental style:

• Body text stays readable on mobile (>= 16px)
• Heading scale is consistent
• No more than 2 font families
• Paragraph width remains scannable

3. Visual Hierarchy

Guide user attention through:

• Size: Larger = more important
• Color: Darker/vibrant = more attention
• Weight: Bolder = stands out
• Position: Top/center = noticed first

4. Feedback

Every action needs response:

• Immediate: Button press, hover state
• Progress: Loading spinners, skeletons
• Completion: Success toasts, checkmarks
• Failure: Error messages with recovery

5. Accessibility (WCAG 2.1)

Non-negotiable requirements:

• All images have alt text
• All inputs have labels
• All interactive elements have focus states
• Color contrast meets 4.5:1 minimum
• Never convey info by color alone
• Respect reduced-motion settings

---

Common Patterns

Form UX

✓ Label above input
✓ Error below input
✓ Inline validation on blur
✓ Show/hide password toggle
✓ Appropriate input types (email, tel, number)
✓ Required field indicators
✓ Submit feedback (loading + success/error)

Loading States

✓ Skeleton screens for content
✓ Spinners for actions
✓ Progress bars for multi-step
✓ Disable buttons during submission
✓ Reduced-motion fallback

Empty States

✓ Clear message explaining why empty
✓ Actionable CTA to fix it
✓ Helpful tips or suggestions
✓ Maintain brand personality
✓ Focusable CTA for keyboard users

Error Handling

✓ Clear message what went wrong
✓ Actionable solution
✓ Preserve user input
✓ Don't blame the user
✓ Announce critical errors (`role="alert"`)

---

Anti-Patterns to Avoid

Don't	Do Instead
Remove focus outlines	Add custom focus styles
Use placeholder as label	Always show visible label
Auto-play video/audio	Click-to-play only
Infinite animations	Animate on interaction
Generic "Error occurred"	Specific error with solution
Disable zoom	Never disable user zoom
Fixed 100vh on mobile	Use min-h-dvh
More than 2 fonts	Keep typography system simple
Animate width/height	Animate transform/opacity

---

Design Workflow Example: Card Component Restyling

Een praktisch voorbeeld van hoe je een component restyled met mobile-first aanpak.

Scenario

Opdracht: Restyle een simpele ProductCard naar een moderne DashboardCard

Before (Desktop-first, verouderd):

<div class="w-80 h-48 p-6 border rounded shadow-lg flex-row gap-4">
  <img class="w-32 h-32 object-cover" src="product.jpg" />
  <div class="flex-1">
    <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mb-2">Product Naam</h3>
    <p class="text-gray-600 mb-4">Omschrijving...</p>
    <button class="bg-blue-500 text-white px-4 py-2 rounded">Bekijk</button>
  </div>
</div>

Problemen:

• ❌ Desktop-first (w-80, flex-row als basis)
• ❌ Geen responsive breakpoints
• ❌ Touch target te klein (py-2 < 44px)
• ❌ Geen states (hover, focus, loading)
• ❌ Geen accessibility (geen alt, geen focus ring)

---

Stap 1: Mobile Base (375px)

Start met de kleinste schermgrootte. Verticale layout, full-width, voldoende touch targets.

<!-- Mobile base - altijd eerst! -->
<article class="p-4 border rounded-lg">
  <img
    class="w-full h-40 object-cover rounded"
    src="product.jpg"
    alt="Product afbeelding"
  />
  <h3 class="mt-3 text-lg font-semibold">Product Naam</h3>
  <p class="mt-2 text-sm text-gray-600 line-clamp-2">Omschrijving...</p>
  <button
    class="mt-4 w-full min-h-[44px] bg-blue-500 text-white rounded font-medium"
  >
    Bekijk details
  </button>
</article>

Toegevoegd:

• ✅ alt voor accessibility
• ✅ min-h-[44px] voor touch target
• ✅ line-clamp-2 voor tekst truncation
• ✅ Verticale layout (mobile default)

---

Stap 2: Tablet Enhancement (768px+)

Voeg md: breakpoints toe. NIET vervangen, alleen uitbreiden.

<article class="p-4 md:p-6 border rounded-lg md:flex md:gap-4">
  <img
    class="w-full h-40 object-cover rounded md:w-48 md:h-auto md:flex-shrink-0"
    src="product.jpg"
    alt="Product afbeelding"
  />
  <div class="mt-3 md:mt-0 md:flex-1 md:flex md:flex-col">
    <h3 class="text-lg font-semibold md:text-xl">Product Naam</h3>
    <p class="mt-2 text-sm text-gray-600 line-clamp-2 md:line-clamp-3">
      Omschrijving...
    </p>
    <div class="mt-auto pt-4">
      <button
        class="w-full min-h-[44px] bg-blue-500 text-white rounded font-medium md:w-auto md:px-6"
      >
        Bekijk details
      </button>
    </div>
  </div>
</article>

Toegevoegd:

• ✅ md:flex md:gap-4 - horizontale layout
• ✅ md:w-48 - vaste afbeelding breedte
• ✅ md:flex-1 md:flex md:flex-col - content vult ruimte
• ✅ mt-auto - button naar beneden duwen

---

Stap 3: Desktop Enhancement (1024px+)

Extra polish voor grotere schermen.

<article
  class="
  p-4 md:p-6 lg:p-8
  border rounded-lg 
  md:flex md:gap-4 lg:gap-6
  hover:shadow-lg transition-shadow
  focus-within:ring-2 focus-within:ring-blue-500
"
>
  <img
    class="w-full h-40 object-cover rounded md:w-48 lg:w-56 md:h-auto md:flex-shrink-0"
    src="product.jpg"
    alt="Product afbeelding"
    loading="lazy"
  />
  <div class="mt-3 md:mt-0 md:flex-1 md:flex md:flex-col">
    <h3 class="text-lg font-semibold md:text-xl lg:text-2xl">Product Naam</h3>
    <p class="mt-2 text-sm text-gray-600 line-clamp-2 md:line-clamp-3">
      Omschrijving...
    </p>
    <div class="mt-auto pt-4">
      <button
        class="
        w-full min-h-[44px] 
        bg-blue-500 text-white rounded font-medium 
        md:w-auto md:px-6
        hover:bg-blue-600 active:bg-blue-700
        focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:ring-offset-2
        transition-colors
      "
      >
        Bekijk details
      </button>
    </div>
  </div>
</article>

Toegevoegd:

• ✅ lg: spacing enhancement
• ✅ hover:shadow-lg - card interactie
• ✅ focus-within:ring - accessibility
• ✅ loading="lazy" - performance
• ✅ Button states: hover:, active:, focus:

---

Stap 4: States Toevoegen

Alle states voor interactieve elementen.

<!-- Loading state -->
<article class="p-4 md:p-6 border rounded-lg animate-pulse">
  <div class="w-full h-40 bg-gray-200 rounded md:w-48"></div>
  <div class="mt-3 h-6 bg-gray-200 rounded w-3/4"></div>
  <div class="mt-2 h-4 bg-gray-200 rounded w-full"></div>
  <div class="mt-4 h-11 bg-gray-200 rounded"></div>
</article>

<!-- Error state -->
<article class="p-4 md:p-6 border border-red-200 rounded-lg bg-red-50">
  <div class="flex items-center gap-3 text-red-600">
    <svg class="w-8 h-8" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor">
      <path
        stroke-linecap="round"
        stroke-linejoin="round"
        stroke-width="2"
        =
      />
    
    
      Kon product niet laden
      
        Opnieuw proberen
      
    
  




  
    Laden...
  
  
    Opgeslagen
  

---

Stap 5: Validatie Checklist

Check	Status
✅ Mobile base (375px)	Voltooid
✅ Touch targets ≥ 44px	min-h-[44px]
✅ Responsive breakpoints	md: en lg:
✅ Alle states	default, hover, active, focus, disabled, loading, error, success
✅ Accessibility	alt, focus:ring, semantic HTML
✅ Performance	loading="lazy", geen onnodige animaties
✅ Reduced motion	motion-reduce:* of media query

---

Samenvatting Workflow

Stap	Wat	Check
1	Mobile base (375px)	Basis styling zonder breakpoints
2	Tablet (768px+)	md: toevoegen, niet vervangen
3	Desktop (1024px+)	lg: voor extra polish
4	States	Hover, focus, active, loading, error
5	Validate	Alle checks doorlopen

---

Deep Scan Template (Use Before Final Answer)

Run this scan after every restyle/design response:

1. Mobile UX: no desktop-first defaults, touch >= 44px, breakpoint progression valid
2. Typography: body >= 16px, type scale coherent, max 2 fonts
3. States: interactive states + loading + error + success present
4. Forms (if present): labels, field errors, input types, submit feedback
5. Animation: <= 300ms for UI, transform/opacity only, reduced-motion support
6. Accessibility: contrast, focus visibility, ARIA labels, keyboard reachability
7. Interaction: clear feedback timing, no dead-end errors, no hidden critical actions
8. Product fit: style choice aligns with product type and domain constraints

If any item fails, patch and re-scan. Finalize only when all critical checks pass.

---

References

For detailed guidance on specific topics:

• references/visual-hierarchy.md - Size, color, weight, position
• references/contrast-accessibility.md - WCAG compliance, ARIA
• references/typography.md - Font selection, sizing, line height
• references/interaction-patterns.md - Fitts's Law, Hick's Law
• references/component-states.md - All states checklist
• references/forms-ux.md - Form design patterns
• references/mobile-ux.md - Touch targets, thumb zone
• references/animation.md - Micro-interactions, reduced motion
• references/ux-guidelines.csv - 99 actionable guidelines
• references/product-recommendations.csv - Style by product type