| name | source-ux-design-from-code |
| description | Synchronize design system document with codebase changes. Usage /groundwork:source-ux-design-from-code |
| argument-hint | [files...] |
| allowed-tools | ["Read","Edit","Write","Bash","Glob","Grep","Skill"] |
| disable-model-invocation | true |
Sync Design System Skill
Keeps {{specs_dir}}/design_system.md synchronized with design implementation decisions made during sessions.
Pre-flight: Model Recommendation
Your current effort level is {{effort_level}}.
Skip this step silently if effort is high, xhigh, or max (the scale is low < medium < high < xhigh < max, so xhigh and max are already above high) AND you are Sonnet or Opus.
If effort is low or medium (i.e. below high), you MUST show the recommendation prompt — regardless of model.
If you are not Sonnet or Opus, you MUST show the recommendation prompt - regardless of effort level.
Otherwise → use AskUserQuestion:
{
"questions": [{
"question": "Do you want to switch? Design token and pattern change categorization benefits from consistent reasoning.\n\nTo switch: cancel, run `/effort high` (and `/model sonnet` if on Haiku), then re-invoke this skill.",
"header": "Recommended: Sonnet or Opus at high effort",
"options": [
{ "label": "Continue" },
{ "label": "Cancel — I'll switch first" }
],
"multiSelect": false
}]
}
If the user selects "Cancel — I'll switch first": output the switching commands above and stop. Do not proceed with the skill.
Step 0: Resolve Project Context
Before loading specs, ensure project context is resolved:
- Monorepo check: Does
.groundwork.yml exist at the repo root?
- If yes → Is
{{project_name}} non-empty?
- If empty → Invoke
Skill(skill="groundwork:select-project") to select a project, then restart this skill.
- If set → Project is
{{project_name}}, specs at {{specs_dir}}/.
- If no → Continue (single-project repo).
- CWD mismatch check (monorepo only):
- Skip if not in monorepo mode or if the project was just selected in item 1 above.
- If CWD is the repo root → fine, proceed.
- Check which project's path CWD falls inside (compare against all projects in
.groundwork.yml).
- If CWD is inside the selected project's path → fine, proceed.
- If CWD is inside a different project's path → warn via
AskUserQuestion:
"You're working from <cwd> (inside [cwd-project]), but the selected Groundwork project is [selected-project] ([selected-project-path]/). What would you like to do?"
- "Switch to [cwd-project]"
- "Stay with [selected-project]"
If the user switches, invoke
Skill(skill="groundwork:select-project").
- If CWD doesn't match any project → proceed without warning (shared directory).
- Proceed with the resolved project context. All
{{specs_dir}}/ paths will resolve to the correct location.
File Locations
- Target: Design system document (may be single file or directory)
- Single file:
{{specs_dir}}/design_system.md
- Directory:
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/ (content split across files)
- Context: Current session history, codebase changes
Detection: Check for single file first (takes precedence), then directory.
When to Trigger
This skill should activate when:
- User explicitly invokes
/groundwork:source-ux-design-from-code
- Session involved design token changes (colors, spacing, typography)
- Component styling decisions were made
- UX patterns were implemented or modified
- Brand identity elements were added or changed
Workflow Overview
- Analyze Session - Review design-relevant changes this session
- Detect Changes - Identify design system implications
- Propose Updates - Draft decisions with appropriate IDs
- Apply Changes - Update document with user approval
Step 1: Analyze Session
Review the current session for:
Token Changes:
- New CSS custom properties or design tokens added
- Color values defined or modified
- Spacing/sizing values established
- Typography settings changed
Component Styling:
- New component variants created
- Styling patterns established
- Hover/focus/active states defined
- Responsive breakpoint adjustments
UX Pattern Implementations:
- Loading state patterns implemented
- Error handling UI added
- Empty state designs created
- Navigation patterns established
- Form validation approaches implemented
- Animation/motion added
Brand Identity:
- Logo usage implemented
- Color palette applied
- Font selections made
- Voice/tone established in UI copy
Step 2: Detect Change Categories
| Category | Signal | Design System Section |
|---|
| Design principle | Explicit "we should always..." statement | §1.2 Design Principles |
| Accessibility | ARIA labels, contrast fixes, focus states | §1.1 Accessibility Requirements |
| Spacing token | New spacing value, padding/margin pattern | §1.3 Token Categories (Spacing) |
| Elevation token | Shadow values, z-index decisions | §1.3 Token Categories (Elevation) |
| Border radius | Corner radius decisions | §1.3 Token Categories (Border Radius) |
| Color token | New color value, palette adjustment | §2.1 Color System |
| Typography | Font family, size, weight decisions | §2.2 Typography |
| Brand voice | UI copy patterns, tone decisions | §2.4 Brand Voice |
| Visual atmosphere | Surface treatments, textures, spatial character, tonal direction | §2.5 Visual Atmosphere |
| Navigation | Nav structure, menu patterns | §3.1 Navigation |
| Loading states | Skeleton, spinner, progress patterns | §3.2 Loading States |
| Error handling | Error display, validation feedback | §3.3 Error Handling |
| Empty states | No-data, first-run experiences | §3.4 Empty States |
| Form patterns | Input validation, form layout | §3.5 Form Patterns |
| Responsive | Breakpoint decisions, mobile adaptations | §3.6 Responsive Behavior |
| Motion | Animation timing, transitions, entrance patterns, hover signatures | §3.7 Motion & Interaction Character |
| Component | New component styling guidelines | §4 Component Guidelines |
Step 3: Propose Updates
For each detected change, propose a specific update:
## Proposed Design System Updates
### 1. New Design Principle
**Trigger:** You established that all interactive elements should have visible focus states.
**Proposed addition to §1.2 Design Principles:**
### DP-00X: Accessible Focus States
**Status:** Accepted
**Date:** [today]
**Context:** Implementing keyboard navigation revealed need for consistent focus indicators.
**Decision:** All interactive elements must have visible focus states with 3:1 contrast ratio.
**Rationale:** Supports keyboard-only users and WCAG 2.1 AA compliance.
---
### 2. New Color Token
**Trigger:** You added a new warning color for form validation.
**Proposed addition to §2.1 Color System:**
| Token | Value | Usage |
|-------|-------|-------|
| `--color-warning-light` | #FEF3C7 | Warning background |
**Proposed addition to §5 Decision Log (Brand Decisions):**
### BRD-00X: Warning Color Variant
**Status:** Accepted
**Date:** [today]
**Context:** Form validation needed softer warning background.
**Decision:** Added `--color-warning-light` (#FEF3C7) for warning backgrounds.
**Rationale:** Maintains warning semantic while providing softer background option.
---
### 3. UX Pattern Implementation
**Trigger:** You implemented skeleton loading screens for data tables.
**Proposed addition to §3.2 Loading States:**
**Data Tables:** Use skeleton rows matching table structure. Show 5 skeleton rows by default. Animate with subtle pulse.
**Proposed addition to §5 Decision Log (UX Decisions):**
### UXD-00X: Table Loading Pattern
**Status:** Accepted
**Date:** [today]
**Context:** Data tables needed loading feedback during API calls.
**Decision:** Use skeleton rows (5 default) with pulse animation for table loading states.
**Rationale:** Maintains layout stability and sets user expectations for content shape.
---
Approve these updates? (yes/no/modify)
Step 4: Apply Changes
On approval:
- Detect spec format - Check if design system is single file or directory
- Read current content:
- Single file: Read
{{specs_dir}}/design_system.md
- Directory: Aggregate all
.md files from {{specs_dir}}/design_system/
- Route updates to appropriate files:
- Single file mode: Edit
{{specs_dir}}/design_system.md directly
- Directory mode: Route each update:
- Design principles (DP-NNN) →
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/01-foundations.md
- Accessibility →
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/01-foundations.md
- Token changes →
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/01-foundations.md
- Color system (BRD-NNN) →
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/02-brand-identity.md
- Typography →
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/02-brand-identity.md
- Brand voice →
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/02-brand-identity.md
- UX patterns (UXD-NNN) →
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/03-ux-patterns.md
- Component guidelines →
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/04-components.md
- Decision log entries →
{{specs_dir}}/design_system/05-decisions.md
- Maintain decision ID sequences (find highest DP/BRD/UXD-NNN, increment)
- Update "Last updated" timestamp
- If
{{specs_dir}}/ux-preview.html exists, regenerate it to reflect the updated design system decisions
- Update "Status" if appropriate
Important:
- New decisions get the next available ID in their prefix sequence
- Never reuse deleted decision IDs (maintain traceability)
- Preserve existing content - add to sections, don't replace unless correcting errors
Change Detection Heuristics
Strong signals (likely design system change):
- New CSS custom properties or variables defined
- Explicit design decisions ("let's use X for all buttons")
- Accessibility fixes (contrast, ARIA, focus states)
- New component variants with distinct styling
- Animation/transition values established
- Breakpoint or responsive behavior decisions
Weak signals (maybe design system change):
- One-off styling for specific component
- Temporary styling during development
- Framework default overrides
- Bug fixes to existing styles
Focus on strong signals. For weak signals, ask: "Is this a pattern we want to establish, or a one-time implementation detail?"
Session Summary Format
At session end, provide summary:
## Design System Sync Summary
**Session Date:** [date]
### Changes Detected:
1. [Change 1] → New principle DP-00X
2. [Change 2] → New color token BRD-00X
3. [Change 3] → UX pattern UXD-00X
4. [Change 4] → No design system impact (implementation detail)
### Design System Document:
- [X] Updated with approved changes
- [ ] No changes needed
- [ ] Changes pending user review
### Decision IDs Added/Modified:
- DP-00X (new)
- BRD-00X (new)
- UXD-00X (new)
### Open Items:
- [Any unresolved design questions from session]
Interaction with Other Skills
This skill works in concert with:
/groundwork:ux-design - For deliberate, interactive design system creation
/groundwork:source-product-specs-from-code - PRD changes may affect design requirements
/groundwork:source-architecture-from-code - Architecture changes may affect UX patterns
When multiple sync commands run:
- Run
/groundwork:source-product-specs-from-code first (product drives design)
- Run
/groundwork:source-ux-design-from-code second (design supports product)
- Run
/groundwork:source-architecture-from-code last (architecture implements both)