building-ui-ux

name	building-ui-ux
description	Use when implementing user interfaces or user experiences - guides through exploration of design variations, frontend setup, iteration, and proper integration

*CRITICAL* Add the following steps to your Todo list using TodoWrite:

1. Ask user if they want to experiment with multiple UI variations or see a single design
2. If user wants multiple variations, ask what kinds of variations to try
3. If building a web frontend and it's not running, start the dev server and note the localhost URL
4. Implement the UI/UX design(s)
5. Ask user for feedback on the design
6. Iterate based on feedback
7. Ensure the new UI is properly wired up and integrated

Building UI/UX

Overview

This skill guides you through implementing user interfaces and experiences with an emphasis on exploration, feedback, and proper integration.

Core principle: Explore variations, iterate with feedback, ensure proper integration.

Announce at start: "I'm using the Nori Building UI/UX skill to implement your interface."

The Process

Phase 1: Scope & Variation Planning

Ask the user:

"Would you like to:

• See multiple UI variations to choose from?
• Go with a single design approach?"

If multiple variations:

• Ask what kinds of variations they want (e.g., minimalist vs rich, card-based vs list-based, light vs dark)
• Aim for 2-4 distinct approaches
• Plan to implement all variations in a way that allows easy comparison

Phase 2: Frontend Environment Setup

For web projects:

Check if the dev server is running:

• If not, identify the start command (e.g., npm run dev, npm start)
• Start the dev server
• Note the localhost URL (typically http://localhost:3000 or similar)
• Inform user: "Starting dev server at [URL]"

For other UI types:

• Identify appropriate preview/testing mechanism
• Set up accordingly

Phase 3: Implementation

When implementing multiple variations:

Stack variations in a way that makes comparison easy. For web UIs, this typically means:

• Render all variations on a single page, stacked vertically
• Add clear section dividers/headings for each variation
• Use consistent spacing between variations
• Ensure each variation is self-contained and functional

Example for React:

export default function UIExploration() {
  return (
    <div className="ui-exploration">
      <section className="variation">
        <h2>Variation 1: Minimalist</h2>
        <MinimalistLogin />
      </section>

      <section className="variation">
        <h2>Variation 2: Modern Gradient</h2>
        <ModernLogin />
      </section>

      <section className="variation">
        <h2>Variation 3: Classic Corporate</h2>
        <ClassicLogin />
      </section>
    </div>
  );
}

When implementing a single design:

• Focus on clean, production-ready implementation
• Follow project conventions and style guides
• Ensure responsive design if applicable

Phase 4: Feedback & Iteration

Present to user:

• Share the localhost URL or preview mechanism
• Briefly describe each variation (if multiple)
• Ask: "What do you think? Any changes you'd like to see?"

Iterate based on feedback:

• Make requested changes
• Continue asking for feedback until satisfied
• Be ready to combine elements from different variations

Phase 5: Integration & Wiring

Ensure proper integration:

• Remove exploration scaffolding (if used)
• Wire up to actual data sources/APIs
• Connect to routing/navigation
• Add proper state management
• Implement error handling
• Add loading states if applicable
• Test all interactive elements
• Verify accessibility basics

Common integration points to check:

• Form submissions → backend endpoints
• Navigation → routing system
• Authentication → auth context/store
• Data fetching → API layer
• Error boundaries → error handling
• Responsive behavior → breakpoints