Semantic Design System
The philosophy and rules for our token-based color system, enabling 'Visual Alchemy'.
PRID: 1610
VERIFIED
2 min read
🎨 Semantic Design System
Current Theme: Default (Deep Blue Void) Philosophy: Content dictates form. Colors are semantic tokens, not static hex codes.
1. The Palette (Tokens)
We use a semantic token system mapped in tailwind.config.js. This allows the entire site to "shed its skin" instantly while maintaining structural integrity.
| Token | Class Name | Current Value | Role / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas | bg-background | #020617 | The infinite void behind the content. Base layer. |
| Surface | bg-surface | #0f172a | Cards, Sticky Headers, Modals. Slightly elevated layer. |
| Primary | bg-primary | #135bec | Call-to-Actions (CTAs), Highlights, Brand Logos. |
| Text | text-foreground | #e2e8f0 | Headings, Body text (High contrast, usually 90-100% white). |
| Muted | text-muted | #94a3b8 | Meta data, secondary labels, icons (Low contrast). |
| Border | border-border | #1e293b | Subtle dividers, card outlines. |
2. Usage Rules (Strict)
To ensure the "Visual Alchemy" works, developers (and AI) must adhere to these rules:
❌ Forbidden
bg-slate-900(Too specific to a hue)text-[#888](Magic numbers)bg-white(In dark mode contexts without semantic reason)
✅ Required
- Use
bg-surfacefor container blocks. - Use
text-mutedfor anything that isn't the main point. - Use
border-white/5orborder-white/10for glassmorphism effects (Overlay mode).
3. Visual Alchemy (How to Change)
This system is designed to be hot-swapped by the AI Image-to-Theme Protocol.
- Upload an image to Google AI Studio.
- Run the Appendix 1 prompt from
docs/instantship/engineering/product_transformation_protocol.md. - Paste the generated
colorsobject intotailwind.config.js. - Paste the generated explanation into this file to document the new "Soul".