---
name: generic-static-design-system
description: Complete design system reference for static HTML/CSS/JS sites. Covers colors, typography, component patterns, animations, and accessibility. Use when implementing UI, choosing colors, or ensuring brand consistency.
---

# Static Site Design System

Design system patterns for minimalist static sites (pure HTML/CSS/JS).

**Extends:** [Generic Design System](references/upstream/6bbc42fc91bf0394-SKILL.md) - Read base skill for color theory, typography scale, spacing system, and component states.

## Pure CSS Approach

No preprocessors, no Tailwind, no build tools. Just CSS.

### CSS Custom Properties

```css
:root {
  /* Brand colors - keep palette minimal */
  --bg-primary: #000000;
  --text-primary: #ffffff;
  --accent: #00ff00;

  /* Spacing */
  --space-sm: 0.5rem;
  --space-md: 1rem;
  --space-lg: 2rem;

  /* Timing */
  --transition-fast: 0.15s;
  --transition-base: 0.3s;
}
```

### System Font Stack (No Web Fonts)

```css
/* System fonts = zero load time */
body {
  font-family:
    -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, sans-serif;
}

code {
  font-family: "SF Mono", Monaco, "Courier New", monospace;
}
```

### Responsive Typography with clamp()

```css
/* Fluid sizing, no media queries needed */
h1 {
  font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 5vw, 2.5rem);
}

body {
  font-size: clamp(1rem, 3vw, 1.125rem);
}
```

## CSS-Only Animations

### Keyframe Animations

```css
@keyframes pulse {
  0%,
  100% {
    opacity: 1;
  }
  50% {
    opacity: 0.5;
  }
}

.pulse {
  animation: pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
}
```

### Transition Patterns

```css
/* Hover effect - GPU accelerated */
.link {
  transition:
    transform var(--transition-base) ease,
    color var(--transition-base) ease;
}

.link:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  color: var(--accent);
}
```

### Staggered Animation with nth-child

```css
.menu a {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(-10px);
  transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.menu.visible a {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translateY(0);
}
.menu.visible a:nth-child(1) {
  transition-delay: 0.1s;
}
.menu.visible a:nth-child(2) {
  transition-delay: 0.2s;
}
.menu.visible a:nth-child(3) {
  transition-delay: 0.3s;
}
```

## CSS-Only Interactive Patterns

### Hidden/Visible Toggle

```css
.hidden {
  max-height: 0;
  overflow: hidden;
  transition: max-height 0.3s ease;
}

.visible {
  max-height: 300px; /* Must be > content height */
}
```

### Icon Rotation

```css
.arrow {
  transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

.rotated .arrow {
  transform: rotate(180deg);
}
```

### Focus States

```css
a:focus-visible,
button:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}
```

## Component Patterns (No JS)

### Accessible Button

```html
<button class="btn" type="button">Click Me</button>
```

```css
.btn {
  padding: var(--space-sm) var(--space-md);
  background: transparent;
  border: 1px solid var(--text-primary);
  color: var(--text-primary);
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: all var(--transition-base) ease;
}

.btn:hover {
  background: var(--accent);
  border-color: var(--accent);
  color: var(--bg-primary);
}
```

### Navigation

```html
<nav>
  <a href="#section1">Section 1</a>
  <a href="#section2">Section 2</a>
</nav>
```

```css
nav a {
  padding: var(--space-sm);
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text-primary);
}

nav a:hover {
  color: var(--accent);
}
```

## Performance Targets

| File  | Max Size |
| ----- | -------- |
| HTML  | < 5KB    |
| CSS   | < 10KB   |
| JS    | < 5KB    |
| Total | < 50KB   |

| Lighthouse     | Target |
| -------------- | ------ |
| Performance    | 95+    |
| Accessibility  | 90+    |
| Best Practices | 100    |

## See Also

- [Generic Design System](references/upstream/6bbc42fc91bf0394-SKILL.md) - Token organization, spacing
- [Design Patterns](references/upstream/95581c252f1c6382-DESIGN_PATTERNS.md) - Core patterns
- [UX Principles](references/upstream/66da932e4c7c0df8-UX_PRINCIPLES.md) - Visual hierarchy


---
Source attribution: travisjneuman
Original project: https://github.com/travisjneuman/.claude/blob/852be4c9e0e6986928e015587ca92db4de6370ae/skills/generic-static-design-system/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2026 Travis Neuman

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Dave AI resource metadata

Creator / publisher: travisjneuman
Original project: https://github.com/travisjneuman/.claude/blob/852be4c9e0e6986928e015587ca92db4de6370ae/skills/generic-static-design-system/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Recovered original package and original project license at a pinned revision

Fields of work: Design, Development & Engineering
Roles: Design System Lead, Frontend Developer, Graphic Designer, Product Designer, UX Designer
Specialties: Cross Platform, Design, Frontend
Tools: Tool not specified
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: 7e8b0d564a461b3c2d4d540659fe887dc0131153658a947af9d7bb246a97e58b
Metadata reviewed: 2026-10-27
This metadata supersedes earlier Dave AI catalog attribution. Original instruction and supporting files are preserved.