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premium-frontend-design — an installable skill for AI agents, published by kv0906/cc-skills.
Premium Frontend Design Skill
This skill guides creation of production-grade frontend interfaces that feel ALIVE — not generic, not copy-paste, but genuinely crafted experiences that users remember.
"The difference between a good interface and an unforgettable one is intentionality in every pixel."
Dependencies (Flexible — Choose What Fits)
This skill is framework-flexible. Pick packages based on user preference and project needs.
Core 3D (for WebGL templates)
pnpm add three @react-three/fiber @react-three/drei
Animation (choose based on user preference)
Library
Best For
Complexity
Bundle Size
CSS/Tailwind
Simple transitions, micro-interactions
Low
0KB
Framer Motion
React-native feel, layout animations, gestures
Medium
~30KB
GSAP
Complex timelines, scroll-triggered, text effects
High
~60KB
GSAP + Club
SplitText, ScrollTrigger, MorphSVG
High
~80KB
# Framer Motion (simpler, React-idiomatic)
pnpm add framer-motion
# GSAP (powerful, timeline-based)
pnpm add gsap @gsap/react
# Note: SplitText, ScrollTrigger require GSAP Club license
Decision Guide:
User says "simple" or "lightweight" → CSS + Framer Motion
User says "complex animations" or "scroll effects" → GSAP
User says "text animations" or "split text" → GSAP + SplitText
User doesn't specify → Default to Framer Motion (simpler API)
Optional Enhancements
# Mesh gradients (for mesh-gradient-hero)
pnpm add @paper-design/shaders-react
# Icons
pnpm add lucide-react
# Charts/Sparklines (for dashboards)
pnpm add recharts
# or lightweight: pnpm add @visx/shape @visx/scale
Browser Compatibility Notes
backdrop-filter: Not supported in Firefox < 103 (add fallback bg)
WebGL: Provide CSS fallback for older devices
@starting-style: Chrome 117+, Safari 17.4+ (progressive enhancement)
Core Philosophy
The "Alive" Principle
An interface feels alive when:
It breathes: Subtle ambient animations, particles, or shader effects create constant but non-distracting motion
It responds: Micro-interactions acknowledge every user action with satisfying feedback
It has depth: Layers, parallax, glassmorphism, and shadows create dimensional space
It surprises: At least one element breaks expectations in a delightful way
Design Thinking (Before ANY Code)
Before writing a single line, answer these:
Purpose: What problem does this solve? Who uses it?
Tone: Pick ONE extreme direction (not a blend):
Brutally minimal
Maximalist chaos
Retro-futuristic / Cyberpunk
Organic / Natural
Luxury / Refined
Playful / Toy-like
Editorial / Magazine
Brutalist / Raw
Art Deco / Geometric
Industrial / Utilitarian
Bio-luminescent / Sci-fi
Mission Control / Technical
The One Thing: What single element will someone remember? Every great interface has a signature moment.
Constraints: Framework, performance budgets, accessibility requirements.
CRITICAL: Bold maximalism and refined minimalism both work. The key is intentionality, not intensity. A single, perfectly-executed animation beats 50 mediocre ones.
Wow + Clarity Framework
Use this whenever the brief is vague or when you need to justify design decisions. The goal is wow factor with purpose.
1. Hierarchy Guardrails
1 hero flourish (shader, particle system, or globe). Everything else supports readability.
1 supporting flourish (micro-interactions, animated stat card, or glowing CTA). No more.
Layout rule: Hero (wild) → Content blocks (calm) → Proof (calm) → CTA (highlighted).
If the page has more than one scroll-length of copy, every second section should be mostly static.
2. Typography Discipline
Max 2 headliner fonts (display + body). Monospace only for data.
Headline letter-spacing ≥ -0.04em. Anything tighter kills readability.
Body width target: 55–75 characters per line on desktop, 35–45 on mobile.
Always pair big display text with a plain supporting sentence under 80 characters.
3. Color & Contrast Rules
Limit neon usage to primary CTA + 1 accent. Everything else stays in zinc/neutral palette.
If background is busy (shader, gradients, particles), add a bg-black/70 or bg-slate-950/70 scrim behind text.
Keep contrast ratios ≥ 4.5:1 for body copy even if the aesthetic is cyberpunk.
Add a grayscale preview check before shipping: if it looks muddy, dial the palette back.
4. Motion Throttle
Default: CSS or Framer Motion with durations ≤ 400ms, easing cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1).
Escalate to GSAP/WebGL only if the brief explicitly asks for cinematic or interactive experiences.
Max 1 continuous animation per viewport (e.g., shader OR wave bars, not both).
Provide a “calm mode”: disable non-essential motion when prefers-reduced-motion is on OR when user scrolls past hero.
5. When Requirements Are Vague
Situation
Default
Optional Upgrade
User only says “clean SaaS”
mesh-gradient-hero + bento-grid
Swap hero background for CPPN if they later ask for “more energy”
User says “dashboard” with no flair
bento-grid + dashboard-widgets + CSS glow pills
Add digital-liquid shader only after data viz is signed off
User says “hero section” but nothing else
Text-first layout + CSS gradient
Offer shader/globe as a suggestion, never as default
If the prompt does not explicitly mention WebGL, assume CSS-first and opt-in to shaders only when the user embraces the cost.
Anti-Patterns (NEVER Do This)
Visual Anti-Patterns
❌ White/light backgrounds as default (dark mode is premium)
❌ Generic gradients (purple-to-blue on white is AI slop)
❌ Evenly-distributed, timid color palettes
❌ Static, lifeless backgrounds
❌ Cookie-cutter component layouts
❌ Missing loading/transition states
❌ Jarring, un-eased animations
Typography Anti-Patterns
❌ Inter, Roboto, Arial, system fonts for headlines
❌ Same font for everything
❌ Default line-heights and letter-spacing
❌ Boring, predictable type scales
Code Anti-Patterns
❌ Inline styles scattered randomly
❌ No CSS variables for theming
❌ Animations without will-change or GPU acceleration
❌ Canvas/WebGL without requestAnimationFrame
❌ Missing cleanup in useEffect
Design System
1. Color Architecture
Rule: ONE dominant accent, everything else supports it.
// Premium Dark Theme (Default)
const colors = {
// Backgrounds (layer from darkest to lightest)
bg: {
void: '#000000', // True black for maximum contrast
primary: '#050505', // Main background
elevated: '#0a0a0a', // Cards, modals
subtle: '#111111', // Hover states
},
// Glass surfaces
glass: {
bg: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03)',
border: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08)',
hover: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06)',
},
// Text hierarchy
text: {
primary: '#ffffff',
secondary: '#a1a1aa', // zinc-400
muted: '#71717a', // zinc-500
ghost: '#3f3f46', // zinc-700
},
// Accent (choose ONE per project)
accent: '#ff4d00', // Neon Orange
// accent: '#00f3ff', // Neon Cyan
// accent: '#ccff00', // Neon Lime
// accent: '#F5E445', // Premium Yellow
// accent: '#a855f7', // Electric Purple
}
Accent Usage Rules:
Primary actions: Full accent color
Secondary elements: Accent at 20% opacity
Borders/lines: Accent at 30% opacity
Glows: Accent with blur, 40-60% opacity
Never use accent for large background areas
2. Typography System
Rule: Display font for impact, Body font for reading, Mono for data.
/* Tier 1: Display/Headlines - BOLD, characterful */
--font-display: 'Chakra Petch', 'Orbitron', 'Bebas Neue', 'Playfair Display';
/* Tier 2: Headings - Geometric, modern */
--font-heading: 'Manrope', 'Outfit', 'Syne', 'Space Grotesk';
/* Tier 3: Body - Clean, highly legible */
--font-body: 'Plus Jakarta Sans', 'DM Sans', 'Satoshi', 'General Sans';
/* Tier 4: Data/Code - ALWAYS monospace */
--font-mono: 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira Code', 'IBM Plex Mono';
Typography Patterns:
/* Hero Headlines: Massive, tight, aggressive */
.headline {
font-family: var(--font-display);
font-size: clamp(3rem, 12vw, 10rem);
font-weight: 800;
line-height: 0.9;
letter-spacing: -0.03em;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
/* Section Titles */
.section-title {
font-family: var(--font-heading);
font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 4vw, 3rem);
font-weight: 700;
letter-spacing: -0.02em;
}
/* Technical Labels */
.label {
font-family: var(--font-mono);
font-size: 0.75rem;
font-weight: 500;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.1em;
color: var(--text-muted);
}
/* Data Display */
.data {
font-family: var(--font-mono);
font-variant-numeric: tabular-nums;
}
3. Spacing & Layout
Rule: Asymmetry creates interest. Grids are starting points, not prisons.
/* Spacing scale (use consistently) */
--space-1: 0.25rem; /* 4px */
--space-2: 0.5rem; /* 8px */
--space-3: 0.75rem; /* 12px */
--space-4: 1rem; /* 16px */
--space-6: 1.5rem; /* 24px */
--space-8: 2rem; /* 32px */
--space-12: 3rem; /* 48px */
--space-16: 4rem; /* 64px */
--space-24: 6rem; /* 96px */
--space-32: 8rem; /* 128px */
/* Use generous padding on containers */
.container {
padding-inline: clamp(1rem, 5vw, 4rem);
}
/* Hero sections need breathing room */
.hero {
min-height: 100vh;
padding-block: var(--space-32);
}
Bento Grid Pattern (for dashboards):
.bento {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);
grid-auto-rows: minmax(150px, auto);
gap: var(--space-4);
}
/* Feature card spans */
.card-hero { grid-column: span 2; grid-row: span 2; }
.card-wide { grid-column: span 2; }
.card-tall { grid-row: span 2; }
Visual Effects Library
1. Glassmorphism (The Right Way)
.glass {
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.03);
backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
-webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(12px);
border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
border-radius: 12px;
}
/* Elevated glass (for modals, dropdowns) */
.glass-elevated {
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
backdrop-filter: blur(20px);
border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
box-shadow:
0 8px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4),
inset 0 1px 0 rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
}
2. CRT Scanlines Overlay
.scanlines::before {
content: '';
position: fixed;
inset: 0;
background: repeating-linear-gradient(
0deg,
rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px,
rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px,
transparent 1px,
transparent 2px
);
pointer-events: none;
z-index: 9999;
}
3. Film Grain Texture
.grain::before {
content: '';
position: fixed;
inset: 0;
opacity: 0.03;
pointer-events: none;
background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg viewBox='0 0 256 256' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3Cfilter id='noise'%3E%3CfeTurbulence type='fractalNoise' baseFrequency='0.8' numOctaves='4' stitchTiles='stitch'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Crect width='100%25' height='100%25' filter='url(%23noise)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");
}
4. Tech Grid Background
.tech-grid {
background-image:
linear-gradient(rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.02) 1px, transparent 1px),
linear-gradient(90deg, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.02) 1px, transparent 1px);
background-size: 60px 60px;
}
5. Neon Glow Effects
/* Text glow */
.neon-text {
text-shadow:
0 0 10px currentColor,
0 0 20px currentColor,
0 0 40px currentColor,
0 0 80px currentColor;
}
/* Box glow */
.neon-box {
box-shadow:
0 0 20px var(--accent-alpha-40),
0 0 40px var(--accent-alpha-20),
inset 0 0 20px var(--accent-alpha-10);
}
/* Border glow */
.neon-border {
border: 1px solid var(--accent);
box-shadow:
0 0 10px var(--accent-alpha-50),
inset 0 0 10px var(--accent-alpha-20);
}
Animation Patterns
Philosophy
Entrance animations: Use once, make them count
Micro-interactions: Subtle, fast (150-300ms)
Ambient motion: Infinite, very slow, non-distracting
Page transitions: Smooth, coordinated
Choosing the Right Tool
Need
Use
Why
Hover/focus states
CSS
Zero JS, instant
Simple entrance
CSS keyframes
Lightweight
Layout animations
Framer Motion
layout prop magic
Gesture-based
Framer Motion
Built-in drag/pan
Scroll-triggered
GSAP ScrollTrigger
Most powerful
Text splitting
GSAP SplitText
Industry standard
Complex timelines
GSAP
Precise control
SVG morphing
GSAP MorphSVG
No alternative
Default to simpler solutions. Escalate complexity only when needed.
CSS Keyframes Library
@keyframes fade-up {
from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(20px); }
to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}
@keyframes fade-in {
from { opacity: 0; }
to { opacity: 1; }
}
@keyframes scale-in {
from { opacity: 0; transform: scale(0.95); }
to { opacity: 1; transform: scale(1); }
}
@keyframes slide-in-right {
from { opacity: 0; transform: translateX(20px); }
to { opacity: 1; transform: translateX(0); }
}
@keyframes pulse-glow {
0%, 100% { opacity: 1; }
50% { opacity: 0.6; }
}
@keyframes float {
0%, 100% { transform: translateY(0); }
50% { transform: translateY(-10px); }
}
@keyframes rotate-slow {
from { transform: rotate(0deg); }
to { transform: rotate(360deg); }
}
@keyframes scan-line {
0% { transform: translateY(-100%); }
100% { transform: translateY(100vh); }
}
Staggered Entrance Pattern
.stagger-container > * {
opacity: 0;
animation: fade-up 0.6s ease-out forwards;
}
.stagger-container > *:nth-child(1) { animation-delay: 0.1s; }
.stagger-container > *:nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 0.2s; }
.stagger-container > *:nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 0.3s; }
.stagger-container > *:nth-child(4) { animation-delay: 0.4s; }
.stagger-container > *:nth-child(5) { animation-delay: 0.5s; }
CSS-Only Patterns (Zero Dependencies)
/* View transition entrance (Chrome 111+, Safari 18+) */
@supports (view-transition-name: none) {
.card {
view-transition-name: card;
}
::view-transition-old(card),
::view-transition-new(card) {
animation-duration: 0.3s;
}
}
/* Scroll-driven animations (Chrome 115+) */
@supports (animation-timeline: scroll()) {
.parallax-bg {
animation: parallax linear;
animation-timeline: scroll();
}
@keyframes parallax {
from { transform: translateY(0); }
to { transform: translateY(-30%); }
}
}
/* Hover with spring-like feel */
.spring-hover {
transition: transform 0.4s cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
}
.spring-hover:hover {
transform: scale(1.05);
}
/* Glow pulse */
.glow-pulse {
animation: glow-pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
}
@keyframes glow-pulse {
0%, 100% { box-shadow: 0 0 20px var(--accent-alpha-40); }
50% { box-shadow: 0 0 40px var(--accent-alpha-60); }
}
GSAP Patterns (When You Need Power)
// Stagger entrance on scroll
gsap.from('.card', {
scrollTrigger: {
trigger: '.cards-section',
start: 'top 80%',
},
y: 60,
opacity: 0,
duration: 0.8,
stagger: 0.1,
ease: 'power3.out',
});
// Text scramble effect
const scrambleText = (el: HTMLElement, text: string) => {
const chars = '!<>-_\\/[]{}—=+*^?#';
let iteration = 0;
const interval = setInterval(() => {
el.innerText = text
.split('')
.map((char, i) =>
i < iteration ? char : chars[Math.floor(Math.random() * chars.length)]
)
.join('');
if (iteration >= text.length) clearInterval(interval);
iteration += 1/3;
}, 30);
};
// Smooth parallax
gsap.to('.parallax-bg', {
scrollTrigger: {
scrub: 1,
},
y: '-30%',
ease: 'none',
});
Framer Motion Patterns
// Page transitions
<AnimatePresence mode="wait">
<motion.div
key={page}
initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 20 }}
animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
exit={{ opacity: 0, y: -20 }}
transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
/>
</AnimatePresence>
// Hover glow effect
<motion.div
whileHover={{
scale: 1.02,
boxShadow: '0 0 30px rgba(255, 77, 0, 0.4)',
}}
transition={{ type: 'spring', stiffness: 300 }}
/>
// Stagger children
<motion.div
initial="hidden"
animate="visible"
variants={{
hidden: {},
visible: { transition: { staggerChildren: 0.1 } },
}}
>
{items.map(item => (
<motion.div
key={item.id}
variants={{
hidden: { opacity: 0, y: 20 },
visible: { opacity: 1, y: 0 },
}}
/>
))}
</motion.div>
3D & WebGL Patterns
Tech Stack
npm install three @react-three/fiber @react-three/drei
Basic Scene Setup
import { Canvas } from '@react-three/fiber';
import { Stars, Float, MeshDistortMaterial } from '@react-three/drei';
const Scene = () => (
<Canvas
camera={{ position: [0, 0, 5], fov: 75 }}
style={{ position: 'fixed', inset: 0, zIndex: -1 }}
>
<ambientLight intensity={0.2} />
<pointLight position={[10, 10, 10]} color="#ff4d00" />
<Stars radius={100} depth={50} count={3000} />
{/* Your 3D content */}
</Canvas>
);
Particle Sphere (Data Globe)
const ParticleSphere = ({ count = 3000, color = '#ff4d00' }) => {
const ref = useRef<THREE.Points>(null);
const positions = useMemo(() => {
const pos = new Float32Array(count * 3);
for (let i = 0; i < count; i++) {
const theta = Math.random() * Math.PI * 2;
const phi = Math.acos(Math.random() * 2 - 1);
const r = 2;
pos[i * 3] = r * Math.sin(phi) * Math.cos(theta);
pos[i * 3 + 1] = r * Math.sin(phi) * Math.sin(theta);
pos[i * 3 + 2] = r * Math.cos(phi);
}
return pos;
}, [count]);
useFrame(() => {
if (ref.current) ref.current.rotation.y += 0.001;
});
return (
<points ref={ref}>
<bufferGeometry>
<bufferAttribute
attach="attributes-position"
count={count}
array={positions}
itemSize={3}
/>
</bufferGeometry>
<pointsMaterial size={0.02} color={color} transparent opacity={0.8} />
</points>
);
};
Sentient Core (AI Brain)
const SentientCore = () => (
<Float speed={2} rotationIntensity={0.5}>
<mesh>
<sphereGeometry args={[1.5, 64, 64]} />
<MeshDistortMaterial
color="#00f3ff"
wireframe
distort={0.4}
speed={2}
/>
</mesh>
</Float>
);
Performance Rules
Always use requestAnimationFrame via useFrame
Reduce particle counts on mobile (check window.innerWidth)
Use useMemo for geometry/position calculations
Cleanup animations in useEffect return
Set transparent and opacity for depth sorting
Component Patterns
1. Loading + Page Transitions
Default (ship this unless user asks otherwise):
Skeleton placeholders on cards/sections (see shimmer pattern above)
Simple fade/slide page transition using CSS or Framer Motion route transitions
Optional Cinematic Mode (only when the user wants a narrative boot sequence and there's time/budget):
GSAP-powered preloader with boot logs, text scramble, shader/WebGL background
Coordinated timeline that fades into actual content once data is ready
2. Glassmorphic Navbar
<nav className="fixed top-4 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 z-50">
<div className="glass rounded-full px-6 py-3 flex items-center gap-8">
<Logo />
<NavLinks />
<ThemeToggle />
<CTA />
</div>
</nav>
3. Live Terminal
const Terminal = ({ logs }) => {
const scrollRef = useRef();
useEffect(() => {
scrollRef.current?.scrollTo(0, scrollRef.current.scrollHeight);
}, [logs]);
return (
<div className="glass font-mono text-xs">
<header className="border-b border-white/10 px-4 py-2">
<span className="text-accent">></span> System Logs
<span className="ml-auto w-2 h-2 bg-green-500 rounded-full animate-pulse" />
</header>
<div ref={scrollRef} className="h-64 overflow-y-auto p-4">
{logs.map(log => (
<div key={log.id}>
<span className="text-zinc-600">{log.time}</span>
<span className={levelColor[log.level]}>[{log.level}]</span>
<span>{log.message}</span>
</div>
))}
</div>
</div>
);
};
4. Stat Cards with Sparklines
const StatCard = ({ icon, label, value, change, trend }) => (
<motion.div
whileHover={{ scale: 1.02, boxShadow: '0 0 30px var(--accent-alpha-30)' }}
className="glass p-4"
>
<div className="flex justify-between">
<div className="p-2 rounded-lg bg-accent/10 text-accent">{icon}</div>
<span className={change > 0 ? 'text-green-400' : 'text-red-400'}>
{change > 0 ? '+' : ''}{change}%
</span>
</div>
<div className="mt-4 font-mono text-2xl font-bold">{value}</div>
<div className="text-xs text-zinc-500 uppercase">{label}</div>
<Sparkline data={trend} className="mt-2 h-8" />
</motion.div>
);
Quality Checklist
Before shipping, verify:
Visual
Dark mode is default and premium-feeling
ONE dominant accent color used consistently
Glass effects have proper blur AND borders
Scanlines or grain overlay for texture
No pure white text on dark (#f4f4f5 max)
Typography
Display font for headlines (not Inter/Roboto)
Monospace for ALL data/code/numbers
Proper hierarchy (3-4 distinct levels)
Tracking adjusted for large text
Animation
Entrance animations on load (staggered)
Hover states with transform AND glow
Smooth 60fps for all canvas
No animation without purpose
Code
CSS variables for all colors
Responsive (mobile-first)
Cleanup functions in useEffect
Error boundaries for 3D content
Accessibility (Premium ≠ Inaccessible)
Great design is inclusive. These aren't optional.
Motion Sensitivity
/* ALWAYS respect user preferences */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
*, *::before, *::after {
animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
}
}
// React hook for motion preference
const usePrefersReducedMotion = () => {
const [prefersReduced, setPrefersReduced] = useState(false);
useEffect(() => {
const mq = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)');
setPrefersReduced(mq.matches);
const handler = (e: MediaQueryListEvent) => setPrefersReduced(e.matches);
mq.addEventListener('change', handler);
return () => mq.removeEventListener('change', handler);
}, []);
return prefersReduced;
};
// Usage
const shouldAnimate = !usePrefersReducedMotion();
WebGL Accessibility
// Always mark decorative 3D as hidden
<div aria-hidden="true" className="pointer-events-none">
<Canvas>{/* decorative background */}</Canvas>
</div>
// Provide text alternatives for meaningful 3D
<div role="img" aria-label="3D visualization of global network connections">
<Canvas>{/* data visualization */}</Canvas>
</div>
Color Contrast
Element
Minimum Ratio
Target
Body text
4.5:1
7:1
Large text (18px+)
3:1
4.5:1
UI components
3:1
4.5:1
Decorative
N/A
N/A
/* Safe text colors on dark backgrounds */
--text-primary: #ffffff; /* ✓ 21:1 on #000 */
--text-secondary: #a1a1aa; /* ✓ 7.2:1 on #000 */
--text-muted: #71717a; /* ✓ 4.6:1 on #000 */
--text-ghost: #52525b; /* ⚠ 3.2:1 - decorative only */
Keyboard Navigation
// Interactive 3D elements need keyboard support
<mesh
tabIndex={0}
onKeyDown={(e) => e.key === 'Enter' && handleClick()}
onClick={handleClick}
/>
// Focus indicators for glass components
.glass:focus-visible {
outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
outline-offset: 2px;
}
Mobile & Responsive Strategy
Premium experiences adapt gracefully. Don't just shrink — reimagine.
WebGL Fallbacks
// Detect low-power devices
const useIsLowPowerDevice = () => {
const [isLowPower, setIsLowPower] = useState(false);
useEffect(() => {
const isLow =
window.innerWidth < 768 ||
navigator.hardwareConcurrency <= 4 ||
/Android|iPhone|iPad/.test(navigator.userAgent);
setIsLowPower(isLow);
}, []);
return isLowPower;
};
// Usage in hero components
const HeroBackground = () => {
const isLowPower = useIsLowPowerDevice();
if (isLowPower) {
return <CSSGradientFallback />; // Lighter alternative
}
return <WebGLBackground />;
};
Performance Budgets
Device
JS Budget
Animation Target
Desktop
< 500KB
60fps WebGL
Tablet
< 300KB
30fps or CSS-only
Mobile
< 150KB
CSS-only, no WebGL
Touch Interactions
// Replace hover with tap/long-press on mobile
<motion.div
whileHover={{ scale: 1.02 }} // Desktop
whileTap={{ scale: 0.98 }} // Mobile
onTouchStart={handleTouch}
/>
// Increase touch targets
.button {
min-height: 44px; /* Apple HIG */
min-width: 44px;
padding: 12px 24px;
}
Responsive Typography
/* Fluid type scale */
--text-hero: clamp(2.5rem, 8vw, 7rem);
--text-h1: clamp(2rem, 5vw, 4rem);
--text-h2: clamp(1.5rem, 3vw, 2.5rem);
--text-body: clamp(1rem, 2vw, 1.125rem);
/* Reduce letter-spacing on mobile */
@media (max-width: 768px) {
.headline {
letter-spacing: -0.02em; /* Less aggressive than desktop */
}
}
Loading & Error States
Premium UX handles every state beautifully.
Skeleton Loaders
// Glass skeleton with shimmer
const Skeleton = ({ className }: { className?: string }) => (
<div
className={`relative overflow-hidden rounded-lg bg-white/5 ${className}`}
>
<div
className="absolute inset-0 -translate-x-full animate-[shimmer_2s_infinite] bg-gradient-to-r from-transparent via-white/10 to-transparent"
/>
</div>
);
// Usage
<div className="space-y-4">
<Skeleton className="h-8 w-3/4" />
<Skeleton className="h-4 w-full" />
<Skeleton className="h-4 w-5/6" />
</div>
@keyframes shimmer {
100% { transform: translateX(100%); }
}
Error Boundaries (Styled)
const ErrorFallback = ({ error, resetErrorBoundary }) => (
<div className="glass p-8 text-center">
<div className="mx-auto mb-4 h-16 w-16 rounded-full bg-red-500/10 flex items-center justify-center">
<AlertTriangle className="h-8 w-8 text-red-400" />
</div>
<h2 className="text-xl font-semibold text-white mb-2">
Something went wrong
</h2>
<p className="text-zinc-400 mb-4 font-mono text-sm">
{error.message}
</p>
<button
onClick={resetErrorBoundary}
className="px-4 py-2 bg-white/10 rounded-lg hover:bg-white/20 transition"
>
Try again
</button>
</div>
);
Empty States
const EmptyState = ({
icon: Icon,
title,
description,
action
}: EmptyStateProps) => (
<div className="flex flex-col items-center justify-center py-16 text-center">
<div className="mb-4 rounded-full bg-white/5 p-4">
<Icon className="h-8 w-8 text-zinc-500" />
</div>
<h3 className="text-lg font-medium text-white mb-1">{title}</h3>
<p className="text-zinc-400 mb-4 max-w-sm">{description}</p>
{action}
</div>
);
// Usage
<EmptyState
icon={Inbox}
title="No messages yet"
description="When you receive messages, they'll appear here."
action={<Button>Send your first message</Button>}
/>
Loading States for Data
// Optimistic UI with rollback
const [items, setItems] = useState(data);
const [pending, startTransition] = useTransition();
const addItem = (newItem) => {
// Optimistic update
setItems(prev => [...prev, { ...newItem, pending: true }]);
startTransition(async () => {
try {
await api.createItem(newItem);
} catch {
// Rollback on error
setItems(prev => prev.filter(i => i.id !== newItem.id));
toast.error('Failed to add item');
}
});
};
Framework Integration
Next.js App Router
// Client boundary for WebGL components
// app/components/hero-client.tsx
'use client';
import dynamic from 'next/dynamic';
// Lazy load heavy 3D components
const WebGLHero = dynamic(() => import('./webgl-hero'), {
ssr: false,
loading: () => <HeroSkeleton />,
});
export default function HeroClient() {
return <WebGLHero />;
}
// Server component wrapper
// app/page.tsx
import HeroClient from './components/hero-client';
export default function Page() {
return (
<main>
{/* Server-rendered SEO content */}
<h1 className="sr-only">Your SEO Title</h1>
{/* Client-side 3D hero */}
<HeroClient />
</main>
);
}
SEO for WebGL Content
// WebGL isn't crawlable - always provide text alternatives
<section aria-labelledby="hero-title">
{/* Hidden but crawlable */}
<h1 id="hero-title" className="sr-only">
AI-Powered Trading Platform
</h1>
<p className="sr-only">
{seoDescription}
</p>
{/* Visual hero (not crawled) */}
<div aria-hidden="true">
<Canvas>...</Canvas>
</div>
{/* Visible text (crawled) */}
<div className="relative z-10">
<span className="text-7xl">{visibleTitle}</span>
</div>
</section>
Data Fetching with Loading States
// Server Component with Suspense
import { Suspense } from 'react';
async function DashboardData() {
const data = await fetchDashboardData();
return <DashboardWidgets data={data} />;
}
export default function Dashboard() {
return (
<div className="bento-grid">
<Suspense fallback={<WidgetSkeleton />}>
<DashboardData />
</Suspense>
</div>
);
}
Template Quick Reference
Template
Props
WebGL
Mobile Fallback
Best Animation Lib
cppn-hero
title, description, ctaButtons, microDetails
Yes
CSS gradient
GSAP (SplitText)
mesh-gradient-hero
colors[], speed, distortion, swirl
No*
Native
Framer Motion
wave-hero
title, subtitle, placeholder, onPromptSubmit
Yes
Solid bg
GSAP
globe-hero
globeImage, dashboardImage, accentColor
No
Native
Framer Motion
hero-section
title, badge, primaryCTA, accentColor
Yes
Stars CSS
Either
bento-grid
children (card layout)
No
Native
CSS or Framer
dashboard-widgets
value, change, trend[]
No
Native
Framer Motion
terminal
logs[], title
No
Native
CSS
preloader
onComplete, messages[]
Optional
CSS version
GSAP
glass-components
Various
No
Native
CSS
*mesh-gradient-hero uses @paper-design/shaders-react (Canvas, not WebGL)
Template Playbooks (Start Grounded, Layer Wow Intentionally)
Goal
Baseline (Clarity-first)
Optional Wow Upgrade
Kill It If
Marketing / Waitlist
mesh-gradient-hero + glass-components + bento-grid value props
Swap hero for cppn-hero or add wave-hero band for social proof
Copy is long-form or the product is compliance-heavy
AI / Research Landing
cppn-hero + dashboard-widgets (metrics) + terminal logs
Add holographic shader sections or globe-hero interlude
User needs print-friendly deliverables
Crypto / Finance
globe-hero + bento-grid KPIs + dashboard-widgets + CTA strip
Add data-grid shader background or rolling ticker
Performance budget < 200KB or mobile-only
Developer Tools
wave-hero + terminal + glass-components cards
Introduce digital-liquid shader or 3D device mock
Audience is enterprise buyers needing conservative tone
Product Dashboard
bento-grid + dashboard-widgets + mesh-gradient-hero (static)
Add mini WebGL module (sentient core, particle globe)
Data is dense, requires tabular clarity
Layout Flow Recipes
Hero (signature flourish) → Key metrics/value props (calm) → Product proof (screens) → Testimonials/logos → CTA (glow button).
Dashboard page: Above-the-fold summary (minimal) → Feature grid (asymmetrical) → Live data (terminal/sparkline) → Help/resources (calm).
Docs/Platform: Clean header (mesh-gradient-hero in CSS mode) → Navigation grid → Content area (monospace) → CTA.
Each flow should have at most two high-saturation panels. If you need more energy, animate the CTA or accent borders instead of adding another shader.
Template Remix & Adaptation Patterns
Need
Action
Notes
Downgrade WebGL → CSS
Replace cppn-hero with mesh-gradient-hero, keep same copy. Swap shader backgrounds for bg-gradient-to-b.
Use when user mentions “mobile-first,” “performance,” or “lightweight.”
Upgrade CSS → WebGL
Start from mesh-gradient-hero, then inject ShaderBackground and reuse props from cppn-hero.
Only after confirming the client wants “cinematic” or “experimental.”
Shader swap
Any hero using shaders can switch to another by swapping imports (e.g., holographic ↔ digital-liquid). Keep uniform names consistent.
Document the new accent palette alongside the swap.
Content density mode
When the design needs to carry lots of text, keep hero flourish but make every subsequent section bg-black with simple borders.
Example: cppn-hero on top, then bento-grid in plain glass cards.
Prompt-to-template defaults
- “Clean SaaS” → Mesh gradient package - “AI platform” → CPPN hero + dashboard metrics - “Crypto trading” → Globe hero + ticker - “Developer CLI” → Wave hero + terminal
Mention these defaults directly in responses so the model doesn’t hallucinate new structures.
When in doubt: start with the baseline, ship usable layout, then pitch a single wow upgrade as a follow-up suggestion (“Optionally we can swap in the CPPN shader if you want a more neural vibe.”).
Template & Shader Selection Guide
Use this guide to pick the right template and shader based on the user's request. Don't default to the same hero for everything — match the aesthetic to the domain.
Industry/Vertical Mapping
Industry
Hero Template
Shader
Accent Color
Tone
AI/ML/Neural
cppn-hero
cppn-generative
Cyan #00f3ff / Purple #a855f7
Organic, alive, mathematical
Crypto/DeFi/Trading
globe-hero
data-grid
Purple #9b87f5 / Amber #f59e0b
Global, technical, financial
Developer Tools/API
wave-hero
digital-liquid
Blue #1f3dbc / Orange #ff4d00
Technical, dynamic, builder
SaaS/B2B/Product
mesh-gradient-hero
(CSS only)
Soft pastels
Clean, professional, trustworthy
Creative Agency
hero-section (CyberpunkHero)
holographic
Neon colors
Bold, experimental, artistic
Fintech/Dashboard
bento-grid + dashboard-widgets
data-grid
Green #10b981 / Blue #3b82f6
Data-rich, precise, analytical
Keyword-Based Selection
When analyzing user requests, match keywords to templates:
User Request Analysis:
├── Contains "AI", "neural", "intelligent", "learning", "model", "GPT"
│ → cppn-hero + cppn-generative shader
│ → Organic, flowing backgrounds that feel "alive"
│
├── Contains "crypto", "blockchain", "trading", "global", "DeFi", "web3"
│ → globe-hero + data-grid shader
│ → Earth imagery, global reach, financial precision
│
├── Contains "developer", "API", "code", "build", "deploy", "ship"
│ → wave-hero + digital-liquid shader
│ → Dynamic bars, typing animations, terminal aesthetic
│
├── Contains "SaaS", "product", "waitlist", "brand", "startup", "launch"
│ → mesh-gradient-hero (no WebGL needed)
│ → Soft, fluid gradients, professional feel
│
├── Contains "futuristic", "cyber", "agency", "creative", "portfolio"
│ → hero-section (CyberpunkHero) + holographic shader
│ → Particle spheres, text scramble, scanlines
│
└── Contains "dashboard", "analytics", "metrics", "data", "monitoring"
→ bento-grid + dashboard-widgets + terminal
→ Stat cards, sparklines, live data feeds
Performance-Based Selection
Choose based on target audience and device constraints:
Performance Tier
Templates
Best For
High-end (WebGL)
cppn-hero, wave-hero, hero-section
Desktop-first, portfolio sites, creative agencies
Medium (Canvas/Images)
globe-hero
Marketing sites, crypto landing pages
Light (CSS only)
mesh-gradient-hero, bento-grid
Mobile-first, SaaS, B2B, accessibility-focused
Shader Pairing Guide
Shader
Aesthetic
Pairs Well With
cppn-generative
Neural, organic, mathematical
AI products, generative art, research tools
data-grid
Matrix, technical, cyberpunk
Crypto, fintech, developer tools
digital-liquid
Flowing, dynamic, fluid
Creative tools, media platforms
holographic
Sci-fi, iridescent, futuristic
Gaming, AR/VR, experimental projects
Quick Decision Flowchart
Is performance critical (mobile-first)?
├── YES → mesh-gradient-hero (CSS only)
└── NO → Continue...
│
Is it AI/ML related?
├── YES → cppn-hero
└── NO → Continue...
│
Is it crypto/global/financial?
├── YES → globe-hero
└── NO → Continue...
│
Is it developer-focused?
├── YES → wave-hero
└── NO → hero-section (CyberpunkHero)
File Structure
premium-frontend-skill/
├── SKILL.md # This document
├── examples/
│ ├── 01-racing-dashboard.tsx # Motorsport telemetry
│ ├── 02-cyberpunk-platform.tsx # Developer platform
│ ├── 03-bioluminescent-landing.tsx # AI agency landing
│ ├── 04-fintech-protocol.tsx # DeFi interface
│ └── 05-neural-interface.tsx # Sentient AI core
├── templates/
│ ├── preloader.tsx # Boot sequence loader
│ ├── glass-components.tsx # Glassmorphic UI elements
│ ├── terminal.tsx # Live logs display
│ ├── bento-grid.tsx # Dashboard layout system
│ ├── dashboard-widgets.tsx # Stat cards, charts, metrics
│ ├── hero-section.tsx # CyberpunkHero + StarfieldScene
│ ├── cppn-hero.tsx # Neural network shader hero
│ ├── mesh-gradient-hero.tsx # Fluid gradient hero (CSS-light)
│ ├── wave-hero.tsx # Animated wave bars hero
│ └── globe-hero.tsx # 3D globe with dashboard
└── shaders/
├── cppn-generative.glsl.ts # Neural pattern generator
├── digital-liquid.glsl.ts # Flowing noise effect
├── data-grid.glsl.ts # Matrix/grid effect
└── holographic.glsl.ts # Hologram interference
Remember
"The goal is to create interfaces that feel alive, cinematic, and unforgettable. Every pixel should be intentional. These aren't just websites—they're experiences."
Don't hold back. Show what can truly be created when thinking outside the box and committing fully to a distinctive vision.don't have the plugin yet? install it then click "run inline in claude" again.