Alandesign Skill

Overview

This skill converts curated visual references into project-specific design guidance. Its job is not to clone a reference brand, but to pick the right preset, extract the reusable visual logic, and rewrite it into an actionable DESIGN.md.

Use repository-local resources:

• presets/ for curated style inputs
• references/selection-rubric.md for choosing presets
• references/design-template.md for output structure
• references/usage-patterns.md for common request patterns

Workflow

1. Classify the request

Decide which of these the user needs:

• preset recommendation
• project-specific DESIGN.md
• style adaptation for an existing project
• implementation guidance after a preset is chosen

2. Choose the preset correctly

Read:

• references/selection-rubric.md
• references/preset-catalog.md

Then select:

• 1 default preset for most tasks
• at most 2 presets if the user explicitly wants a blend

Do not create style soup.

3. Rewrite, do not copy

When building a project DESIGN.md:

• use references/design-template.md
• rewrite the preset into the target product context
• preserve system logic, not brand mimicry
• remove copied brand language and identifiable marketing phrasing

4. Keep outputs operational

A good output should help an implementation agent make real decisions about:

• visual direction
• colors
• typography
• spacing
• surfaces and elevation
• components
• motion
• responsive behavior
• anti-patterns

5. Use scripts when useful

• python3 scripts/list_presets.py to inspect available presets
• python3 scripts/build_design_md.py ... to create a first-pass design doc
• python3 scripts/sync_presets.py to refresh curated presets from the official distribution path

Fast Paths

Preset recommendation

1. Read the rubric and catalog
2. Pick 2-4 candidates
3. Recommend 1 default
4. Explain fit briefly

Generate a project DESIGN.md

1. Select the best-fit preset
2. Read its DESIGN.md
3. Use references/design-template.md
4. Rewrite into the target product's context

Blend two presets

Only do this when the user asks for a blend or when one preset is clearly insufficient.

If blending:

• assign one preset to layout and structure
• assign one preset to color or component tone
• state the split explicitly

Rules

• Prefer project fit over visual fandom
• Avoid literal copying of brand identity
• Keep references narrow and relevant
• Output should be implementation-friendly, not abstract design prose