Turn vague taste, screenshots, URLs, product notes, or "make it feel like this" references into a grounded DESIGN.md plus an implementation handoff. Use it before prototypes, decks, redesigns, or image remix work when the user needs a reusable visual direction rather than a one-off prompt.
Scanned 9/3/2026
Install to Claude Code
npx -y skills add nexu-io/open-design --skill reference-design-contract --agent claude-codeInstalls into .claude/skills of the current project.
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---
name: reference-design-contract
zh_name: "参考转设计合约"
en_name: "Reference Design Contract"
description: |
Turn vague taste, screenshots, URLs, product notes, or "make it feel like this"
references into a grounded DESIGN.md plus an implementation handoff. Use it
before prototypes, decks, redesigns, or image remix work when the user needs
a reusable visual direction rather than a one-off prompt.
triggers:
- "design contract"
- "reference design brief"
- "style contract"
- "visual direction handoff"
- "turn references into DESIGN.md"
- "make it feel like this"
- "做同款但不照抄"
- "把参考图转成设计规范"
od:
mode: design-system
platform: desktop
scenario: planning
category: design-systems
preview:
type: html
entry: example.html
design_system:
requires: false
generates: true
sections: [visual-theme, color, typography, spacing, layout, components, motion, voice, anti-patterns]
craft:
requires:
- typography
- color
- anti-ai-slop
inputs:
- name: brief
type: string
required: true
description: "Goal, audience, references, or the style problem to resolve"
outputs:
primary: DESIGN.md
secondary:
- design-contract.md
- implementation-handoff.md
- example.html
capabilities_required:
- file_write
example_prompt: "Create a reference design contract for a developer-notes app. The direction should feel editorial, calm, tactile, and serious, but not copy any specific product. Produce DESIGN.md and an implementation handoff."
example_prompt_i18n:
zh-CN: "为一个开发者笔记应用创建「参考转设计合约」。方向要有编辑感、安静、触感强、认真,但不要照抄任何具体产品。输出 DESIGN.md 和实现交接说明。"
---
# Reference Design Contract
Use this skill when the user has taste signals, references, or a rough "like
this" request and needs a reusable design contract before generation. The goal
is not to write a longer prompt. The goal is to make design decisions explicit
enough that a later prototype, deck, redesign, or image-remix run can execute
without guessing.
## What this skill produces
Create three files:
1. `DESIGN.md` — the reusable visual direction, following OpenDesign's
standard nine-section design-system shape.
2. `design-contract.md` — the decision record: evidence used, keep/change
boundaries, rationale, risks, and quality gate.
3. `implementation-handoff.md` — concise build instructions for the next
artifact-producing skill or coding agent.
If a preview is useful, also create `example.html` as a small hand-built
contract preview. Do not make it the main deliverable.
## Workflow
1. **Lock the job.** Identify target artifact type, audience, brand/product
context, references, and constraints. Ask at most two questions only when a
missing answer would change the direction. Otherwise choose a sensible
default and label it as inferred.
2. **Read evidence.** Use provided screenshots, URLs, existing `DESIGN.md`,
brand docs, image artifacts, or user notes. If evidence is missing, say so
and base the contract on the brief only; do not invent brand facts.
3. **Separate reference semantics.** For every reference, split it into:
- `Keep`: qualities to preserve, such as density, composition, material,
typography rhythm, color temperature, or motion attitude.
- `Change`: subject matter, copy, brand marks, exact layout, protected
assets, and anything the user wants adapted.
- `Do not copy`: literal screenshots, logos, claims, pricing, proprietary
UI, or exact prompt wording from examples.
4. **Freeze the direction.** Choose one coherent visual stance. Do not provide
five unrelated moodboards. If there are genuinely competing directions,
name them briefly, pick the recommended one, and continue.
5. **Write `DESIGN.md`.** Use these nine headings exactly:
- `## 1. Visual Theme & Atmosphere`
- `## 2. Color`
- `## 3. Typography`
- `## 4. Spacing & Grid`
- `## 5. Layout & Composition`
- `## 6. Components`
- `## 7. Motion & Interaction`
- `## 8. Voice & Brand`
- `## 9. Anti-patterns`
6. **Write `design-contract.md`.** Include:
- goal and target artifact
- evidence table with confidence (`observed`, `provided`, `inferred`)
- keep/change/do-not-copy table
- final design stance in one paragraph
- risks and explicit unknowns
- quality gate checklist
7. **Write `implementation-handoff.md`.** Keep it short and operational:
- files to read
- token/palette/type/layout constraints
- asset rules
- responsive requirements
- "first artifact should prove..." acceptance notes
8. **Validate.** Read `references/checklist.md` and satisfy every P0 gate
before final handoff.
## Output rules
- Make every claim traceable to user input, observed reference evidence, or an
explicitly labeled inference.
- Prefer concrete constraints over adjectives: "one warm accent, no purple or
blue glow" beats "premium".
- Treat "do the same style" as "borrow controllable qualities", not "clone the
original subject or prompt".
- If the user asks for immediate UI generation too, finish these contract files
first, then hand off to the appropriate artifact skill in the next step.
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