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name: frontend-design description: Create distinctive, production-grade Quickshell (QML) widgets and interfaces for the user's desktop environment. Specialized for the @quickshell configuration, using existing components, theme tokens, and services. Generates creative, polished code and UI design that avoids generic AI aesthetics. license: Complete terms in LICENSE.txt

Frontend Design Skill

This skill guides the creation of high-quality QML interfaces for Quickshell, specifically tailored to the @quickshell/.config/quickshell/ configuration. It combines technical Quickshell expertise with high-end aesthetic design thinking.

Design Thinking

Before coding, commit to a BOLD aesthetic direction that fits the "Obelisk" shell but pushes it further:

• Tone: Pick a flavor: brutally minimal, retro-futuristic, refined luxury, industrial/utilitarian, or organic.
• Differentiation: What is the one thing that makes this widget UNFORGETTABLE?
• Intentionality: Bold maximalism and refined minimalism both work; the key is executing with precision.

Quickshell Design Principles

• Native Integration: Widgets must look and feel like part of the existing "Obelisk" shell.
• Theming: Rigorously use the Theme singleton (qs.Config) for all colors, sizes, radii, and fonts.
• Reusability: Use existing components from qs.Components (OText, OButton, IconButton, OPanel) whenever possible.
• Reactive: Bind properties to Services (qs.Services) for live data.

Technical Foundation

Always include necessary imports:

import QtQuick
import QtQuick.Layouts
import Quickshell
import Quickshell.Wayland
import qs.Config      // Theme, Settings
import qs.Components  // OText, OButton, OPanel, etc.
import qs.Services    // Core, SystemInfo, WM

Theming Guidelines (Theme.qml)

• Backgrounds: Theme.bgColor, Theme.bgElevated, Theme.bgElevatedAlt
• Accents: Theme.activeColor, Theme.onHoverColor, Theme.critical (red), Theme.warning (orange)
• Text: Theme.textActiveColor, Theme.textInactiveColor
• Spacing: Theme.spacingXs to Theme.spacingXl
• Radii: Theme.itemRadius, Theme.radiusMd, Theme.radiusLg

Aesthetics & Polish

• Typography: Stick to Theme.fontFamily (CaskaydiaCove) and Theme.iconFontFamily. Use OText variants for hierarchy.
• Motion: Use Behavior on <property> with Theme.animationDuration and Easing.InOutQuad for all transitions. Focus on staggered reveals and smooth width/opacity changes.
• Visual Details: Create depth. Use RectangularShadow or MultiEffect for subtle shadows. Use Canvas for custom gradient borders (see CardStyling.qml).
• Avoid "AI Slop": No predictable layouts or generic "purple on white" color schemes. Stay true to the project's Catppuccin/Dracula/Obelisk color palettes.

Component Usage

• OText: OText { text: "Label"; bold: true; muted: true }
• IconButton: For circular icon-only buttons.
• OPanel: For dropdowns/menus. Always provide a unique panelNamespace.
• ExpandingPill: Use for collapsible groups of buttons (like PowerMenu or Workspaces).

New Modules

When creating a new widget:

1. Place it in Modules/<Category>/<Name>.qml.
2. Use pragma ComponentBehavior: Bound.
3. Example Pattern:

pragma ComponentBehavior: Bound
import QtQuick
import QtQuick.Layouts
import qs.Config
import qs.Components

Rectangle {
    color: Theme.bgElevated
    radius: Theme.itemRadius
    border.color: Theme.borderLight
    border.width: 1

    ColumnLayout {
        anchors.fill: parent
        anchors.margins: Theme.spacingMd
        spacing: Theme.spacingSm

        OText {
            text: "Widget Title"
            bold: true
            size: "lg"
        }
        // ... content
    }
}