Refero Design

Refero Design

Refero gives agents taste and product evidence. Use it before design work instead of relying on generic model knowledge.

Refero has three research layers:

1. Styles - visual direction and taste.
2. Screens - concrete UI patterns and product-screen decisions.
3. Flows - multi-step journey logic.

Best results come from combining layers: visual direction from styles, concrete UI patterns from screens, and sequencing from flows when the task has multiple steps.

Non-Negotiables

• Research before design work. Every design must be grounded in references before implementation. Do not rely on the model's generic design taste.
• Use styles first for visual work when Refero MCP tools are available. If tools are unavailable, use bundled craft references and keep the same reference-lock workflow.
• Do not copy one reference. Study several strong references and synthesize a new direction for the user's product.
• Do not average references into a safe middle. When references conflict, choose one dominant direction and preserve its sharp traits. Secondary references may add narrow details only.
• Do not change token meanings. If a reference says a color, font, radius, shadow, gradient, or component is for a specific role, use it only for that role or omit it.
• Respect imagery guidance. If a style depends on photography, illustration, product shots, or graphics, preserve the media role. Use real/generated/stock assets when available; otherwise create an intentional placeholder with art direction. Do not fake complex imagery with weak CSS, text, or decorative boxes.
• Do not use generic frontend/product design skills as a parallel design authority when this skill is available. Refero is the design methodology; generic design skills tend to pull work back toward generic AI design.
• Research output must be specific. Name the references, describe concrete choices, and explain what will be adapted.
• No design from vibe memory. Every major visual, layout, content, or interaction decision must trace to Refero research, the user's brief, or a craft reference.
• Synthesize before implementation. Turn research into a concept, token direction, and concrete decision ledger before drawing or coding.