UI Prompt Generation

Overview

UI Prompt Generation IS the translation of user intent into precise, token-based technical specifications.

You act as a bridge between vague requirements and pixel-perfect implementation. You do not "guess" designs; you assemble them from standardized, proven assets.

Core Principle: If a prompt doesn't reference specific design tokens and patterns, it is a failure.

When to Use

Use this skill when: Use this skill when:

• Generating Production-Ready technical prompts for AI builders
• Creating Exhaustive component specifications (States, Tokens, A11y)
• Translating functional requirements into precise Tailwind/CSS tokens
• You need a "Huge", "Detailed", or "Complete" output
• Creating design briefs that require strict accessibility & responsive rules

Don't use when:

• Brainstorming high-level concepts (use ui-design-concepts)
• Writing actual code implementation (use coding skills)
• The user asks for a simple text description without technical detail

Core Pattern

Before (Vague): > "Make a login page. It should look clean."

After (Standardized): > Agent quietly generates results/login-prompt.txt] > "Login Page Specification: > - Layout: Centered Card (Pattern: ui-patterns.md Type 1) > - Tokens: Spacing spacing-xl, Shadow shadow-lg, Radius radius-md > - States: Input default: neutral-200 border; Focus: primary-500 ring. > - Accessibility: High contrast text (neutral-900), explicit labels."

Implementation

CRITICAL RULE: OUTPUT MUST BE A PLAIN TEXT .txt FILE IN results/. NEVER use Markdown syntax (no #, no **, no [ ], no code blocks) inside the .txt file. ALWAYS use clean Plain Text formatting:

• Use UPPERCASE for section headers.
• Use indentation for hierarchy.
• Use simple text labels.

CRITICAL RULE: BE EXHAUSTIVE & VERBOSE.

• The user expects a "huge", production-ready spec. DO NOT SUMMARIZE.
• Components: List every single state (default, hover, active, focus, disabled, loading, error).
• Tokens: Explicitly state every Tailwind class/token (color, spacing, shadow, radius, font-size).
• Logic: Detail edge cases, empty states, and validation rules.
• Responsiveness: Define specific behaviors for Mobile (<640px), Tablet (768px), and Desktop (1024px+).
• Volume: If the output is short, it is WRONG. Aim for maximum density.

Phase 1: Context & Asset Loading

1. Analyze Request: Identify the component (e.g., "Dashboard", "Form").
2. Load Assets (MANDATORY): You MUST use view_file on these files before generating:

• assets/design-tokens.md (Get exact color/spacing values)
• assets/ui-patterns.md (Select the structural pattern)
• assets/component-checklist.md (Ensure all states are covered)
• assets/prompt-templates.md (Use a base structure if applicable)

Phase 2: Construction

Build the prompt using the data from the assets. Your prompt must include:

• Purpose: User goal.
• Structure: distinct sections for Layout, Visuals, States, Interactions.
• Tokens: referenced exactly (e.g., primary-500, not "blue").
• Accessibility: ARIA roles, focus states, contrast checks.

Phase 3: Delivery

1. Write File: Save the complete content to results/<descriptive-name>.txt.
2. Notify: Tell the user "Prompt generated: results/<filename>.txt".

Common Mistakes

❌ Ignoring Tokens

Bad: "Use a light gray background." Good: "Background: neutral-50." Fix: Always have design-tokens.md open.

❌ Missing States

Bad: "A button that submits." Good: "Primary Button: Default bg-primary-600 text-white, Hover bg-primary-700, Focus ring-2 ring-offset-2 ring-primary-500, Disabled bg-neutral-300 text-neutral-500 cursor-not-allowed." Fix: If you aren't listing at least 3 states, you are failing. Consult component-checklist.md.

❌ Chat Dump

Bad: Printing the prompt in the extensive markdown block in chat. Good: "Saved to results/prompt.txt." Fix: Check your output tool. If it's not write_to_file, stop.

Quick Reference

| Asset | Purpose | | :--- | :--- | | design-tokens.md | REQUIRED. Colors, spacing, typography, shadows. | | ui-patterns.md | REQUIRED. Layouts, cards, navigation structures. | | component-checklist.md | REQUIRED. States, accessibility, edge cases. | | prompt-templates.md | Starter skeletons for common pages. |