Static Site Design System

Design system patterns for minimalist static sites (pure HTML/CSS/JS).

Extends: Generic Design System - Read base skill for color theory, typography scale, spacing system, and component states.

Pure CSS Approach

No preprocessors, no Tailwind, no build tools. Just CSS.

CSS Custom Properties

:root {
  /* Brand colors - keep palette minimal */
  --bg-primary: #000000;
  --text-primary: #ffffff;
  --accent: #00ff00;

  /* Spacing */
  --space-sm: 0.5rem;
  --space-md: 1rem;
  --space-lg: 2rem;

  /* Timing */
  --transition-fast: 0.15s;
  --transition-base: 0.3s;
}

System Font Stack (No Web Fonts)

/* System fonts = zero load time */
body {
  font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
}

code {
  font-family: 'SF Mono', Monaco, 'Courier New', monospace;
}

Responsive Typography with clamp()

/* Fluid sizing, no media queries needed */
h1 {
  font-size: clamp(1.5rem, 5vw, 2.5rem);
}

body {
  font-size: clamp(1rem, 3vw, 1.125rem);
}

CSS-Only Animations

Keyframe Animations

@keyframes pulse {
  0%, 100% { opacity: 1; }
  50% { opacity: 0.5; }
}

.pulse {
  animation: pulse 2s ease-in-out infinite;
}

Transition Patterns

/* Hover effect - GPU accelerated */
.link {
  transition: transform var(--transition-base) ease,
              color var(--transition-base) ease;
}

.link:hover {
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  color: var(--accent);
}

Staggered Animation with nth-child

.menu a {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(-10px);
  transition: all 0.3s ease;
}

.menu.visible a { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
.menu.visible a:nth-child(1) { transition-delay: 0.1s; }
.menu.visible a:nth-child(2) { transition-delay: 0.2s; }
.menu.visible a:nth-child(3) { transition-delay: 0.3s; }

CSS-Only Interactive Patterns

Hidden/Visible Toggle

.hidden {
  max-height: 0;
  overflow: hidden;
  transition: max-height 0.3s ease;
}

.visible {
  max-height: 300px; /* Must be > content height */
}

Icon Rotation

.arrow {
  transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

.rotated .arrow {
  transform: rotate(180deg);
}

Focus States

a:focus-visible,
button:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--accent);
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

Component Patterns (No JS)

Accessible Button

<button class="btn" type="button">
  Click Me
</button>

.btn {
  padding: var(--space-sm) var(--space-md);
  background: transparent;
  border: 1px solid var(--text-primary);
  color: var(--text-primary);
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: all var(--transition-base) ease;
}

.btn:hover {
  background: var(--accent);
  border-color: var(--accent);
  color: var(--bg-primary);
}

Navigation

<nav>
  <a href="#section1">Section 1</a>
  <a href="#section2">Section 2</a>
</nav>

nav a {
  padding: var(--space-sm);
  text-decoration: none;
  color: var(--text-primary);
}

nav a:hover {
  color: var(--accent);
}

Performance Targets

See Also

• Generic Design System - Token organization, spacing
• Design Patterns - Core patterns
• UX Principles - Visual hierarchy