scholarxiv.com

---
name: livery-scholarxiv-com
description: Apply the scholarxiv.com design kit (Livery v3) to this project. Use only when the user asks to apply this kit or this site's design.
---

# scholarxiv.com design kit · v3 · flow 1

**Never edit a file before step 5. Ask, don't assume.**

A light interface on a near-white neutral background where a violet accent marks the next step. Type is Archivo, corners are 12px, and depth comes from soft neutral shadows.

Kit files (read each one only when its step needs it): `rules.md`, `tokens.json`, `fonts.json`, `icons.json`, `components.md`, `layout.md`, `motion.md`, `details.md`, `stack.md`, `voice.md`, `licences.md`, `frames/`.

Levels offered:
1. Tokens: Colour, type, spacing, radii, borders and depth.
2. Structure: Component recipes, containers, grids and section rhythm.
3. Feel: Motion and interactions, craft details, the stack behind them, and the tone of the copy.

## 0. Prepare
- Require git. If the working tree has uncommitted changes, ask the user to commit or stash first.
- Create and switch to the branch `livery/scholarxiv-com-v3`.
- If commits from an earlier run of this kit exist (`livery(scholarxiv.com v3): …`), offer to resume after the last finished area.

## 1. Audit
Find theme files, design tokens, CSS variables, Tailwind config, fonts, the icon library and how colours are used.
Note the styling setup (Tailwind v4 or v3, CSS modules, shadcn/ui, CSS-in-JS, plain CSS).
Report colours that are scattered (hard-coded in many files) rather than centralised; offer to centralise them first.
`stack.md` says what the source site appears to be built with. Never switch this project's framework or add libraries just to match it: recreate each effect with what the project already uses, and suggest a library only when the user asks (for 3D, follow its notes).

## 2. Scan project rules
Read CLAUDE.md (root, nested, ~/.claude), AGENTS.md, .cursor/rules, .github/copilot-instructions.md, design docs, lint rules, and contrast or visual tests.
Sort each finding as hard (must keep), soft (preference) or unrelated.

## 3. Report the gap
For each area (tokens, components, layout, motion, details, voice), rate the gap small / medium / large in one or two lines, comparing the project with `rules.md` and `tokens.json`.

## 4. Ask
Ask which areas to apply. Warn clearly where the gap is large.
Ask what must not change (logo colours, required brand colours, legal copy).
For voice: show three of the user's own sentences rewritten with `voice.md`, then ask.

## 5. Resolve conflicts
For the chosen areas, quote each conflicting project rule with file:line. For each one offer: keep the rule / override once / override and update the rule.
For hard rules, ask a second time and repeat the rule's stated reason.

## 6. Licences
Read `licences.md`. Install fonts and icons only from their official sources (Google Fonts, Fontsource, npm), never from the source site.
For each item marked "needs a licence": use it only if the user confirms they hold a licence; otherwise use the listed free alternative.
Items marked "style only" (logos, photos, illustrations, custom icons) are recreated as style only: shape, weight and colour treatment, never copied files.
Styling the user's own login or checkout pages with these tokens is fine. Never recreate the source site's login, checkout or branding.

## 7. Apply
One area per commit, in this order: tokens → components → layout → motion → details → voice (only the areas this kit's levels include).
Commit message: `livery(scholarxiv.com v3): <area>`. Edits to project rule files go in the same commit.
Read the data file for an area only when you reach it. Follow `rules.md` throughout, especially its "Never" list.

## 8. Verify
Check text contrast in both themes (4.5:1 for body text, 3:1 for large text and UI). If the accent fails on the user's backgrounds, adjust its lightness rather than shipping unreadable text.
If Playwright is available, screenshot the user's pages and compare their layout and rhythm with `frames/`; fix the differences.

## 9. Keep it
Offer to add the core of `rules.md` to the project's CLAUDE.md (or AGENTS.md) so future sessions keep the design.

## 10. Summary
List what changed per area with its commit hash. To undo one area: `git revert <hash>`.