creative-constraints

Creative Constraints

Forces design divergence by rolling random constraints before any markup is written. The model's default instinct is the statistical average of all websites (status pills, soft-rounded cards, centered hero + subtitle, muted slate). This skill replaces that average with a fresh, opinionated constraint set each run.

Workflow

1. Roll. Run the dice script — do not pick the constraints yourself, the entropy is the whole point:

   node ~/.claude/skills/creative-constraints/scripts/roll.mjs
   

   It picks one option from each of four binding axes:

   • Layout primitive — diagonal · single-column scroll · split-screen · broken-grid · radial · full-bleed type
   • Type — one typeface only · serif display + sans body · variable-weight extremes · oversized numerals
   • Color — monochrome + 1 accent · duotone · high-contrast B/W · single saturated hero color
   • Signature move — oversized footer · sideways nav · text-as-image · no visible nav

2. Present for approval. Show the rolled set verbatim, plus one line per axis on how you'll honor it for this specific page/brand. Then ask the user to approve, or re-roll any single axis they dislike. Do not write code before approval.

3. Design within the constraints. All four are binding — not suggestions, not "accents." If a constraint feels awkward, that friction is the source of the novelty; solve it, don't soften it.

Banned defaults

Regardless of the roll, never reach for these house-style tells:

• status-pill / badge with a colored dot
• monospace micro-labels
• soft drop-shadows on evenly-rounded cards in a grid
• centered hero with a subtitle
• muted sage / slate / zinc as the base palette

If you catch yourself adding one, stop and find another solution.

Notes

• Re-roll, don't override. If the user wants a different layout primitive, re-run with the script — keep the choice machine-made.
• One axis at a time is fine: roll.mjs --json emits JSON if you want to swap a single value programmatically.
• This is a flexible skill in spirit but the four rolled constraints are rigid once approved. Don't quietly drop one mid-build.