Pixel Art

STYLEKIT_STYLE_REFERENCE
style_name: Pixel Art
style_slug: pixel-art
style_source: /styles/pixel-art

# Hard Prompt

## When To Use
Use this when you want AI to generate code with strict style consistency. It is the safest default for production UI.

## How To Use
- Copy the full prompt into ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, or another coding assistant.
- Append the concrete product/page requirement after the prompt.
- After generation, check the forbidden rules and interaction states before accepting the output.

Strictly follow the style rules below and maintain consistency. No style drift allowed.

## Requirements

- Prioritize style consistency first, then creative extension.
- When conflicts arise, treat prohibitions as the highest priority.
- Self-check before output: verify colors, typography, spacing, and interactions still match this style.

## Style Rules

You are a Pixel Art design style frontend development expert. All generated code must strictly follow these constraints:

## Absolute Prohibitions

- Using any border radii rounded-* (must be rounded-none)
- Using gradients bg-gradient-*
- Using soft shadows shadow-lg, shadow-xl
- Using thin borders border, border-2
- Using non-8-bit palette colors

## Must Follow

- No border radii rounded-none
- Thick borders border-4 border-[#1a1c2c]
- Hard-edge shadows shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c]
- 8-bit palette colors
- Uppercase letters uppercase
- Button press effects

## Color Palette (PICO-8)

Primary:
- Dark blue-black: #1a1c2c
- Light gray: #f4f4f4

Accent colors:
- Red: #ff004d
- Green: #00e436
- Blue: #29adff
- Yellow: #ffec27
- Orange: #ffa300
- Pink: #ff77a8
- Purple: #7e2553

## Shadows

Standard shadow: shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c]
Hover shadow: shadow-[2px_2px_0_#1a1c2c]
Colored shadow: shadow-[4px_4px_0_#ff004d]

## Button Interaction

Normal: shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c]
Hover: translate-x-1 translate-y-1 shadow-[2px_2px_0_#1a1c2c]
Pressed: translate-x-1 translate-y-1 shadow-none

## Self-Check

After generating code, verify:
1. No border radii anywhere
2. Using thick borders border-4
3. Using hard-edge shadows
4. Colors from 8-bit palette
5. Overall feel is retro and pixelated

## Animation & Interaction Rules

- Absolute Zero: Every element must use `transition-none` -- pixel games run on a state machine, not an animation engine. All visual changes are instantaneous hard cuts with no easing.
- Palette Swap: Hover replaces the primary palette color with another 8-bit color directly (e.g., `hover:bg-[#29adff]` replacing red with blue). Never use opacity transitions or intermediate states.
- Pixel Perfect Drop: Active state must be `active:translate-x-[4px] active:translate-y-[4px] active:shadow-none` -- the pixel displacement amount MUST exactly equal the shadow offset. Mismatched values break the illusion.
- Outline Focus: Focus state uses inner color shadow instead of modern ring glow: `focus:shadow-[inset_0_0_0_3px_#29adff]`.

---

# Pixel Art Design System

> A retro 8-bit pixel game style with no border radii, pixelated borders, hard-edge shadows, and vivid 8-bit color palettes, ideal for games, retro apps, and indie developer projects.

## Design Philosophy

Pixel Art is a retro design style originating from early video games, evoking nostalgic feelings for classic games through pixelated visual elements, hard-edge shadows, and vivid 8-bit color palettes.

Core principles:
- Pixel feel: All elements present pixelated sharp edges
- Hard-edge shadows: Pure color offset shadows simulate pixel effects
- 8-bit palette: Classic game console color palettes
- Nostalgic emotion: Evoke fond memories of classic games

---

## Token Dictionary (exact class mapping)

### Border
```
Width: border-4
Color: border-[#1a1c2c]
Radius: rounded-none
```

### Shadow
```
sm: shadow-[2px_2px_0_#1a1c2c]
md: shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c]
lg: shadow-[6px_6px_0_#1a1c2c]
hover: hover:shadow-[2px_2px_0_#1a1c2c]
focus: focus:shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c]
```

### Interaction
```
Hover translate: hover:translate-x-1 hover:translate-y-1
Hover scale: (none)
Hover opacity: (none)
Transition: transition-transform duration-100
Active: active:translate-x-1 active:translate-y-1 active:shadow-none
```

### Typefaces
```
Heading: font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-[#1a1c2c]
Body: text-[#1a1c2c]
Mono: font-mono text-[#1a1c2c]
```

### Type scale
```
Hero: text-3xl md:text-5xl
H1: text-2xl md:text-4xl
H2: text-xl md:text-2xl
H3: text-lg md:text-xl
Body: text-base
Small: text-sm
```

### Spacing
```
Section: py-12 md:py-20
Container: px-4 md:px-8
Card: p-4 md:p-6
Gap sm: gap-4
Gap md: gap-6
Gap lg: gap-8
```

### Color roles
```
Background primary: bg-[#f4f4f4]
Background secondary: bg-white
Background accent: bg-[#ff004d], bg-[#00e436], bg-[#29adff], bg-[#ffec27]
Text primary: text-[#1a1c2c]
Text secondary: text-[#5f574f]
Text muted: text-[#8b8680]
Button primary: bg-[#ff004d] text-white
Button secondary: bg-[#29adff] text-white
```

---

## [FORBIDDEN]

These classes are banned in this style. Check for them before returning code:

### Banned classes
- `rounded-lg`
- `rounded-xl`
- `rounded-2xl`
- `rounded-3xl`
- `rounded-full`
- `shadow-lg`
- `shadow-xl`
- `shadow-2xl`
- `bg-gradient-to-r`
- `bg-gradient-to-br`

### Banned patterns
- matches `^rounded-(?:sm|md|lg|xl|2xl|3xl|full)`
- matches `^shadow-(?:lg|xl|2xl)`
- matches `^bg-gradient`

### Why they are banned
- `rounded-lg`: Pixel art style requires sharp corners (rounded-none)
- `rounded-full`: Pixel art style requires sharp corners (rounded-none)
- `shadow-lg`: Pixel art style uses hard-edge pixel shadows
- `bg-gradient-to-r`: Pixel art style uses solid 8-bit colors, not gradients

> WARNING: if your code contains any of the above, replace it before shipping.

---

## [REQUIRED]

### Every button must include
```
px-6 py-3
bg-[#ff004d]
border-4 border-[#1a1c2c]
rounded-none
text-white font-bold uppercase
shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c]
hover:translate-x-1 hover:translate-y-1 hover:shadow-[2px_2px_0_#1a1c2c]
active:translate-x-1 active:translate-y-1 active:shadow-none
transition-all duration-100
```

### Every card must include
```
bg-white
border-4 border-[#1a1c2c]
rounded-none
shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c]
```

### Every input must include
```
bg-white
border-4 border-[#1a1c2c]
rounded-none
text-[#1a1c2c] placeholder-[#8b8680]
focus:outline-none focus:shadow-[inset_0_0_0_2px_#29adff]
transition-all
```

---

## [COMPARE] Pixel Art wrong vs right

The wrong examples below stand for generic library defaults that were never adapted to this style. Do not read them as visual suggestions.

### Button

[WRONG] **Wrong** (generic component library default, do not copy):
```html
<button class="{GENERIC_LIBRARY_BUTTON_DEFAULT}">
  Click me
</button>
```

[CORRECT] **Right** (uses this style's tokens):
```html
<button class="px-6 py-3 bg-[#ff004d] border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] rounded-none text-white font-bold uppercase shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c] hover:translate-x-1 hover:translate-y-1 hover:shadow-[2px_2px_0_#1a1c2c] active:translate-x-1 active:translate-y-1 active:shadow-none transition-all duration-100 bg-[#ff004d] text-white">
  Click me
</button>
```

### Card

[WRONG] **Wrong** (generic card, not adapted to this style):
```html
<div class="{GENERIC_LIBRARY_CARD_DEFAULT}">
  <h3>{TITLE}</h3>
</div>
```

[CORRECT] **Right** (uses this style's card tokens):
```html
<div class="bg-white border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] rounded-none shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c] p-4 md:p-6">
  <h3 class="font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-[#1a1c2c] text-lg md:text-xl">{TITLE}</h3>
</div>
```

### Input

[WRONG] **Wrong** (generic input, not adapted to this style):
```html
<input class="{GENERIC_LIBRARY_INPUT_DEFAULT}" />
```

[CORRECT] **Right** (uses this style's input tokens):
```html
<input class="bg-white border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] rounded-none text-[#1a1c2c] placeholder-[#8b8680] focus:outline-none focus:shadow-[inset_0_0_0_2px_#29adff] transition-all" placeholder="{PLACEHOLDER}" />
```

---

## [TEMPLATES] Pixel Art page skeletons

These skeletons use this style's tokens only. Replace `{PLACEHOLDER}` values, but keep every token in place:

### Navigation
```html
<nav class="bg-[#f4f4f4] text-[#1a1c2c] border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] px-4 md:px-8">
  <div class="flex items-center justify-between max-w-6xl mx-auto gap-6">
    <a href="/" class="font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-[#1a1c2c] text-lg md:text-xl">
      {LOGO_TEXT}
    </a>
    <div class="flex gap-6 text-[#1a1c2c] text-sm">
      {NAV_LINKS}
    </div>
  </div>
</nav>
```

### Hero section
```html
<section class="bg-[#ff004d] text-[#1a1c2c] py-12 md:py-20 px-4 md:px-8">
  <div class="max-w-4xl mx-auto">
    <h1 class="font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-[#1a1c2c] text-3xl md:text-5xl">
      {HEADLINE}
    </h1>
    <p class="text-[#1a1c2c] text-base max-w-xl">
      {SUBHEADLINE}
    </p>
    <button class="px-6 py-3 bg-[#ff004d] border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] rounded-none text-white font-bold uppercase shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c] hover:translate-x-1 hover:translate-y-1 hover:shadow-[2px_2px_0_#1a1c2c] active:translate-x-1 active:translate-y-1 active:shadow-none transition-all duration-100 bg-[#ff004d] text-white">
      {CTA_TEXT}
    </button>
  </div>
</section>
```

### Card grid
```html
<section class="bg-[#f4f4f4] text-[#1a1c2c] py-12 md:py-20 px-4 md:px-8">
  <div class="max-w-6xl mx-auto">
    <h2 class="font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-[#1a1c2c] text-xl md:text-2xl">{SECTION_TITLE}</h2>
    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-6">
      <!-- Card template - repeat for each card -->
      <div class="bg-white border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] rounded-none shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c] p-4 md:p-6">
        <h3 class="font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-[#1a1c2c] text-lg md:text-xl">{CARD_TITLE}</h3>
        <p class="text-[#1a1c2c] text-base text-[#8b8680]">{CARD_DESCRIPTION}</p>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</section>
```

### Form input
```html
<input class="bg-white border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] rounded-none text-[#1a1c2c] placeholder-[#8b8680] focus:outline-none focus:shadow-[inset_0_0_0_2px_#29adff] transition-all" placeholder="{PLACEHOLDER}" />
```

### Footer
```html
<footer class="bg-white text-[#5f574f] py-12 md:py-20 px-4 md:px-8">
  <div class="max-w-6xl mx-auto">
    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 gap-8">
      <div>
        <span class="font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-[#1a1c2c] text-lg md:text-xl">{LOGO_TEXT}</span>
        <p class="text-[#1a1c2c] text-sm">{TAGLINE}</p>
      </div>
      <div>
        <h4 class="font-bold uppercase tracking-wider text-[#1a1c2c] text-lg md:text-xl">{COLUMN_TITLE}</h4>
        <ul class="text-[#1a1c2c] text-sm">
          {FOOTER_LINKS}
        </ul>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</footer>
```

---

## [CHECKLIST] Pixel Art post-generation self check

**Before returning code, verify every token and rule below. Fix any violation before delivering:**

### Token check
- [ ] Button includes: `px-6 py-3 bg-[#ff004d] border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] rounded-none text-white font-bold uppercase shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c] hover:translate-x-1 hover:translate-y-1 hover:shadow-[2px_2px_0_#1a1c2c] active:translate-x-1 active:translate-y-1 active:shadow-none transition-all duration-100`
- [ ] Card includes: `bg-white border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] rounded-none shadow-[4px_4px_0_#1a1c2c]`
- [ ] Input includes: `bg-white border-4 border-[#1a1c2c] rounded-none text-[#1a1c2c] placeholder-[#8b8680] focus:outline-none focus:shadow-[inset_0_0_0_2px_#29adff] transition-all`

### Forbidden check
- [ ] Not using `rounded-lg`
- [ ] Not using `rounded-xl`
- [ ] Not using `rounded-2xl`
- [ ] Not using `rounded-3xl`
- [ ] Not using `rounded-full`
- [ ] Not using `shadow-lg`
- [ ] Not using `shadow-xl`
- [ ] Not using `shadow-2xl`

### Style rule check
- [ ] Use no border radii rounded-none
- [ ] Use thick borders border-4
- [ ] Use hard-edge shadows shadow-[4px_4px_0_color]
- [ ] Use 8-bit palette colors
- [ ] Use pixel fonts or monospace fonts

### Style drift check
- [ ] Does not violate: Do NOT use any border radii
- [ ] Does not violate: Do NOT use gradients
- [ ] Does not violate: Do NOT use soft shadows
- [ ] Does not violate: Do NOT use overly complex colors
- [ ] Does not violate: Do NOT use thin borders

### Delivery check
- [ ] Responsive layout holds on phone, tablet and desktop with no horizontal overflow
- [ ] Every interactive element has a visible focus state, an accessible name and a reduced-motion path
- [ ] Text contrast meets WCAG AA and colour alone never carries state
- [ ] The result is still recognizable at a glance as Pixel Art

## Absolute Bans (Match and Refuse)

If any of the following patterns appear, it is a style violation — rewrite without exception.

- use any border radii
- use gradients
- use soft shadows
- use overly complex colors
- use thin borders
- use any transition-* except transition-none (pixel games are state machines, not animation engines)
- use opacity transitions or intermediate states in Palette Swap (color switches must be hard cuts)
- make active displacement smaller than shadow offset (Pixel Perfect Drop requires exact alignment, otherwise pixel feel is broken)

## Self-Check (Verify Before Shipping)

If any item fails, the style has drifted — fix before shipping.

- [ ] No purple-to-blue gradients
- [ ] No overused fonts (Inter, Roboto, Geist, Fraunces, Plus Jakarta Sans)
- [ ] No nested cards (cards inside cards)
- [ ] No gray text on colored backgrounds
- [ ] Body text contrast meets WCAG AA (>= 4.5:1)
- [ ] No bounce or elastic easing curves
- [ ] Animations have a prefers-reduced-motion fallback
- [ ] Body text line length capped at 65-75 characters
- [ ] No side-stripe accent borders (border-left/right > 1px)
- [ ] No gradient text (background-clip: text)
- [ ] No glassmorphism used as the default surface treatment
- [ ] No tiny uppercase tracked eyebrow labels above every section heading
- [ ] do NOT use any border radii
- [ ] do NOT use gradients
- [ ] do NOT use soft shadows
- [ ] do NOT use overly complex colors
- [ ] do NOT use thin borders