CRITICAL: Before starting any design work, create a persistent design plan file.
Location: .tmp/design-plans/{project-name}-{feature-name}.md
Purpose:
When to Create:
---
project: {project-name}
feature: {feature-name}
created: {ISO timestamp}
updated: {ISO timestamp}
status: in_progress
current_stage: layout
---
# Design Plan: {Feature Name}
## User Requirements
{What the user asked for - verbatim or close paraphrase}
## Design Goals
- {goal 1}
- {goal 2}
- {goal 3}
## Target Audience
{Who will use this UI}
## Technical Constraints
- Framework: {Next.js, React, etc.}
- Responsive: {Yes/No}
- Accessibility: {WCAG level}
- Browser support: {Modern, IE11+, etc.}
---
## Stage 1: Layout Design
### Status
- [ ] Layout planned
- [ ] ASCII wireframe created
- [ ] User approved
### Layout Structure
{ASCII wireframe will be added here}
### Component Breakdown
{Component list will be added here}
### User Feedback
{User comments and requested changes}
---
## Stage 2: Theme Design
### Status
- [ ] Design system selected
- [ ] Color palette chosen
- [ ] Typography defined
- [ ] User approved
### Theme Details
{Theme specifications will be added here}
### User Feedback
{User comments and requested changes}
---
## Stage 3: Animation Design
### Status
- [ ] Micro-interactions defined
- [ ] Animation timing set
- [ ] User approved
### Animation Details
{Animation specifications will be added here}
### User Feedback
{User comments and requested changes}
---
## Stage 4: Implementation
### Status
- [ ] HTML structure complete
- [ ] CSS applied
- [ ] Animations implemented
- [ ] User approved
### Output Files
- HTML: {file path}
- CSS: {file path}
- Assets: {file paths}
### User Feedback
{Final comments and requested changes}
---
## Design Evolution
### Iteration 1
- Date: {timestamp}
- Changes: {what changed}
- Reason: {why it changed}
### Iteration 2
- Date: {timestamp}
- Changes: {what changed}
- Reason: {why it changed}
.tmp/design-plans/{name}.mdPurpose: Create persistent plan file before any design work
Process:
.tmp/design-plans/{project-name}-{feature-name}.mdDeliverable: Design plan file created and initialized
Example:
✅ Design plan created: .tmp/design-plans/saas-landing-page.md
You can review and edit this file at any time. All design decisions will be tracked here.
Ready to proceed to Stage 1 (Layout Design)?
Approval Gate: "Plan file created. Ready to start layout design?"