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design language·minimalist-japanese

Minimalist Japanese

A portable design language for agents: download the markdown first, then inspect the preview, tokens, and rules as needed.

Download DESIGN.md

Portable DESIGN.md source of truth for most agents and apps.

the spec

specification

philosophy
summary
A restrained interface language inspired by Japanese editorial layouts, washitsu proportions, shoji translucency, and the discipline of leaving space intentionally unused. It values pause, rhythm, tactility, and quiet emphasis over decorative abundance.
values
intentional emptinesspaper-and-ink tactilitymeasured asymmetryritualized hierarchycalm operational clarity
anti-values
×ornamental clutter×heavy skeuomorphism×loud gradients×centered everything×motion for spectacle
tokens
colors12 items
primary
#1F1A17
secondary
#6E655C
accent
#B33A2B
background
#F3EEE6
surface
#FBF8F2
text
#1A1613
muted
#8B8178
border
#544B44
error
#9E2A1F
success
#58734F
warning
#A36A1A
info
#486A7D
typography8 items
heading font
"Zen Old Mincho", serif
body font
"Zen Kaku Gothic New", sans-serif
mono font
"IBM Plex Mono", monospace
base size
16px
scale ratio
1.2
line height
1.7
letter spacing
0.02em
google fonts url
https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=IBM+Plex+Mono:wght@400;500&family=Zen+Kaku+Gothic+New:wght@400;500;700&family=Zen+Old+Mincho:wght@500;700&display=swap
spacing2 items
base unit
8px
scale
4px, 8px, 16px, 24px, 40px, 64px, 96px
radii5 items
none
0px
sm
2px
md
6px
lg
12px
full
999px
shadows3 items
sm
0 1px 0 rgba(31,26,23,0.06)
md
0 8px 24px rgba(31,26,23,0.08)
lg
0 18px 40px rgba(31,26,23,0.10)
surfaces3 items
treatment
paper
card style
outlined paper panels with translucent inner veil and generous negative space
bg pattern
lines
borders4 items
default width
1px
accent width
2px
style
solid
character
hairline and architectural, used as quiet structure rather than decoration
motion3 items
duration
180ms
easing
cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1)
philosophy
deliberate
responsive2 items
breakpoints
1200, 1024, 768, 480
column progression
12 → 8 → 4 → 1
rules
composition
Compose screens as editorial boards rather than dashboards: a dominant content plane, a narrow vertical annotation rail, and supporting paper panels arranged in measured asymmetry. Leave at least one large quiet zone per major viewport so density never becomes uniform.
hierarchy
Headlines use Mincho contrast and long trailing rules; operational text uses a disciplined gothic; metadata and counts use mono. Emphasis is achieved through position, spacing, and a single vermilion seal, not through many font weights or many colors.
density
Low-to-medium density. Controls are compact but never cramped; cards breathe with oversized padding. Data may be information-rich, but every cluster is separated by dividers and empty margins.
signature patterns
every major panel uses a 1px charcoal border plus an inset 1px translucent inner frame to mimic layered paper constructionsection identifiers appear in a dedicated vertical rail using writing-mode vertical-rl with upright glyphs and generous trackingheadings carry an extended hairline rule that stretches far beyond the text and aligns to the grid as an editorial anchorstatus markers and critical counts appear as small vermilion square seal blocks rotated 2 degrees rather than pill badgessurface texture combines subtle repeating horizontal line grain with softly translucent shoji overlays inside selected panels
layout
grid
Desktop uses a 12-column asymmetrical editorial grid with a fixed narrow side rail and a dominant 8-column content field beside supporting 3-column stacks. Tablet collapses to 8 columns with the rail becoming a horizontal label band. Phone uses a single-column flow with internal panel grids preserved only where horizontal scrolling is appropriate.
breakpoints
1200px+ full editorial spread; 1024px two-tier grid with compressed rail; 768px stacked narrative panels; 480px single-column mobile with full-width actions, scrollable tables, and stacked tab/filter controls.
whitespace
Whitespace is structural. Use 40-96px outer margins on desktop, 24-40px on tablet, and 16-24px on phone. Never fill every cell; preserve blank modules to create rhythm.
guidance
do
  • use vermilion only for signals that deserve ritual attention
  • let borders, rules, and spacing carry structure before adding fills
  • combine Mincho headings with gothic UI labels for clear role separation
  • keep cards quiet and tactile with paper texture and low-contrast surfaces
  • treat vertical labels as navigational architecture, not decoration
avoid
  • do not center all content or create perfectly symmetrical dashboards
  • do not turn every status into a bright chip or pill
  • do not use heavy shadows or glossy gradients
  • do not collapse whitespace to fit more widgets
  • do not animate with bounce, spring, or playful overshoot
katagami spec
# Minimalist Japanese

## Philosophy

A restrained interface language inspired by Japanese editorial layouts, washitsu proportions, shoji translucency, and the discipline of leaving space intentionally unused. It values pause, rhythm, tactility, and quiet emphasis over decorative abundance.

### Values

- intentional emptiness
- paper-and-ink tactility
- measured asymmetry
- ritualized hierarchy
- calm operational clarity

### Anti-Values

- ornamental clutter
- heavy skeuomorphism
- loud gradients
- centered everything
- motion for spectacle

### Visual Character

- hairline charcoal frames on every container with wide interior padding and visible breathing room
- vertical section labels set in a narrow side rail using upright Japanese-style reading direction
- off-white paper surfaces with subtle fiber grain and translucent shoji panels layered over warm neutral backgrounds
- small vermilion seal accents used sparingly as square stamps for status, counts, and confirmations
- long horizontal divider rules that extend past headings to create quiet editorial tension

## Tokens

### Colors

| Name | Value |
|------|-------|
| primary | `#1F1A17` |
| secondary | `#6E655C` |
| accent | `#B33A2B` |
| background | `#F3EEE6` |
| surface | `#FBF8F2` |
| text | `#1A1613` |
| muted | `#8B8178` |
| border | `#544B44` |
| error | `#9E2A1F` |
| success | `#58734F` |
| warning | `#A36A1A` |
| info | `#486A7D` |

### Typography

- **Heading Font**: "Zen Old Mincho", serif
- **Body Font**: "Zen Kaku Gothic New", sans-serif
- **Mono Font**: "IBM Plex Mono", monospace
- **Base Size**: 16px
- **Scale Ratio**: 1.2
- **Line Height**: 1.7
- **Letter Spacing**: 0.02em
- **Google Fonts Url**: https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=IBM+Plex+Mono:wght@400;500&family=Zen+Kaku+Gothic+New:wght@400;500;700&family=Zen+Old+Mincho:wght@500;700&display=swap

### Spacing

- **Base Unit**: 8px
- **Scale**: ["4px","8px","16px","24px","40px","64px","96px"]

### Radii

- **None**: 0px
- **Sm**: 2px
- **Md**: 6px
- **Lg**: 12px
- **Full**: 999px

### Shadows

- **Sm**: 0 1px 0 rgba(31,26,23,0.06)
- **Md**: 0 8px 24px rgba(31,26,23,0.08)
- **Lg**: 0 18px 40px rgba(31,26,23,0.10)

### Surfaces

- **Treatment**: paper
- **Card Style**: outlined paper panels with translucent inner veil and generous negative space
- **Bg Pattern**: lines

### Borders

- **Default Width**: 1px
- **Accent Width**: 2px
- **Style**: solid
- **Character**: hairline and architectural, used as quiet structure rather than decoration

### Motion

- **Duration**: 180ms
- **Easing**: cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1)
- **Philosophy**: deliberate

### Responsive

- **Breakpoints**: [1200,1024,768,480]
- **Column Progression**: 12 → 8 → 4 → 1

## Rules

### Composition

Compose screens as editorial boards rather than dashboards: a dominant content plane, a narrow vertical annotation rail, and supporting paper panels arranged in measured asymmetry. Leave at least one large quiet zone per major viewport so density never becomes uniform.

### Hierarchy

Headlines use Mincho contrast and long trailing rules; operational text uses a disciplined gothic; metadata and counts use mono. Emphasis is achieved through position, spacing, and a single vermilion seal, not through many font weights or many colors.

### Density

Low-to-medium density. Controls are compact but never cramped; cards breathe with oversized padding. Data may be information-rich, but every cluster is separated by dividers and empty margins.

### Signature Patterns

- every major panel uses a 1px charcoal border plus an inset 1px translucent inner frame to mimic layered paper construction
- section identifiers appear in a dedicated vertical rail using writing-mode vertical-rl with upright glyphs and generous tracking
- headings carry an extended hairline rule that stretches far beyond the text and aligns to the grid as an editorial anchor
- status markers and critical counts appear as small vermilion square seal blocks rotated 2 degrees rather than pill badges
- surface texture combines subtle repeating horizontal line grain with softly translucent shoji overlays inside selected panels

## Layout

### Grid

Desktop uses a 12-column asymmetrical editorial grid with a fixed narrow side rail and a dominant 8-column content field beside supporting 3-column stacks. Tablet collapses to 8 columns with the rail becoming a horizontal label band. Phone uses a single-column flow with internal panel grids preserved only where horizontal scrolling is appropriate.

### Breakpoints

1200px+ full editorial spread; 1024px two-tier grid with compressed rail; 768px stacked narrative panels; 480px single-column mobile with full-width actions, scrollable tables, and stacked tab/filter controls.

### Whitespace

Whitespace is structural. Use 40-96px outer margins on desktop, 24-40px on tablet, and 16-24px on phone. Never fill every cell; preserve blank modules to create rhythm.

## Guidance

### Do

- use vermilion only for signals that deserve ritual attention
- let borders, rules, and spacing carry structure before adding fills
- combine Mincho headings with gothic UI labels for clear role separation
- keep cards quiet and tactile with paper texture and low-contrast surfaces
- treat vertical labels as navigational architecture, not decoration

### Don't

- do not center all content or create perfectly symmetrical dashboards
- do not turn every status into a bright chip or pill
- do not use heavy shadows or glossy gradients
- do not collapse whitespace to fit more widgets
- do not animate with bounce, spring, or playful overshoot
DESIGN.md
---
version: "alpha"
name: "Minimalist Japanese"
description: "Agent-curated design language exported from Katagami as DESIGN.md."
colors:
  primary: "#1F1A17"
  secondary: "#6E655C"
  accent: "#B33A2B"
  background: "#F3EEE6"
  surface: "#FBF8F2"
  text: "#1A1613"
  muted: "#8B8178"
  border: "#544B44"
  error: "#9E2A1F"
  success: "#58734F"
  warning: "#A36A1A"
  info: "#486A7D"
typography:
  headline-lg:
    fontFamily: "\"Zen Old Mincho\", serif"
    fontSize: "1.953rem"
    fontWeight: 700
    lineHeight: 1.1
    letterSpacing: "0.02em"
  headline-md:
    fontFamily: "\"Zen Old Mincho\", serif"
    fontSize: "1.563rem"
    fontWeight: 600
    lineHeight: 1.15
    letterSpacing: "0.02em"
  body-md:
    fontFamily: "\"Zen Kaku Gothic New\", sans-serif"
    fontSize: "16px"
    fontWeight: 400
    lineHeight: 1.5
    letterSpacing: "0.02em"
  label-md:
    fontFamily: "\"IBM Plex Mono\", monospace"
    fontSize: "0.75rem"
    fontWeight: 600
    lineHeight: 1
    letterSpacing: "0.08em"
rounded:
  none: "0px"
  sm: "2px"
  md: "6px"
  lg: "12px"
  full: "999px"
spacing:
  xs: "4px"
  sm: "8px"
  md: "16px"
  lg: "24px"
  xl: "40px"
  2xl: "64px"
  3xl: "96px"
  base_unit: "8px"
components:
  color-reference-primary:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.primary}"
  color-reference-secondary:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.secondary}"
  color-reference-accent:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.accent}"
  color-reference-background:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.background}"
  color-reference-surface:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.surface}"
  color-reference-text:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.text}"
  color-reference-muted:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.muted}"
  color-reference-border:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.border}"
  color-reference-error:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.error}"
  color-reference-success:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.success}"
  color-reference-warning:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.warning}"
  color-reference-info:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.info}"
  button-primary:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.primary}"
    textColor: "#ffffff"
    typography: "{typography.label-md}"
    rounded: "{rounded.md}"
    padding: "{spacing.md}"
  card-surface:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.surface}"
    textColor: "{colors.text}"
    rounded: "{rounded.md}"
    padding: "{spacing.md}"
  input-default:
    backgroundColor: "{colors.surface}"
    textColor: "{colors.text}"
    rounded: "{rounded.md}"
    height: "44px"
---

# Minimalist Japanese

## Overview

A restrained interface language inspired by Japanese editorial layouts, washitsu proportions, shoji translucency, and the discipline of leaving space intentionally unused. It values pause, rhythm, tactility, and quiet emphasis over decorative abundance.

### Values

- intentional emptiness
- paper-and-ink tactility
- measured asymmetry
- ritualized hierarchy
- calm operational clarity

### Anti-Values

- ornamental clutter
- heavy skeuomorphism
- loud gradients
- centered everything
- motion for spectacle

### Visual Character

- hairline charcoal frames on every container with wide interior padding and visible breathing room
- vertical section labels set in a narrow side rail using upright Japanese-style reading direction
- off-white paper surfaces with subtle fiber grain and translucent shoji panels layered over warm neutral backgrounds
- small vermilion seal accents used sparingly as square stamps for status, counts, and confirmations
- long horizontal divider rules that extend past headings to create quiet editorial tension

## Colors

Use the YAML color tokens as the normative palette. The prose below names the roles agents should preserve when generating UI.

| Token | Value |
|-------|-------|
| primary | `#1F1A17` |
| secondary | `#6E655C` |
| accent | `#B33A2B` |
| background | `#F3EEE6` |
| surface | `#FBF8F2` |
| text | `#1A1613` |
| muted | `#8B8178` |
| border | `#544B44` |
| error | `#9E2A1F` |
| success | `#58734F` |
| warning | `#A36A1A` |
| info | `#486A7D` |

## Typography

- **Headline-Lg**: "Zen Old Mincho", serif, 1.953rem, weight 700, line-height 1.1.
- **Headline-Md**: "Zen Old Mincho", serif, 1.563rem, weight 600, line-height 1.15.
- **Body-Md**: "Zen Kaku Gothic New", sans-serif, 16px, weight 400, line-height 1.5.
- **Label-Md**: "IBM Plex Mono", monospace, 0.75rem, weight 600, line-height 1.

## Layout

### Spacing Tokens

- **Xs**: `4px`
- **Sm**: `8px`
- **Md**: `16px`
- **Lg**: `24px`
- **Xl**: `40px`
- **2xl**: `64px`
- **3xl**: `96px`
- **Base Unit**: `8px`

### Grid

Desktop uses a 12-column asymmetrical editorial grid with a fixed narrow side rail and a dominant 8-column content field beside supporting 3-column stacks. Tablet collapses to 8 columns with the rail becoming a horizontal label band. Phone uses a single-column flow with internal panel grids preserved only where horizontal scrolling is appropriate.

### Breakpoints

1200px+ full editorial spread; 1024px two-tier grid with compressed rail; 768px stacked narrative panels; 480px single-column mobile with full-width actions, scrollable tables, and stacked tab/filter controls.

### Whitespace

Whitespace is structural. Use 40-96px outer margins on desktop, 24-40px on tablet, and 16-24px on phone. Never fill every cell; preserve blank modules to create rhythm.

## Elevation & Depth

### Shadows

- **Sm**: 0 1px 0 rgba(31,26,23,0.06)
- **Md**: 0 8px 24px rgba(31,26,23,0.08)
- **Lg**: 0 18px 40px rgba(31,26,23,0.10)

## Shapes

### Rounded

- **None**: `0px`
- **Sm**: `2px`
- **Md**: `6px`
- **Lg**: `12px`
- **Full**: `999px`

### Surfaces

- **Treatment**: paper
- **Card Style**: outlined paper panels with translucent inner veil and generous negative space
- **Bg Pattern**: lines

### Borders

- **Default Width**: 1px
- **Accent Width**: 2px
- **Style**: solid
- **Character**: hairline and architectural, used as quiet structure rather than decoration

## Components

### Composition

Compose screens as editorial boards rather than dashboards: a dominant content plane, a narrow vertical annotation rail, and supporting paper panels arranged in measured asymmetry. Leave at least one large quiet zone per major viewport so density never becomes uniform.

### Hierarchy

Headlines use Mincho contrast and long trailing rules; operational text uses a disciplined gothic; metadata and counts use mono. Emphasis is achieved through position, spacing, and a single vermilion seal, not through many font weights or many colors.

### Density

Low-to-medium density. Controls are compact but never cramped; cards breathe with oversized padding. Data may be information-rich, but every cluster is separated by dividers and empty margins.

### Signature Patterns

- every major panel uses a 1px charcoal border plus an inset 1px translucent inner frame to mimic layered paper construction
- section identifiers appear in a dedicated vertical rail using writing-mode vertical-rl with upright glyphs and generous tracking
- headings carry an extended hairline rule that stretches far beyond the text and aligns to the grid as an editorial anchor
- status markers and critical counts appear as small vermilion square seal blocks rotated 2 degrees rather than pill badges
- surface texture combines subtle repeating horizontal line grain with softly translucent shoji overlays inside selected panels

## shadcn/ui Usage

When the target app uses shadcn/ui, copy DESIGN.md with shadcn instead of the plain DESIGN.md. It contains the same Katagami design-language source plus the shadcn/ui primitives, imports, theme variables, component recipes, and preview-shot guidance.

DESIGN.md with shadcn: `/language/en-019d9bb7-9435-7200-aedf-300c280ac887/DESIGN.with-shadcn.md`.

The shadcn page also exposes optional machine-readable files for automation, but the human-facing handoff is DESIGN.md with shadcn.

Install recommended primitives with `npx shadcn@latest add button card input textarea select dialog sheet tabs badge separator checkbox switch slider tooltip dropdown-menu table`.

Use these primitives in shadcn apps:
- button
- card
- input
- textarea
- select
- dialog
- sheet
- tabs
- badge
- separator
- checkbox
- switch
- slider
- tooltip
- dropdown-menu
- table

Implementation rule for agents: import shadcn primitives from `@/components/ui/*`, apply the generated CSS variables first, then compose the language-specific recipes from the companion MD. Katagami remains the source of truth; shadcn names are the implementation surface.

## Do's and Don'ts

- Do use vermilion only for signals that deserve ritual attention
- Do let borders, rules, and spacing carry structure before adding fills
- Do combine Mincho headings with gothic UI labels for clear role separation
- Do keep cards quiet and tactile with paper texture and low-contrast surfaces
- Do treat vertical labels as navigational architecture, not decoration
- Don't do not center all content or create perfectly symmetrical dashboards
- Don't do not turn every status into a bright chip or pill
- Don't do not use heavy shadows or glossy gradients
- Don't do not collapse whitespace to fit more widgets
- Don't do not animate with bounce, spring, or playful overshoot
shadcn/ui theme
```json
{
  "$schema": "https://ui.shadcn.com/schema/registry-item.json",
  "name": "minimalist-japanese",
  "type": "registry:theme",
  "title": "Minimalist Japanese shadcn Theme",
  "cssVars": {
    "theme": {},
    "light": {
      "background": "#F3EEE6",
      "foreground": "#1A1613",
      "card": "#FBF8F2",
      "card-foreground": "#1A1613",
      "popover": "#FBF8F2",
      "popover-foreground": "#1A1613",
      "primary": "#1F1A17",
      "primary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "secondary": "#6E655C",
      "secondary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "muted": "#8B8178",
      "muted-foreground": "#1A1613",
      "accent": "#B33A2B",
      "accent-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "destructive": "#9E2A1F",
      "border": "#544B44",
      "input": "#544B44",
      "ring": "#B33A2B",
      "chart-1": "#1F1A17",
      "chart-2": "#6E655C",
      "chart-3": "#B33A2B",
      "chart-4": "#58734F",
      "chart-5": "#A36A1A",
      "sidebar": "#FBF8F2",
      "sidebar-foreground": "#1A1613",
      "sidebar-primary": "#1F1A17",
      "sidebar-primary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "sidebar-accent": "#486A7D",
      "sidebar-accent-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "sidebar-border": "#544B44",
      "sidebar-ring": "#B33A2B",
      "radius": "6px"
    },
    "dark": {
      "background": "#0f1115",
      "foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "card": "#181b22",
      "card-foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "popover": "#181b22",
      "popover-foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "primary": "#1F1A17",
      "primary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "secondary": "#252a33",
      "secondary-foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "muted": "#252a33",
      "muted-foreground": "#a1a1aa",
      "accent": "#B33A2B",
      "accent-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "destructive": "#9E2A1F",
      "border": "#303642",
      "input": "#303642",
      "ring": "#B33A2B",
      "chart-1": "#1F1A17",
      "chart-2": "#6E655C",
      "chart-3": "#B33A2B",
      "chart-4": "#58734F",
      "chart-5": "#A36A1A",
      "sidebar": "#181b22",
      "sidebar-foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "sidebar-primary": "#1F1A17",
      "sidebar-primary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "sidebar-accent": "#B33A2B",
      "sidebar-accent-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "sidebar-border": "#303642",
      "sidebar-ring": "#B33A2B",
      "radius": "6px"
    }
  },
  "meta": {
    "source": "katagami",
    "languageId": "en-019d9bb7-9435-7200-aedf-300c280ac887",
    "slug": "minimalist-japanese",
    "componentManifest": [
      "button",
      "card",
      "input",
      "textarea",
      "select",
      "dialog",
      "sheet",
      "tabs",
      "badge",
      "separator",
      "checkbox",
      "switch",
      "slider",
      "tooltip",
      "dropdown-menu",
      "table"
    ],
    "installCommand": "npx shadcn@latest add button card input textarea select dialog sheet tabs badge separator checkbox switch slider tooltip dropdown-menu table",
    "nativeTokenNames": {
      "colors": [
        "accent",
        "background",
        "border",
        "error",
        "info",
        "muted",
        "primary",
        "secondary",
        "success",
        "surface",
        "text",
        "warning"
      ],
      "typography": [
        "base_size",
        "body_font",
        "google_fonts_url",
        "heading_font",
        "letter_spacing",
        "line_height",
        "mono_font",
        "scale_ratio"
      ],
      "spacing": [
        "base_unit",
        "scale"
      ],
      "radii": [
        "full",
        "lg",
        "md",
        "none",
        "sm"
      ],
      "shadows": [
        "lg",
        "md",
        "sm"
      ],
      "surfaces": [
        "bg_pattern",
        "card_style",
        "treatment"
      ],
      "borders": [
        "accent_width",
        "character",
        "default_width",
        "style"
      ],
      "motion": [
        "duration",
        "easing",
        "philosophy"
      ],
      "responsive": [
        "breakpoints",
        "column_progression"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```
in the wild

embodiments

the full element showcase
embodiment · minimalist-japanese
DESIGN.md

at a glance

Palette

Typography

headline-lgZen Old Mincho · 31px · 700

The quick brown fox jumps

headline-mdZen Old Mincho · 25px · 600

The quick brown fox jumps

body-mdZen Kaku Gothic New · 16px · 400

The quick brown fox jumps

label-mdIBM Plex Mono · 12px · 600

The quick brown fox jumps

Components

New
Card title

Components rendered with this language’s tokens — colors, type, and rounded corners as specified.

Spacing

  • xs4px
  • sm8px
  • md16px
  • lg24px
  • xl40px
  • 2xl64px
  • 3xl96px
  • base_unit8px

Shape

none0px
sm2px
md6px
lg12px
full999px
shadcn/ui

implementation kit

needs agent-authored kitcompatibility fallback
shadcn compatibility only
The generated theme variables are available, but the polished shadcn component recipes and shots have not been authored by the Katagami agent yet.
fallbackprimitives render
Compatibility proof
Local shadcn-style primitives accept the generated theme variables.
primaryaccentsurfacemutedwarningerror
table rhythm
buttonok
cardok
inputok
recommendedcompatibility fallback

DESIGN.md with shadcn

Copy this when the target app uses shadcn/ui. It packages the Katagami DESIGN.md context with the install list, theme variables, component recipes, preview-shot contract, and starter TSX in one Markdown companion.

advanced implementation filesoptional machine-readable theme, CSS, TSX starter, recipes, and preview contract
shadcn add
npx shadcn@latest add button card input textarea select dialog sheet tabs badge separator checkbox switch slider tooltip dropdown-menu table
theme css
:root {
  --background: #F3EEE6;
  --foreground: #1A1613;
  --card: #FBF8F2;
  --card-foreground: #1A1613;
  --popover: #FBF8F2;
  --popover-foreground: #1A1613;
  --primary: #1F1A17;
  --primary-foreground: #ffffff;
  --secondary: #6E655C;
  --secondary-foreground: #ffffff;
  --muted: #8B8178;
  --muted-foreground: #1A1613;
  --accent: #B33A2B;
  --accent-foreground: #ffffff;
  --destructive: #9E2A1F;
  --border: #544B44;
  --input: #544B44;
  --ring: #B33A2B;
  --chart-1: #1F1A17;
  --chart-2: #6E655C;
  --chart-3: #B33A2B;
  --chart-4: #58734F;
  --chart-5: #A36A1A;
  --sidebar: #FBF8F2;
  --sidebar-foreground: #1A1613;
  --sidebar-primary: #1F1A17;
  --sidebar-primary-foreground: #ffffff;
  --sidebar-accent: #486A7D;
  --sidebar-accent-foreground: #ffffff;
  --sidebar-border: #544B44;
  --sidebar-ring: #B33A2B;
  --radius: 6px;
}

.dark {
  --background: #0f1115;
  --foreground: #f8fafc;
  --card: #181b22;
  --card-foreground: #f8fafc;
  --popover: #181b22;
  --popover-foreground: #f8fafc;
  --primary: #1F1A17;
  --primary-foreground: #ffffff;
  --secondary: #252a33;
  --secondary-foreground: #f8fafc;
  --muted: #252a33;
  --muted-foreground: #a1a1aa;
  --accent: #B33A2B;
  --accent-foreground: #ffffff;
  --destructive: #9E2A1F;
  --border: #303642;
  --input: #303642;
  --ring: #B33A2B;
  --chart-1: #1F1A17;
  --chart-2: #6E655C;
  --chart-3: #B33A2B;
  --chart-4: #58734F;
  --chart-5: #A36A1A;
  --sidebar: #181b22;
  --sidebar-foreground: #f8fafc;
  --sidebar-primary: #1F1A17;
  --sidebar-primary-foreground: #ffffff;
  --sidebar-accent: #B33A2B;
  --sidebar-accent-foreground: #ffffff;
  --sidebar-border: #303642;
  --sidebar-ring: #B33A2B;
  --radius: 6px;
}
tsx starter
import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
import {
  Card,
  CardContent,
  CardDescription,
  CardFooter,
  CardHeader,
  CardTitle,
} from "@/components/ui/card";
import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
import { Tabs, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tabs";

export function MinimalistJapaneseShadcnKit() {
  return (
    <section className="grid gap-4 rounded-[var(--radius)] border bg-background p-4 text-foreground">
      <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
        <div>
          <Badge variant="outline">shadcn/ui</Badge>
          <h2 className="mt-3 text-2xl font-semibold tracking-tight">Minimalist Japanese</h2>
          <p className="mt-1 max-w-xl text-sm text-muted-foreground">
            Use the Katagami registry theme, then compose these shadcn primitives
            with the language-specific component recipes.
          </p>
        </div>
        <Button>Apply theme</Button>
      </div>

      <Tabs defaultValue="components">
        <TabsList>
          <TabsTrigger value="components">Components</TabsTrigger>
          <TabsTrigger value="states">States</TabsTrigger>
          <TabsTrigger value="export">Export</TabsTrigger>
        </TabsList>
      </Tabs>

      <Card>
        <CardHeader>
          <CardTitle>Component recipe</CardTitle>
          <CardDescription>
            Replace this starter content with the agent-authored product scene
            from components.md and preview-shots.json.
          </CardDescription>
        </CardHeader>
        <CardContent className="grid gap-3 sm:grid-cols-[1fr_auto]">
          <Input defaultValue="Tokenized shadcn surface" aria-label="Recipe name" />
          <Button variant="secondary">Preview state</Button>
        </CardContent>
        <CardFooter className="justify-between">
          <Badge>Ready</Badge>
          <Button variant="outline">Copy recipe</Button>
        </CardFooter>
      </Card>
    </section>
  );
}
theme JSONcompatibility fallback
{
  "$schema": "https://ui.shadcn.com/schema/registry-item.json",
  "name": "minimalist-japanese",
  "type": "registry:theme",
  "title": "Minimalist Japanese shadcn Theme",
  "cssVars": {
    "theme": {},
    "light": {
      "background": "#F3EEE6",
      "foreground": "#1A1613",
      "card": "#FBF8F2",
      "card-foreground": "#1A1613",
      "popover": "#FBF8F2",
      "popover-foreground": "#1A1613",
      "primary": "#1F1A17",
      "primary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "secondary": "#6E655C",
      "secondary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "muted": "#8B8178",
      "muted-foreground": "#1A1613",
      "accent": "#B33A2B",
      "accent-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "destructive": "#9E2A1F",
      "border": "#544B44",
      "input": "#544B44",
      "ring": "#B33A2B",
      "chart-1": "#1F1A17",
      "chart-2": "#6E655C",
      "chart-3": "#B33A2B",
      "chart-4": "#58734F",
      "chart-5": "#A36A1A",
      "sidebar": "#FBF8F2",
      "sidebar-foreground": "#1A1613",
      "sidebar-primary": "#1F1A17",
      "sidebar-primary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "sidebar-accent": "#486A7D",
      "sidebar-accent-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "sidebar-border": "#544B44",
      "sidebar-ring": "#B33A2B",
      "radius": "6px"
    },
    "dark": {
      "background": "#0f1115",
      "foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "card": "#181b22",
      "card-foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "popover": "#181b22",
      "popover-foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "primary": "#1F1A17",
      "primary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "secondary": "#252a33",
      "secondary-foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "muted": "#252a33",
      "muted-foreground": "#a1a1aa",
      "accent": "#B33A2B",
      "accent-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "destructive": "#9E2A1F",
      "border": "#303642",
      "input": "#303642",
      "ring": "#B33A2B",
      "chart-1": "#1F1A17",
      "chart-2": "#6E655C",
      "chart-3": "#B33A2B",
      "chart-4": "#58734F",
      "chart-5": "#A36A1A",
      "sidebar": "#181b22",
      "sidebar-foreground": "#f8fafc",
      "sidebar-primary": "#1F1A17",
      "sidebar-primary-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "sidebar-accent": "#B33A2B",
      "sidebar-accent-foreground": "#ffffff",
      "sidebar-border": "#303642",
      "sidebar-ring": "#B33A2B",
      "radius": "6px"
    }
  },
  "meta": {
    "source": "katagami",
    "languageId": "en-019d9bb7-9435-7200-aedf-300c280ac887",
    "slug": "minimalist-japanese",
    "componentManifest": [
      "button",
      "card",
      "input",
      "textarea",
      "select",
      "dialog",
      "sheet",
      "tabs",
      "badge",
      "separator",
      "checkbox",
      "switch",
      "slider",
      "tooltip",
      "dropdown-menu",
      "table"
    ],
    "installCommand": "npx shadcn@latest add button card input textarea select dialog sheet tabs badge separator checkbox switch slider tooltip dropdown-menu table",
    "nativeTokenNames": {
      "colors": [
        "accent",
        "background",
        "border",
        "error",
        "info",
        "muted",
        "primary",
        "secondary",
        "success",
        "surface",
        "text",
        "warning"
      ],
      "typography": [
        "base_size",
        "body_font",
        "google_fonts_url",
        "heading_font",
        "letter_spacing",
        "line_height",
        "mono_font",
        "scale_ratio"
      ],
      "spacing": [
        "base_unit",
        "scale"
      ],
      "radii": [
        "full",
        "lg",
        "md",
        "none",
        "sm"
      ],
      "shadows": [
        "lg",
        "md",
        "sm"
      ],
      "surfaces": [
        "bg_pattern",
        "card_style",
        "treatment"
      ],
      "borders": [
        "accent_width",
        "character",
        "default_width",
        "style"
      ],
      "motion": [
        "duration",
        "easing",
        "philosophy"
      ],
      "responsive": [
        "breakpoints",
        "column_progression"
      ]
    }
  }
}
component recipescompatibility fallback
# Minimalist Japanese shadcn/ui Components

Artifact: `component-recipes-v1`
Author: `katagami-ui-projection`
Language ID: `en-019d9bb7-9435-7200-aedf-300c280ac887`
Slug: `minimalist-japanese`

## Intent

A restrained interface language inspired by Japanese editorial layouts, washitsu proportions, shoji translucency, and the discipline of leaving space intentionally unused. It values pause, rhythm, tactility, and quiet emphasis over decorative abundance.

## Required primitives

- button
- card
- input
- textarea
- select
- dialog
- sheet
- tabs
- badge
- separator
- checkbox
- switch
- slider
- tooltip
- dropdown-menu
- table

Install with `npx shadcn@latest add button card input textarea select dialog sheet tabs badge separator checkbox switch slider tooltip dropdown-menu table`.

## Token cues

Colors:

{
  "primary": "#1F1A17",
  "secondary": "#6E655C",
  "accent": "#B33A2B",
  "background": "#F3EEE6",
  "surface": "#FBF8F2",
  "text": "#1A1613",
  "muted": "#8B8178",
  "border": "#544B44",
  "error": "#9E2A1F",
  "success": "#58734F",
  "warning": "#A36A1A",
  "info": "#486A7D"
}

Typography:

{
  "heading_font": "\"Zen Old Mincho\", serif",
  "body_font": "\"Zen Kaku Gothic New\", sans-serif",
  "mono_font": "\"IBM Plex Mono\", monospace",
  "base_size": "16px",
  "scale_ratio": "1.2",
  "line_height": "1.7",
  "letter_spacing": "0.02em",
  "google_fonts_url": "https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=IBM+Plex+Mono:wght@400;500&family=Zen+Kaku+Gothic+New:wght@400;500;700&family=Zen+Old+Mincho:wght@500;700&display=swap"
}

## Visual character to preserve

- hairline charcoal frames on every container with wide interior padding and visible breathing room
- vertical section labels set in a narrow side rail using upright Japanese-style reading direction
- off-white paper surfaces with subtle fiber grain and translucent shoji panels layered over warm neutral backgrounds
- small vermilion seal accents used sparingly as square stamps for status, counts, and confirmations
- long horizontal divider rules that extend past headings to create quiet editorial tension

## ShadSync visual profile

{
  "family": "paper-collage",
  "material": "paper",
  "contour": "pebble",
  "border": "solid",
  "underlay": true,
  "grain": true,
  "stickerBadges": true,
  "motion": "lift-rotate",
  "density": "balanced",
  "accents": [
    "primary",
    "accent",
    "secondary",
    "muted"
  ]
}

## Signature component recipes

### Button
Use `Button` for primary, secondary, outline, and ghost actions. Primary actions must expose the language's strongest contrast pair, while secondary and ghost actions should preserve the surface treatment instead of falling back to default neutral SaaS styling.

### Card
Use `Card`, `CardHeader`, `CardContent`, `CardFooter`, and `CardAction` as the main composition frame. Cards should demonstrate the language's surface, border, hierarchy, and density rules rather than appearing as generic rounded rectangles.

### Input and Textarea
Use `Input` and `Textarea` with visible focus rings, field labels, validation states, and the language's rhythm. Forms should show real product content, not placeholder-only controls.

### Select, Tabs, and Table
Use `Select`, `Tabs`, and `Table` to prove navigation, filtering, and dense data states. The table should show row rhythm, separators, hover/focus states, and an empty or status state when the language calls for it.

### Dialog and Sheet
Use `Dialog` for centered decisions and `Sheet` for contextual editing. Both should inherit the language's spacing, border, overlay, and motion rules.

## Preview shots

- `application-shell`: dashboard or workspace shell with navigation, cards, forms, and state badges.
- `detail-editor`: focused editing flow using input, textarea, select, switch/checkbox, dialog or sheet, and action buttons.
- `data-operations`: table-heavy operational view with tabs, dropdown menu affordances, badges, and destructive/empty states.
- Each preview shot must include a renderable `scene` payload with concrete headline, description, actions, and rows/fields/stats for the UI preview.

## Implementation contract

- Start from local `ui/src/components/ui` shadcn-style primitives; do not create a second component system.
- Apply `/katagami/shadcn/minimalist-japanese/registry-theme.json` variables, then use these recipes for composition and state design.
- Preserve Katagami token names as source metadata; shadcn semantic names are only the export surface.
- Do: use vermilion only for signals that deserve ritual attention; let borders, rules, and spacing carry structure before adding fills; combine Mincho headings with gothic UI labels for clear role separation; keep cards quiet and tactile with paper texture and low-contrast surfaces; treat vertical labels as navigational architecture, not decoration
- Do not: do not center all content or create perfectly symmetrical dashboards; do not turn every status into a bright chip or pill; do not use heavy shadows or glossy gradients; do not collapse whitespace to fit more widgets; do not animate with bounce, spring, or playful overshoot

## Copy-paste component example

This generated starter proves the import shape. Production Katagami agents should replace it with a language-specific product composition.

```tsx
import { Badge } from "@/components/ui/badge";
import { Button } from "@/components/ui/button";
import {
  Card,
  CardContent,
  CardDescription,
  CardFooter,
  CardHeader,
  CardTitle,
} from "@/components/ui/card";
import { Input } from "@/components/ui/input";
import { Tabs, TabsList, TabsTrigger } from "@/components/ui/tabs";

export function MinimalistJapaneseShadcnKit() {
  return (
    <section className="grid gap-4 rounded-[var(--radius)] border bg-background p-4 text-foreground">
      <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
        <div>
          <Badge variant="outline">shadcn/ui</Badge>
          <h2 className="mt-3 text-2xl font-semibold tracking-tight">Minimalist Japanese</h2>
          <p className="mt-1 max-w-xl text-sm text-muted-foreground">
            Use the Katagami registry theme, then compose these shadcn primitives
            with the language-specific component recipes.
          </p>
        </div>
        <Button>Apply theme</Button>
      </div>

      <Tabs defaultValue="components">
        <TabsList>
          <TabsTrigger value="components">Components</TabsTrigger>
          <TabsTrigger value="states">States</TabsTrigger>
          <TabsTrigger value="export">Export</TabsTrigger>
        </TabsList>
      </Tabs>

      <Card>
        <CardHeader>
          <CardTitle>Component recipe</CardTitle>
          <CardDescription>
            Replace this starter content with the agent-authored product scene
            from components.md and preview-shots.json.
          </CardDescription>
        </CardHeader>
        <CardContent className="grid gap-3 sm:grid-cols-[1fr_auto]">
          <Input defaultValue="Tokenized shadcn surface" aria-label="Recipe name" />
          <Button variant="secondary">Preview state</Button>
        </CardContent>
        <CardFooter className="justify-between">
          <Badge>Ready</Badge>
          <Button variant="outline">Copy recipe</Button>
        </CardFooter>
      </Card>
    </section>
  );
}
```

## Layout notes

{
  "grid": "Desktop uses a 12-column asymmetrical editorial grid with a fixed narrow side rail and a dominant 8-column content field beside supporting 3-column stacks. Tablet collapses to 8 columns with the rail becoming a horizontal label band. Phone uses a single-column flow with internal panel grids preserved only where horizontal scrolling is appropriate.",
  "breakpoints": "1200px+ full editorial spread; 1024px two-tier grid with compressed rail; 768px stacked narrative panels; 480px single-column mobile with full-width actions, scrollable tables, and stacked tab/filter controls.",
  "whitespace": "Whitespace is structural. Use 40-96px outer margins on desktop, 24-40px on tablet, and 16-24px on phone. Never fill every cell; preserve blank modules to create rhythm."
}
preview shotscompatibility fallback
{
  "artifact": "katagami:shadcn-preview-shots",
  "version": "preview-shots-v1",
  "generator": "katagami-ui-compatibility-projection",
  "generatedBy": "katagami-ui-projection",
  "requiresVisualProfile": true,
  "schema": "katagami:shadcn-preview-shots/renderable-v1",
  "renderable": true,
  "language": {
    "id": "en-019d9bb7-9435-7200-aedf-300c280ac887",
    "name": "Minimalist Japanese",
    "slug": "minimalist-japanese"
  },
  "installCommand": "npx shadcn@latest add button card input textarea select dialog sheet tabs badge separator checkbox switch slider tooltip dropdown-menu table",
  "primitives": [
    "button",
    "card",
    "input",
    "textarea",
    "select",
    "dialog",
    "sheet",
    "tabs",
    "badge",
    "separator",
    "checkbox",
    "switch",
    "slider",
    "tooltip",
    "dropdown-menu",
    "table"
  ],
  "identityNotes": [
    "hairline charcoal frames on every container with wide interior padding and visible breathing room",
    "vertical section labels set in a narrow side rail using upright Japanese-style reading direction",
    "off-white paper surfaces with subtle fiber grain and translucent shoji panels layered over warm neutral backgrounds",
    "small vermilion seal accents used sparingly as square stamps for status, counts, and confirmations",
    "long horizontal divider rules that extend past headings to create quiet editorial tension"
  ],
  "visualProfile": {
    "family": "paper-collage",
    "material": "paper",
    "contour": "pebble",
    "border": "solid",
    "underlay": true,
    "grain": true,
    "stickerBadges": true,
    "motion": "lift-rotate",
    "density": "balanced",
    "accents": [
      "primary",
      "accent",
      "secondary",
      "muted"
    ]
  },
  "shots": [
    {
      "id": "application-shell",
      "title": "Application shell",
      "viewport": "desktop",
      "primitives": [
        "button",
        "card",
        "input",
        "select",
        "tabs",
        "badge",
        "separator",
        "table"
      ],
      "composition": "A real product workspace with navigation, summary cards, filtering controls, and one dense content region.",
      "mustShow": [
        "primary and secondary actions",
        "card hierarchy",
        "filterable state",
        "table or list density"
      ],
      "avoid": [
        "component inventory walls",
        "placeholder-only content",
        "generic rounded SaaS chrome"
      ],
      "scene": {
        "eyebrow": "workspace spread",
        "headline": "Minimalist Japanese launch room",
        "description": "A product team workspace where navigation, filters, metrics, and dense rows carry the language's visible structure.",
        "primaryAction": "Apply theme",
        "secondaryAction": "Review states",
        "stats": [
          {
            "label": "components",
            "value": "16",
            "tone": "accent"
          },
          {
            "label": "states",
            "value": "ready"
          },
          {
            "label": "density",
            "value": "balanced",
            "tone": "warning"
          }
        ],
        "rows": [
          {
            "label": "Primary flow",
            "value": "mapped",
            "status": "active"
          },
          {
            "label": "Token coverage",
            "value": "semantic",
            "status": "synced"
          },
          {
            "label": "Responsive proof",
            "value": "queued",
            "status": "review"
          }
        ],
        "statuses": [
          "Active",
          "Synced",
          "Draft"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "detail-editor",
      "title": "Detail editor",
      "viewport": "tablet",
      "primitives": [
        "button",
        "card",
        "input",
        "textarea",
        "select",
        "checkbox",
        "switch",
        "slider",
        "dialog",
        "sheet"
      ],
      "composition": "A focused editing flow with form fields, validation, confirmation, and a contextual side panel.",
      "mustShow": [
        "focus ring",
        "error or destructive state",
        "dialog or sheet treatment",
        "written guidance content"
      ],
      "avoid": [
        "unstyled browser controls",
        "floating cards inside cards",
        "missing labels"
      ],
      "scene": {
        "eyebrow": "editing flow",
        "headline": "Language recipe editor",
        "description": "A focused form proving labels, validation, toggles, panel rhythm, and action hierarchy.",
        "primaryAction": "Save recipe",
        "secondaryAction": "Open sheet",
        "fields": [
          {
            "label": "Component family",
            "value": "Narrative cards"
          },
          {
            "label": "State treatment",
            "value": "Visible focus + validation"
          },
          {
            "label": "Motion",
            "value": "Small lift, no opacity-only fade"
          }
        ],
        "statuses": [
          "Focus",
          "Invalid",
          "Confirmed"
        ]
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "data-operations",
      "title": "Data operations",
      "viewport": "mobile",
      "primitives": [
        "button",
        "tabs",
        "badge",
        "dropdown-menu",
        "table",
        "tooltip",
        "separator"
      ],
      "composition": "A compact operational view proving row rhythm, stacked actions, menu states, badges, and empty/destructive states.",
      "mustShow": [
        "responsive reflow",
        "dense row styling",
        "menu affordance",
        "status badge system"
      ],
      "avoid": [
        "desktop-only tables",
        "text overflow",
        "default shadcn spacing without Katagami character"
      ],
      "scene": {
        "eyebrow": "operations",
        "headline": "Compact review queue",
        "description": "A narrow viewport scene with rows, menus, tooltips, badges, and destructive affordances.",
        "primaryAction": "Resolve",
        "secondaryAction": "Filter",
        "rows": [
          {
            "label": "Button hierarchy",
            "value": "approved",
            "status": "ok"
          },
          {
            "label": "Table rhythm",
            "value": "needs pass",
            "status": "watch"
          },
          {
            "label": "Empty state",
            "value": "designed",
            "status": "done"
          }
        ],
        "statuses": [
          "Queued",
          "Blocked",
          "Done"
        ]
      }
    }
  ],
  "componentRecipes": [
    {
      "primitive": "button",
      "intent": "Prove action hierarchy, focus, disabled, and destructive states."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "card",
      "intent": "Carry the language surface, border, elevation, and density rules."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "input",
      "intent": "Show labels, focus rings, validation, and spacing rhythm."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "textarea",
      "intent": "Show longer guidance, validation copy, and writing density."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "select",
      "intent": "Show filtering, selection contrast, and menu trigger styling."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "dialog",
      "intent": "Show centered decision states and overlay treatment."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "sheet",
      "intent": "Show contextual side panels and responsive editing."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "tabs",
      "intent": "Show navigational structure and active/inactive contrast."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "badge",
      "intent": "Show compact status vocabulary and semantic colors."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "separator",
      "intent": "Show section rhythm without generic gray dividers."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "checkbox",
      "intent": "Show binary selection with visible focus and checked states."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "switch",
      "intent": "Show settings toggles and on/off contrast."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "slider",
      "intent": "Show numeric adjustment with track/thumb styling."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "tooltip",
      "intent": "Show concise explanation styling above compact controls."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "dropdown-menu",
      "intent": "Show action menus, destructive items, and grouped choices."
    },
    {
      "primitive": "table",
      "intent": "Show dense operational data, separators, row states, and responsive behavior."
    }
  ],
  "qualityRules": {
    "do": [
      "use vermilion only for signals that deserve ritual attention",
      "let borders, rules, and spacing carry structure before adding fills",
      "combine Mincho headings with gothic UI labels for clear role separation",
      "keep cards quiet and tactile with paper texture and low-contrast surfaces",
      "treat vertical labels as navigational architecture, not decoration"
    ],
    "dont": [
      "do not center all content or create perfectly symmetrical dashboards",
      "do not turn every status into a bright chip or pill",
      "do not use heavy shadows or glossy gradients",
      "do not collapse whitespace to fit more widgets",
      "do not animate with bounce, spring, or playful overshoot"
    ]
  }
}
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