HexCode

Guides

Build color systems that survive millions of pageviews.

These guides distill the processes we use to ship HexCode: palette governance, content architecture, and programmatic SEO tactics that let you rank for every hue without shipping thin content.

Color Systems Playbook

A repeatable framework for naming, tokenizing, and stress-testing palettes across light, dark, and high-contrast themes.

  • Token naming conventions that scale to 5k+ components
  • Contrast budgeting for marketing vs. product surfaces
  • Governance rituals for multi-team design systems
Explore the Directory

Color Family Encyclopedia

Deep dives on 22 Tailwind-aligned families with positioning notes, UX recipes, and pairing strategies.

  • Usage heuristics for every hue
  • Proven pairings for UI, editorial, and motion
  • FAQ-backed guidance for stakeholders
Browse Families

Tool Stack & Automation

Leverage HexCode utilities to translate palettes to Tailwind, generate CSS gradients, and QA accessibility in real time.

  • Mesh generator for cinematic hero backgrounds
  • Tailwind translator for instant token output
  • Roadmap: contrast dashboard + API hooks
Open Tools
Palette Operations

Set a North Star for color quality

Map every hue to a job-to-be-done. Primary brand tones handle acquisition, neutrals govern product readability, and feedback colors communicate outcomes. Document those jobs inside your token repo so engineers understand when to reach for each value.

Score palettes quarterly against three metrics: accessibility (contrast floors), expressiveness (can marketing still surprise?), and speed (are tokens easy to query?). If any metric drops below your benchmark, open a color RFC instead of reacting ad hoc.

SEO Scaling

Turn every hex code into a landing page

Programmatic SEO works only when every page carries substance. Pair data (contrast, accessibility, Tailwind matches) with editorial copy that solves real design problems. Interlink family hubs, tools, and blog content so search engines understand context.

Use sitemap clusters to hint at hierarchy: root > guides > color families > individual hex pages. Keep canonical tags consistent and inject structured data (FAQ, Breadcrumb) anywhere the content answers explicit questions.

FAQs

How often should we refresh our palette?

Run a quarterly audit. Evaluate accessibility deltas, emerging product surfaces (VR, wearables), and seasonal marketing pushes. Iterate tokens slowly, but review usage data frequently.

How many brand colors is too many?

Most high-performing systems ship with one primary, one secondary, a success/warning pair, and a robust neutral ladder. Anything beyond that must earn its keep via data.

Do I still need a dark mode-specific palette?

Yes. Light tokens rarely map 1:1 to dark surfaces. Build parallel luminance ladders, then automate testing with tooling like Tailwind Translator to avoid drift.