Shadow Scale

Community

dylantarre

shadow-scale

Generates layered box-shadow elevation tokens for depth hierarchy. Use when creating elevation systems, card shadows, modal depth, or dark mode shadow variants. Outputs CSS, Tailwind, or JSON.

Overview

Publisher	dylantarre
Repository	`design-system-skills`
Skill name	`shadow-scale`
Stars	50
Forks	4
Bundled files	Instructions only
License	MIT
Links	Skill source Repository

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
Self-contained
Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.
Open source
Published by dylantarre on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Shadow Scale AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
https://github.com/dylantarre/design-system-skills/tree/main/skills/tokens/shadow-scale
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/dylantarre/design-system-skills.git /tmp/design-system-skills
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/design-system-skills/skills/tokens/shadow-scale .claude/skills/shadow-scale

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Shadow Scale in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Shadow Scale on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Shadow Scale is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Shadow Scale Generator

Overview

Generate consistent elevation scales using layered box-shadows. Creates depth hierarchy from subtle lifts to dramatic floats with proper blur, spread, and opacity progressions.

When to Use

Setting up elevation tokens for a new project
Creating card/modal depth hierarchy
Standardizing shadow styles across components
Building dark mode shadow variants

Quick Reference

Level	Typical Use	Character
none	Flat elements	No elevation
xs	Subtle lift	Barely raised
sm	Cards, buttons	Slight depth
md	Dropdowns, tooltips	Clear separation
lg	Modals, popovers	Floating
xl	Dialogs, drawers	High elevation
2xl	Full overlays	Maximum depth

The Process

Get base color: Shadow color (default: black with opacity)
Ask style:
- Soft - Large blur, low opacity (modern, subtle)
- Sharp - Small blur, higher opacity (defined edges)
- Layered - Multiple shadows per level (most realistic)
Ask levels: How many elevation steps (5-7 typical)
Ask dark mode: Generate inverted/adjusted dark mode variants?
Ask format: CSS, Tailwind, or JSON?
Generate: Create scale with progressive blur/spread/opacity

Shadow Styles

Style	Character	Best For
Soft	Diffuse, gentle	Modern UI, cards, light themes
Sharp	Defined, crisp	Buttons, data-dense UI
Layered	Realistic, nuanced	Premium feel, modals

Layered shadows use 2-3 shadow layers per level:

Ambient layer: Large blur, low opacity (environmental light)
Key layer: Medium blur, medium opacity (directional light)
Edge layer: Minimal blur, subtle (contact shadow)

Output Formats

CSS Custom Properties (Layered):

css
:root {
  --shadow-none: none;
  --shadow-xs:
    0 1px 2px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.05);
  --shadow-sm:
    0 1px 3px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1),
    0 1px 2px -1px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1);
  --shadow-md:
    0 4px 6px -1px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1),
    0 2px 4px -2px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1);
  --shadow-lg:
    0 10px 15px -3px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1),
    0 4px 6px -4px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1);
  --shadow-xl:
    0 20px 25px -5px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1),
    0 8px 10px -6px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1);
  --shadow-2xl:
    0 25px 50px -12px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.25);
}

Tailwind Config:

js
module.exports = {
  theme: {
    boxShadow: {
      'none': 'none',
      'xs': '0 1px 2px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.05)',
      'sm': '0 1px 3px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1), 0 1px 2px -1px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1)',
      'md': '0 4px 6px -1px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1), 0 2px 4px -2px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1)',
      'lg': '0 10px 15px -3px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1), 0 4px 6px -4px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1)',
      'xl': '0 20px 25px -5px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1), 0 8px 10px -6px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1)',
      '2xl': '0 25px 50px -12px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.25)',
    }
  }
}

JSON Tokens:

json
{
  "shadow": {
    "none": { "value": "none" },
    "xs": { "value": "0 1px 2px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.05)" },
    "sm": { "value": "0 1px 3px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1), 0 1px 2px -1px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1)" },
    "md": { "value": "0 4px 6px -1px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1), 0 2px 4px -2px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1)" },
    "lg": { "value": "0 10px 15px -3px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1), 0 4px 6px -4px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1)" }
  }
}

Algorithm Details

Progression factors (each level multiplies previous):

Y-offset: ~2x per level
Blur radius: ~1.5-2x per level
Spread: Slightly negative (prevents harsh edges)
Opacity: Increases slightly at higher levels

Layered shadow formula:


Level N:
  Ambient: 0 (N*4)px (N*6)px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.04)
  Key:     0 (N*2)px (N*3)px -(N)px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.08)

Dark Mode Considerations

Shadows are less visible on dark backgrounds. Options:

Approach	How	When
Reduce opacity	Cut opacity 30-50%	Subtle dark UI
Add glow	Light color, outward spread	Neon/modern aesthetic
Ring highlight	Subtle light border + shadow	Card separation
Invert direction	Top-lit shadows	Unique style

Dark mode CSS example:

css
:root.dark {
  --shadow-md:
    0 4px 6px -1px rgb(0 0 0 / 0.3),
    0 0 0 1px rgb(255 255 255 / 0.05);
}

Inset Shadows

For pressed states or inner depth:

css
:root {
  --shadow-inner-sm: inset 0 1px 2px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.05);
  --shadow-inner-md: inset 0 2px 4px 0 rgb(0 0 0 / 0.1);
}

Frequently asked questions

What does the Shadow Scale AI skill do?

Generates layered box-shadow elevation tokens for depth hierarchy. Use when creating elevation systems, card shadows, modal depth, or dark mode shadow variants. Outputs CSS, Tailwind, or JSON.

Why use Shadow Scale on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Shadow Scale is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Shadow Scale in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/dylantarre/design-system-skills/tree/main/skills/tokens/shadow-scale. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Shadow Scale?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Shadow Scale?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Shadow Scale with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Shadow Scale AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by dylantarre under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Shadow Scale Generator

Overview

When to Use

Quick Reference

The Process

Shadow Styles

Output Formats

Algorithm Details

Dark Mode Considerations

Inset Shadows

Frequently asked questions

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