Beehiiv DESIGN.md

Newsletter publishing platform with a creator-first aesthetic — warm neutrals, editorial typography, and growth-focused metrics UI.

1. Visual Theme & Atmosphere

Beehiiv feels like a premium editorial tool that grew up on the internet. The aesthetic combines the warmth of print publishing with the precision of modern SaaS. Muted honey-gold accents punctuate a clean neutral palette. The interface celebrates writing: typography is expressive, whitespace is generous, and data surfaces support creators without overwhelming them.

2. Color Palette & Roles

3. Typography Rules

css--font-display: 'Cal Sans', 'DM Sans', sans-serif;
--font-body: 'Inter', 'DM Sans', sans-serif;
--font-mono: 'JetBrains Mono', 'Fira Code', monospace;
--font-size-xs: 12px;
--font-size-sm: 13px;
--font-size-base: 15px;
--font-size-md: 17px;
--font-size-lg: 22px;
--font-size-xl: 28px;
--font-size-2xl: 36px;
--font-weight-regular: 400;
--font-weight-medium: 500;
--font-weight-semibold: 600;
--font-weight-bold: 700;
--line-height-tight: 1.2;
--line-height-base: 1.6;
--line-height-loose: 1.8;

4. Component Stylings

css/* Primary Button */
.button-primary {
  background: #F5A623;
  color: #0D0D0D;
  border: none;
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 10px 20px;
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 600;
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: background 0.15s ease;
}
.button-primary:hover { background: #D4881A; }

/* Secondary Button */
.button-secondary {
  background: transparent;
  color: #0D0D0D;
  border: 1.5px solid #E8E8E8;
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 10px 20px;
  font-size: 15px;
  font-weight: 500;
}
.button-secondary:hover { border-color: #0D0D0D; }

/* Metric Card */
.metric-card {
  background: #FFFFFF;
  border: 1px solid #E8E8E8;
  border-radius: 12px;
  padding: 20px 24px;
}
.metric-card__value {
  font-size: 32px;
  font-weight: 700;
  color: #0D0D0D;
}
.metric-card__label {
  font-size: 13px;
  font-weight: 500;
  color: #737373;
  margin-top: 4px;
}

/* Post Preview Card */
.post-card {
  background: #FFFFFF;
  border: 1px solid #E8E8E8;
  border-radius: 12px;
  padding: 20px;
  transition: box-shadow 0.15s ease;
  cursor: pointer;
}
.post-card:hover { box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); }

/* Input */
.input {
  border: 1.5px solid #E8E8E8;
  border-radius: 8px;
  padding: 10px 14px;
  font-size: 15px;
  font-family: var(--font-body);
  color: #0D0D0D;
  background: #FFFFFF;
  transition: border-color 0.15s;
}
.input:focus {
  outline: none;
  border-color: #F5A623;
  box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(245,166,35,0.15);
}

5. Layout Principles

6. Depth & Elevation

css.shadow-sm { box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.06); }
.shadow-card { box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); }
.shadow-hover { box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.10); }
.shadow-modal { box-shadow: 0 12px 40px rgba(0,0,0,0.14); }

7. Do's and Don'ts

Do:

• Use generous line heights for editorial content (1.6–1.8)
• Surface subscriber growth metrics prominently with large number displays
• Keep the writing editor clean and distraction-free
• Use warm gold as an accent, not a dominant color

Don't:

• Don't use gold for error or warning states — reserve it for positive/primary actions
• Don't crowd the editor area with controls or sidebars
• Don't use more than 2 typefaces in a single context

8. Responsive Behavior

9. Agent Prompt Guide

You are designing for Beehiiv — a creator-first newsletter platform.
Primary accent is warm gold (#F5A623) on white or near-white backgrounds.
Typography uses Cal Sans or DM Sans for headings, Inter for body, with generous line heights.
Cards are white with 1px borders and 12px radius; hover adds a subtle shadow.
Metric displays use large bold numbers with small muted labels beneath.
The editor is wide, clean, and distraction-free — always centered at max ~720px.
Tone is editorial, warm, and growth-oriented.