Chameleon Adapt 🦎

The chameleon doesn’t force its environment to change. It reads the light, understanding where it lives. It sketches its form, creating structure. It shifts its hues, matching the forest around it. It adds texture—rough bark, smooth leaves, shifting light. Finally, it adapts completely, becoming one with its surroundings. The result feels organic, like it was always meant to be there.

When to Activate

• User asks to “design this page” or “make it look Grove”
• User says “add some visual polish” or “theme this”
• User calls /chameleon-adapt or mentions chameleon/adapting
• Creating or enhancing pages for Grove sites
• Implementing seasonal decorations or weather effects
• Building glassmorphism containers for readability
• Adding nature components (trees, birds, particles)
• Working with the color palette system

The Adaptation

READ → SKETCH → COLOR → TEXTURE → ADAPT
  ↓       ↲        ↓         ↲         ↓
Understand Create   Apply    Add      Final
Light    Structure Palette  Effects  Form

Phase 1: READ

The chameleon reads the light, understanding where it lives…

Before choosing a single color, understand the environment:

What season is it?

import { season } from '$lib/stores/season';

const isSpring = $derived($season === 'spring');
const isAutumn = $derived($season === 'autumn');
const isWinter = $derived($season === 'winter');
// Summer is the default (no flag needed)

What’s the emotional tone?

What’s the page’s purpose?

• Story/narrative pages → Full seasonal atmosphere
• Data-dense interfaces → Minimal decoration, focus on readability
• Landing/hero sections → Weather effects, randomized forests
• Forms/admin → Clean glass surfaces, no distractions

Season Mood Summary:

Output: Season selection and decoration level decision (minimal/moderate/full)

Phase 2: SKETCH

The chameleon outlines its form, creating structure…

Build the page skeleton with glassmorphism layers:

The Layering Formula:

Background (gradients, vines, nature)
    ↓
Decorative Elements (trees, clouds, particles)
    ↓
Glass Surface (translucent + blur)
    ↓
Content (text, cards, UI)

Glass Components:

import { Glass, GlassCard, GlassButton, GlassOverlay } from '@groveengine/ui/ui';

<!-- Container with glass effect -->
<Glass variant="tint" class="p-6 rounded-xl">
  <p>Readable text over busy backgrounds</p>
</Glass>

<!-- Card with glass styling -->
<GlassCard title="Settings" variant="default" hoverable>
  Content here
</GlassCard>

<!-- Glass button -->
<GlassButton variant="accent">Subscribe</GlassButton>

CSS Utility Classes:

<!-- Apply directly to any element -->
<div class="glass rounded-xl p-4">Basic glass</div>
<div class="glass-tint p-6">Text container</div>
<div class="glass-accent p-4">Highlighted section</div>
<nav class="glass-surface sticky top-0">Navbar</nav>

Glass Variants:

Key Pattern: Sticky Navigation:

<nav class="sticky top-[73px] z-30 glass-surface border-b border-divider">
  <!-- Navigation content -->
</nav>

Output: Page structure with glass containers in place

Phase 3: COLOR

The chameleon shifts its hues, matching the forest around it…

Apply the seasonal color palette:

Import from: @autumnsgrove/groveengine/ui/nature

Core Palettes (Year-Round):

import { greens, bark, earth, natural } from '@autumnsgrove/groveengine/ui/nature';

// Greens - organized dark-to-light for depth
greens.darkForest   // #0d4a1c - Background trees
greens.deepGreen    // #166534 - Mid-distance
greens.grove        // #16a34a - Grove brand primary
greens.meadow       // #22c55e - Standard foliage
greens.spring       // #4ade80 - Bright accent
greens.mint         // #86efac - Light accent
greens.pale         // #bbf7d0 - Foreground highlights

// Bark - warm wood tones
bark.darkBark       // #3d2817 - Oak, older trees
bark.bark           // #5d4037 - Standard trunk
bark.warmBark       // #6B4423 - Pine, cedar
bark.lightBark      // #8b6914 - Young trees

// Earth - ground elements
earth.soil, earth.mud, earth.clay, earth.sand, earth.stone, earth.pebble, earth.slate

// Natural - cream and off-whites
natural.cream, natural.aspenBark, natural.bone, natural.mushroom, natural.birchWhite

Spring Palette:

import { springFoliage, springSky, wildflowers, cherryBlossoms, cherryBlossomsPeak } from '@autumnsgrove/groveengine/ui/nature';

// Spring Foliage - yellow-green new growth
springFoliage.sprout      // #65a30d - Distant new growth
springFoliage.newLeaf     // #84cc16 - Classic spring lime
springFoliage.freshGreen  // #a3e635 - Bright foreground
springFoliage.budding     // #bef264 - Pale new leaf
springFoliage.tender      // #d9f99d - Very pale

// Spring Sky
springSky.clear    // #7dd3fc - Clear morning
springSky.soft     // #bae6fd - Pale sky

// Wildflowers - unified meadow flower colors
wildflowers.buttercup   // #facc15 - Yellow
wildflowers.daffodil    // #fde047 - Pale yellow
wildflowers.crocus      // #a78bfa - Purple crocus
wildflowers.violet      // #8b5cf6 - Wild violets
wildflowers.purple      // #a855f7 - Lupine, thistle
wildflowers.lavender    // #c4b5fd - Distant masses
wildflowers.tulipPink   // #f9a8d4 - Pink tulips
wildflowers.tulipRed    // #fb7185 - Red tulips
wildflowers.white       // #fefefe - Daisies, trillium

// Cherry Blossoms - summer standard
cherryBlossoms.deep      // #db2777 - Dense centers
cherryBlossoms.standard  // #ec4899 - Standard blossom
cherryBlossoms.light     // #f472b6 - Light petals
cherryBlossoms.pale      // #f9a8d4 - Pale blossoms
cherryBlossoms.falling   // #fbcfe8 - Falling petals

// Cherry Blossoms Peak - vibrant spring (one shade brighter!)
cherryBlossomsPeak.deep      // #ec4899
cherryBlossomsPeak.standard  // #f472b6
cherryBlossomsPeak.light     // #f9a8d4
cherryBlossomsPeak.pale      // #fbcfe8
cherryBlossomsPeak.falling   // #fce7f3

Unified Flowers Palette:

import { flowers } from '@autumnsgrove/groveengine/ui/nature';

// Use flowers.wildflower instead of accents.flower (deprecated)
flowers.wildflower.buttercup   // #facc15 - Yellow
flowers.wildflower.crocus      // #a78bfa - Purple crocus
flowers.wildflower.tulipPink   // #f9a8d4 - Pink tulips

// Cherry blossoms
flowers.cherry.deep      // #db2777
flowers.cherry.standard  // #ec4899
flowers.cherry.light     // #f472b6

// Cherry blossoms at peak bloom
flowers.cherryPeak.deep      // #ec4899
flowers.cherryPeak.standard  // #f472b6

Autumn Palette:

import { autumn, autumnReds } from '@autumnsgrove/groveengine/ui/nature';

// Autumn - warm fall foliage (dark-to-light for depth)
autumn.rust     // #9a3412 - Deep background
autumn.ember    // #c2410c - Oak-like
autumn.pumpkin  // #ea580c - Maple mid-tones
autumn.amber    // #d97706 - Classic fall
autumn.gold     // #eab308 - Aspen/birch
autumn.honey    // #facc15 - Bright foreground
autumn.straw    // #fde047 - Pale dying leaves

// Autumn Reds - cherry/maple fall foliage
autumnReds.crimson  // #be123c - Deep maple
autumnReds.scarlet  // #e11d48 - Bright cherry
autumnReds.rose     // #f43f5e - Light autumn
autumnReds.coral    // #fb7185 - Pale accent

Winter Palette:

import { winter } from '@autumnsgrove/groveengine/ui/nature';

// Winter - frost, snow, ice + frosted evergreens
winter.snow, winter.frost, winter.ice, winter.glacier
winter.frostedPine, winter.winterGreen, winter.coldSpruce
winter.winterSky, winter.twilight, winter.overcast
winter.bareBranch, winter.frostedBark, winter.coldWood
winter.hillDeep, winter.hillMid, winter.hillNear, winter.hillFront

Midnight Bloom Palette:

For dreamy, far-future, mystical content:

import { midnightBloom } from '$lib/components/nature/palette';

midnightBloom.deepPlum   // #581c87 - Night sky depth
midnightBloom.purple     // #7c3aed - Soft purple glow
midnightBloom.violet     // #8b5cf6 - Lighter accent
midnightBloom.amber      // #f59e0b - Lantern warmth
midnightBloom.warmCream  // #fef3c7 - Tea steam, page glow
midnightBloom.softGold   // #fcd34d - Fairy lights

Seasonal Helper Functions:

import { getSeasonalGreens, getCherryColors, isTreeBare, pickRandom, pickFrom } from '@autumnsgrove/groveengine/ui/nature';

// Get foliage colors mapped to season
const foliage = getSeasonalGreens(season);
// spring → springFoliage colors
// summer → greens
// autumn → autumn palette
// winter → frosted evergreen colors

// Get cherry tree colors by season
const cherryColors = getCherryColors(season);
// spring → cherryBlossomsPeak (vibrant!)
// summer → cherryBlossoms (standard)
// autumn → autumnReds
// winter → null (bare tree)

// Check if deciduous tree is bare
if (isTreeBare('cherry', 'winter')) { /* no foliage */ }

// Random color selection for natural variation
const randomGreen = pickRandom(greens);
const specificGreen = pickFrom(greens, ['grove', 'meadow']);

Accent Palettes:

import { accents } from '@autumnsgrove/groveengine/ui/nature';

// Mushrooms - fairy tale pops of color
accents.mushroom.redCap, accents.mushroom.orangeCap, accents.mushroom.brownCap
accents.mushroom.spots, accents.mushroom.gill

// Firefly - bioluminescence
accents.firefly.glow, accents.firefly.warmGlow, accents.firefly.body

// Berry - rich saturated
accents.berry.ripe, accents.berry.elderberry, accents.berry.red

// Water - cool blue spectrum
accents.water.surface, accents.water.deep, accents.water.shallow, accents.water.lily

// Sky - time of day
accents.sky.dayLight, accents.sky.dayMid, accents.sky.sunset, accents.sky.night, accents.sky.star

// Birds - species-specific colors
accents.bird.cardinalRed, accents.bird.cardinalMask, accents.bird.cardinalBeak
accents.bird.chickadeeCap, accents.bird.chickadeeBody, accents.bird.chickadeeBelly
accents.bird.robinBody, accents.bird.robinBreast, accents.bird.robinBeak
accents.bird.bluebirdBody, accents.bird.bluebirdWing, accents.bird.bluebirdBreast

Output: Color scheme applied with proper imports and seasonal variants

Phase 4: TEXTURE

The chameleon adds depth—rough bark, smooth leaves, shifting light…

Layer nature components for atmosphere:

Randomized Forests:

interface GeneratedTree {
  id: number;
  x: number;           // percentage from left (5-93% to avoid edges)
  size: number;        // base width in pixels
  aspectRatio: number; // height = size * aspectRatio (1.0-1.5 range)
  treeType: TreeType;  // 'logo' | 'pine' | 'cherry' | 'aspen' | 'birch'
  opacity: number;     // 0.5-0.9 for depth
  zIndex: number;      // larger trees = higher z-index
}

function generateSectionTrees(count: number): GeneratedTree[] {
  const trees: GeneratedTree[] = [];
  const usedPositions: number[] = [];

  for (let i = 0; i < count; i++) {
    // Find non-overlapping position (8% minimum gap)
    let x: number;
    let attempts = 0;
    do {
      x = 5 + Math.random() * 88;
      attempts++;
    } while (usedPositions.some(pos => Math.abs(pos - x) < 8) && attempts < 20);
    usedPositions.push(x);

    const size = 80 + Math.random() * 80;
    const aspectRatio = 1.0 + Math.random() * 0.5;
    const opacity = 0.5 + Math.random() * 0.4;
    const zIndex = size > 130 ? 3 : size > 100 ? 2 : 1;

    trees.push({ id: i, x, size, aspectRatio, treeType: pickRandom(treeTypes), opacity, zIndex });
  }

  return trees.sort((a, b) => a.x - b.x);
}

Rendering Trees:

{#each forestTrees as tree (tree.id)}
  <div
    class="absolute"
    style="left: {tree.x}%; bottom: 0; width: {tree.size}px; 
           height: {tree.size * tree.aspectRatio}px; 
           opacity: {tree.opacity}; z-index: {tree.zIndex};
           transform: translateX(-50%);"
  >
    {#if tree.treeType === 'logo'}
      <Logo class="w-full h-full" season={$season} animate />
    {:else if tree.treeType === 'pine'}
      <TreePine class="w-full h-full" season={$season} animate />
    {:else if tree.treeType === 'cherry'}
      <TreeCherry class="w-full h-full" season={$season} animate />
    {:else if tree.treeType === 'aspen'}
      <TreeAspen class="w-full h-full" season={$season} animate />
    {:else if tree.treeType === 'birch'}
      <TreeBirch class="w-full h-full" season={$season} animate />
    {/if}
  </div>
{/each}

Regeneration Timing:

• On mount — Trees generate once when page loads
• On resize (significant) — Only if viewport bracket changes dramatically
• Never on scroll — Keep forest stable during reading

Responsive Density:

function calculateDensity(): number {
  const width = window.innerWidth;
  if (width < 768) return 1;        // Mobile: base count
  if (width < 1024) return 1.3;     // Tablet
  if (width < 1440) return 1.8;     // Desktop
  if (width < 2560) return 2.5;     // Large desktop
  return 3.5;                        // Ultrawide
}

Weather Effects:

<!-- Winter: Snowfall -->
{#if isWinter}
  <SnowfallLayer count={40} zIndex={5} opacity={{ min: 0.4, max: 0.8 }} spawnDelay={8} />
{/if}

<!-- Spring: Cherry blossom petals -->
{#if isSpring}
  <FallingPetalsLayer count={80} zIndex={100} opacity={{ min: 0.5, max: 0.9 }} />
{/if}

<!-- Autumn: Falling leaves (tied to trees) -->
{#if isAutumn}
  <FallingLeavesLayer trees={forestTrees} season={$season} minLeavesPerTree={2} maxLeavesPerTree={4} />
{/if}

Seasonal Background Gradients:

<main class="min-h-screen transition-colors duration-1000
  {isWinter ? 'bg-gradient-to-b from-slate-200 via-slate-100 to-slate-50 dark:from-slate-900 dark:via-slate-800 dark:to-slate-700' : ''}
  {isAutumn ? 'bg-gradient-to-b from-orange-100 via-amber-50 to-yellow-50 dark:from-slate-900 dark:via-amber-950 dark:to-orange-950' : ''}
  {isSpring ? 'bg-gradient-to-b from-pink-50 via-sky-50 to-lime-50 dark:from-slate-900 dark:via-pink-950 dark:to-lime-950' : ''}
  {/* Summer default */} 'bg-gradient-to-b from-sky-100 via-sky-50 to-emerald-50 dark:from-slate-900 dark:via-slate-800 dark:to-emerald-950'
">

Seasonal Birds:

<!-- Winter birds -->
{#if isWinter}
  <Cardinal facing="right" class="absolute top-20 left-[15%]" />
  <Chickadee facing="left" class="absolute top-32 right-[20%]" />
{/if}

<!-- Spring birds -->
{#if isSpring}
  <Robin facing="right" class="absolute top-24 left-[10%]" />
  <Bluebird facing="left" class="absolute top-28 right-[15%]" />
{/if}

Key Nature Components:

Icons: Lucide Only:

NEVER use emojis. ALWAYS use Lucide icons.

import { MapPin, Check, Leaf, Trees, Mail } from 'lucide-svelte';

<!-- Good -->
<MapPin class="w-4 h-4" />
<Check class="w-5 h-5 text-green-500" />

<!-- Bad - NEVER do this -->
<!-- ❌ 🌱 📧 ✅ -->

Standardized Icon Mapping:

Create a consistent icon map at the top of each component/page:

// landing/src/lib/utils/icons.ts - Centralized icon registry
import {
  Mail, HardDrive, Palette, ShieldCheck, Cloud, SearchCode,
  Archive, Upload, MessagesSquare, Github, Check, X, Loader2,
  FileText, Tag, Sprout, Heart, ExternalLink, MapPin,
} from 'lucide-svelte';

export const featureIcons = {
  mail: Mail,
  harddrive: HardDrive,
  palette: Palette,
  shieldcheck: ShieldCheck,
  cloud: Cloud,
  searchcode: SearchCode,
} as const;

Icon Usage Guidelines:

1. Always use icon maps – Never hardcode icon imports in every component
2. Avoid overusing Sparkles – Reserve for truly mystical/magical contexts
3. Be consistent – Use the same icon for the same concept everywhere
4. Semantic meaning – Choose icons that convey meaning, not just decoration
5. Export from central utility – Use landing/src/lib/utils/icons.ts

Icon Sizing:

<!-- Inline with text -->
<span class="inline-flex items-center gap-1.5">
  <Leaf class="w-4 h-4" /> Feature name
</span>

<!-- Button icon -->
<button class="p-2">
  <Menu class="w-5 h-5" />
</button>

<!-- Large decorative -->
<Gem class="w-8 h-8 text-amber-400" />

Output: Nature components layered with proper z-index and responsive density

Phase 5: ADAPT

The chameleon becomes one with its surroundings—complete adaptation…

Final polish and accessibility:

Mobile Responsiveness:

<!-- Reduce particle counts on mobile -->
<SnowfallLayer count={isLargeScreen ? 100 : 40} ... />

<!-- Responsive forest density -->
function calculateDensity(): number {
  const width = window.innerWidth;
  if (width < 768) return 1;        // Mobile
  if (width < 1024) return 1.3;     // Tablet
  if (width < 1440) return 1.8;     // Desktop
  return 2.5;                        // Large screens
}

Mobile Overflow Menu:

Desktop navigation items that don’t fit should go to a mobile sheet menu:

<!-- Mobile menu button (visible md:hidden) -->
<button onclick={() => mobileMenuOpen = true} class="md:hidden p-2">
  <Menu class="w-5 h-5" />
</button>

<!-- Sheet menu -->
<MobileMenu bind:open={mobileMenuOpen} onClose={() => mobileMenuOpen = false} />

Decorative Elements on Mobile:

Accessibility:

<!-- Respect reduced motion -->
{#if !prefersReducedMotion}
  <FallingLeavesLayer ... />
{/if}

<!-- Touch targets minimum 44x44px -->
<button class="p-3 min-w-[44px] min-h-[44px]">
  <Menu class="w-5 h-5" />
</button>

Performance Guidelines:

<!-- Reduce particle counts on mobile -->
<SnowfallLayer count={isLargeScreen ? 100 : 40} ... />

<!-- Skip complex effects for reduced-motion -->
{#if !prefersReducedMotion}
  <FallingLeavesLayer ... />
{/if}

User Identity Language:

In UI text:

• “Welcome, Wanderer.” (not “Welcome, user”)
• “Welcome back, Wanderer.” (dashboard greeting)
• “You’ve taken root.” (subscription confirmation)
• “Thanks for staying rooted.” (payment received)

Final Checklist:

• Glass effects used for text readability over busy backgrounds?
• Lucide icons, no emojis?
• Mobile overflow menu for navigation items?
• Decorative elements respect prefers-reduced-motion?
• Touch targets at least 44x44px?
• Seasonal colors match the page’s emotional tone?
• Trees randomized with proper spacing (8% minimum gap)?
• Dark mode supported with appropriate glass variants?
• User-facing text follows Grove voice?

Output: Fully adapted, accessible, responsive UI ready for production

Chameleon Rules

Intention

Every color choice serves the content. Decoration enhances readability—it never obstructs it.

Restraint

Not every page needs a forest. Data-dense interfaces deserve clean glass surfaces without distraction.

Authenticity

Use the seasonal system as intended. Spring isn’t just “light colors”—it’s renewal and hope.

Communication

Use adaptation metaphors:

• “Reading the light…” (understanding context)
• “Sketching the form…” (building structure)
• “Shifting hues…” (applying colors)
• “Adding texture…” (layering components)
• “Full adaptation…” (final polish)

When to Use

When NOT to Use

Example Adaptation

User: “Make this about page feel like Grove”

Chameleon flow:

1. 🦎 READ — “Page is about the team’s journey. Emotional tone: reflection. Season: Autumn (harvest).”

2. 🦎 SKETCH — “Create glass card containers, sticky nav with glass-surface, layering formula in place.”

3. 🦎 COLOR — “Import autumn palette (rust, ember, amber, gold), warm gradients, autumnReds for accent.”

4. 🦎 TEXTURE — “Add randomized aspen/birch trees, FallingLeavesLayer, autumn birds (cardinals), Lucide icons for UI elements.”

5. 🦎 ADAPT — “Responsive density, reduced-motion support, ‘Welcome, Wanderer’ greeting, 44px touch targets, dark mode.”

Quick Decision Guide

The forest welcomes those who adapt with intention. 🦎