Atomic Design Planning Skill

Atomic Design Planning Skill

This skill guides UI component architecture using Atomic Design methodology, emphasizing reuse of existing components and proper categorization of new ones.

When to Use

Apply this skill when:

• Planning UI features or components
• Deciding whether to create new components
• Discussing frontend architecture
• Users ask "what components do we need?"
• Reviewing UI implementation plans

Atomic Design Hierarchy

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  PAGES         - Complete screens with real content     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  TEMPLATES     - Page-level layout structures           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ORGANISMS     - Complex UI sections (Header, LoginForm)│
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  MOLECULES     - Simple groups (SearchInput, NavItem)   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ATOMS         - Basic blocks (Button, Input, Icon)     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Component Categories

Atoms

Smallest, indivisible UI elements: Buttons, Inputs, Labels, Icons.

• No dependencies, highly reusable, controlled by props only

Molecules

Simple combinations of 2-4 atoms: SearchInput, FormField, NavItem.

• Single responsibility, reusable in multiple organisms

Organisms

Complex, distinct UI sections: Header, ProductCard, LoginForm.

• May connect to data/​state, often feature-specific

The Reuse-First Principle

Before creating ANY component:

1. Search existing atoms - Is there a Button/​Input that works?
2. Search existing molecules - Can a FormField be adapted?
3. Search existing organisms - Does a similar Card exist?
4. Only then create new - Is this truly unique?

Decision Table

Integration with Jira Workflow

When planning UI features, create Subtasks for:

1. Atom Subtasks - New basic components needed
2. Molecule Subtasks - New component combinations
3. Organism Subtasks - New feature-level components

Investigation phase should identify existing components to reuse.

Remember: Reuse existing components. Only create what's truly missing.