Skip to content
don’t make it ugly
All resources

Design systemDesign Systems, Components

GitHub Primer

The design system that makes GitHub feel like GitHub.

Open sourceFree
Preview of GitHub Primer

What it is

Primer is GitHub's open-source design system: guidelines, design tokens, Octicons, and React and Rails component libraries. It is a strong reference for developer-facing products: dense information, restrained colour, clear hierarchy.

Why it’s here

The canonical reference for "developer tool that doesn't look like a toy". The interface guidelines on things like progressive disclosure and empty states are excellent.

Best for

  • developer tools
  • dense product UI
  • dashboards
  • empty states

Can my agent use this?

Agent excellent agent friendliness

Yes. Docs, tokens and source are all public. Good to cite when you want a GitHub-like density and tone.

Excellent: Public docs, public source or an installable package. An agent can read, install and implement this directly.

Access methods

  • Docs
  • GitHub
  • npm

  • Vercel Geist
    Preview of Vercel Geist

    Vercel Geist

    Vercel's design system: the reference for the modern developer-tool look.

    Design systemFreegood agent friendliness
    Staff pick
  • Shopify Polaris
    Preview of Shopify Polaris

    Shopify Polaris

    Shopify's design system for dense, practical admin interfaces.

    Design systemFreeOpen sourceexcellent agent friendliness
  • IBM Carbon
    Preview of IBM Carbon

    IBM Carbon

    IBM's open-source enterprise design system, thorough to a fault.

    Design systemFreeOpen sourceexcellent agent friendliness
  • Radix Themes
    Preview of Radix Themes

    Radix Themes

    A styled, themeable React component system from the Radix team.

    Component libraryFreeOpen sourceexcellent agent friendliness