Bonsai — Business management software

# Build brief — an original marketing website in the taste of Bonsai

> Reference: https://www.hellobonsai.com · UIDiscovery: https://uidiscovery.com/sites/bonsai · captured 2026-09-23 at a 1440px desktop viewport (+ 390px iPhone shots) · [full page](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/full.png) · [scroll video](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/preview.mp4)

## 1. Goal
Build an original marketing website for **[the user's brand]** that feels as considered as Bonsai — same structure, rhythm and polish, entirely new identity and content.

## 2. Originality rules
- Build an ORIGINAL design for the user's own brand in the same *taste* as Bonsai: structure, rhythm, hierarchy, palette mood and type pairing.
- Never reuse Bonsai's logo, name, product imagery, illustrations, icons, screenshots or copy. Write new copy for the user's product.
- If the user hasn't said what their product is, ask first (or use clearly marked placeholders like [Brand], [Product], [Audience]).
- Reference screenshots are for looking at, not for embedding or tracing.

## 3. The taste, in short
- Bonsai (hellobonsai.com): Productivity marketing website, light, minimal.
- 13 sections: Hero → Logo cloud → Features → Content → Features → Integrations → Features → Content → Footer.
- Spacing: about a screen per idea (median section ≈686px).
- Hero headline: 6 words — short and punchy; keep yours under ~9.
- Type: one family (Geist). Imagery: mostly typography with little or no imagery, some photography.

## 4. Page structure (top to bottom)

### 1. Hero — state what the product is and for whom in one glance, and offer the primary action.
- Layout: headline-led stack: eyebrow → H1 → supporting line → actions, with a visual beside or below. Tall, ≈1.9 screens (1700px at 1440), page background; 51 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 51 photos); one primary button, 24 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Eyebrow / announcement pill (optional); H1 (~6 words, like the reference); Supporting line, 1–2 sentences; One primary action; Hero visual (see image plan).
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “The unified platform for service businesses”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-01.webp) · imagery: slot 1

### 2. Logo cloud — borrow trust from recognisable customers or partners.
- Layout: a single row or wall of monochrome marks with a one-line lead-in. Compact band (370px at 1440), page background; 10 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); no interactive controls.
- Slots: One-line lead-in (e.g. “Trusted by…”); 6–10 monochrome customer/partner marks (your own, with permission).
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-03.webp)

### 3. Features — explain the key benefits, grouped so each can be scanned in seconds.
- Layout: section title over a grid or alternating rows of benefit items. Half to one screen (686px at 1440), page background; 12 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); one primary button.
- Slots: Section title (~4 words, like the reference); 9 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Streamline your client workflow”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-04.webp)

### 4. Features — explain the key benefits, grouped so each can be scanned in seconds.
- Layout: section title over a grid or alternating rows of benefit items. Half to one screen (685px at 1440), page background; 10 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); one primary button.
- Slots: Section title (~6 words, like the reference); 9 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Deliver projects on time and budget”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-05.webp)

### 5. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (691px at 1440), page background; 9 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); one primary button.
- Slots: Heading (~5 words, like the reference); Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Track revenue & simplify billing”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-06.webp) · imagery: slot 2

### 6. Features — explain the key benefits, grouped so each can be scanned in seconds.
- Layout: section title over a grid or alternating rows of benefit items. About one full screen (1045px at 1440), page background; 36 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 36 photos); primary + secondary button.
- Slots: Section title (~6 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; Primary + secondary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “See why customers love using Bonsai”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-07.webp)

### 7. Integrations — show that it fits the tools the visitor already uses.
- Layout: a grid of app icons around a short explanation. Tall, ≈1.6 screens (1411px at 1440), page background; 28 image elements (icons, logos, product UI — not 28 photos); one primary button.
- Slots: Title + explanation; Icon grid of tools you truly integrate with; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Work smarter by keeping everything in one place”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-08.webp)

### 8. Features — explain the key benefits, grouped so each can be scanned in seconds.
- Layout: section title over a grid or alternating rows of benefit items. Compact band (203px at 1440), page background; no images (type-led); one primary button.
- Slots: Section title (~8 words, like the reference); 3 items: icon or visual + short title + 1–2 line description; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “A platform built for everyone on the team”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-09.webp)

### 9. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (518px at 1440), page background; 8 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); no interactive controls.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan).
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-10.webp) · imagery: slot 3

### 10. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. About one full screen (783px at 1440), page background; 3 image/graphics; one primary button.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); One primary action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-11.webp)

### 11. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (435px at 1440), page background; no images (type-led); one primary button.
- Slots: Heading (~5 words, like the reference); Body copy; One primary action.
- Topic (tone/length only — never reuse): “Get started in 30 seconds.”
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-12.webp)

### 12. Content — supporting content that deepens one idea.
- Layout: text + media block. Half to one screen (439px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 7 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); one primary button.
- Slots: Heading; Body copy; Supporting visual (see image plan); One primary action.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-13.webp) · imagery: slot 4

### 13. Footer — navigation, legal and contact — the page's index.
- Layout: multi-column link groups, brand line, legal row. About one full screen (905px at 1440), own dark band #000000; 11 images/icons (a set of cards or a small gallery); 11 buttons (tabs, toggles or per-card actions), 188 links (link lists / navigation).
- Slots: Brand mark + one-line description; 3–5 link columns; Newsletter or contact (optional); Legal row + social icons.
- [Screenshot](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-14.webp)

Inner pages also captured (Pricing, Product, Customers, About, Blog, Docs, Enterprise, Contact): https://uidiscovery.com/sites/bonsai?view=pages

## 5. Design system
### Colour
| Role | Hex | Use | Contrast on background |
|---|---|---|---|
| background | `#ffffff` | page background | — |
| foreground | `#000000` | body text, headings | 21.0:1 |
| accent | `#000000` | none captured — monochrome. Primary buttons invert (foreground fill, background text); add your brand colour only for small highlights | — |
| surface | `#ffffff` | cards, inputs, alternate bands | text on it 21.0:1 |
| muted | `#000000` | secondary text, borders | 21.0:1 |

Captured palette: `#ffffff` `#000000`. Section bands top→bottom: `#ffffff` → `#000000`. Roles are assigned automatically — sanity-check them against the screenshot. Keep the palette's *mood* (light, neutral, desaturated) and proportions; swap the accent for the user's brand colour.

### Tokens
```css
:root {
  --background: #ffffff;
  --foreground: #000000;
  --accent: #000000;
  --surface: #ffffff;
  --muted: #000000;
  --font-heading: "Geist", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
  --font-body: "Geist", ui-sans-serif, system-ui, sans-serif;
  --radius: 12px; /* calibrate from the screenshot */
}

/* Tailwind v4 — in globals.css after @import "tailwindcss"; */
@theme {
  --color-background: var(--background);
  --color-foreground: var(--foreground);
  --color-accent: var(--accent);
  --color-surface: var(--surface);
  --color-muted: var(--muted);
  --font-heading: var(--font-heading);
  --font-sans: var(--font-body);
}
```

### Typography
- Headings: **Geist** (Google Fonts) — reference uses Geist. Free to use — load it directly.
- Body: same family — a single-family system; create contrast with size and weight, not a second face.
- Scale (starting point, sizes weren't measured — calibrate against the 1440px screenshot): display clamp(2.75rem, 6vw, 5rem), h2 clamp(1.75rem, 3vw, 2.5rem), h3 1.25rem, body 1rem–1.125rem / 1.6, small 0.875rem. Headings: tight tracking (-0.02em), line-height 1.05–1.15.

### Spacing & rhythm
Sections run ≈686px tall at 1440 (median; range 203–1700px, captures cap at 1700px) — roughly a screen per idea. Start with 96–120px vertical padding per section on desktop and about two-thirds of that on mobile. The background changes 1 time down the page — use band changes to mark chapters. 8px spacing grid, 1200–1280px max content width, 24px (mobile) / 32–48px (desktop) gutters.

### Shape, depth & theme
Flat surfaces, hairline 1px borders in the muted colour, small radii (4–8px), almost no shadow. Read exact corner radius, border and shadow treatment from the screenshots. Light-first; for a dark mode use a near-black (not #000) background, ~90% white text, lift surfaces with lightness not shadow, re-check the accent.

## 6. Imagery plan

Measured from 8 section screenshots: mostly **typography with little or no imagery**, some photography (light, neutral, desaturated, Productivity). Still glance at the linked screenshots to match the exact mood.

### Slot 1 · 1. Hero → product UI (uncertain)
- Productivity hero with 51 image elements — most likely product UI screenshots/mockups plus icons. Count: 1–3 key visuals; the rest are icons/avatars. Aspect: 16:9 full-bleed (or 21:9). Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-01.webp)
- **Stock** — “laptop blank screen minimal desk”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/laptop-blank-screen-minimal-desk?orientation=landscape) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/laptop%20blank%20screen%20minimal%20desk/?orientation=landscape) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/laptop%20blank%20screen%20minimal%20desk/?orientation=horizontal)
- **Generate** — `Product-shot backdrop for a UI screenshot: smooth light gradient from #ffffff to #ffffff with a soft #000000 glow behind the centre, subtle floor shadow, empty centre area where a screenshot will be placed. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Aspect ratio 16:9. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people. No UI elements.`
- Build the UI itself in HTML/CSS with realistic sample data from YOUR product (or screenshot your real app). Don't generate UI as an image and don't reuse the reference's screenshots. Stock/AI is only for the backdrop or device frame.

### Slot 2 · 5. Content → illustration (uncertain)
- Light Productivity section with a few graphics — illustration, icon art or a product shot. Count: a set of ~9 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-06.webp)
- **Stock** — “technology flat illustration”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/technology-flat-illustration?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/technology%20flat%20illustration/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/technology%20flat%20illustration/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Flat vector illustration: abstract gradient mesh, friendly simplified shapes, limited palette of #ffffff, #000000 plus one soft neutral, plenty of empty background, consistent line weight, neutral, desaturated mood. Aspect ratio 4:5. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`
- Uncertain: this could equally be photography, a product shot or icon art — open the reference screenshots and match what you see.

### Slot 3 · 9. Content → photography
- Photography, seen in the capture (people). (measured from the screenshot) Count: a set of ~8 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-10.webp)
- **Stock** — “minimal desk with laptop wide shot”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/minimal-desk-with-laptop-wide-shot?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/minimal%20desk%20with%20laptop%20wide%20shot/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/minimal%20desk%20with%20laptop%20wide%20shot/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Photograph: minimal desk with laptop wide shot. Composition: simple composition with one focal point. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key. Neutral, desaturated colour grade that sits on #ffffff, #000000. Photorealistic, natural textures, shallow depth of field, 35mm lens. Aspect ratio 4:5. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`

### Slot 4 · 12. Content → abstract 3D / gradient (uncertain)
- Dark Productivity section with a few graphics — typically abstract 3D/gradient art or a product shot. Count: a set of ~7 in one consistent style. Aspect: 4:5. Look first: [ref 1](https://uidiscovery.com/media/captures/bonsai/s-13.webp)
- **Stock** — “abstract gradient 3d”: [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/s/photos/abstract-gradient-3d?orientation=portrait) · [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/search/abstract%20gradient%203d/?orientation=portrait) · [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/search/abstract%20gradient%203d/?orientation=vertical)
- **Generate** — `Abstract 3D render: soft, matte clay shapes and a smooth gradient in #000000 on a #ffffff background. Lighting: soft natural daylight, airy and high-key; neutral, desaturated tone. Minimal and calm, generous negative space on one side for text. Aspect ratio 4:5. No text, no letters, no logos, no watermarks, no brand marks or trademarked products, no recognisable real people.`

- **Logos** — 2. Logo cloud, 7. Integrations: Never generate or stock-source logos. Use your real customers'/partners' marks with permission (monochrome, equal height), or neutral wordmark placeholders until you have them. Integration icons: each tool's official brand kit (Simple Icons is a quick start; trademarks still apply).
- **No imagery (type-led)** — 3. Features, 4. Features, 6. Features, 8. Features, 10. Content, 11. Content: No imagery needed — type, spacing and colour do the work. If the screenshot shows a background graphic, rebuild it in CSS (gradient, grid, noise) or a short muted video, not a stock photo.
- **Icons** — 13. Footer: Use one open-source icon set at one stroke weight — Lucide, Phosphor or Heroicons (MIT) — tinted with the text or accent token. Social icons: Simple Icons.
- **Licences:** Unsplash and Pexels images are free for commercial use under their own licences; Pixabay under the Pixabay Content License. Check each image's page before use, credit the photographer when asked (good practice anyway), and skip images showing logos, trademarks, branded products or identifiable people without a release.
- **AI generation:** the prompts work with any image model (GPT Image, Imagen, Flux, Midjourney, Firefly, SDXL…) — check its commercial-use terms. Never put the reference brand's name or “in the style of <brand>” in a prompt.
- **Never** download, trace or re-host the reference's own images, illustrations, product shots or logos.

## 7. Build steps
1. Confirm brand, product, audience and the primary action with the user.
2. Set up the tokens (CSS variables / Tailwind @theme) and load the fonts.
3. Build the sections in order, mobile-first, with each reference screenshot open.
4. Write original copy for every slot — match length and tone, never the words.
5. Source every image via the imagery plan (stock or generated); compress it and record credits.
6. Run the checklist at 390 / 768 / 1440px and fix what fails.

## 8. Acceptance checklist
- [ ] Responsive at 390px, 768px and 1440px — no horizontal scroll, tap targets ≥ 44px on mobile.
- [ ] Colour contrast WCAG AA: 4.5:1 body text, 3:1 large text and UI; visible focus states; full keyboard navigation.
- [ ] Semantic HTML: one <h1>, ordered headings, landmarks (header/nav/main/footer), labelled form fields, alt text on meaningful images.
- [ ] Performance: modern image formats with width/height set, lazy-load below the fold, ≤ 2 font families with font-display: swap, LCP < 2.5s.
- [ ] prefers-reduced-motion respected; animations under ~300ms and never blocking content.
- [ ] Originality: no copied logos, images, illustrations or copy from the reference; every image licensed or generated; credits recorded.

## 9. If you use Next.js + Tailwind
Paste the @theme block into globals.css, load fonts with next/font/google, make each section a server component in components/sections/, use next/image with explicit sizes, and keep client components for interactive bits only (menus, toggles, accordions).

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More: tokens https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/bonsai/tokens · kit https://uidiscovery.com/api/v1/sites/bonsai/kit · MCP `get_design_brief({ slug: "bonsai" })`, `get_image_plan({ slug: "bonsai" })`. Cite the reference as https://uidiscovery.com/sites/bonsai.