AGILE AI ECOSYSTEM¶
DESIGN AUTHORITY CHARTER¶
STATUS: GOVERNANCE LOCKED
DATE: 2026-03-14
1. Purpose¶
The Design Authority governs the digital architecture of the Agile AI ecosystem.
Its purpose is to ensure:
- architectural stability
- institutional consistency
- design system governance
- cross-surface integrity
2. Scope¶
The Design Authority governs:
- digital architecture
- hosting models
- design systems
- cross-surface consistency
- infrastructure evolution
3. Authority Responsibilities¶
The Design Authority is responsible for:
- system architecture decisions
- design system governance
- infrastructure standards
- ecosystem coherence
4. Design System Governance¶
The ecosystem uses a two-layer design system model.
Layer 1 — Canonical Design System¶
File: site.css
Responsibilities:
- layout grid
- typography base
- container system
- header structure
- footer structure
- theme engine
This layer is LOCKED and must not be modified for visual refinement.
Layer 2 — Visual Refinement Layer¶
File: refinement.css
Purpose:
Visual improvements without modifying the core design system.
Properties:
- additive
- reversible
- governance-controlled
5. Refinement Layer Rules¶
refinement.css must:
- load after site.css
- be additive only
- remain removable without breakage
It must never modify:
- layout grid
- container width
- theme engine logic
- structural layout
6. Hosting Architecture Rule¶
Due to Firebase multi-hosting constraints:
Each hosting surface must maintain its own design authority directory.
Required structure:
shared/design-authority/
Example:
- public-site/shared/design-authority/
- public-portal/shared/design-authority/
- public-certs/shared/design-authority/
Root-level shared folders are not runtime authoritative.
7. Implementation Method¶
All changes must follow:
- full file replacement
- version increment
- changelog update
- visual verification
Partial edits are not permitted.
8. Governance Notes¶
- Design authority decisions are binding across all ecosystem surfaces
- No surface may diverge from the canonical design system
- Refinement must never override structural or architectural intent
- All changes must remain reversible and auditable
9. Design Principles¶
The ecosystem design must remain:
- academic
- institutional
- stable
- minimal
The ecosystem must avoid:
- marketing-heavy UI
- startup-style aesthetics
- unnecessary visual complexity