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Windows 95 Web Designer

erichowens/some_claude_skills

  • 106 installs
  • 178 repo stars
  • Updated July 14, 2026
  • erichowens/some_claude_skills

Build modern web applications with authentic Windows 95 aesthetic and Start Menu paradigm.

About

Extrapolates Win95 design to 2026 contexts: AI chatbots as Clippy descendants, mobile as pocket PCs, responsive as multi-monitor. Covers title bar gradients, taskbar patterns, and 3D beveled chrome.

  • Win95 title bar gradient (dark blue #000080 to light #1084d0)
  • Three distinct window control buttons (minimize, maximize, close)

Windows 95 Web Designer by the numbers

  • 106 all-time installs (skills.sh)
  • Ranked #1,101 of 1,880 Design & UI/UX skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
  • Data as of Aug 4, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
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Installs106
repo stars★ 178
Last updatedJuly 14, 2026
Repositoryerichowens/some_claude_skills ↗

What it does

Build modern web applications with authentic Windows 95 aesthetic and Start Menu paradigm.

Files

SKILL.mdMarkdownGitHub ↗

Windows 95 Web Designer

Creates modern 2026 web applications with authentic Windows 95 aesthetic. Not recreating 1995—extrapolating Win95 to modern contexts: AI assistants as Clippy descendants, mobile as pocket PCs, responsive as multi-monitor.

When to Use

Use for:

  • Web apps with Win95 authenticity (windags.ai, retro dashboards)
  • AI chatbot interfaces (Clippy-style assistants, wizard dialogs)
  • Mobile-responsive Win95 UIs (pocket PC paradigm)
  • Start menu navigation patterns
  • Taskbar-based layouts
  • Desktop icon grids
  • Win95 Plus! theme variations

Do NOT use for:

  • Windows 3.1 aesthetic → use windows-3-1-web-designer (flatter, Program Manager style)
  • Vaporwave/synthwave → use vaporwave-glassomorphic-ui-designer (neons, gradients)
  • macOS/iOS styling → use native-app-designer
  • Flat/Material design → use web-design-expert

Win95 vs Win31: Critical Differences

FeatureWindows 3.1Windows 95
Title barSolid navy (#000080)Gradient (dark→light blue)
Window controlsSingle menu buttonThree buttons (−, □, ×)
NavigationProgram ManagerStart Menu + Taskbar
FontsBitmap/SystemMS Sans Serif, Tahoma
Icons32×32 flat32×32 with drop shadow
DepthBevels onlyBevels + subtle gradients

---

Core Design System

Color Palette

ColorHexCSS VariableUsage
Desktop Teal#008080--win95-desktopDesktop background
System Gray#c0c0c0--win95-grayWindow chrome, buttons
Title Blue (Dark)#000080--win95-title-darkTitle gradient start
Title Blue (Light)#1084d0--win95-title-lightTitle gradient end
Button Face#dfdfdf--win95-button-faceButton surface
Button Highlight#ffffff--win95-highlightTop/left bevels
Button Shadow#808080--win95-shadowBottom/right bevels
Button Dark Shadow#000000--win95-dark-shadowOuter shadow edge
Window Background#ffffff--win95-window-bgContent areas
Selection Blue#000080--win95-selectionSelected items
Selection Text#ffffff--win95-selection-textText on selection

The Win95 Title Bar Gradient

THE signature Win95 element - horizontal gradient from dark to light blue:

.win95-titlebar {
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, #000080 0%, #1084d0 100%);
  color: white;
  font-family: 'Tahoma', 'MS Sans Serif', sans-serif;
  font-weight: bold;
  font-size: 11px;
  padding: 3px 4px;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
}

.win95-titlebar-inactive {
  background: linear-gradient(90deg, #808080 0%, #b5b5b5 100%);
}

Window Control Buttons

Win95 has THREE distinct buttons (not Win31's single menu):

.win95-controls {
  display: flex;
  gap: 2px;
}

.win95-control-btn {
  width: 16px;
  height: 14px;
  background: var(--win95-gray);
  border: none;
  font-size: 9px;
  font-family: 'Marlett', sans-serif; /* Win95 symbol font */

  /* 3D bevel */
  box-shadow:
    inset -1px -1px 0 var(--win95-dark-shadow),
    inset 1px 1px 0 var(--win95-highlight),
    inset -2px -2px 0 var(--win95-shadow),
    inset 2px 2px 0 var(--win95-button-face);
}

.win95-control-btn:active {
  box-shadow:
    inset 1px 1px 0 var(--win95-dark-shadow),
    inset -1px -1px 0 var(--win95-highlight);
}

Typography

UseFontFallbackSize
UI LabelsTahomaMS Sans Serif, Arial11px
Title barsTahoma BoldArial Bold11px
MenusTahomaArial11px
CodeFixedsysCourier New12px
Pixel headingsMS Sans SerifVT323 (web)12-14px

Web-safe approximations:

:root {
  --font-win95-ui: 'Tahoma', 'Segoe UI', 'Arial', sans-serif;
  --font-win95-mono: 'Fixedsys Excelsior', 'Courier New', monospace;
  --font-win95-pixel: 'VT323', 'Courier New', monospace;
}

---

Modern Extrapolations

AI Chatbots: The Clippy Paradigm

Win95 would present AI as a helpful assistant character in a wizard dialog:

┌─ AI Assistant ──────────────────────────[−][□][×]─┐
│ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐│
│ │  ┌─────┐                                       ││
│ │  │ 📎  │  "It looks like you're writing a     ││
│ │  │     │   letter. Would you like help?"      ││
│ │  └─────┘                                       ││
│ │                                                ││
│ │  ○ Get help with writing                       ││
│ │  ○ Just type without help                      ││
│ │  ○ Don't show this tip again                   ││
│ │                                                ││
│ └────────────────────────────────────────────────┘│
│                              [  OK  ] [ Cancel ] │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key patterns:

  • Character avatar (not just chat bubbles)
  • Radio button choices (not freeform)
  • Wizard step indicators
  • "Tip of the Day" styling
  • Yellow notepad backgrounds for suggestions

Mobile: The Pocket PC Paradigm

Win95 on mobile extrapolates to pocket-sized desktop:

┌────────────────────────┐
│ Start │ 📶 🔋 3:45 PM  │  ← Status bar as taskbar
├────────────────────────┤
│ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐     │
│ │ 📁   │ │ 🌐   │     │  ← Desktop icon grid
│ │Files │ │Browse│     │
│ └──────┘ └──────┘     │
│ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐     │
│ │ 💬   │ │ ⚙️   │     │
│ │Chat  │ │Setup │     │
│ └──────┘ └──────┘     │
├────────────────────────┤
│ [Start] [📧2] [💬] [📁]│  ← Taskbar with open apps
└────────────────────────┘

Key patterns:

  • Start button in bottom-left (hamburger is NOT Win95)
  • Taskbar shows open apps as buttons
  • Desktop is icon grid (not app drawer)
  • Status bar mimics system tray
  • Swipe up = Start menu (not gestures)

Responsive: Multi-Monitor as Breakpoints

Win95 mentally modeled multiple displays. Apply this:

BreakpointWin95 MetaphorLayout
Mobile (<640px)Pocket PCSingle window, taskbar bottom
Tablet (640-1024px)LaptopCascading windows, taskbar
Desktop (>1024px)Full desktopMultiple windows, desktop icons

Dark Mode: Plus! Themes

Windows 95 Plus! had theme packs. Dark mode extrapolation:

/* Plus! "Mystery" theme (dark) */
[data-theme="dark"] {
  --win95-desktop: #1a1a2e;
  --win95-gray: #3d3d5c;
  --win95-title-dark: #16213e;
  --win95-title-light: #1a1a4e;
  --win95-button-face: #4a4a6a;
  --win95-highlight: #5a5a7a;
  --win95-shadow: #2a2a4a;
  --win95-window-bg: #2d2d4d;
}

/* Plus! "Golden Era" theme */
[data-theme="golden"] {
  --win95-title-dark: #8b4513;
  --win95-title-light: #daa520;
  --win95-desktop: #2e1a0d;
}

---

Component Patterns

Start Menu

.win95-start-menu {
  position: fixed;
  bottom: 28px; /* Above taskbar */
  left: 0;
  width: 200px;
  background: var(--win95-gray);
  border: 2px solid;
  border-color: var(--win95-highlight) var(--win95-dark-shadow)
               var(--win95-dark-shadow) var(--win95-highlight);
  box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 var(--win95-dark-shadow);
}

.win95-start-menu-sidebar {
  width: 24px;
  background: linear-gradient(0deg, #000080 0%, #1084d0 100%);
  writing-mode: vertical-rl;
  text-orientation: mixed;
  transform: rotate(180deg);
  color: white;
  font-weight: bold;
  padding: 4px;
}

.win95-start-menu-item {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  padding: 4px 8px;
  cursor: pointer;
}

.win95-start-menu-item:hover {
  background: var(--win95-selection);
  color: var(--win95-selection-text);
}

Taskbar

.win95-taskbar {
  position: fixed;
  bottom: 0;
  left: 0;
  right: 0;
  height: 28px;
  background: var(--win95-gray);
  border-top: 2px solid var(--win95-highlight);
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 2px 4px;
  gap: 4px;
}

.win95-start-button {
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 4px;
  padding: 2px 6px;
  font-weight: bold;
  font-size: 11px;
  /* 3D button styling */
}

.win95-taskbar-button {
  min-width: 140px;
  max-width: 160px;
  height: 22px;
  font-size: 11px;
  text-align: left;
  padding: 0 8px;
  /* Pressed = active window */
}

.win95-system-tray {
  margin-left: auto;
  display: flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 8px;
  border-left: 2px solid var(--win95-shadow);
  padding-left: 8px;
}

Dialog Boxes (for AI)

.win95-dialog {
  min-width: 340px;
  background: var(--win95-gray);
  border: 2px solid;
  border-color: var(--win95-highlight) var(--win95-dark-shadow)
               var(--win95-dark-shadow) var(--win95-highlight);
}

.win95-dialog-content {
  padding: 16px;
  display: flex;
  gap: 16px;
}

.win95-dialog-icon {
  width: 32px;
  height: 32px;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}

.win95-dialog-buttons {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: flex-end;
  gap: 8px;
  padding: 8px 16px 16px;
}

.win95-button-primary {
  min-width: 75px;
  padding: 4px 12px;
  /* Add dotted focus ring for default button */
  outline: 1px dotted var(--win95-dark-shadow);
  outline-offset: -4px;
}

---

Anti-Patterns

Anti-Pattern: Hamburger Menus

Novice thinking: "Three lines for mobile navigation" Reality: Win95 never had hamburgers—it has the Start button Instead: Use Start menu pattern with labeled button

Anti-Pattern: Floating Action Buttons

Novice thinking: "FAB for primary action" Reality: Win95 actions are in toolbars and menus Instead: Toolbar buttons or context menus

Anti-Pattern: Card-Based Layouts

Novice thinking: "Cards with rounded corners and shadows" Reality: Win95 uses windows and list views Instead: List View, Details View, or Tiled Icons

Anti-Pattern: Gradient Backgrounds Everywhere

Novice thinking: "Win95 has gradients so I'll use them on everything" Reality: ONLY title bars have gradients. Everything else is solid. Instead: Gradient only on active title bars; solid colors elsewhere

Anti-Pattern: Soft Shadows

Novice thinking: box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1) Reality: Win95 has HARD pixel shadows only Instead: box-shadow: 2px 2px 0 #000000 (no blur)

---

Quick Decision Tree

Is it a window chrome element?
├── Title bar? → Gradient (dark→light blue)
├── Button? → 3D bevel (white TL, black BR)
├── Input? → Inset bevel (dark TL, white BR)
└── Content area? → White or gray, flat

Is it navigation?
├── Primary nav? → Start Menu pattern
├── Section nav? → Tab control
├── Page nav? → Tree view or list
└── Actions? → Toolbar buttons

Is it a notification?
├── Important? → Modal dialog with icon
├── Informational? → Balloon tooltip (system tray)
├── Progress? → Progress bar in status bar
└── Success? → Sound + brief dialog

---

CSS Variables Template

:root {
  /* Core palette */
  --win95-desktop: #008080;
  --win95-gray: #c0c0c0;
  --win95-title-dark: #000080;
  --win95-title-light: #1084d0;
  --win95-button-face: #dfdfdf;
  --win95-highlight: #ffffff;
  --win95-shadow: #808080;
  --win95-dark-shadow: #000000;
  --win95-window-bg: #ffffff;
  --win95-selection: #000080;
  --win95-selection-text: #ffffff;

  /* Semantic */
  --win95-error: #ff0000;
  --win95-warning: #ffff00;
  --win95-success: #00ff00;
  --win95-info: #0000ff;

  /* Typography */
  --font-win95-ui: 'Tahoma', 'Segoe UI', 'Arial', sans-serif;
  --font-win95-mono: 'Fixedsys Excelsior', 'Courier New', monospace;

  /* Spacing (4px grid) */
  --win95-spacing-xs: 2px;
  --win95-spacing-sm: 4px;
  --win95-spacing-md: 8px;
  --win95-spacing-lg: 16px;
  --win95-spacing-xl: 24px;
}

---

References

  • /references/component-library.md - Full CSS for all Win95 components
  • /references/ai-assistant-patterns.md - Clippy-style AI UX patterns
  • /references/mobile-pocket-pc.md - Responsive Win95 for mobile
  • /references/plus-themes.md - Dark mode and theme variations
  • /references/icon-system.md - Win95 icon design and sizing

---

Pairs With

  • windows-3-1-web-designer - For older, flatter Win31 aesthetic
  • web-design-expert - For brand direction alongside retro style
  • design-system-creator - For generating full design token systems
  • frontend-architect - For Cloudflare deployment of Win95 apps

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