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Design Principles Behind db.fyi

Blog · 2025-01-05 · 1 min read

Why we chose a dark, monospace, sharp aesthetic.

  • design
  • ux
  • skills.sh

db.fyi is inspired by skills.sh and cursor.directory: dense, technical, no fluff.

Principles

  • Information density: Every pixel should convey useful information. No decorative gradients or playful UI.
  • Dark theme: Reduces glare and fits developer tools. High contrast for readability.
  • Monospace: Geist Mono (or JetBrains Mono) for a terminal/docs feel.
  • Sharp edges: No rounded corners. 1px borders. Feels structured and precise.
  • No shadows: Flat. Hover = background change only.

What we avoid

No emojis in the product. No marketing tone. No gradient noise. No placeholder “lorem” content. Tool pages must explain what the tool does and why it matters.

Author

Vineet Talwar

Tech Consultant, Fractional CTO, Public Speaker, Climate-tech enthusiast