# Build brief: Ethereal

Resource base: https://mejohnc.org (or the preview host used to obtain this file).

Use this direction within the user’s requested project and existing design constraints.

## Illustrative use case, not project requirements
A photography portfolio with luminous images and restrained, legible captions.

An atmospheric treatment using soft light, translucent imagery, and spacious composition. Softness belongs to the imagery; text and controls still need definite edges.

## Essential cues
- Diffused light
- Soft layered imagery
- Open space

## Recipe
- Use a soft image as the focal point.
- Place reading text on a stable surface.
- Keep movement optional and minimal.

## Optional decoration
Luminous photography or illustration carries the effect.

## Avoid
Using low contrast as the defining principle or making the cursor chase floating controls.

## Values and validation
Read [tokens](/territories/ethereal/tokens.json) and [acceptance checklist](/territories/ethereal/checklist.md). Use [the working example](/territories/ethereal/example/) to inspect color roles, spacing, hierarchy, and interaction states. It is a UI translation, not a reproduction of historical art. Tokens describe the base UI; [example CSS](/territories/assets/example.css) contains the style-specific composition and decorative layer. Preview navigation with `?navigation=top`, `?navigation=sidebar`, or `?navigation=tabs`; combine with `project`. Use [Compare](/territories/compare/) for mobile (390 px), tablet (820 px), and desktop (1440 px) viewports.

## Delivery
Preserve real content and existing working behavior. Check keyboard, narrow layout, error, empty, and success states. Report any departures from this recipe with a reason. Do not claim to have inspected a preview or run checks that you could not access.

Schema 1.0.0; revision f5fd78058ba2.