# Build brief: Utilitarian

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
An operations queue with owner, state, age, and one clear next action per row.

A task-oriented approach that makes information easy to compare and actions easy to repeat. Density is useful only when it reduces work for the reader.

## Essential cues
- Explicit labels
- Aligned data
- Predictable controls

## Recipe
- Align numbers and show units.
- Keep filters near the results.
- Use status text alongside color.

## Optional decoration
Real labels, units, and status data matter more than imagery.

## Avoid
Hiding important actions in icon-only menus or showing more metrics than a decision needs.

## Values and validation
Read [tokens](/territories/utilitarian/tokens.json) and [acceptance checklist](/territories/utilitarian/checklist.md). Use [the working example](/territories/utilitarian/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.