diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 244579a..8f74083 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,37 +1,32 @@
-# Forge
+# ⚒️ forge
 
-## Why Forge?
+```
+╔═╝╔═║╔═║╔═╝╔═╝
+╔═╝║ ║╔╔╝║ ║╔═╝
+╝  ══╝╝ ╝══╝══╝
+```
 
-CSS is powerful, but hostile.
+## overview
 
-### Problems with CSS
+Forge is a typed, local, variant-driven way to organize CSS, built around TSX.
 
-- Styles are **global and open** — anything can override anything.
-- There’s **no link** between a class in markup and its definition.
-- Inline styles exist because there’s **no structured way to vary styles per instance**.
-- Overrides are silent — conflicts happen without feedback.
-- Complex components require selector gymnastics and reach-in styling.
+## css problems
 
-### What Forge Does Instead
+- Styles are global and open - anything can override anything anywhere.
+- No IDE-friendly link between the class name in markup and its definition.
+- All techniques are patterns a human must know and follow, not APIs.
+- Errors happen silently.
 
-- Styles are **local to components** and attached by generated handles, not strings.
-- **Parts** give components named sub-targets without selectors.
-- **Variants** replace inline styles with typed, declarative parameters.
-- Style composition is **deterministic** (known merge order, last-wins).
-- Overlapping changes are **warned about in dev**, not silently ignored.
+## forge solutions
 
-### What Forge Is
+- All styles are local to your TSX components.
+- Styles defined using TS typing.
+- Component styles are made up of independently styled "Parts".
+- "Variants" replace inline styles with typed, declarative parameters.
+- Style composition is deterministic.
+- Errors and feedback.
 
-- A typed, local, variant-driven way to author CSS.
-- A system that optimizes for **people typing at a keyboard**, not selectors in a cascade.
-
-### What Forge Is Not
-
-- Not a new component model.
-- Not a new language.
-- Not a CSS replacement — it compiles _to_ CSS, but removes the chaos.
-
-Example:
+## examples
 
 ```tsx
 import { define } from "forge"
@@ -43,7 +38,7 @@ export const Button = define("button", {
   background: "blue",
 
   variants: {
-    kind: {
+    status: {
       danger: { background: "red" },
       warning: { background: "yellow" },
     }
@@ -52,8 +47,8 @@ export const Button = define("button", {
 
 // Usage
 <Button>Click me</Button>
-<Button kind="danger">Click me carefully</Button>
-<Button kind="warning">Click me?</Button>
+<Button status="danger">Click me carefully</Button>
+<Button status="warning">Click me?</Button>
 
 export const Profile = define("div", {
   padding: 50,
@@ -90,3 +85,14 @@ import { Profile } from './whatever'
 
 <Profile pic={user.pic} bio={user.bio} />
 ```
+
+## see it
+
+Check out the `examples/` dir and view them at http://localhost:3300 by
+cloning this repo and running the local web server:
+
+```
+bun install
+bun dev
+open http://localhost:3300
+```
diff --git a/examples/button.tsx b/examples/button.tsx
index 322b287..5300a29 100644
--- a/examples/button.tsx
+++ b/examples/button.tsx
@@ -1,75 +1,88 @@
 import { createScope } from '../src'
-import { ExampleSection } from './ssr/helpers'
+import { ExampleSection, theme } from './ssr/helpers'
 
 const { define } = createScope('Button')
 
 const Button = define('Root', {
   base: 'button',
 
-  padding: "12px 24px",
+  padding: `${theme.spacing.sm}px ${theme.spacing.lg}px`,
   display: "inline-flex",
   alignItems: "center",
   justifyContent: "center",
-  gap: 8,
-  background: "#3b82f6",
-  color: "white",
-  border: "none",
-  borderRadius: 8,
-  fontSize: 16,
-  fontWeight: 600,
+  gap: theme.spacing.xs,
+  background: theme.colors.accent,
+  color: theme.colors.bg,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.accent}`,
+  borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
+  fontSize: 14,
+  fontWeight: 400,
   cursor: "pointer",
   transition: "all 0.2s ease",
   userSelect: "none",
-  boxShadow: "0 4px 6px rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.4), 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)",
-  transform: "translateY(0)",
 
   states: {
     ":not(:disabled):hover": {
-      transform: 'translateY(-2px)',
-      filter: 'brightness(1.05)'
+      background: theme.colors.accentDim,
+      borderColor: theme.colors.accentDim,
     },
     ":not(:disabled):active": {
       transform: 'translateY(1px)',
-      boxShadow: '0 2px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)'
     },
   },
 
   variants: {
     intent: {
       primary: {
-        background: "#3b82f6",
-        color: "white",
-        boxShadow: "0 4px 6px rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.4), 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)",
+        background: theme.colors.accent,
+        color: theme.colors.bg,
+        border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.accent}`,
       },
       secondary: {
-        background: "#f3f4f6",
-        color: "#374151",
-        boxShadow: "0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1), 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.06)",
+        background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+        color: theme.colors.fg,
+        border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+        states: {
+          ":not(:disabled):hover": {
+            borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
+          }
+        }
       },
       danger: {
-        background: "#ef4444",
-        color: "white",
-        boxShadow: "0 4px 6px rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.4), 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)",
+        background: "#ff0000",
+        color: theme.colors.bg,
+        border: "1px solid #ff0000",
+        states: {
+          ":not(:disabled):hover": {
+            background: "#cc0000",
+            borderColor: "#cc0000",
+          }
+        }
       },
       ghost: {
         background: "transparent",
-        color: "#aaa",
-        boxShadow: "0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2), 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)",
-        border: "1px solid #eee",
+        color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
+        border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+        states: {
+          ":not(:disabled):hover": {
+            color: theme.colors.fg,
+            borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
+          }
+        }
       },
     },
     size: {
       small: {
-        padding: "8px 16px",
-        fontSize: 14,
+        padding: `${theme.spacing.xs}px ${theme.spacing.md}px`,
+        fontSize: 12,
       },
       large: {
-        padding: "16px 32px",
-        fontSize: 18,
+        padding: `${theme.spacing.md}px ${theme.spacing.xl}px`,
+        fontSize: 16,
       },
     },
     disabled: {
-      opacity: 0.5,
+      opacity: 0.3,
       cursor: "not-allowed",
     },
   },
@@ -77,7 +90,7 @@ const Button = define('Root', {
 
 const ButtonRow = define('Row', {
   display: 'flex',
-  gap: 16,
+  gap: theme.spacing.md,
   flexWrap: 'wrap',
   alignItems: 'center',
 })
diff --git a/examples/form.tsx b/examples/form.tsx
index 7bf47e0..65f1873 100644
--- a/examples/form.tsx
+++ b/examples/form.tsx
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 import { define } from '../src'
-import { ExampleSection } from './ssr/helpers'
+import { ExampleSection, theme } from './ssr/helpers'
 
 const Input = define('Input', {
   base: 'input',
 
-  padding: '12px 16px',
-  fontSize: 16,
-  border: '2px solid #e5e7eb',
-  borderRadius: 8,
-  background: 'white',
-  color: '#111827',
+  padding: `${theme.spacing.sm}px ${theme.spacing.md}px`,
+  fontSize: 14,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+  borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
+  background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+  color: theme.colors.fg,
   transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
   width: '100%',
   boxSizing: 'border-box',
@@ -17,12 +17,11 @@ const Input = define('Input', {
   states: {
     ':focus': {
       outline: 'none',
-      borderColor: '#3b82f6',
-      boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.1)'
+      borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
     },
     ':disabled': {
-      background: '#f3f4f6',
-      color: '#9ca3af',
+      background: theme.colors.bg,
+      color: theme.colors.fgDim,
       cursor: 'not-allowed'
     }
   },
@@ -30,20 +29,18 @@ const Input = define('Input', {
   variants: {
     status: {
       error: {
-        borderColor: '#ef4444',
+        borderColor: '#ff0000',
         states: {
           ':focus': {
-            borderColor: '#ef4444',
-            boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(239, 68, 68, 0.1)'
+            borderColor: '#ff0000',
           }
         }
       },
       success: {
-        borderColor: '#10b981',
+        borderColor: theme.colors.accent,
         states: {
           ':focus': {
-            borderColor: '#10b981',
-            boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(16, 185, 129, 0.1)'
+            borderColor: theme.colors.accent,
           }
         }
       }
@@ -54,12 +51,12 @@ const Input = define('Input', {
 const Textarea = define('Textarea', {
   base: 'textarea',
 
-  padding: '12px 16px',
-  fontSize: 16,
-  border: '2px solid #e5e7eb',
-  borderRadius: 8,
-  background: 'white',
-  color: '#111827',
+  padding: `${theme.spacing.sm}px ${theme.spacing.md}px`,
+  fontSize: 14,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+  borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
+  background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+  color: theme.colors.fg,
   transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
   width: '100%',
   minHeight: 120,
@@ -70,32 +67,31 @@ const Textarea = define('Textarea', {
   states: {
     ':focus': {
       outline: 'none',
-      borderColor: '#3b82f6',
-      boxShadow: '0 0 0 3px rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.1)'
+      borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
     }
   }
 })
 
 const FormGroup = define('FormGroup', {
-  marginBottom: 24,
+  marginBottom: theme.spacing.lg,
 
   parts: {
     Label: {
       base: 'label',
       display: 'block',
       fontSize: 14,
-      fontWeight: 600,
-      color: '#374151',
-      marginBottom: 8
+      fontWeight: 400,
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
+      marginBottom: theme.spacing.xs
     },
     Helper: {
-      fontSize: 13,
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      fontSize: 12,
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       marginTop: 6
     },
     Error: {
-      fontSize: 13,
-      color: '#ef4444',
+      fontSize: 12,
+      color: '#ff0000',
       marginTop: 6
     }
   },
@@ -116,29 +112,29 @@ const Checkbox = define('Checkbox', {
   parts: {
     Input: {
       base: 'input[type=checkbox]',
-      width: 20,
-      height: 20,
+      width: 18,
+      height: 18,
       cursor: 'pointer'
     },
     Label: {
       base: 'label',
       display: 'flex',
       alignItems: 'center',
-      gap: 12,
+      gap: theme.spacing.sm,
       cursor: 'pointer',
-      fontSize: 16,
-      color: '#374151',
+      fontSize: 14,
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
 
       states: {
         ':hover': {
-          color: '#111827'
+          color: theme.colors.fg
         }
       },
 
       selectors: {
         '@Input:disabled + &': {
           cursor: 'not-allowed',
-          color: '#9ca3af'
+          color: theme.colors.fgDim
         }
       }
     }
@@ -164,19 +160,20 @@ const FormExamples = define('FormExamples', {
 const Button = define('FormButton', {
   base: 'button',
 
-  padding: '12px 24px',
-  fontSize: 16,
-  fontWeight: 600,
-  border: 'none',
-  borderRadius: 8,
+  padding: `${theme.spacing.sm}px ${theme.spacing.lg}px`,
+  fontSize: 14,
+  fontWeight: 400,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.accent}`,
+  borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
   cursor: 'pointer',
   transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
-  background: '#3b82f6',
-  color: 'white',
+  background: theme.colors.accent,
+  color: theme.colors.bg,
 
   states: {
     ':hover': {
-      background: '#2563eb'
+      background: theme.colors.accentDim,
+      borderColor: theme.colors.accentDim,
     },
     ':active': {
       transform: 'translateY(1px)'
@@ -186,11 +183,12 @@ const Button = define('FormButton', {
   variants: {
     variant: {
       secondary: {
-        background: '#6b7280',
-        color: 'white',
+        background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+        color: theme.colors.fg,
+        border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
         states: {
           ':hover': {
-            background: '#4b5563'
+            borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
           }
         }
       }
@@ -200,8 +198,8 @@ const Button = define('FormButton', {
 
 const ButtonGroup = define('FormButtonGroup', {
   display: 'flex',
-  gap: 12,
-  marginTop: 24
+  gap: theme.spacing.sm,
+  marginTop: theme.spacing.lg
 })
 
 export const FormExamplesContent = () => (
diff --git a/examples/navigation.tsx b/examples/navigation.tsx
index 8bd7313..780bec3 100644
--- a/examples/navigation.tsx
+++ b/examples/navigation.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { define } from '../src'
-import { ExampleSection } from './ssr/helpers'
+import { ExampleSection, theme } from './ssr/helpers'
 
 const TabSwitcher = define('TabSwitcher', {
   parts: {
@@ -10,41 +10,41 @@ const TabSwitcher = define('TabSwitcher', {
     TabBar: {
       display: 'flex',
       gap: 0,
-      borderBottom: '2px solid #e5e7eb',
-      marginBottom: 24,
+      borderBottom: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+      marginBottom: theme.spacing.lg,
     },
     TabLabel: {
       base: 'label',
 
-      padding: '12px 24px',
+      padding: `${theme.spacing.sm}px ${theme.spacing.lg}px`,
       position: 'relative',
-      marginBottom: -2,
+      marginBottom: -1,
       background: 'transparent',
-      borderBottom: '2px solid transparent',
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      borderBottom: '1px solid transparent',
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       fontSize: 14,
-      fontWeight: 500,
       cursor: 'pointer',
       transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
 
       states: {
         ':hover': {
-          color: '#111827',
+          color: theme.colors.fg,
         }
       },
 
       selectors: {
         '@Input:checked + &': {
-          color: '#3b82f6',
-          borderBottom: '2px solid #3b82f6'
+          color: theme.colors.accent,
+          borderBottom: `1px solid ${theme.colors.accent}`
         }
       }
     },
     Content: {
       display: 'none',
-      padding: 20,
-      background: '#f9fafb',
-      borderRadius: 8,
+      padding: theme.spacing.lg,
+      background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+      border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+      borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
 
       selectors: {
         '@Input:checked ~ &': {
@@ -91,36 +91,37 @@ const Pills = define('Pills', {
     },
     PillBar: {
       display: 'flex',
-      gap: 8,
+      gap: theme.spacing.xs,
       flexWrap: 'wrap',
     },
     PillLabel: {
       base: 'label',
 
-      padding: '8px 16px',
-      background: '#f3f4f6',
-      border: 'none',
+      padding: `${theme.spacing.xs}px ${theme.spacing.md}px`,
+      background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+      border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
       borderRadius: 20,
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       fontSize: 14,
-      fontWeight: 500,
       cursor: 'pointer',
       transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
 
       states: {
         ':hover': {
-          background: '#e5e7eb',
-          color: '#111827',
+          borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
+          color: theme.colors.fg,
         }
       },
 
       selectors: {
         '@Input:checked + &': {
-          background: '#3b82f6',
-          color: 'white'
+          background: theme.colors.accent,
+          borderColor: theme.colors.accent,
+          color: theme.colors.bg
         },
         '@Input:checked + &:hover': {
-          background: '#2563eb'
+          background: theme.colors.accentDim,
+          borderColor: theme.colors.accentDim,
         }
       }
     }
@@ -164,34 +165,36 @@ const VerticalNav = define('VerticalNav', {
     NavLabel: {
       base: 'label',
 
-      padding: '12px 16px',
+      padding: `${theme.spacing.sm}px ${theme.spacing.md}px`,
       display: 'flex',
       alignItems: 'center',
-      gap: 12,
+      gap: theme.spacing.sm,
 
       background: 'transparent',
-      borderRadius: 8,
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      border: `1px solid transparent`,
+      borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       fontSize: 14,
-      fontWeight: 500,
       cursor: 'pointer',
       transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
 
       states: {
         ':hover': {
-          background: '#f3f4f6',
-          color: '#111827',
+          background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+          borderColor: theme.colors.border,
+          color: theme.colors.fg,
         }
       },
 
       selectors: {
         '@Input:checked + &': {
-          background: '#eff6ff',
-          color: '#3b82f6',
+          background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+          borderColor: theme.colors.accent,
+          color: theme.colors.accent,
         },
         '@Input:checked + &:hover': {
-          background: '#dbeafe',
-          color: '#2563eb'
+          borderColor: theme.colors.accentDim,
+          color: theme.colors.accentDim
         }
       }
     },
@@ -201,7 +204,7 @@ const VerticalNav = define('VerticalNav', {
       display: 'flex',
       alignItems: 'center',
       justifyContent: 'center',
-      fontSize: 18,
+      fontSize: 16,
     }
   },
 
@@ -232,33 +235,32 @@ const VerticalNav = define('VerticalNav', {
 const Breadcrumbs = define('Breadcrumbs', {
   display: 'flex',
   alignItems: 'center',
-  gap: 8,
+  gap: theme.spacing.xs,
   flexWrap: 'wrap',
 
   parts: {
     Item: {
       base: 'a',
 
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       fontSize: 14,
       textDecoration: 'none',
       transition: 'color 0.2s ease',
 
       states: {
         ':hover': {
-          color: '#3b82f6',
+          color: theme.colors.accent,
         }
       }
     },
     Separator: {
-      color: '#d1d5db',
+      color: theme.colors.fgDim,
       fontSize: 14,
       userSelect: 'none',
     },
     Current: {
-      color: '#111827',
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
       fontSize: 14,
-      fontWeight: 500,
     }
   },
 
@@ -287,26 +289,25 @@ const Breadcrumbs = define('Breadcrumbs', {
 const Tabs = define('Tabs', {
   display: 'flex',
   gap: 0,
-  borderBottom: '2px solid #e5e7eb',
+  borderBottom: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
 
   parts: {
     Tab: {
       base: 'button',
-      padding: '12px 24px',
+      padding: `${theme.spacing.sm}px ${theme.spacing.lg}px`,
       position: 'relative',
-      marginBottom: -2,
+      marginBottom: -1,
       background: 'transparent',
       border: 'none',
-      borderBottom: '2px solid transparent',
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      borderBottom: '1px solid transparent',
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       fontSize: 14,
-      fontWeight: 500,
       cursor: 'pointer',
       transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
 
       states: {
         ':hover': {
-          color: '#111827',
+          color: theme.colors.fg,
         }
       }
     }
@@ -316,8 +317,8 @@ const Tabs = define('Tabs', {
     active: {
       parts: {
         Tab: {
-          color: '#3b82f6',
-          borderBottom: '2px solid #3b82f6',
+          color: theme.colors.accent,
+          borderBottom: `1px solid ${theme.colors.accent}`,
         }
       }
     }
@@ -338,26 +339,25 @@ const Tabs = define('Tabs', {
 
 const SimplePills = define('SimplePills', {
   display: 'flex',
-  gap: 8,
+  gap: theme.spacing.xs,
   flexWrap: 'wrap',
 
   parts: {
     Pill: {
       base: 'button',
-      padding: '8px 16px',
-      background: '#f3f4f6',
-      border: 'none',
+      padding: `${theme.spacing.xs}px ${theme.spacing.md}px`,
+      background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+      border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
       borderRadius: 20,
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       fontSize: 14,
-      fontWeight: 500,
       cursor: 'pointer',
       transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
 
       states: {
         ':hover': {
-          background: '#e5e7eb',
-          color: '#111827',
+          borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
+          color: theme.colors.fg,
         }
       }
     }
@@ -367,12 +367,13 @@ const SimplePills = define('SimplePills', {
     active: {
       parts: {
         Pill: {
-          background: '#3b82f6',
-          color: 'white',
+          background: theme.colors.accent,
+          borderColor: theme.colors.accent,
+          color: theme.colors.bg,
           states: {
             ':hover': {
-              background: '#2563eb',
-              color: 'white',
+              background: theme.colors.accentDim,
+              borderColor: theme.colors.accentDim,
             }
           }
         }
@@ -402,24 +403,24 @@ const SimpleVerticalNav = define('SimpleVerticalNav', {
   parts: {
     NavItem: {
       base: 'button',
-      padding: '12px 16px',
+      padding: `${theme.spacing.sm}px ${theme.spacing.md}px`,
       display: 'flex',
       alignItems: 'center',
-      gap: 12,
+      gap: theme.spacing.sm,
       background: 'transparent',
-      border: 'none',
-      borderRadius: 8,
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      border: `1px solid transparent`,
+      borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       fontSize: 14,
-      fontWeight: 500,
       textAlign: 'left',
       cursor: 'pointer',
       transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
 
       states: {
         ':hover': {
-          background: '#f3f4f6',
-          color: '#111827',
+          background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+          borderColor: theme.colors.border,
+          color: theme.colors.fg,
         }
       }
     },
@@ -429,7 +430,7 @@ const SimpleVerticalNav = define('SimpleVerticalNav', {
       display: 'flex',
       alignItems: 'center',
       justifyContent: 'center',
-      fontSize: 18,
+      fontSize: 16,
     }
   },
 
@@ -437,12 +438,13 @@ const SimpleVerticalNav = define('SimpleVerticalNav', {
     active: {
       parts: {
         NavItem: {
-          background: '#eff6ff',
-          color: '#3b82f6',
+          background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+          borderColor: theme.colors.accent,
+          color: theme.colors.accent,
           states: {
             ':hover': {
-              background: '#dbeafe',
-              color: '#2563eb',
+              borderColor: theme.colors.accentDim,
+              color: theme.colors.accentDim,
             }
           }
         }
diff --git a/examples/profile.tsx b/examples/profile.tsx
index 0409113..0c8a3e0 100644
--- a/examples/profile.tsx
+++ b/examples/profile.tsx
@@ -1,22 +1,22 @@
 import { define } from '../src'
-import { ExampleSection } from './ssr/helpers'
+import { ExampleSection, theme } from './ssr/helpers'
 
 const UserProfile = define('UserProfile', {
   base: 'div',
 
-  padding: 24,
+  padding: theme.spacing.lg,
   maxWidth: 600,
   margin: "0 auto",
-  background: "white",
-  borderRadius: 12,
-  boxShadow: "0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)",
+  background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+  borderRadius: theme.radius.md,
 
   parts: {
     Header: {
       display: "flex",
       alignItems: "center",
-      gap: 16,
-      marginBottom: 16,
+      gap: theme.spacing.md,
+      marginBottom: theme.spacing.md,
     },
     Avatar: {
       base: 'img',
@@ -24,34 +24,34 @@ const UserProfile = define('UserProfile', {
       height: 64,
       borderRadius: "50%",
       objectFit: "cover",
-      border: "3px solid #e5e7eb",
+      border: `2px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
     },
     Info: {
       flex: 1,
     },
     Name: {
       marginBottom: 4,
-      fontSize: 20,
-      fontWeight: 600,
-      color: "#111827",
+      fontSize: 18,
+      fontWeight: 400,
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
     },
     Handle: {
       fontSize: 14,
-      color: "#6b7280",
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
     },
     Bio: {
-      marginBottom: 16,
+      marginBottom: theme.spacing.md,
       width: "100%",
       fontSize: 14,
       lineHeight: 1.6,
-      color: "#374151",
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       wordWrap: "break-word",
     },
     Stats: {
       display: "flex",
-      gap: 24,
-      paddingTop: 16,
-      borderTop: "1px solid #e5e7eb",
+      gap: theme.spacing.lg,
+      paddingTop: theme.spacing.md,
+      borderTop: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
     },
     Stat: {
       display: "flex",
@@ -60,12 +60,12 @@ const UserProfile = define('UserProfile', {
     },
     StatValue: {
       fontSize: 18,
-      fontWeight: 600,
-      color: "#111827",
+      fontWeight: 400,
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
     },
     StatLabel: {
       fontSize: 12,
-      color: "#6b7280",
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       textTransform: "uppercase",
     },
   },
@@ -114,19 +114,7 @@ const UserProfile = define('UserProfile', {
     verified: {
       parts: {
         Avatar: {
-          border: "3px solid #3b82f6",
-        },
-      },
-    },
-    theme: {
-      dark: {
-        background: "#1f2937",
-        parts: {
-          Name: { color: "#f9fafb" },
-          Handle: { color: "#9ca3af" },
-          Bio: { color: "#d1d5db" },
-          Stats: { borderTop: "1px solid #374151" },
-          StatValue: { color: "#f9fafb" },
+          border: `2px solid ${theme.colors.accent}`,
         },
       },
     },
@@ -207,10 +195,9 @@ export const ProfileExamplesContent = () => (
       />
     </ExampleSection>
 
-    <ExampleSection title="Verified User (Dark Theme)">
+    <ExampleSection title="Verified User">
       <UserProfile
         verified={true}
-        theme="dark"
         name="Jordan Smith"
         username="jordansmith"
         avatarUrl="https://i.pravatar.cc/150?img=8"
diff --git a/examples/spa/app.tsx b/examples/spa/app.tsx
index de80426..bc19758 100644
--- a/examples/spa/app.tsx
+++ b/examples/spa/app.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { define } from '../../src'
+import { theme } from '../ssr/helpers'
 import { ButtonExamplesContent } from '../button'
 import { ProfileExamplesContent } from '../profile'
 import { NavigationExamplesContent } from '../navigation'
@@ -8,9 +9,10 @@ export const Main = define('SpaMain', {
   base: 'div',
 
   minHeight: '100%',
-  padding: '40px 20px',
-  fontFamily: "-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif",
-  background: '#f3f4f6',
+  padding: theme.spacing.xl,
+  fontFamily: theme.fonts.mono,
+  background: theme.colors.bg,
+  color: theme.colors.fg,
 })
 
 export const Container = define('SpaContainer', {
@@ -24,21 +26,20 @@ export const Container = define('SpaContainer', {
 const Link = define('Link', {
   base: 'a',
 
-  color: '#3b82f6',
+  color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
   textDecoration: 'none',
-  fontWeight: 500,
+  fontSize: 14,
 
   states: {
     hover: {
-      textDecoration: 'underline'
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
     }
   },
 
   selectors: {
     '&[aria-current]': {
-      color: '#1e40af',
-      fontWeight: 600,
-      textDecoration: 'underline'
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
     }
   },
 
@@ -61,52 +62,51 @@ const Nav = define('Nav', {
   base: 'nav',
 
   display: 'flex',
-  gap: 20,
-  marginBottom: 40,
-  padding: 20,
-  background: 'white',
-  borderRadius: 8,
-  boxShadow: '0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)'
+  gap: theme.spacing.lg,
+  marginBottom: theme.spacing.xl,
+  padding: theme.spacing.lg,
+  background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+  borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
 })
 
 const P = define('P', {
-  color: '#6b7280',
-  fontSize: 18,
-  marginBottom: 48,
+  color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
+  fontSize: 16,
+  marginBottom: theme.spacing.xxl,
 })
 
 const ExamplesGrid = define('ExamplesGrid', {
   display: 'grid',
-  gap: 20,
+  gap: theme.spacing.lg,
   gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(auto-fill, minmax(300px, 1fr))'
 })
 
 const ExampleCard = define('ExampleCard', {
   base: 'a',
 
-  background: 'white',
-  padding: 24,
-  borderRadius: 12,
-  boxShadow: '0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)',
+  background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+  padding: theme.spacing.lg,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+  borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
   textDecoration: 'none',
-  transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
   display: 'block',
 
   states: {
     hover: {
-      transform: 'translateY(-2px)',
-      boxShadow: '0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15)'
+      borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
     }
   },
 
   parts: {
     H2: {
-      color: '#111827',
-      margin: '0 0 8px 0',
-      fontSize: 20,
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
+      margin: `0 0 ${theme.spacing.sm}px 0`,
+      fontSize: 18,
+      fontWeight: 400,
     },
     P: {
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       margin: 0,
       fontSize: 14,
     }
@@ -130,27 +130,27 @@ const ExampleCard = define('ExampleCard', {
 
 const HomePage = () => (
   <>
-    <P>Explore component examples built with Forge - Client-side SPA version</P>
+    <P>Client-side rendered examples. Click around, check the source.</P>
 
     <ExamplesGrid>
       <ExampleCard href="/spa/profile"
         title="Profile Card"
-        desc="User profile component with variants for size, theme, and verified status"
+        desc="Parts, variants, custom render. Size/theme switching."
       />
 
       <ExampleCard href="/spa/buttons"
         title="Buttons"
-        desc="Button component with intent, size, and disabled variants"
+        desc="Intent, size, disabled states. Basic variant patterns."
       />
 
       <ExampleCard href="/spa/navigation"
         title="Navigation"
-        desc="Navigation patterns including tabs, pills, vertical nav, and breadcrumbs"
+        desc="Tabs, pills, breadcrumbs, vertical nav. No router required."
       />
 
       <ExampleCard href="/spa/form"
         title="Forms"
-        desc="Form inputs with validation states, checkboxes, textareas, and buttons"
+        desc="Inputs, validation states, checkboxes, textareas."
       />
     </ExamplesGrid>
   </>
@@ -179,6 +179,20 @@ export function route(path: string) {
   }
 }
 
+const HomeLink = define('HomeLink', {
+  base: 'a',
+
+  color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
+  textDecoration: 'none',
+  fontSize: 14,
+
+  states: {
+    hover: {
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
+    }
+  }
+})
+
 export function App() {
   const path = window.location.pathname
 
@@ -186,7 +200,7 @@ export function App() {
     <Main>
       <Container>
         <Nav>
-          <a href="/" style="color: #3b82f6; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500;">Home</a>
+          <HomeLink href="/">Home</HomeLink>
           <Link href="/spa" aria-current={path === '/spa' || path === '/spa/' ? 'page' : undefined}>SPA Examples</Link>
           <Link href="/spa/profile" aria-current={path === '/spa/profile' ? 'page' : undefined}>Profile</Link>
           <Link href="/spa/buttons" aria-current={path === '/spa/buttons' ? 'page' : undefined}>Buttons</Link>
diff --git a/examples/ssr/helpers.tsx b/examples/ssr/helpers.tsx
index e69088c..e07cb10 100644
--- a/examples/ssr/helpers.tsx
+++ b/examples/ssr/helpers.tsx
@@ -1,12 +1,51 @@
 import { define, Styles } from '../../src'
 
+export const theme = {
+  colors: {
+    bg: '#0a0a0a',
+    bgElevated: '#111',
+    bgHover: '#1a1a1a',
+
+    fg: '#00ff00',
+    fgMuted: '#888',
+    fgDim: '#444',
+
+    border: '#222',
+    borderActive: '#00ff00',
+
+    accent: '#00ff00',
+    accentDim: '#008800',
+  },
+
+  fonts: {
+    mono: "'Monaco', 'Menlo', 'Consolas', monospace",
+    sans: "-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif",
+  },
+
+  spacing: {
+    xs: 8,
+    sm: 12,
+    md: 16,
+    lg: 24,
+    xl: 32,
+    xxl: 48,
+  },
+
+  radius: {
+    sm: 4,
+    md: 8,
+    lg: 12,
+  }
+}
+
 export const Body = define('Body', {
   base: 'body',
 
   margin: 0,
-  padding: '40px 20px',
-  fontFamily: "-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif",
-  background: '#f3f4f6',
+  padding: theme.spacing.xl,
+  fontFamily: theme.fonts.mono,
+  background: theme.colors.bg,
+  color: theme.colors.fg,
 })
 
 const Container = define('Container', {
@@ -17,20 +56,23 @@ const Container = define('Container', {
 export const Header = define('Header', {
   base: 'h1',
 
-  marginBottom: 40,
-  color: '#111827'
+  marginBottom: theme.spacing.xl,
+  color: theme.colors.fg,
+  fontSize: 28,
+  fontWeight: 400,
 })
 
 export const ExampleSection = define('ExampleSection', {
-  marginBottom: 40,
+  marginBottom: theme.spacing.xl,
 
   parts: {
     Header: {
       base: 'h2',
 
-      marginBottom: 16,
-      color: '#374151',
-      fontSize: 18
+      marginBottom: theme.spacing.md,
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
+      fontSize: 16,
+      fontWeight: 400,
     }
   },
   render({ props, parts: { Root, Header } }) {
@@ -47,32 +89,31 @@ const Nav = define('SSR_Nav', {
   base: 'nav',
 
   display: 'flex',
-  gap: 20,
-  marginBottom: 40,
-  padding: 20,
-  background: 'white',
-  borderRadius: 8,
-  boxShadow: '0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)'
+  gap: theme.spacing.lg,
+  marginBottom: theme.spacing.xl,
+  padding: theme.spacing.lg,
+  background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+  borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
 })
 
 const NavLink = define('SSR_NavLink', {
   base: 'a',
 
-  color: '#3b82f6',
+  color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
   textDecoration: 'none',
-  fontWeight: 500,
+  fontSize: 14,
 
   states: {
     hover: {
-      textDecoration: 'underline'
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
     }
   },
 
   selectors: {
     '&[aria-current]': {
-      color: '#1e40af',
-      fontWeight: 600,
-      textDecoration: 'underline'
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
+      textDecoration: 'underline',
     }
   }
 })
diff --git a/examples/ssr/landing.tsx b/examples/ssr/landing.tsx
index e10a343..817b63f 100644
--- a/examples/ssr/landing.tsx
+++ b/examples/ssr/landing.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import { createScope, Styles } from '../../src'
+import { theme } from './helpers'
 
 const { define } = createScope('Landing')
 
@@ -6,85 +7,60 @@ const Page = define('Page', {
   base: 'body',
 
   margin: 0,
-  padding: 0,
+  padding: theme.spacing.xl,
   minHeight: '100vh',
-  display: 'flex',
-  alignItems: 'center',
-  justifyContent: 'center',
-  fontFamily: "-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif",
-  background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%)',
+  fontFamily: theme.fonts.mono,
+  background: theme.colors.bg,
+  color: theme.colors.fg,
 })
 
 const Container = define('Container', {
-  textAlign: 'center',
-  color: 'white',
+  maxWidth: 800,
+  margin: '0 auto',
 })
 
-const Title = define('Title', {
-  base: 'h1',
+const Pre = define('Pre', {
+  base: 'pre',
 
-  fontSize: 48,
-  fontWeight: 700,
-  marginBottom: 50,
-  color: 'white',
+  fontSize: 14,
+  lineHeight: 1.4,
+  marginBottom: theme.spacing.xl,
+  color: theme.colors.fg,
+  whiteSpace: 'pre',
 })
 
-const Subtitle = define('Subtitle', {
+const P = define('P', {
   base: 'p',
 
-  fontSize: 20,
-  marginBottom: 48,
-  color: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)',
+  fontSize: 16,
+  lineHeight: 1.6,
+  marginBottom: theme.spacing.xl,
+  color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
 })
 
-const ButtonGroup = define('ButtonGroup', {
-  display: 'flex',
-  gap: 50,
-  justifyContent: 'center',
-  flexWrap: 'wrap',
+const LinkSection = define('LinkSection', {
+  marginTop: theme.spacing.xxl,
+  paddingTop: theme.spacing.xl,
+  borderTop: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
 })
 
-const ChoiceCard = define('ChoiceCard', {
+const Link = define('Link', {
   base: 'a',
 
-  display: 'block',
-  padding: 40,
-  background: 'white',
-  borderRadius: 16,
+  display: 'inline-block',
+  marginRight: theme.spacing.xl,
+  padding: `${theme.spacing.sm}px ${theme.spacing.lg}px`,
+  background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+  color: theme.colors.fg,
   textDecoration: 'none',
-  color: '#111827',
-  boxShadow: '0 10px 30px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)',
-  transition: 'all 0.3s ease',
-  minWidth: 250,
+  fontSize: 14,
 
   states: {
     ':hover': {
-      transform: 'translateY(-8px)',
-      boxShadow: '0 20px 40px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)',
+      background: theme.colors.bgHover,
+      borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
     }
-  },
-
-  parts: {
-    Icon: {
-      fontSize: 48,
-      marginBottom: 16,
-    },
-    Title: {
-      base: 'h2',
-      fontSize: 24,
-      fontWeight: 600,
-      marginBottom: 8,
-      color: '#111827',
-    }
-  },
-
-  render({ props, parts: { Root, Icon, Title, Description } }) {
-    return (
-      <Root href={props.href}>
-        <Icon>{props.icon}</Icon>
-        <Title>{props.title}</Title>
-      </Root>
-    )
   }
 })
 
@@ -93,26 +69,30 @@ export const LandingPage = () => (
     <head>
       <meta charset="UTF-8" />
       <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
-      <title>Forge - Choose Your Rendering Mode</title>
+      <title>forge</title>
       <Styles />
     </head>
     <Page>
       <Container>
-        <Title>Welcome to Forge</Title>
+        <Pre>{`╔═╝╔═║╔═║╔═╝╔═╝
+╔═╝║ ║╔╔╝║ ║╔═╝
+╝  ══╝╝ ╝══╝══╝`}</Pre>
 
-        <ButtonGroup>
-          <ChoiceCard
-            href="/ssr"
-            icon="🖥️"
-            title="SSR Examples"
-          />
+        <P>
+          Typed, local, variant-driven CSS. No globals, no selector hell, no inline styles.
+          Built for TSX. Compiles to real CSS.
+        </P>
 
-          <ChoiceCard
-            href="/spa"
-            icon="⚡"
-            title="SPA Examples"
-          />
-        </ButtonGroup>
+        <P>
+          CSS is hostile to humans at scale. Forge fixes that by making styles local,
+          typed, and composable. Parts replace selectors. Variants replace inline styles.
+          Everything deterministic.
+        </P>
+
+        <LinkSection>
+          <Link href="/ssr">SSR demos →</Link>
+          <Link href="/spa">SPA demos →</Link>
+        </LinkSection>
       </Container>
     </Page>
   </html>
diff --git a/examples/ssr/pages.tsx b/examples/ssr/pages.tsx
index bf3b175..cba68dd 100644
--- a/examples/ssr/pages.tsx
+++ b/examples/ssr/pages.tsx
@@ -1,48 +1,47 @@
 import { define } from '../../src'
-import { Layout } from './helpers'
+import { Layout, theme } from './helpers'
 import { ButtonExamplesContent } from '../button'
 import { ProfileExamplesContent } from '../profile'
 import { NavigationExamplesContent } from '../navigation'
 import { FormExamplesContent } from '../form'
 
 const P = define('SSR_P', {
-  color: '#6b7280',
-  fontSize: 18,
-  marginBottom: 48,
+  color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
+  fontSize: 16,
+  marginBottom: theme.spacing.xxl,
 })
 
 const ExamplesGrid = define('SSR_ExamplesGrid', {
   display: 'grid',
-  gap: 20,
+  gap: theme.spacing.lg,
   gridTemplateColumns: 'repeat(auto-fill, minmax(300px, 1fr))'
 })
 
 const ExampleCard = define('SSR_ExampleCard', {
   base: 'a',
 
-  background: 'white',
-  padding: 24,
-  borderRadius: 12,
-  boxShadow: '0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)',
+  background: theme.colors.bgElevated,
+  padding: theme.spacing.lg,
+  border: `1px solid ${theme.colors.border}`,
+  borderRadius: theme.radius.sm,
   textDecoration: 'none',
-  transition: 'all 0.2s ease',
   display: 'block',
 
   states: {
     hover: {
-      transform: 'translateY(-2px)',
-      boxShadow: '0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.15)'
+      borderColor: theme.colors.borderActive,
     }
   },
 
   parts: {
     H2: {
-      color: '#111827',
-      margin: '0 0 8px 0',
-      fontSize: 20,
+      color: theme.colors.fg,
+      margin: `0 0 ${theme.spacing.sm}px 0`,
+      fontSize: 18,
+      fontWeight: 400,
     },
     P: {
-      color: '#6b7280',
+      color: theme.colors.fgMuted,
       margin: 0,
       fontSize: 14,
     }
@@ -60,27 +59,27 @@ const ExampleCard = define('SSR_ExampleCard', {
 
 export const IndexPage = ({ path }: any) => (
   <Layout title="Forge Examples" path={path}>
-    <P>Explore component examples built with Forge</P>
+    <P>Server-rendered demos. View source to see the static CSS.</P>
 
     <ExamplesGrid>
       <ExampleCard href="/ssr/profile"
         title="Profile Card"
-        desc="User profile component with variants for size, theme, and verified status"
+        desc="Parts, variants, custom render. Size/theme switching."
       />
 
       <ExampleCard href="/ssr/buttons"
         title="Buttons"
-        desc="Button component with intent, size, and disabled variants"
+        desc="Intent, size, disabled states. Basic variant patterns."
       />
 
       <ExampleCard href="/ssr/navigation"
         title="Navigation"
-        desc="Navigation patterns including tabs, pills, vertical nav, and breadcrumbs"
+        desc="Tabs, pills, breadcrumbs, vertical nav. No router required."
       />
 
       <ExampleCard href="/ssr/form"
         title="Forms"
-        desc="Form inputs with validation states, checkboxes, textareas, and buttons"
+        desc="Inputs, validation states, checkboxes, textareas."
       />
     </ExamplesGrid>
   </Layout>