A good color system isn't just a palette — it's a decision framework. It answers questions before they're asked: what does 'primary' mean in dark mode? How do you ensure accessible contrast without manual checking? What happens when a new brand color is introduced?

Start with Perceptual Uniformity

HSL is intuitive but perceptually uneven — a 50% lightness blue looks darker than a 50% lightness yellow. OKLCH fixes this: equal numeric steps produce equal perceived brightness changes. Build your lightness ramps in OKLCH and your system will feel consistent even if you never think about it again.