Using DfE Frontend to extend GOV Frontend

You cannot use DfE Frontend on it's own, it is not a replacement for GOV.UK Frontend.

Follow the getting started guidance for installing DfE Frontend

Once installed, you can then make use of styles, components, and patterns in the design system.

When to use DfE Frontend

Use DfE Frontend when your product or service is:

  • for internal staff
  • provided on the education.gov.uk domain
  • provided on service.gov.uk and you want to use components not in the GOV.UK Design System.

Why you would use DfE Frontend

There are instances where a component or pattern doesn't exist in the GOV.UK Design System, or, there is a specific use-case scenario which means something specific to DfE is needed.

This is where DfE Frontend comes in. You can use components and patterns from DfE Frontend in your products and services to meet these needs consistently.

If you build something custom, you should contribute it back into the design system for others to use. You can do this by making it available in DfE Frontend.

Working in the open, contributing to common patterns and components, is a requirement of point 13 of the Government Service Standard.

Contributions

DfE Frontend is managed by the DesignOps team and accepts contributions from the design community.

If you are building services and you create custom components or patterns which are not in the GOV.UK Design System, you must contribute these to the DfE Design System.

You should also contribute back to the GOV.UK Design System backlog.

You can submit contributions in the following ways: