Package com.smartgwt.client.util

# Class Colors

java.lang.Object
com.smartgwt.client.util.Colors

public class Colors extends Object
Utility class for color format conversion, validation, and manipulation. Accepts any valid CSS color specification (hex, rgb/rgba, hsl/hsla, oklch, named colors, "transparent") and converts between formats. See the `Color Overview` for a detailed guide to color spaces, formats, manipulation, CSS color relationships, and palettes.

The core entry points are `getColor()` to parse any color into a `Color` object (with RGB, HSL, and oklch properties pre-computed), `getString()` to convert back to a CSS string, and `getValues()` for raw numeric components in a single color space. `adjust()` is the general-purpose manipulation method - all convenience methods like `lighten()`, `saturate()`, etc. delegate to it.

See the `Color Overview` for a full guide organized by topic: `conversion`, `inspection`, `manipulation` (including `alpha compositing`), `palettes` and `harmony`, `theme generation`, and `CSS color relationships`.

- ## Constructor Summary

  Constructors
  Constructor
  Description
  `Colors()`

- ## Method Summary

  Modifier and Type
  Method
  Description
  `static String`
  `adjust(String color, Map deltas)`
  The general-purpose method for deriving a related color from a base color.
  `static String`
  `adjust(String color, Map deltas, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  The general-purpose method for deriving a related color from a base color.
  `static String[]`
  `analogous(Color color)`
  Returns a set of analogous colors - hues near the original, evenly spaced within a segment of the color wheel.
  `static String[]`
  `analogous(Color color, int results)`
  See `analogous()`
  `static String[]`
  `analogous(Color color, int results, int slices)`
  See `analogous()`
  `static String[]`
  `analogous(Color color, int results, int slices, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns a set of analogous colors - hues near the original, evenly spaced within a segment of the color wheel.
  `static String[]`
  `analogous(String color)`
  Returns a set of analogous colors - hues near the original, evenly spaced within a segment of the color wheel.
  `static String[]`
  `analogous(String color, int results)`
  See `analogous()`
  `static String[]`
  `analogous(String color, int results, int slices)`
  See `analogous()`
  `static String[]`
  `analogous(String color, int results, int slices, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns a set of analogous colors - hues near the original, evenly spaced within a segment of the color wheel.
  `static Color`
  `autoContrast(Color background)`
  Returns a text color that meets a target contrast ratio against the given background.
  `static Color`
  `autoContrast(Color background, Map options)`
  Returns a text color that meets a target contrast ratio against the given background.
  `static Color`
  `autoContrast(String background)`
  Returns a text color that meets a target contrast ratio against the given background.
  `static Color`
  `autoContrast(String background, Map options)`
  Returns a text color that meets a target contrast ratio against the given background.
  `static String`
  `brighten(String color, double amount)`
  Returns a brighter, more vivid version of the given color by boosting both chroma (color intensity) and lightness together.
  `static String`
  `brighten(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns a brighter, more vivid version of the given color by boosting both chroma (color intensity) and lightness together.
  `static String[]`
  `colorScale(Color color1, Color color2, int steps)`
  Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two `Color` endpoints, interpolated in the oklch color space for perceptual uniformity.
  `static String[]`
  `colorScale(Color color1, Color color2, int steps, ColorFormat format)`
  Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two `Color` endpoints, interpolated in the oklch color space for perceptual uniformity.
  `static String[]`
  `colorScale(Color color1, Color color2, int steps, ColorFormat format, ColorFormat space)`
  Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two `Color` endpoints, interpolated in the specified color space.
  `static String[]`
  `colorScale(String color1, String color2, int steps)`
  Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two endpoints, interpolated in oklch by default.
  `static String[]`
  `colorScale(String color1, String color2, int steps, ColorFormat format)`
  Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two endpoints, interpolated in the oklch color space for perceptual uniformity.
  `static String[]`
  `colorScale(String color1, String color2, int steps, ColorFormat format, ColorFormat space)`
  Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two endpoints, interpolated in the specified color space.
  `static String`
  `complement(Color color)`
  Returns the complementary color - the hue on the opposite side of the color wheel (rotated by 180 degrees).
  `static String`
  `complement(Color color, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns the complementary color - the hue on the opposite side of the color wheel (rotated by 180 degrees).
  `static String`
  `complement(String color)`
  Returns the complementary color - the hue on the opposite side of the color wheel (rotated by 180 degrees).
  `static String`
  `complement(String color, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns the complementary color - the hue on the opposite side of the color wheel (rotated by 180 degrees).
  `static Double`
  `contrast(Color color1, Color color2)`
  Returns the approximate perceptual contrast ratio between two `Color` objects, based on oklch lightness.
  `static Double`
  `contrast(String color1, String color2)`
  Returns the approximate perceptual contrast ratio between two colors, based on oklch lightness.
  `static String`
  `darken(String color, double amount)`
  Returns a darker version of the given color.
  `static String`
  `darken(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns a darker version of the given color.
  `static String`
  `desaturate(String color, double amount)`
  Returns a more muted version of the given color by reducing its chroma (color intensity).
  `static String`
  `desaturate(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns a more muted version of the given color by reducing its chroma (color intensity).
  `static Map`
  `describeRelationship(String baseColor, String derivedColor)`
  Computes the perceptual relationship between two colors in oklch space and returns a structured description.
  `static String`
  `dim(String color, double amount)`
  Returns a dimmer, less vivid version of the given color — the inverse of `brighten()`.
  `static String`
  `dim(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns a dimmer, less vivid version of the given color — the inverse of `brighten()`.
  `static Double`
  `distance(Color color1, Color color2)`
  Returns a number indicating how different two `Color` objects look to the human eye.
  `static Double`
  `distance(String color1, String color2)`
  Returns a number indicating how different two colors look to the human eye.
  `static Boolean`
  `equals(Color color1, Color color2)`
  Returns true if two `Color` objects represent the same color (same R, G, B, and alpha).
  `static Boolean`
  `equals(String color1, String color2)`
  Returns true if two color values represent the same color (same R, G, B, and alpha), regardless of input format.
  `static String`
  `flatten(Color color)`
  Returns an opaque color visually equivalent to the given semi-transparent `Color` composited over a background (default white).
  `static String`
  `flatten(Color color, Color background)`
  Flattens a semi-transparent `Color` against a background.
  `static String`
  `flatten(Color color, Color background, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Flattens a semi-transparent `Color` against a background, returning the result in the specified format.
  `static String`
  `flatten(String color)`
  Returns an opaque color visually equivalent to the given semi-transparent color composited over a background (default white).
  `static String`
  `flatten(String color, String background)`
  Flattens a semi-transparent color against a background.
  `static String`
  `flatten(String color, String background, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Flattens a semi-transparent color against a background, returning the result in the specified format.
  `static String`
  `generateCSS(String origin, Map relationship)`
  Converts an oklch relationship descriptor (as returned by `describeRelationship()` or `parseRelationship()`) into a CSS Relative Color Syntax expression.
  `static Double`
  `getAlpha(Color color)`
  Returns the alpha (opacity) component of the given color as a float from 0.0 (fully transparent) to 1.0 (fully opaque).
  `static Double`
  `getAlpha(String color)`
  Returns the alpha (opacity) component of the given color as a float from 0.0 (fully transparent) to 1.0 (fully opaque).
  `static Color`
  `getColor(Color color)`
  Parses any valid CSS color into a structured `Color` object with RGB, HSL, and oklch properties pre-computed, plus convenience methods for manipulation.
  `static Color`
  `getColor(String color)`
  Parses any valid CSS color into a structured `Color` object with RGB, HSL, and oklch properties pre-computed, plus convenience methods for manipulation.
  `static Color`
  `getColor(Map color)`
  Parses any valid CSS color into a structured `Color` object with RGB, HSL, and oklch properties pre-computed, plus convenience methods for manipulation.
  `static ColorFormat`
  `getFormat(String color)`
  Returns the `ColorFormat` of the given color string, or null if the value is not a valid color.
  `static String`
  `getString(String color, ColorFormat format)`
  Converts any valid CSS color to a string in the specified format.
  `static Map`
  `getValues(String color, ColorFormat format)`
  Returns a plain object with color component values in the requested format.
  `static boolean`
  `isColor(Color color)`
  Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification.
  `static boolean`
  `isColor(Color color, ColorFormat format)`
  Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification.
  `static boolean`
  `isColor(String color)`
  Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification.
  `static boolean`
  `isColor(String color, ColorFormat format)`
  Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification.
  `static boolean`
  `isColor(Map color)`
  Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification.
  `static boolean`
  `isColor(Map color, ColorFormat format)`
  Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification.
  `static Boolean`
  `isDark(Color color)`
  Returns true if the given color is perceptually dark (i.e.
  `static Boolean`
  `isDark(String color)`
  Returns true if the given color is perceptually dark (i.e.
  `static String`
  `lighten(String color, double amount)`
  Returns a lighter version of the given color.
  `static String`
  `lighten(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns a lighter version of the given color.
  `static String`
  `mix(Color color1, Color color2)`
  Blends two `Color` objects in the oklch color space.
  `static String`
  `mix(Color color1, Color color2, Double ratio)`
  Blends two `Color` objects in the oklch color space at the given ratio.
  `static String`
  `mix(Color color1, Color color2, Double ratio, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Blends two `Color` objects in the oklch color space at the given ratio, returning the result in the specified format.
  `static String`
  `mix(String color1, String color2)`
  Blends two colors in the oklch color space, producing a single result.
  `static String`
  `mix(String color1, String color2, Double ratio)`
  Blends two colors in the oklch color space at the given ratio.
  `static String`
  `mix(String color1, String color2, Double ratio, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Blends two colors in the oklch color space at the given ratio, returning the result in the specified format.
  `static String`
  `mostReadable(String background, String[] candidates)`
  Returns the color from `candidates` that has the highest contrast against `background`.
  `static Color[]`
  `palette(Color color)`
  Generates a tonal ramp - an ordered series of colors at different lightness levels sharing the same hue.
  `static Color[]`
  `palette(Color color, int steps)`
  See `palette()`
  `static Color[]`
  `palette(Color color, int steps, Map options)`
  Generates a tonal ramp - an ordered series of colors at different lightness levels sharing the same hue.
  `static Color[]`
  `palette(String color)`
  Generates a tonal ramp - an ordered series of colors at different lightness levels sharing the same hue.
  `static Color[]`
  `palette(String color, int steps)`
  See `palette()`
  `static Color[]`
  `palette(String color, int steps, Map options)`
  Generates a tonal ramp - an ordered series of colors at different lightness levels sharing the same hue.
  `static Map`
  `parseRelationship(String rcsExpr)`
  Extracts structural information from a CSS Relative Color Syntax (RCS) expression - the origin reference, color space, and per-channel modifications - without evaluating it.
  `static Color`
  `resolveCSS(String expr)`
  Resolves any CSS color expression to a flat `Color` by evaluating it through the browser's CSS engine.
  `static Color`
  `resolveCSS(String expr, Element element)`
  Resolves any CSS color expression to a flat `Color` by evaluating it through the browser's CSS engine.
  `static String`
  `saturate(String color, double amount)`
  Returns a more vivid version of the given color by increasing its chroma (color intensity).
  `static String`
  `saturate(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns a more vivid version of the given color by increasing its chroma (color intensity).
  `static Map`
  `scheme(Color color)`
  Generates a set of harmonious seed colors from a single primary.
  `static Map`
  `scheme(Color color, String type)`
  Generates a set of harmonious seed colors from a single primary.
  `static Map`
  `scheme(String color)`
  Generates a set of harmonious seed colors from a single primary.
  `static Map`
  `scheme(String color, String type)`
  Generates a set of harmonious seed colors from a single primary.
  `static String`
  `setAlpha(String color, double alpha)`
  Returns a new color string with the alpha (opacity) component replaced.
  `static String`
  `setAlpha(String color, double alpha, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns a new color string with the alpha (opacity) component replaced.
  `static String`
  `spin(String color, double degrees)`
  Rotates the hue of a color by the given number of degrees (in oklch space).
  `static String`
  `spin(String color, double degrees, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Rotates the hue of a color by the given number of degrees (in oklch space).
  `static String[]`
  `splitComplement(Color color)`
  Returns three colors: the original plus two split-complement accents (hue +150 and +210 degrees - flanking the complement rather than hitting it directly).
  `static String[]`
  `splitComplement(Color color, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns three colors: the original plus two split-complement accents (hue +150 and +210 degrees - flanking the complement rather than hitting it directly).
  `static String[]`
  `splitComplement(String color)`
  Returns three colors: the original plus two split-complement accents (hue +150 and +210 degrees - flanking the complement rather than hitting it directly).
  `static String[]`
  `splitComplement(String color, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns three colors: the original plus two split-complement accents (hue +150 and +210 degrees - flanking the complement rather than hitting it directly).
  `static String[]`
  `tetrad(Color color)`
  Returns four colors with hues spaced 90 degrees apart (square scheme).
  `static String[]`
  `tetrad(Color color, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns four colors with hues spaced 90 degrees apart (square scheme).
  `static String[]`
  `tetrad(String color)`
  Returns four colors with hues spaced 90 degrees apart (square scheme).
  `static String[]`
  `tetrad(String color, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns four colors with hues spaced 90 degrees apart (square scheme).
  `static String[]`
  `triad(Color color)`
  Returns the three triadic colors (hues spaced 120 degrees apart).
  `static String[]`
  `triad(Color color, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns the three triadic colors (hues spaced 120 degrees apart).
  `static String[]`
  `triad(String color)`
  Returns the three triadic colors (hues spaced 120 degrees apart).
  `static String[]`
  `triad(String color, ColorFormat outputFormat)`
  Returns the three triadic colors (hues spaced 120 degrees apart).

  ### Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

  `clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

- ## Constructor Details

  - ### Colors

    public Colors()

- ## Method Details

  - ### adjust

    public static String adjust(String color, Map deltas)
    The general-purpose method for deriving a related color from a base color. Accepts any combination of adjustment keys in the `deltas` object and returns the result as a CSS color string. Single-axis convenience wrappers - `lighten()`, `darken()`, `saturate()`, `desaturate()`, and `complement()` - all delegate to this method.

    Friendly percentage keys (recommended for most uses):

    - lightness (-100 to 100): positive values lighten (toward white), negative darken (toward black). See `lighten()`/`darken`.
    - saturation (-100 to 100): positive values intensify color, negative desaturate toward gray. See `saturate()`/`desaturate`.
    - hue (degrees): signed rotation around the color wheel. See `complement()` for the hue wheel reference.
    - alpha: signed delta to opacity (0 = transparent, 1 = opaque).

    RGB delta keys (for direct channel control):

    - red: signed delta to the red channel (0-255).
    - green: signed delta to the green channel (0-255).
    - blue: signed delta to the blue channel (0-255).
    RGB deltas are applied first (in RGB space, clamped to 0-255), before any oklch adjustments. This allows combining RGB shifts with perceptual adjustments in a single call, e.g. `{red: 20, lightness: 10}`.

    Raw oklch keys (for fine-grained control - see the oklch color space):

    - L: signed delta to lightness (0-1). +0.1 is noticeably lighter.
    - C: signed delta to chroma (0 = gray, max ~0.4). -0.05 desaturates subtly.
    - h and alpha work the same as the friendly keys above.
    All key groups may be mixed freely; RGB deltas are applied first, then friendly percentage keys, then raw oklch keys. The output format defaults to the input format, so `rgb(...)` input returns `rgb(...)` output, etc.

    Examples:

    Parameters:
      `color` - base color - any valid CSS color string or structured object from `getColor()`
      `deltas` - adjustment keys - any combination of RGB keys (`red`, `green`, `blue`), friendly keys (`lightness`, `saturation`, `hue`, `alpha`), and/or raw oklch keys (`L`, `C`, `h`). See the key lists above.
    Returns:
      CSS color string in the requested format, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `lighten(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `darken(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `saturate(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `desaturate(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `complement(java.lang.String)`

  - ### adjust

    public static String adjust(String color, Map deltas, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    The general-purpose method for deriving a related color from a base color. Accepts any combination of adjustment keys in the `deltas` object and returns the result as a CSS color string. Single-axis convenience wrappers - `lighten()`, `darken()`, `saturate()`, `desaturate()`, and `complement()` - all delegate to this method.

    Friendly percentage keys (recommended for most uses):

    - lightness (-100 to 100): positive values lighten (toward white), negative darken (toward black). See `lighten()`/`darken`.
    - saturation (-100 to 100): positive values intensify color, negative desaturate toward gray. See `saturate()`/`desaturate`.
    - hue (degrees): signed rotation around the color wheel. See `complement()` for the hue wheel reference.
    - alpha: signed delta to opacity (0 = transparent, 1 = opaque).

    RGB delta keys (for direct channel control):

    - red: signed delta to the red channel (0-255).
    - green: signed delta to the green channel (0-255).
    - blue: signed delta to the blue channel (0-255).
    RGB deltas are applied first (in RGB space, clamped to 0-255), before any oklch adjustments. This allows combining RGB shifts with perceptual adjustments in a single call, e.g. `{red: 20, lightness: 10}`.

    Raw oklch keys (for fine-grained control - see the oklch color space):

    - L: signed delta to lightness (0-1). +0.1 is noticeably lighter.
    - C: signed delta to chroma (0 = gray, max ~0.4). -0.05 desaturates subtly.
    - h and alpha work the same as the friendly keys above.
    All key groups may be mixed freely; RGB deltas are applied first, then friendly percentage keys, then raw oklch keys. The output format defaults to the input format, so `rgb(...)` input returns `rgb(...)` output, etc.

    Examples:

    Parameters:
      `color` - base color - any valid CSS color string or structured object from `getColor()`
      `deltas` - adjustment keys - any combination of RGB keys (`red`, `green`, `blue`), friendly keys (`lightness`, `saturation`, `hue`, `alpha`), and/or raw oklch keys (`L`, `C`, `h`). See the key lists above.
      `outputFormat` - format for the returned string; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string in the requested format, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `lighten(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `darken(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `saturate(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `desaturate(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `complement(java.lang.String)`

  - ### analogous

    public static String[] analogous(String color)
    Returns a set of analogous colors - hues near the original, evenly spaced within a segment of the color wheel. Defaults to 6 results spanning 30 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
    Returns:
      CSS color strings

  - ### analogous

    public static String[] analogous(Color color)
    Returns a set of analogous colors - hues near the original, evenly spaced within a segment of the color wheel. Defaults to 6 results spanning 30 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
    Returns:
      CSS color strings

  - ### analogous

    public static String[] analogous(String color, int results)
    See `analogous()`

  - ### analogous

    public static String[] analogous(Color color, int results)
    See `analogous()`

  - ### analogous

    public static String[] analogous(String color, int results, int slices)
    See `analogous()`

  - ### analogous

    public static String[] analogous(Color color, int results, int slices)
    See `analogous()`

  - ### analogous

    public static String[] analogous(String color, int results, int slices, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns a set of analogous colors - hues near the original, evenly spaced within a segment of the color wheel. Defaults to 6 results spanning 30 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
      `results` - number of colors to return (default 6)
      `slices` - how many slices to divide the wheel into (default 30, meaning each step is 12 degrees)
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to input format
    Returns:
      CSS color strings

  - ### analogous

    public static String[] analogous(Color color, int results, int slices, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns a set of analogous colors - hues near the original, evenly spaced within a segment of the color wheel. Defaults to 6 results spanning 30 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
      `results` - number of colors to return (default 6)
      `slices` - how many slices to divide the wheel into (default 30, meaning each step is 12 degrees)
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to input format
    Returns:
      CSS color strings

  - ### autoContrast

    public static Color autoContrast(String background)
    Returns a text color that meets a target contrast ratio against the given background. Useful for ensuring readability - given any background color, this method finds a foreground color that passes WCAG accessibility guidelines.

    By default, tries white first (preferred for dark backgrounds) and falls back to black. When `tint` is true, the result is lightly tinted toward the background's hue for a more polished look, while still meeting the contrast target.

    Parameters:
      `background` - the background color to find a readable text color for
    Returns:
      a Color meeting the contrast target, or the best available if the target cannot be met
    See Also:
      - `contrast(java.lang.String, java.lang.String)`
      - `mostReadable(java.lang.String, java.lang.String[])`

  - ### autoContrast

    public static Color autoContrast(Color background)
    Returns a text color that meets a target contrast ratio against the given background. Useful for ensuring readability - given any background color, this method finds a foreground color that passes WCAG accessibility guidelines.

    By default, tries white first (preferred for dark backgrounds) and falls back to black. When `tint` is true, the result is lightly tinted toward the background's hue for a more polished look, while still meeting the contrast target.

    Parameters:
      `background` - the background color to find a readable text color for
    Returns:
      a Color meeting the contrast target, or the best available if the target cannot be met
    See Also:
      - `contrast(java.lang.String, java.lang.String)`
      - `mostReadable(java.lang.String, java.lang.String[])`

  - ### autoContrast

    public static Color autoContrast(String background, Map options)
    Returns a text color that meets a target contrast ratio against the given background. Useful for ensuring readability - given any background color, this method finds a foreground color that passes WCAG accessibility guidelines.

    By default, tries white first (preferred for dark backgrounds) and falls back to black. When `tint` is true, the result is lightly tinted toward the background's hue for a more polished look, while still meeting the contrast target.

    Parameters:
      `background` - the background color to find a readable text color for
      `options` - optional settings:
      - `target` - minimum contrast ratio (default 4.5 for WCAG AA; use 7.0 for WCAG AAA)
      - `prefer` - `"white"` (default) or `"black"`; which extreme to try first
      - `tint` - if true, lightly tint the result toward the background's hue (default false)
    Returns:
      a Color meeting the contrast target, or the best available if the target cannot be met
    See Also:
      - `contrast(java.lang.String, java.lang.String)`
      - `mostReadable(java.lang.String, java.lang.String[])`

  - ### autoContrast

    public static Color autoContrast(Color background, Map options)
    Returns a text color that meets a target contrast ratio against the given background. Useful for ensuring readability - given any background color, this method finds a foreground color that passes WCAG accessibility guidelines.

    By default, tries white first (preferred for dark backgrounds) and falls back to black. When `tint` is true, the result is lightly tinted toward the background's hue for a more polished look, while still meeting the contrast target.

    Parameters:
      `background` - the background color to find a readable text color for
      `options` - optional settings:
      - `target` - minimum contrast ratio (default 4.5 for WCAG AA; use 7.0 for WCAG AAA)
      - `prefer` - `"white"` (default) or `"black"`; which extreme to try first
      - `tint` - if true, lightly tint the result toward the background's hue (default false)
    Returns:
      a Color meeting the contrast target, or the best available if the target cannot be met
    See Also:
      - `contrast(java.lang.String, java.lang.String)`
      - `mostReadable(java.lang.String, java.lang.String[])`

  - ### brighten

    public static String brighten(String color, double amount)
    Returns a brighter, more vivid version of the given color by boosting both chroma (color intensity) and lightness together. This produces an "intensified" highlight rather than a washed-out tint (as `lighten()` alone would) or a hue shift without luminance change (as `saturate()` alone would).

    A typical use is a rollover highlight: the highlighted color should read as a more vivid version of the base rather than a washed-out lighter tint - for example, a red should deepen into a warmer, more saturated red instead of fading toward pink.

    The `amount` controls both axes: lightness receives the full amount while chroma receives half, keeping the color recognizable at typical hover percentages (25–40). For independent control use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to brighten, 0-100
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `dim(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### brighten

    public static String brighten(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns a brighter, more vivid version of the given color by boosting both chroma (color intensity) and lightness together. This produces an "intensified" highlight rather than a washed-out tint (as `lighten()` alone would) or a hue shift without luminance change (as `saturate()` alone would).

    A typical use is a rollover highlight: the highlighted color should read as a more vivid version of the base rather than a washed-out lighter tint - for example, a red should deepen into a warmer, more saturated red instead of fading toward pink.

    The `amount` controls both axes: lightness receives the full amount while chroma receives half, keeping the color recognizable at typical hover percentages (25–40). For independent control use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to brighten, 0-100
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `dim(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### complement

    public static String complement(String color)
    Returns the complementary color - the hue on the opposite side of the color wheel (rotated by 180 degrees). Equivalent to `adjust(color, {h: 180})`.

    Complementary pairs produce maximum hue contrast and are commonly used for accents, call-to-action elements, or alert states against a primary brand color. The oklch hue wheel: red ~30, yellow ~90, green ~145, cyan ~195, blue ~265, purple ~310. Other useful rotations via `adjust()`: +120/-120 for triadic accents, +90/-90 for square-scheme accents.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### complement

    public static String complement(Color color)
    Returns the complementary color - the hue on the opposite side of the color wheel (rotated by 180 degrees). Equivalent to `adjust(color, {h: 180})`.

    Complementary pairs produce maximum hue contrast and are commonly used for accents, call-to-action elements, or alert states against a primary brand color. The oklch hue wheel: red ~30, yellow ~90, green ~145, cyan ~195, blue ~265, purple ~310. Other useful rotations via `adjust()`: +120/-120 for triadic accents, +90/-90 for square-scheme accents.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### complement

    public static String complement(String color, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns the complementary color - the hue on the opposite side of the color wheel (rotated by 180 degrees). Equivalent to `adjust(color, {h: 180})`.

    Complementary pairs produce maximum hue contrast and are commonly used for accents, call-to-action elements, or alert states against a primary brand color. The oklch hue wheel: red ~30, yellow ~90, green ~145, cyan ~195, blue ~265, purple ~310. Other useful rotations via `adjust()`: +120/-120 for triadic accents, +90/-90 for square-scheme accents.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### complement

    public static String complement(Color color, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns the complementary color - the hue on the opposite side of the color wheel (rotated by 180 degrees). Equivalent to `adjust(color, {h: 180})`.

    Complementary pairs produce maximum hue contrast and are commonly used for accents, call-to-action elements, or alert states against a primary brand color. The oklch hue wheel: red ~30, yellow ~90, green ~145, cyan ~195, blue ~265, purple ~310. Other useful rotations via `adjust()`: +120/-120 for triadic accents, +90/-90 for square-scheme accents.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### darken

    public static String darken(String color, double amount)
    Returns a darker version of the given color. Equivalent to `adjust(color, {lightness: -amount})`.

    The `amount` is a percentage (0-100) indicating how far to move toward black: 0 returns the original color, 100 returns black. Intermediate values move proportionally - `darken(color, 20)` always looks like "20% darker" regardless of the starting lightness.

    For multi-axis adjustments, use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to darken, 0-100
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `lighten(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### darken

    public static String darken(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns a darker version of the given color. Equivalent to `adjust(color, {lightness: -amount})`.

    The `amount` is a percentage (0-100) indicating how far to move toward black: 0 returns the original color, 100 returns black. Intermediate values move proportionally - `darken(color, 20)` always looks like "20% darker" regardless of the starting lightness.

    For multi-axis adjustments, use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to darken, 0-100
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `lighten(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### desaturate

    public static String desaturate(String color, double amount)
    Returns a more muted version of the given color by reducing its chroma (color intensity). Equivalent to `adjust(color, {saturation: -amount})`.

    The `amount` is a percentage (0-100) of chroma to remove: 0 returns the original color, 100 returns a pure gray at the same lightness.

    For multi-axis adjustments, use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to desaturate, 0-100
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `saturate(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### desaturate

    public static String desaturate(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns a more muted version of the given color by reducing its chroma (color intensity). Equivalent to `adjust(color, {saturation: -amount})`.

    The `amount` is a percentage (0-100) of chroma to remove: 0 returns the original color, 100 returns a pure gray at the same lightness.

    For multi-axis adjustments, use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to desaturate, 0-100
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `saturate(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### describeRelationship

    public static Map describeRelationship(String baseColor, String derivedColor)
    Computes the perceptual relationship between two colors in oklch space and returns a structured description. This is the analytical inverse of color manipulation: given a base and a derived color, it tells you what oklch adjustments were applied.

    For example, a skin has an accent color `#3B82F6` and a hand-picked hover color `#6BA3F8`. To find out what the relationship actually is (so it can be expressed as a formula rather than a second hard-coded hex value):

    The returned object contains:

    - type - a simplified classification: `"lighten"`, `"darken"`, `"saturate"`, `"desaturate"`, `"spin"`, `"adjust"` (multiple significant changes), or `"identical"`
    - L - oklch lightness delta (positive = lighter, 0-1 scale)
    - C - oklch chroma delta (positive = more saturated)
    - h - oklch hue delta in degrees (shortest-arc rotation, -180 to +180)

    The type classification uses perceptual thresholds: L changes > 0.01, C changes > 0.005, and hue changes > 2 degrees are considered significant. When exactly one dimension changes significantly, the type reflects that dimension. When multiple dimensions change, the type is `"adjust"`.

    Parameters:
      `baseColor` - the origin/base color
      `derivedColor` - the derived/transformed color
    Returns:
      relationship descriptor with type, L, C, h properties
    See Also:
      - `generateCSS(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`
      - `parseRelationship(java.lang.String)`

  - ### dim

    public static String dim(String color, double amount)
    Returns a dimmer, less vivid version of the given color — the inverse of `brighten()`. Reduces both chroma and lightness together, producing a muted, subdued appearance.
    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to dim, 0-100
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `brighten(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### dim

    public static String dim(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns a dimmer, less vivid version of the given color — the inverse of `brighten()`. Reduces both chroma and lightness together, producing a muted, subdued appearance.
    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to dim, 0-100
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `brighten(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### generateCSS

    public static String generateCSS(String origin, Map relationship)
    Converts an oklch relationship descriptor (as returned by `describeRelationship()` or `parseRelationship()`) into a CSS Relative Color Syntax expression. The generated expression uses oklch as the color space, ensuring perceptually uniform transforms.

    For example, to define a hover color that is always 10% lighter than the theme's accent, regardless of what the accent color actually is:

    The `origin` parameter is the CSS expression to use as the RCS origin - typically a `var()` reference like `"var(--isc-accent)"`, but can also be a literal color like `"#3B82F6"`.

    Parameters:
      `origin` - the CSS origin expression for the RCS - typically a `var()` reference or a literal color
      `relationship` - an object with oklch deltas: `L` (lightness), `C` (chroma), and/or `h` (hue). Properties that are zero, null, or omitted produce identity channel passes. Accepts the output of both `describeRelationship()` and `parseRelationship()`
    Returns:
      a CSS oklch RCS expression
    See Also:
      - `describeRelationship(java.lang.String, java.lang.String)`
      - `parseRelationship(java.lang.String)`
      - `resolveCSS(java.lang.String)`

  - ### getAlpha

    public static Double getAlpha(String color)
    Returns the alpha (opacity) component of the given color as a float from 0.0 (fully transparent) to 1.0 (fully opaque). Returns null if the color is not valid.

    Accepts any valid CSS color string or structured color object. Fully opaque colors that lack an explicit alpha component return 1.0. The keyword `"transparent"` returns 0.0.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
    Returns:
      alpha component (0.0 - 1.0), or null if invalid

  - ### getAlpha

    public static Double getAlpha(Color color)
    Returns the alpha (opacity) component of the given color as a float from 0.0 (fully transparent) to 1.0 (fully opaque). Returns null if the color is not valid.

    Accepts any valid CSS color string or structured color object. Fully opaque colors that lack an explicit alpha component return 1.0. The keyword `"transparent"` returns 0.0.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
    Returns:
      alpha component (0.0 - 1.0), or null if invalid

  - ### getColor

    public static Color getColor(String color)
    Parses any valid CSS color into a structured `Color` object with RGB, HSL, and oklch properties pre-computed, plus convenience methods for manipulation.

    Accepts any CSS color string (`#hex`, `rgb()`, `hsl()`, `oklch()`, named colors) or a structured component object in any supported color space: `{r, g, b}`, `{h, s, l}`, or `{L, C, h}`.

    Also accepts CSS Relative Color Syntax (RCS) expressions, such as `oklch(from #3B82F6 calc(l + 0.15) c h)`, `hsl(from #47a7e3 h s calc(l + 20))`, or `oklch(from var(--accent) calc(l + 0.15) c h)`. The origin can be any parseable color - a hex or named color, an `rgb()`/`hsl()`/`oklch()` call, a nested function-string, or a `var()` custom-property reference (resolved through the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available). Channel keywords use CSS-native ranges: RGB channels are 0-1 sRGB fractions (not 0-255), HSL s/l are 0-100, oklch L is 0-1. The origin is resolved, the channel adjustments (bare keywords, `calc()`, `max()`, `min()`) are evaluated, and the result is returned as a fully resolved Color.

    Also accepts manipulation function-strings such as `lighten(#3B82F6, 20)`, `darken(blue, 15%)`, `saturate(#abc, 30)`, or `complement(red)`. Supported function names: `lighten`, `darken`, `brighten`, `dim`, `saturate`, `desaturate`, `complement`, `spin`. The color argument can be any parseable color string; the amount is a number (optionally suffixed with "%"). `complement()` takes only a color argument. These are equivalent to calling the corresponding `Colors` class method, but expressed as a single string - useful when color expressions come from user input, configuration files, or declarative settings.

    Expressions containing `var()` references or `color-mix()` are automatically resolved through the browser's CSS engine (via `resolveCSS()`). This requires DOM access - on the server, such expressions return an invalid Color.

    Always returns a `Color` object. If the input cannot be parsed, the returned object will have `isValid()` returning false (properties default to black). If the input is already a `Color`, a new Color with the same values is returned.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string, an existing `Color` (copied), or a structured object with {r,g,b}, {h,s,l}, or {L,C,h} keys
    Returns:
      a Color object - check `isValid()` for parse success

  - ### getColor

    public static Color getColor(Color color)
    Parses any valid CSS color into a structured `Color` object with RGB, HSL, and oklch properties pre-computed, plus convenience methods for manipulation.

    Accepts any CSS color string (`#hex`, `rgb()`, `hsl()`, `oklch()`, named colors) or a structured component object in any supported color space: `{r, g, b}`, `{h, s, l}`, or `{L, C, h}`.

    Also accepts CSS Relative Color Syntax (RCS) expressions, such as `oklch(from #3B82F6 calc(l + 0.15) c h)`, `hsl(from #47a7e3 h s calc(l + 20))`, or `oklch(from var(--accent) calc(l + 0.15) c h)`. The origin can be any parseable color - a hex or named color, an `rgb()`/`hsl()`/`oklch()` call, a nested function-string, or a `var()` custom-property reference (resolved through the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available). Channel keywords use CSS-native ranges: RGB channels are 0-1 sRGB fractions (not 0-255), HSL s/l are 0-100, oklch L is 0-1. The origin is resolved, the channel adjustments (bare keywords, `calc()`, `max()`, `min()`) are evaluated, and the result is returned as a fully resolved Color.

    Also accepts manipulation function-strings such as `lighten(#3B82F6, 20)`, `darken(blue, 15%)`, `saturate(#abc, 30)`, or `complement(red)`. Supported function names: `lighten`, `darken`, `brighten`, `dim`, `saturate`, `desaturate`, `complement`, `spin`. The color argument can be any parseable color string; the amount is a number (optionally suffixed with "%"). `complement()` takes only a color argument. These are equivalent to calling the corresponding `Colors` class method, but expressed as a single string - useful when color expressions come from user input, configuration files, or declarative settings.

    Expressions containing `var()` references or `color-mix()` are automatically resolved through the browser's CSS engine (via `resolveCSS()`). This requires DOM access - on the server, such expressions return an invalid Color.

    Always returns a `Color` object. If the input cannot be parsed, the returned object will have `isValid()` returning false (properties default to black). If the input is already a `Color`, a new Color with the same values is returned.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string, an existing `Color` (copied), or a structured object with {r,g,b}, {h,s,l}, or {L,C,h} keys
    Returns:
      a Color object - check `isValid()` for parse success

  - ### getColor

    public static Color getColor(Map color)
    Parses any valid CSS color into a structured `Color` object with RGB, HSL, and oklch properties pre-computed, plus convenience methods for manipulation.

    Accepts any CSS color string (`#hex`, `rgb()`, `hsl()`, `oklch()`, named colors) or a structured component object in any supported color space: `{r, g, b}`, `{h, s, l}`, or `{L, C, h}`.

    Also accepts CSS Relative Color Syntax (RCS) expressions, such as `oklch(from #3B82F6 calc(l + 0.15) c h)`, `hsl(from #47a7e3 h s calc(l + 20))`, or `oklch(from var(--accent) calc(l + 0.15) c h)`. The origin can be any parseable color - a hex or named color, an `rgb()`/`hsl()`/`oklch()` call, a nested function-string, or a `var()` custom-property reference (resolved through the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available). Channel keywords use CSS-native ranges: RGB channels are 0-1 sRGB fractions (not 0-255), HSL s/l are 0-100, oklch L is 0-1. The origin is resolved, the channel adjustments (bare keywords, `calc()`, `max()`, `min()`) are evaluated, and the result is returned as a fully resolved Color.

    Also accepts manipulation function-strings such as `lighten(#3B82F6, 20)`, `darken(blue, 15%)`, `saturate(#abc, 30)`, or `complement(red)`. Supported function names: `lighten`, `darken`, `brighten`, `dim`, `saturate`, `desaturate`, `complement`, `spin`. The color argument can be any parseable color string; the amount is a number (optionally suffixed with "%"). `complement()` takes only a color argument. These are equivalent to calling the corresponding `Colors` class method, but expressed as a single string - useful when color expressions come from user input, configuration files, or declarative settings.

    Expressions containing `var()` references or `color-mix()` are automatically resolved through the browser's CSS engine (via `resolveCSS()`). This requires DOM access - on the server, such expressions return an invalid Color.

    Always returns a `Color` object. If the input cannot be parsed, the returned object will have `isValid()` returning false (properties default to black). If the input is already a `Color`, a new Color with the same values is returned.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string, an existing `Color` (copied), or a structured object with {r,g,b}, {h,s,l}, or {L,C,h} keys
    Returns:
      a Color object - check `isValid()` for parse success

  - ### getFormat

    public static ColorFormat getFormat(String color)
    Returns the `ColorFormat` of the given color string, or null if the value is not a valid color. For named colors (e.g. "red") and "transparent", the format is reported as `"hex"` since the canonical representation is hexadecimal.
    Parameters:
      `color` - a CSS color string
    Returns:
      the detected format, or null if invalid

  - ### getString

    public static String getString(String color, ColorFormat format)
    Converts any valid CSS color to a string in the specified format. Accepts a CSS color string or a structured color object (as returned by `getColor()`). Returns null if the input is not a valid color or the format is unrecognized.

    Supported target formats:

    - `"hex"` - "#RRGGBB" when opaque, "#RRGGBBAA" when semi-transparent
    - `"rgb"` - "rgb(R, G, B)" when opaque, "rgba(R, G, B, A)" when semi-transparent
    - `"hsl"` - "hsl(H, S%, L%)" when opaque, "hsla(H, S%, L%, A)" when semi-transparent
    - `"oklch"` - "oklch(L% C h)" when opaque, "oklch(L% C h / A)" when semi-transparent
    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string, or a structured color object with {r,g,b}, {h,s,l}, or {L,C,h} keys
      `format` - target format: "hex", "rgb", "hsl", or "oklch"
    Returns:
      CSS color string in the target format, or null

  - ### getValues

    public static Map getValues(String color, ColorFormat format)
    Returns a plain object with color component values in the requested format. Unlike `getColor()`, which returns a full `Color` object with methods and properties in all color spaces, this returns only the numeric components for the requested format - useful when you need raw values for computation without the overhead of a full Color, or when passing components to external APIs.

    Supported formats and their returned keys:

    - `"rgb"` - `{r, g, b, alpha}` (0-255 integers, alpha 0-1)
    - `"hsl"` - `{h, s, l, alpha}` (h: 0-360 degrees, s/l: 0-100 percent, alpha 0-1)
    - `"oklch"` - `{L, C, h, alpha}` (L: 0-1 lightness, C: 0+ chroma, h: 0-360 degrees, alpha 0-1)
    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or `Color`
      `format` - target format: "rgb", "hsl", or "oklch"
    Returns:
      plain object with numeric component keys, or null if invalid
    See Also:
      - `getColor(java.lang.String)`
      - `getString(java.lang.String, com.smartgwt.client.types.ColorFormat)`

  - ### isColor

    public static boolean isColor(String color)
    Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification. Accepts any format: hex (#RGB, #RRGGBB, #RRGGBBAA), rgb(), rgba(), hsl(), hsla(), oklch(), named colors, "transparent", CSS Relative Color Syntax expressions, and `var()` or `color-mix()` expressions (resolved via the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available; returns false server-side).

    If `format` is specified, the value must be parseable in that particular format (or be "transparent", which is always valid).

    Parameters:
      `color` - value to test
    Returns:
      true if the value represents a valid color

  - ### isColor

    public static boolean isColor(Color color)
    Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification. Accepts any format: hex (#RGB, #RRGGBB, #RRGGBBAA), rgb(), rgba(), hsl(), hsla(), oklch(), named colors, "transparent", CSS Relative Color Syntax expressions, and `var()` or `color-mix()` expressions (resolved via the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available; returns false server-side).

    If `format` is specified, the value must be parseable in that particular format (or be "transparent", which is always valid).

    Parameters:
      `color` - value to test
    Returns:
      true if the value represents a valid color

  - ### isColor

    public static boolean isColor(Map color)
    Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification. Accepts any format: hex (#RGB, #RRGGBB, #RRGGBBAA), rgb(), rgba(), hsl(), hsla(), oklch(), named colors, "transparent", CSS Relative Color Syntax expressions, and `var()` or `color-mix()` expressions (resolved via the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available; returns false server-side).

    If `format` is specified, the value must be parseable in that particular format (or be "transparent", which is always valid).

    Parameters:
      `color` - value to test
    Returns:
      true if the value represents a valid color

  - ### isColor

    public static boolean isColor(String color, ColorFormat format)
    Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification. Accepts any format: hex (#RGB, #RRGGBB, #RRGGBBAA), rgb(), rgba(), hsl(), hsla(), oklch(), named colors, "transparent", CSS Relative Color Syntax expressions, and `var()` or `color-mix()` expressions (resolved via the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available; returns false server-side).

    If `format` is specified, the value must be parseable in that particular format (or be "transparent", which is always valid).

    Parameters:
      `color` - value to test
      `format` - if specified, require this format
    Returns:
      true if the value represents a valid color

  - ### isColor

    public static boolean isColor(Color color, ColorFormat format)
    Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification. Accepts any format: hex (#RGB, #RRGGBB, #RRGGBBAA), rgb(), rgba(), hsl(), hsla(), oklch(), named colors, "transparent", CSS Relative Color Syntax expressions, and `var()` or `color-mix()` expressions (resolved via the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available; returns false server-side).

    If `format` is specified, the value must be parseable in that particular format (or be "transparent", which is always valid).

    Parameters:
      `color` - value to test
      `format` - if specified, require this format
    Returns:
      true if the value represents a valid color

  - ### isColor

    public static boolean isColor(Map color, ColorFormat format)
    Returns true if the given value is a valid CSS color specification. Accepts any format: hex (#RGB, #RRGGBB, #RRGGBBAA), rgb(), rgba(), hsl(), hsla(), oklch(), named colors, "transparent", CSS Relative Color Syntax expressions, and `var()` or `color-mix()` expressions (resolved via the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available; returns false server-side).

    If `format` is specified, the value must be parseable in that particular format (or be "transparent", which is always valid).

    Parameters:
      `color` - value to test
      `format` - if specified, require this format
    Returns:
      true if the value represents a valid color

  - ### isDark

    public static Boolean isDark(String color)
    Returns true if the given color is perceptually dark (i.e. would need light foreground text for readability), false if it is light. Uses oklch lightness, which is perceptually uniform - unlike RGB or HSL brightness, a threshold of 0.6 consistently separates light from dark colors across hues. Use `!isDark(color)` to test for lightness.

    Returns null if the color is not valid.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
    Returns:
      true if perceptually dark, false if light, null if invalid

  - ### isDark

    public static Boolean isDark(Color color)
    Returns true if the given color is perceptually dark (i.e. would need light foreground text for readability), false if it is light. Uses oklch lightness, which is perceptually uniform - unlike RGB or HSL brightness, a threshold of 0.6 consistently separates light from dark colors across hues. Use `!isDark(color)` to test for lightness.

    Returns null if the color is not valid.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
    Returns:
      true if perceptually dark, false if light, null if invalid

  - ### lighten

    public static String lighten(String color, double amount)
    Returns a lighter version of the given color. Equivalent to `adjust(color, {lightness: amount})`.

    The `amount` is a percentage (0-100) indicating how far to move toward white: 0 returns the original color, 100 returns white. Intermediate values move proportionally - `lighten(color, 20)` on a dark color produces a bigger absolute lightness change than on an already-light color, but both look like "20% lighter" perceptually.

    For multi-axis adjustments (e.g. lighten and desaturate together), use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to lighten, 0-100
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `darken(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### lighten

    public static String lighten(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns a lighter version of the given color. Equivalent to `adjust(color, {lightness: amount})`.

    The `amount` is a percentage (0-100) indicating how far to move toward white: 0 returns the original color, 100 returns white. Intermediate values move proportionally - `lighten(color, 20)` on a dark color produces a bigger absolute lightness change than on an already-light color, but both look like "20% lighter" perceptually.

    For multi-axis adjustments (e.g. lighten and desaturate together), use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to lighten, 0-100
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `darken(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### mostReadable

    public static String mostReadable(String background, String[] candidates)
    Returns the color from `candidates` that has the highest contrast against `background`. Useful for choosing a text color that will be readable on a given background - typically called with `["#ffffff", "#000000"]` as candidates.
    Parameters:
      `background` - the background color to test against
      `candidates` - list of candidate foreground colors
    Returns:
      the candidate with the highest contrast ratio, or null if inputs invalid

  - ### palette

    public static Color[] palette(String color)
    Generates a tonal ramp - an ordered series of colors at different lightness levels sharing the same hue. In color theory, lighter variants of a color are called tints (mixed toward white) and darker variants are called shades (mixed toward black); this method produces both in a single ramp. This is the core operation for theme generation: one brand color in, a full light-to-dark palette out.

    At its simplest, `palette("#3366CC", 7)` produces 7 stops from dark to light - usable directly as skin backgrounds, hover fills, text colors, and borders. With no options, it uses sensible defaults: a natural chroma curve (vivid in the mid-range, muted at extremes) and a subtle hue shift for a professional, non-flat appearance.

    For a plain lightness scale with no chroma or hue variation, pass `{ chromaCurve: "constant", hueShift: 0 }`.

    All returned colors are guaranteed to be within the sRGB gamut (via automatic chroma reduction at the extremes). The seed color's own lightness determines where in the ramp it falls - it is not forced to a specific stop index.

    Parameters:
      `color` - the seed color whose hue and chroma define the palette
    Returns:
      array of Color objects ordered from darkest to lightest
    See Also:
      - `scheme(java.lang.String)`
      - `colorScale(java.lang.String, java.lang.String, int)`
      - `autoContrast(java.lang.String)`

  - ### palette

    public static Color[] palette(Color color)
    Generates a tonal ramp - an ordered series of colors at different lightness levels sharing the same hue. In color theory, lighter variants of a color are called tints (mixed toward white) and darker variants are called shades (mixed toward black); this method produces both in a single ramp. This is the core operation for theme generation: one brand color in, a full light-to-dark palette out.

    At its simplest, `palette("#3366CC", 7)` produces 7 stops from dark to light - usable directly as skin backgrounds, hover fills, text colors, and borders. With no options, it uses sensible defaults: a natural chroma curve (vivid in the mid-range, muted at extremes) and a subtle hue shift for a professional, non-flat appearance.

    For a plain lightness scale with no chroma or hue variation, pass `{ chromaCurve: "constant", hueShift: 0 }`.

    All returned colors are guaranteed to be within the sRGB gamut (via automatic chroma reduction at the extremes). The seed color's own lightness determines where in the ramp it falls - it is not forced to a specific stop index.

    Parameters:
      `color` - the seed color whose hue and chroma define the palette
    Returns:
      array of Color objects ordered from darkest to lightest
    See Also:
      - `scheme(java.lang.String)`
      - `colorScale(java.lang.String, java.lang.String, int)`
      - `autoContrast(java.lang.String)`

  - ### palette

    public static Color[] palette(String color, int steps)
    See `palette()`

  - ### palette

    public static Color[] palette(Color color, int steps)
    See `palette()`

  - ### palette

    public static Color[] palette(String color, int steps, Map options)
    Generates a tonal ramp - an ordered series of colors at different lightness levels sharing the same hue. In color theory, lighter variants of a color are called tints (mixed toward white) and darker variants are called shades (mixed toward black); this method produces both in a single ramp. This is the core operation for theme generation: one brand color in, a full light-to-dark palette out.

    At its simplest, `palette("#3366CC", 7)` produces 7 stops from dark to light - usable directly as skin backgrounds, hover fills, text colors, and borders. With no options, it uses sensible defaults: a natural chroma curve (vivid in the mid-range, muted at extremes) and a subtle hue shift for a professional, non-flat appearance.

    For a plain lightness scale with no chroma or hue variation, pass `{ chromaCurve: "constant", hueShift: 0 }`.

    All returned colors are guaranteed to be within the sRGB gamut (via automatic chroma reduction at the extremes). The seed color's own lightness determines where in the ramp it falls - it is not forced to a specific stop index.

    Parameters:
      `color` - the seed color whose hue and chroma define the palette
      `steps` - number of stops to generate (default 11)
      `options` - optional settings:
      - `lightnessRange` - two-element array of oklch L values for the darkest and lightest stops (default `[0.15, 0.97]`)
      - `chromaCurve` - `"natural"` (default) tapers chroma toward extremes using a cosine curve; `"constant"` uses the seed's chroma for all stops; `"peaked"` pushes maximum chroma to a configurable lightness
      - `hueShift` - degrees of hue rotation across the full lightness range (default ~4; set to 0 to disable). Positive values shift lighter stops toward warmer hues.
    Returns:
      array of Color objects ordered from darkest to lightest
    See Also:
      - `scheme(java.lang.String)`
      - `colorScale(java.lang.String, java.lang.String, int)`
      - `autoContrast(java.lang.String)`

  - ### palette

    public static Color[] palette(Color color, int steps, Map options)
    Generates a tonal ramp - an ordered series of colors at different lightness levels sharing the same hue. In color theory, lighter variants of a color are called tints (mixed toward white) and darker variants are called shades (mixed toward black); this method produces both in a single ramp. This is the core operation for theme generation: one brand color in, a full light-to-dark palette out.

    At its simplest, `palette("#3366CC", 7)` produces 7 stops from dark to light - usable directly as skin backgrounds, hover fills, text colors, and borders. With no options, it uses sensible defaults: a natural chroma curve (vivid in the mid-range, muted at extremes) and a subtle hue shift for a professional, non-flat appearance.

    For a plain lightness scale with no chroma or hue variation, pass `{ chromaCurve: "constant", hueShift: 0 }`.

    All returned colors are guaranteed to be within the sRGB gamut (via automatic chroma reduction at the extremes). The seed color's own lightness determines where in the ramp it falls - it is not forced to a specific stop index.

    Parameters:
      `color` - the seed color whose hue and chroma define the palette
      `steps` - number of stops to generate (default 11)
      `options` - optional settings:
      - `lightnessRange` - two-element array of oklch L values for the darkest and lightest stops (default `[0.15, 0.97]`)
      - `chromaCurve` - `"natural"` (default) tapers chroma toward extremes using a cosine curve; `"constant"` uses the seed's chroma for all stops; `"peaked"` pushes maximum chroma to a configurable lightness
      - `hueShift` - degrees of hue rotation across the full lightness range (default ~4; set to 0 to disable). Positive values shift lighter stops toward warmer hues.
    Returns:
      array of Color objects ordered from darkest to lightest
    See Also:
      - `scheme(java.lang.String)`
      - `colorScale(java.lang.String, java.lang.String, int)`
      - `autoContrast(java.lang.String)`

  - ### parseRelationship

    public static Map parseRelationship(String rcsExpr)
    Extracts structural information from a CSS Relative Color Syntax (RCS) expression - the origin reference, color space, and per-channel modifications - without evaluating it. This is pure string parsing: no DOM access and no color resolution. It works with any origin, including `var()` references (which `getColor()` would resolve via the DOM - parseRelationship preserves the raw reference for structural inspection).

    For example, a skin config stores `oklch(from var(--isc-accent) calc(l + 0.15) c h)` for a hover color. `parseRelationship()` extracts the structure so you can see what is being derived from what, without needing to resolve the colors:

    The returned object describes the expression's structure:

    - origin - the raw origin string as it appears in the expression (e.g. `"var(--isc-accent)"`, `"#ff0000"`). To turn the origin into an actual color, pass it to `getColor()` or `resolveCSS()`; both resolve `var()` references through the browser's CSS engine when a DOM is available.
    - space - the color space: `"rgb"`, `"hsl"`, or `"oklch"`
    - deltas - an object mapping channel names to their additive delta (only channels that differ from identity). For example, `{l: 0.15}` means lightness is shifted by +0.15 while other channels pass through unchanged. Channels with complex expressions (multiplication, clamping via max/min) are omitted from deltas but present in rawChannels.
    - rawChannels - an array of three raw channel expression strings in CSS order, useful for complex expressions that cannot be reduced to a simple delta
    - alpha - the alpha value (1.0 if not specified)

    Returns null if the expression is not valid RCS syntax (plain hex, rgb(), named colors, and `color-mix()` are not RCS and will return null).

    Parameters:
      `rcsExpr` - a CSS RCS expression, e.g. `"oklch(from var(--x) calc(l + 0.15) c h)"`
    Returns:
      structured descriptor, or null if not valid RCS
    See Also:
      - `resolveCSS(java.lang.String)`
      - `generateCSS(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### resolveCSS

    public static Color resolveCSS(String expr)
    Resolves any CSS color expression to a flat `Color` by evaluating it through the browser's CSS engine. Handles `var()` references, `color-mix()`, and any other CSS color constructs supported by the current browser.

    `getColor()` automatically delegates to this method for expressions containing `var()` or `color-mix()`, so most callers never need to call `resolveCSS()` directly. The main reason to use it explicitly is when you need to pass an `element` context for inherited CSS custom properties:

    Internally, a scratch DOM element's `color` style is set to the expression and `getComputedStyle()` reads back the browser-resolved value. If an `element` is provided, the scratch element is temporarily appended as its child, allowing inherited CSS custom properties to resolve correctly.

    Returns an invalid Color (with `isValid()` false) if the expression is not a valid CSS color in the current browser, or if no DOM is available (e.g. server-side).

    Parameters:
      `expr` - any CSS color expression - hex, rgb(), hsl(), oklch(), color-mix(), var() references, RCS expressions, or any combination the browser supports
    Returns:
      resolved Color object, or an invalid Color if the expression could not be resolved
    See Also:
      - `getColor(java.lang.String)`
      - `parseRelationship(java.lang.String)`

  - ### resolveCSS

    public static Color resolveCSS(String expr, Element element)
    Resolves any CSS color expression to a flat `Color` by evaluating it through the browser's CSS engine. Handles `var()` references, `color-mix()`, and any other CSS color constructs supported by the current browser.

    `getColor()` automatically delegates to this method for expressions containing `var()` or `color-mix()`, so most callers never need to call `resolveCSS()` directly. The main reason to use it explicitly is when you need to pass an `element` context for inherited CSS custom properties:

    Internally, a scratch DOM element's `color` style is set to the expression and `getComputedStyle()` reads back the browser-resolved value. If an `element` is provided, the scratch element is temporarily appended as its child, allowing inherited CSS custom properties to resolve correctly.

    Returns an invalid Color (with `isValid()` false) if the expression is not a valid CSS color in the current browser, or if no DOM is available (e.g. server-side).

    Parameters:
      `expr` - any CSS color expression - hex, rgb(), hsl(), oklch(), color-mix(), var() references, RCS expressions, or any combination the browser supports
      `element` - optional DOM element to use as the resolution context; if provided, CSS custom properties inherited by this element will be available for `var()` resolution
    Returns:
      resolved Color object, or an invalid Color if the expression could not be resolved
    See Also:
      - `getColor(java.lang.String)`
      - `parseRelationship(java.lang.String)`

  - ### saturate

    public static String saturate(String color, double amount)
    Returns a more vivid version of the given color by increasing its chroma (color intensity). Equivalent to `adjust(color, {saturation: amount})`.

    The `amount` is a percentage (0-100) of additional chroma to add, scaled relative to a practical maximum. A gray color (chroma 0) saturated by 50 produces a clearly visible color; 100 gives full vivid saturation.

    For multi-axis adjustments, use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to saturate, 0-100
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `desaturate(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### saturate

    public static String saturate(String color, double amount, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns a more vivid version of the given color by increasing its chroma (color intensity). Equivalent to `adjust(color, {saturation: amount})`.

    The `amount` is a percentage (0-100) of additional chroma to add, scaled relative to a practical maximum. A gray color (chroma 0) saturated by 50 produces a clearly visible color; 100 gives full vivid saturation.

    For multi-axis adjustments, use `adjust()` directly.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `amount` - percentage to saturate, 0-100
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `desaturate(java.lang.String, double)`
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`

  - ### scheme

    public static Map scheme(String color)
    Generates a set of harmonious seed colors from a single primary. Unlike the lower-level harmony methods (`triad()`, `tetrad()`, etc.) which return raw CSS strings at fixed hue rotations, `scheme()` returns a structured object with semantic key names and applies chroma/lightness adjustments so that secondary and tertiary colors feel subordinate to the primary - a requirement for professional UI themes.

    The returned object always contains a `primary` Color plus one or more supporting keys depending on the scheme type. It also includes auto-generated `neutral` (very low chroma at the primary's hue) and `error` (red variant) keys. Each seed can be passed to `palette()` to generate a full tonal ramp.

    Parameters:
      `color` - the primary seed color
    Returns:
      a map with `primary`, `secondary`, `tertiary` (where applicable), `neutral`, and `error` keys, each a `Color` object
    See Also:
      - `palette(java.lang.String)`
      - `autoContrast(java.lang.String)`

  - ### scheme

    public static Map scheme(Color color)
    Generates a set of harmonious seed colors from a single primary. Unlike the lower-level harmony methods (`triad()`, `tetrad()`, etc.) which return raw CSS strings at fixed hue rotations, `scheme()` returns a structured object with semantic key names and applies chroma/lightness adjustments so that secondary and tertiary colors feel subordinate to the primary - a requirement for professional UI themes.

    The returned object always contains a `primary` Color plus one or more supporting keys depending on the scheme type. It also includes auto-generated `neutral` (very low chroma at the primary's hue) and `error` (red variant) keys. Each seed can be passed to `palette()` to generate a full tonal ramp.

    Parameters:
      `color` - the primary seed color
    Returns:
      a map with `primary`, `secondary`, `tertiary` (where applicable), `neutral`, and `error` keys, each a `Color` object
    See Also:
      - `palette(java.lang.String)`
      - `autoContrast(java.lang.String)`

  - ### scheme

    public static Map scheme(String color, String type)
    Generates a set of harmonious seed colors from a single primary. Unlike the lower-level harmony methods (`triad()`, `tetrad()`, etc.) which return raw CSS strings at fixed hue rotations, `scheme()` returns a structured object with semantic key names and applies chroma/lightness adjustments so that secondary and tertiary colors feel subordinate to the primary - a requirement for professional UI themes.

    The returned object always contains a `primary` Color plus one or more supporting keys depending on the scheme type. It also includes auto-generated `neutral` (very low chroma at the primary's hue) and `error` (red variant) keys. Each seed can be passed to `palette()` to generate a full tonal ramp.

    Parameters:
      `color` - the primary seed color
      `type` - scheme type: `"complementary"`, `"analogous"`, `"triadic"`, `"split-complementary"` (default), `"tetradic"`, or `"monochromatic"`
    Returns:
      a map with `primary`, `secondary`, `tertiary` (where applicable), `neutral`, and `error` keys, each a `Color` object
    See Also:
      - `palette(java.lang.String)`
      - `autoContrast(java.lang.String)`

  - ### scheme

    public static Map scheme(Color color, String type)
    Generates a set of harmonious seed colors from a single primary. Unlike the lower-level harmony methods (`triad()`, `tetrad()`, etc.) which return raw CSS strings at fixed hue rotations, `scheme()` returns a structured object with semantic key names and applies chroma/lightness adjustments so that secondary and tertiary colors feel subordinate to the primary - a requirement for professional UI themes.

    The returned object always contains a `primary` Color plus one or more supporting keys depending on the scheme type. It also includes auto-generated `neutral` (very low chroma at the primary's hue) and `error` (red variant) keys. Each seed can be passed to `palette()` to generate a full tonal ramp.

    Parameters:
      `color` - the primary seed color
      `type` - scheme type: `"complementary"`, `"analogous"`, `"triadic"`, `"split-complementary"` (default), `"tetradic"`, or `"monochromatic"`
    Returns:
      a map with `primary`, `secondary`, `tertiary` (where applicable), `neutral`, and `error` keys, each a `Color` object
    See Also:
      - `palette(java.lang.String)`
      - `autoContrast(java.lang.String)`

  - ### setAlpha

    public static String setAlpha(String color, double alpha)
    Returns a new color string with the alpha (opacity) component replaced. The output format matches the input format when possible; for named colors, hex is used.

    Useful for deriving semi-transparent variants of a color without converting it to a different format.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `alpha` - new alpha value, 0.0 (transparent) to 1.0 (opaque)
    Returns:
      CSS color string with the new alpha, or null if invalid

  - ### setAlpha

    public static String setAlpha(String color, double alpha, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns a new color string with the alpha (opacity) component replaced. The output format matches the input format when possible; for named colors, hex is used.

    Useful for deriving semi-transparent variants of a color without converting it to a different format.

    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `alpha` - new alpha value, 0.0 (transparent) to 1.0 (opaque)
      `outputFormat` - optional output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color
    Returns:
      CSS color string with the new alpha, or null if invalid

  - ### spin

    public static String spin(String color, double degrees)
    Rotates the hue of a color by the given number of degrees (in oklch space). Positive values rotate clockwise, negative counter-clockwise. This is a convenience wrapper around `adjust(color, {hue: degrees})`.
    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `degrees` - signed rotation in degrees (e.g. 90, -45, 180)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`
      - `complement(java.lang.String)`

  - ### spin

    public static String spin(String color, double degrees, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Rotates the hue of a color by the given number of degrees (in oklch space). Positive values rotate clockwise, negative counter-clockwise. This is a convenience wrapper around `adjust(color, {hue: degrees})`.
    Parameters:
      `color` - any valid CSS color string or structured color object
      `degrees` - signed rotation in degrees (e.g. 90, -45, 180)
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color (hex for named colors)
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if the input is not a valid color
    See Also:
      - `adjust(java.lang.String, java.util.Map)`
      - `complement(java.lang.String)`

  - ### splitComplement

    public static String[] splitComplement(String color)
    Returns three colors: the original plus two split-complement accents (hue +150 and +210 degrees - flanking the complement rather than hitting it directly). Produces a more nuanced palette than a straight complementary pair.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
    Returns:
      three CSS color strings

  - ### splitComplement

    public static String[] splitComplement(Color color)
    Returns three colors: the original plus two split-complement accents (hue +150 and +210 degrees - flanking the complement rather than hitting it directly). Produces a more nuanced palette than a straight complementary pair.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
    Returns:
      three CSS color strings

  - ### splitComplement

    public static String[] splitComplement(String color, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns three colors: the original plus two split-complement accents (hue +150 and +210 degrees - flanking the complement rather than hitting it directly). Produces a more nuanced palette than a straight complementary pair.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to input format
    Returns:
      three CSS color strings

  - ### splitComplement

    public static String[] splitComplement(Color color, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns three colors: the original plus two split-complement accents (hue +150 and +210 degrees - flanking the complement rather than hitting it directly). Produces a more nuanced palette than a straight complementary pair.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to input format
    Returns:
      three CSS color strings

  - ### tetrad

    public static String[] tetrad(String color)
    Returns four colors with hues spaced 90 degrees apart (square scheme). The first element is the original color, then +90, +180, +270 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
    Returns:
      four CSS color strings

  - ### tetrad

    public static String[] tetrad(Color color)
    Returns four colors with hues spaced 90 degrees apart (square scheme). The first element is the original color, then +90, +180, +270 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
    Returns:
      four CSS color strings

  - ### tetrad

    public static String[] tetrad(String color, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns four colors with hues spaced 90 degrees apart (square scheme). The first element is the original color, then +90, +180, +270 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to input format
    Returns:
      four CSS color strings

  - ### tetrad

    public static String[] tetrad(Color color, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns four colors with hues spaced 90 degrees apart (square scheme). The first element is the original color, then +90, +180, +270 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to input format
    Returns:
      four CSS color strings

  - ### triad

    public static String[] triad(String color)
    Returns the three triadic colors (hues spaced 120 degrees apart). The first element is the original color, the second is +120 degrees, the third is +240 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
    Returns:
      three CSS color strings

  - ### triad

    public static String[] triad(Color color)
    Returns the three triadic colors (hues spaced 120 degrees apart). The first element is the original color, the second is +120 degrees, the third is +240 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
    Returns:
      three CSS color strings

  - ### triad

    public static String[] triad(String color, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns the three triadic colors (hues spaced 120 degrees apart). The first element is the original color, the second is +120 degrees, the third is +240 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to input format
    Returns:
      three CSS color strings

  - ### triad

    public static String[] triad(Color color, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Returns the three triadic colors (hues spaced 120 degrees apart). The first element is the original color, the second is +120 degrees, the third is +240 degrees.
    Parameters:
      `color` - base color
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to input format
    Returns:
      three CSS color strings

  - ### colorScale

    public static String[] colorScale(String color1, String color2, int steps)
    Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two endpoints, interpolated in oklch by default. Use the 5-parameter overload to choose a different interpolation space.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - start color
      `color2` - end color
      `steps` - number of colors to produce (minimum 2)
    Returns:
      CSS color strings, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### colorScale

    public static String[] colorScale(String color1, String color2, int steps, ColorFormat format)
    Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two endpoints, interpolated in the oklch color space for perceptual uniformity.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - start color
      `color2` - end color
      `steps` - number of colors to produce (minimum 2)
      `format` - output format; defaults to the detected format of `color1`
    Returns:
      CSS color strings, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### colorScale

    public static String[] colorScale(Color color1, Color color2, int steps)
    Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two `Color` endpoints, interpolated in the oklch color space for perceptual uniformity.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - start color
      `color2` - end color
      `steps` - number of colors to produce (minimum 2)
    Returns:
      CSS color strings, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### colorScale

    public static String[] colorScale(Color color1, Color color2, int steps, ColorFormat format)
    Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two `Color` endpoints, interpolated in the oklch color space for perceptual uniformity.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - start color
      `color2` - end color
      `steps` - number of colors to produce (minimum 2)
      `format` - output format; defaults to the detected format of `color1`
    Returns:
      CSS color strings, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### colorScale

    public static String[] colorScale(String color1, String color2, int steps, ColorFormat format, ColorFormat space)
    Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two endpoints, interpolated in the specified color space.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - start color
      `color2` - end color
      `steps` - number of colors to produce (minimum 2)
      `format` - output format; defaults to the detected format of `color1`
      `space` - color space for interpolation: oklch (default), hsl, or rgb/hex (both mean linear RGB)
    Returns:
      CSS color strings, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### colorScale

    public static String[] colorScale(Color color1, Color color2, int steps, ColorFormat format, ColorFormat space)
    Generates an array of evenly-spaced colors between two `Color` endpoints, interpolated in the specified color space.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - start color
      `color2` - end color
      `steps` - number of colors to produce (minimum 2)
      `format` - output format; defaults to the detected format of `color1`
      `space` - color space for interpolation: oklch (default), hsl, or rgb/hex (both mean linear RGB)
    Returns:
      CSS color strings, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### flatten

    public static String flatten(String color)
    Returns an opaque color visually equivalent to the given semi-transparent color composited over a background (default white). If already fully opaque, returns unchanged.
    Parameters:
      `color` - a semi-transparent color to flatten
    Returns:
      opaque CSS color string, or null if invalid

  - ### flatten

    public static String flatten(Color color)
    Returns an opaque color visually equivalent to the given semi-transparent `Color` composited over a background (default white). If already fully opaque, returns unchanged.
    Parameters:
      `color` - a semi-transparent color to flatten
    Returns:
      opaque CSS color string, or null if invalid

  - ### flatten

    public static String flatten(String color, String background)
    Flattens a semi-transparent color against a background.
    Parameters:
      `color` - a semi-transparent color to flatten
      `background` - background to composite against
    Returns:
      opaque CSS color string, or null if invalid

  - ### flatten

    public static String flatten(String color, String background, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Flattens a semi-transparent color against a background, returning the result in the specified format.
    Parameters:
      `color` - a semi-transparent color to flatten
      `background` - background to composite against
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color
    Returns:
      opaque CSS color string, or null if invalid

  - ### flatten

    public static String flatten(Color color, Color background)
    Flattens a semi-transparent `Color` against a background.
    Parameters:
      `color` - a semi-transparent color to flatten
      `background` - background to composite against
    Returns:
      opaque CSS color string, or null if invalid

  - ### flatten

    public static String flatten(Color color, Color background, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Flattens a semi-transparent `Color` against a background, returning the result in the specified format.
    Parameters:
      `color` - a semi-transparent color to flatten
      `background` - background to composite against
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of the input color
    Returns:
      opaque CSS color string, or null if invalid

  - ### contrast

    public static Double contrast(String color1, String color2)
    Returns the approximate perceptual contrast ratio between two colors, based on oklch lightness. A ratio of at least 4.5 is recommended for WCAG AA, 7.0 for AAA. Returns null if either color is invalid.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
    Returns:
      contrast ratio (>= 1.0), or null

  - ### contrast

    public static Double contrast(Color color1, Color color2)
    Returns the approximate perceptual contrast ratio between two `Color` objects, based on oklch lightness. A ratio of at least 4.5 is recommended for WCAG AA, 7.0 for AAA. Returns null if either color is invalid.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
    Returns:
      contrast ratio (>= 1.0), or null

  - ### distance

    public static Double distance(String color1, String color2)
    Returns a number indicating how different two colors look to the human eye. 0 means identical; larger values mean more visible difference. Uses oklab (the Cartesian form of oklch) so that equal numeric distances correspond to equal perceived differences. Returns null if either color is invalid.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
    Returns:
      perceptual distance (>= 0), or null

  - ### distance

    public static Double distance(Color color1, Color color2)
    Returns a number indicating how different two `Color` objects look to the human eye. 0 means identical; larger values mean more visible difference. Uses oklab so that equal numeric distances correspond to equal perceived differences. Returns null if either color is invalid.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
    Returns:
      perceptual distance (>= 0), or null

  - ### equals

    public static Boolean equals(String color1, String color2)
    Returns true if two color values represent the same color (same R, G, B, and alpha), regardless of input format.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
    Returns:
      true if identical, false otherwise, null if either invalid

  - ### equals

    public static Boolean equals(Color color1, Color color2)
    Returns true if two `Color` objects represent the same color (same R, G, B, and alpha).
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
    Returns:
      true if identical, false otherwise, null if either invalid

  - ### mix

    public static String mix(String color1, String color2)
    Blends two colors in the oklch color space, producing a single result. Equivalent to calling `mix(String, String, Double, ColorFormat)` with default ratio (0.5) and default format.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### mix

    public static String mix(String color1, String color2, Double ratio)
    Blends two colors in the oklch color space at the given ratio.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
      `ratio` - blend ratio, 0.0 (all color1) to 1.0 (all color2); defaults to 0.5
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### mix

    public static String mix(String color1, String color2, Double ratio, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Blends two colors in the oklch color space at the given ratio, returning the result in the specified format.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
      `ratio` - blend ratio, 0.0 (all color1) to 1.0 (all color2); defaults to 0.5
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of `color1`
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### mix

    public static String mix(Color color1, Color color2)
    Blends two `Color` objects in the oklch color space. Equivalent to calling `mix(Color, Color, Double, ColorFormat)` with default ratio (0.5) and default format.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### mix

    public static String mix(Color color1, Color color2, Double ratio)
    Blends two `Color` objects in the oklch color space at the given ratio.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
      `ratio` - blend ratio, 0.0 (all color1) to 1.0 (all color2); defaults to 0.5
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if either input is invalid

  - ### mix

    public static String mix(Color color1, Color color2, Double ratio, ColorFormat outputFormat)
    Blends two `Color` objects in the oklch color space at the given ratio, returning the result in the specified format.
    Parameters:
      `color1` - first color
      `color2` - second color
      `ratio` - blend ratio, 0.0 (all color1) to 1.0 (all color2); defaults to 0.5
      `outputFormat` - output format; defaults to the detected format of `color1`
    Returns:
      CSS color string, or null if either input is invalid