Scale and Magnitude: From Seedlings to Stars

Magnitude isn't just about counting lines of code. It's a multi-dimensional measurement that considers lines, characters, files, languages used, and directory depth. A single-file script and a multi-directory monorepo exist on fundamentally different scales, and the algorithm treats them accordingly. Magnitude determines the scope and richness available to the visual engine — larger projects unlock more visual complexity, more color variety, and more textural depth.

DevPaint assigns one of seven tier badges based on your code's magnitude. Seedling 🌱 represents the smallest snippets — a function, a utility. Sprout 🌿 is a small module or script. Tree 🌳 marks a substantial single-file program or small project. Mountain 🏔️ represents a multi-file project with real architecture. Volcano 🌋 is a large application with multiple modules. World 🌍 covers massive codebases with dozens of files and multiple languages. Star ⭐ is reserved for the most enormous projects — think enterprise monorepos and major open-source frameworks.

The relationship between code size and visual richness follows a logarithmic curve. The jump from Seedling to Sprout is dramatic — a meaningful increase in visual complexity. The jump from World to Star is subtle — refinement rather than revolution. This mirrors how we perceive most things: the difference between silence and a whisper is more striking than the difference between loud and very loud. The algorithm ensures that every tier feels meaningfully different while preventing any single project from overwhelming the visual space.

Even the largest repositories eventually hit a visual ceiling. Beyond a certain scale, adding more code produces diminishing visual returns. This is intentional — it ensures that visual quality comes from code quality, not just code quantity. A Star-tier project and a slightly larger Star-tier project will look very similar. The ceiling exists to keep the focus on craft rather than volume.

As magnitude increases, four enhanced parameters become available. Brush density determines how much detail fills the canvas. Layer count adds depth through overlapping visual elements. Texture richness introduces more complex surface patterns. Color variety expands the palette — larger projects with more languages get more colors to work with. These parameters gradually increase with scale, creating a natural progression from simple sketches to complex compositions.

Here's what matters most: a small, beautifully crafted codebase can be as visually compelling as a massive one. The tier badge tells you the scale, not the quality. A Seedling with high elegance produces a gem — small, precise, and beautiful. A Star with poor structure produces a sprawl — large but unfocused. DevPaint celebrates code at every scale. A haiku and an epic novel are both worthy of a frame.