Mapbox Style Patterns Skill
This skill provides battle-tested style patterns and layer configurations for common mapping scenarios.
Pattern Library
Pattern 1: Restaurant/POI Finder
Use case: Consumer app showing restaurants, cafes, bars, or other points of interest
Visual requirements:
- POIs must be immediately visible
- Street context for navigation
- Neutral background (photos/content overlay)
- Mobile-optimized
Recommended layers:
{
"layers": [
{
"id": "background",
"type": "background",
"paint": {
"background-color": "#f5f5f5"
}
},
{
"id": "water",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "water",
"paint": {
"fill-color": "#d4e4f7",
"fill-opacity": 0.6
}
},
{
"id": "landuse-parks",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "landuse",
"filter": ["==", "class", "park"],
"paint": {
"fill-color": "#e8f5e8",
"fill-opacity": 0.5
}
},
{
"id": "roads-minor",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "road",
"filter": ["in", "class", "street", "street_limited"],
"paint": {
"line-color": "#e0e0e0",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.5,
"stops": [
[12, 0.5],
[15, 2],
[18, 6]
]
}
}
},
{
"id": "roads-major",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "road",
"filter": ["in", "class", "primary", "secondary", "tertiary"],
"paint": {
"line-color": "#ffffff",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.5,
"stops": [
[10, 1],
[15, 4],
[18, 12]
]
}
}
},
{
"id": "restaurant-markers",
"type": "symbol",
"source": "restaurants",
"layout": {
"icon-image": "restaurant-15",
"icon-size": 1.5,
"icon-allow-overlap": false,
"text-field": ["get", "name"],
"text-offset": [0, 1.5],
"text-size": 12,
"text-allow-overlap": false
},
"paint": {
"icon-color": "#FF6B35",
"text-color": "#333333",
"text-halo-color": "#ffffff",
"text-halo-width": 2
}
}
]
}Key features:
- Desaturated base map (doesn't compete with photos)
- High-contrast markers (#FF6B35 orange stands out)
- Clear road network (white on light gray)
- Parks visible but subtle
- Text halos for readability
Pattern 2: Real Estate Map
Use case: Property search, neighborhood exploration, real estate listings
Visual requirements:
- Property boundaries clear
- Neighborhood context visible
- Amenities highlighted (schools, parks, transit)
- Price/property data display
Recommended layers:
{
"layers": [
{
"id": "background",
"type": "background",
"paint": {
"background-color": "#fafafa"
}
},
{
"id": "parks-green-spaces",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "landuse",
"filter": ["in", "class", "park", "pitch", "playground"],
"paint": {
"fill-color": "#7cb342",
"fill-opacity": 0.3
}
},
{
"id": "water",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "water",
"paint": {
"fill-color": "#42a5f5",
"fill-opacity": 0.4
}
},
{
"id": "roads",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "road",
"paint": {
"line-color": "#e0e0e0",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.2,
"stops": [
[10, 0.5],
[15, 2],
[18, 6]
]
}
}
},
{
"id": "property-boundaries",
"type": "line",
"source": "properties",
"paint": {
"line-color": "#7e57c2",
"line-width": 2,
"line-opacity": 0.8
}
},
{
"id": "property-fills",
"type": "fill",
"source": "properties",
"paint": {
"fill-color": [
"interpolate",
["linear"],
["get", "price"],
200000,
"#4caf50",
500000,
"#ffc107",
1000000,
"#f44336"
],
"fill-opacity": 0.3
}
},
{
"id": "school-icons",
"type": "symbol",
"source": "composite",
"source-layer": "poi_label",
"filter": ["==", "class", "school"],
"layout": {
"icon-image": "school-15",
"icon-size": 1.2
},
"paint": {
"icon-opacity": 0.8
}
},
{
"id": "transit-stops",
"type": "circle",
"source": "transit",
"paint": {
"circle-radius": 6,
"circle-color": "#2196f3",
"circle-stroke-color": "#ffffff",
"circle-stroke-width": 2
}
}
]
}Key features:
- Properties color-coded by price (green→yellow→red)
- Parks prominently visible (important for home buyers)
- Schools and transit clearly marked
- Property boundaries visible
- Clean, professional aesthetic
Pattern 3: Data Visualization Base Map
Use case: Choropleth maps, heatmaps, data overlays, analytics dashboards
Visual requirements:
- Minimal base map (data is the focus)
- Context without distraction
- Works with various data overlay colors
- High contrast optional for dark data
Recommended layers:
{
"layers": [
{
"id": "background",
"type": "background",
"paint": {
"background-color": "#f0f0f0"
}
},
{
"id": "water",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "water",
"paint": {
"fill-color": "#d8d8d8",
"fill-opacity": 0.5
}
},
{
"id": "admin-boundaries",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "admin",
"filter": ["in", "admin_level", 0, 1, 2],
"paint": {
"line-color": "#999999",
"line-width": {
"base": 1,
"stops": [
[0, 0.5],
[10, 1],
[15, 2]
]
},
"line-dasharray": [3, 2]
}
},
{
"id": "roads-major-simplified",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "road",
"filter": ["in", "class", "motorway", "primary"],
"minzoom": 6,
"paint": {
"line-color": "#cccccc",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.2,
"stops": [
[6, 0.5],
[10, 1],
[15, 2]
]
},
"line-opacity": 0.5
}
},
{
"id": "place-labels-major",
"type": "symbol",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "place_label",
"filter": ["in", "type", "city", "capital"],
"layout": {
"text-field": ["get", "name"],
"text-size": {
"base": 1,
"stops": [
[4, 10],
[10, 14]
]
},
"text-font": ["Open Sans Semibold"]
},
"paint": {
"text-color": "#666666",
"text-halo-color": "#ffffff",
"text-halo-width": 2
}
}
]
}Key features:
- Grayscale palette (doesn't interfere with data colors)
- Minimal detail (roads, borders only)
- Major cities labeled for orientation
- Low opacity throughout
- Perfect for overlay data
Pattern 4: Navigation/Routing Map
Use case: Turn-by-turn directions, route planning, delivery apps
Visual requirements:
- Route highly visible
- Current location always clear
- Turn points obvious
- Street names readable
- Performance optimized
Recommended layers:
{
"layers": [
{
"id": "background",
"type": "background",
"paint": {
"background-color": "#ffffff"
}
},
{
"id": "water",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "water",
"paint": {
"fill-color": "#a8d8ea"
}
},
{
"id": "landuse",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "landuse",
"paint": {
"fill-color": [
"match",
["get", "class"],
"park",
"#d4edda",
"hospital",
"#f8d7da",
"school",
"#fff3cd",
"#e9ecef"
],
"fill-opacity": 0.5
}
},
{
"id": "roads-background",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "road",
"paint": {
"line-color": "#333333",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.5,
"stops": [
[10, 2],
[15, 8],
[18, 20]
]
},
"line-opacity": 0.3
}
},
{
"id": "roads-foreground",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "road",
"paint": {
"line-color": "#ffffff",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.5,
"stops": [
[10, 1],
[15, 6],
[18, 16]
]
}
}
},
{
"id": "route-casing",
"type": "line",
"source": "route",
"paint": {
"line-color": "#0d47a1",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.5,
"stops": [
[10, 8],
[15, 16],
[18, 32]
]
},
"line-opacity": 0.4
}
},
{
"id": "route-line",
"type": "line",
"source": "route",
"paint": {
"line-color": "#2196f3",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.5,
"stops": [
[10, 6],
[15, 12],
[18, 24]
]
}
}
},
{
"id": "user-location",
"type": "circle",
"source": "user-location",
"paint": {
"circle-radius": 8,
"circle-color": "#2196f3",
"circle-stroke-color": "#ffffff",
"circle-stroke-width": 3
}
},
{
"id": "user-location-pulse",
"type": "circle",
"source": "user-location",
"paint": {
"circle-radius": {
"base": 1,
"stops": [
[0, 16],
[1, 24]
]
},
"circle-color": "#2196f3",
"circle-opacity": {
"base": 1,
"stops": [
[0, 0.4],
[1, 0]
]
}
}
},
{
"id": "turn-arrows",
"type": "symbol",
"source": "route-maneuvers",
"layout": {
"icon-image": ["get", "arrow-type"],
"icon-size": 1.5,
"icon-rotation-alignment": "map",
"icon-rotate": ["get", "bearing"]
}
}
]
}Key features:
- Thick, high-contrast route (blue on white)
- Pulsing user location indicator
- Turn arrows at maneuver points
- Simplified background (focus on route)
- Color-coded land use for context
Pattern 5: Dark Mode / Night Theme
Use case: Reduced eye strain, night use, modern aesthetic, battery saving (OLED)
Visual requirements:
- Dark background
- Reduced brightness
- Maintained contrast
- Readable text
- Comfortable viewing
Recommended layers:
{
"layers": [
{
"id": "background",
"type": "background",
"paint": {
"background-color": "#0a0a0a"
}
},
{
"id": "water",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "water",
"paint": {
"fill-color": "#1a237e",
"fill-opacity": 0.5
}
},
{
"id": "parks",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "landuse",
"filter": ["==", "class", "park"],
"paint": {
"fill-color": "#1b5e20",
"fill-opacity": 0.4
}
},
{
"id": "buildings",
"type": "fill",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "building",
"paint": {
"fill-color": "#1a1a1a",
"fill-opacity": 0.8,
"fill-outline-color": "#2a2a2a"
}
},
{
"id": "roads-minor",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "road",
"filter": ["in", "class", "street", "street_limited"],
"paint": {
"line-color": "#2a2a2a",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.5,
"stops": [
[12, 0.5],
[15, 2],
[18, 6]
]
}
}
},
{
"id": "roads-major",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "road",
"filter": ["in", "class", "primary", "secondary", "motorway"],
"paint": {
"line-color": "#3a3a3a",
"line-width": {
"base": 1.5,
"stops": [
[10, 1],
[15, 4],
[18, 12]
]
}
}
},
{
"id": "labels",
"type": "symbol",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "place_label",
"layout": {
"text-field": ["get", "name"],
"text-size": 12
},
"paint": {
"text-color": "#e0e0e0",
"text-halo-color": "#0a0a0a",
"text-halo-width": 2
}
}
]
}Key features:
- Very dark background (#0a0a0a near-black)
- Subtle color differentiation (deep blues, greens)
- Light text (#e0e0e0) with dark halos
- Reduced opacity throughout
- Easy on eyes in low light
Pattern Selection Guide
Decision Tree
Question 1: What is the primary content?
- User-generated markers/pins → POI Finder Pattern
- Property data/boundaries → Real Estate Pattern
- Statistical/analytical data → Data Visualization Pattern
- Routes/directions → Navigation Pattern
Question 2: What is the viewing environment?
- Daytime/office → Light theme
- Night/dark environment → Dark Mode Pattern
- Variable → Provide theme toggle
Question 3: What is the user's primary action?
- Browse/explore → Focus on POIs, rich detail
- Navigate → Focus on roads, route visibility
- Analyze data → Minimize base map, maximize data
- Select location → Clear boundaries, context
Question 4: What is the platform?
- Mobile → Simplified, larger touch targets, less detail
- Desktop → Can include more detail and complexity
- Both → Design mobile-first, enhance for desktop
Layer Optimization Patterns
Performance Pattern: Simplified by Zoom
{
"id": "roads",
"type": "line",
"source": "mapbox-streets",
"source-layer": "road",
"filter": [
"step",
["zoom"],
["in", "class", "motorway", "trunk"],
8,
["in", "class", "motorway", "trunk", "primary"],
12,
["in", "class", "motorway", "trunk", "primary", "secondary"],
14,
true
],
"paint": {
"line-width": {
"base": 1.5,
"stops": [
[4, 0.5],
[10, 1],
[15, 4],
[18, 12]
]
}
}
}Expression Pattern: Data-Driven Styling
{
"paint": {
"circle-radius": [
"interpolate",
["linear"],
["get", "population"],
0,
3,
1000,
5,
10000,
8,
100000,
12,
1000000,
20
],
"circle-color": [
"case",
["<", ["get", "temperature"], 0],
"#2196f3",
["<", ["get", "temperature"], 20],
"#4caf50",
["<", ["get", "temperature"], 30],
"#ffc107",
"#f44336"
]
}
}Clustering Pattern: Handle Dense POIs
{
"id": "clusters",
"type": "circle",
"source": "pois",
"filter": ["has", "point_count"],
"paint": {
"circle-color": [
"step",
["get", "point_count"],
"#51bbd6", 10,
"#f1f075", 30,
"#f28cb1"
],
"circle-radius": [
"step",
["get", "point_count"],
15, 10,
20, 30,
25
]
}
},
{
"id": "cluster-count",
"type": "symbol",
"source": "pois",
"filter": ["has", "point_count"],
"layout": {
"text-field": ["get", "point_count_abbreviated"],
"text-size": 12
}
}Common Modifications
Add 3D Buildings
{
"id": "3d-buildings",
"type": "fill-extrusion",
"source": "composite",
"source-layer": "building",
"minzoom": 15,
"paint": {
"fill-extrusion-color": "#aaa",
"fill-extrusion-height": [
"interpolate",
["linear"],
["zoom"],
15,
0,
15.05,
["get", "height"]
],
"fill-extrusion-base": [
"interpolate",
["linear"],
["zoom"],
15,
0,
15.05,
["get", "min_height"]
],
"fill-extrusion-opacity": 0.6
}
}Add Terrain/Hillshade
{
"sources": {
"mapbox-dem": {
"type": "raster-dem",
"url": "mapbox://mapbox.mapbox-terrain-dem-v1"
}
},
"layers": [
{
"id": "hillshade",
"type": "hillshade",
"source": "mapbox-dem",
"paint": {
"hillshade-exaggeration": 0.5,
"hillshade-shadow-color": "#000000"
}
}
],
"terrain": {
"source": "mapbox-dem",
"exaggeration": 1.5
}
}Add Custom Markers
{
"id": "custom-markers",
"type": "symbol",
"source": "markers",
"layout": {
"icon-image": "custom-marker",
"icon-size": 0.8,
"icon-anchor": "bottom",
"icon-allow-overlap": true,
"text-field": ["get", "name"],
"text-offset": [0, -2],
"text-anchor": "top",
"text-size": 12
},
"paint": {
"text-color": "#ffffff",
"text-halo-color": "#000000",
"text-halo-width": 2
}
}Testing Patterns
Visual Regression Checklist
- Test at zoom levels: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20
- Verify on mobile (375px width)
- Verify on desktop (1920px width)
- Test with dense data
- Test with sparse data
- Check label collision
- Verify color contrast (WCAG)
- Test loading performance
When to Use This Skill
Invoke this skill when:
- Starting a new map style for a specific use case
- Looking for layer configuration examples
- Implementing common mapping patterns
- Optimizing existing styles
- Need proven recipes for typical scenarios
- Debugging style issues
- Learning Mapbox style best practices