Everything is colour coded... What does it mean?

[Squashbuckler]

I know, I skipped the tutorial.. but what is the significance of the colour coding? Why do units, building, etc have them? I assume bonuses apply when matching units, buildings, generals, etc, with the colour codes?
Much appreciated,

[Tisiphone Edge]

Press the little "i" in the upper right corner whenever you're confused to get the gist of it.

[Darklordnj]

TLDR of everything is the colors harmonize with similar colors.

The system is based off the ancient 5 elements system of wood, water, metal, earth, and fire. These elements either counter each other or feed into another and the game tries to represent this with buildings, generals, and units. With generals, certain units are restricted to a certain type of color that the general is (ex. siege units can only be constructed by the blue strategists) and matching the unit to the same color is likely to give the best bonus to said unit (this is more important early and late game). Buildings are a bit more complex, but broadly speaking:
Green buildings boost peasantry income, food production, Public Order, and population
Blue boosts commerce/trade and experience
Purple is industry, population, and commerce
Red provides garrisons, or affects deployment/troops, or provides industry income
Yellow is Public order, taxes, or afffects all income for the province

To get the most out of a commandery, what buildings you choose to build in the major settlement is determined primarily by the colors that make up the minor settlements. Where a bunch of green minor settlements means you want the major settlement to primarily have green buildings (except for the granary). But as you expand, higher tier major settlements need public order buildings (temple is best for this) and you need corruption reduction buildings (or building capable of reducing corruption in adjacent provinces) to maintain your level of income.

For a more in depth look, I recommend Serioustrivia on YouTube, otherwise I recommend clicking on the i button in the upper right hand corner. It opens up an overlay on screen with a bunch of boxes that you can hover over for more detailed information on whatever you have open already (ex. if in diplomacy, it’ll show you info on that).

[Squashbuckler]

Much appreciated!

[panderusw]

The color scheme mainly dictate what type of retinue a general can recruit with a few exception. It also make you understand the reform tree a bit easier.

Green - Champion type general. Most green retinue are spear/ Ji troop. The green reform tree mainly deal with food production with a few "armies replenishment" mix in. A champion general is a good duelist due to their high health and heavy armor. When using a champion as administrator, their skill tree can provide better food production and boost industry income. In short, they provide anti-missile(spear/shield) and anti-cavalry solid front line on the battle field, and also can be a good administrator. They can also do boost food production assignment.

Red - Vanguard type general. Most red retinue are shock cavalry, 2 horse archer type throw in just for fun. The red reform tree deal with military aspect of the game such as armies replenishment, unlock military building. They can be good duelist due to their damage output, but mainly they are shock troops. Think of them as a modern day drone, when you send out to harass the enemy back line. Shock troop also can be use as "hammer and anvil" tactic where your green spear troop hold the enemy assault force, and you back charge them with your shock cavalry. Vanguard does not make a good administrator.

Purple - Sentinel type general. Purple retinue are assault type troops, consist of axe/shield(good for attack enemy shield unit, axe break shield) and sword/shield. Sentinel specialize in melee evasion, hence they last a long time in duel, which is perfect to use them to tie up enemy hard hitting general. The purple reform tree deal with economy infrastructure and mining. Sentinel general make an excellent administrator for economy focus commandery and also excel in assignment.

Blue - Strategist type general. Blue troops mainly are archer and long range unit(catapult). A level 4+ strategist also provide troops formation to your other unit in the army such as turtle formation(100% range block chance) etc. Blue reform tree deal with diplomacy such as trade/spy and character experience such as school. Strategist cannot duel and can be an excellent administrator.

Yellow - Commander type general. "Jack of all trade" type general. They mainly focus on Melee cavalry. Commander provide army buff on the battle field, but a below average duelist. Commander can recruit some unit from other color such a archer from blue troops or spear guard from green troops. Yellow reform tree deal with a faction internal affair such a taxation and public order. Commander does not make a good administrator.

Exception, At the end of each reform tree, you can unlock dragon unit and these unit can be recruit by any type of general. The are other exception such as faction specify unit.

[Lateralus]

The Wu Xing balance system is my favourite part about this game. I like the way the different colours either counter each other or flow into each other, especially when it comes to learning which units to use in different situations.
It also makes the commandery building deeper than it first appears.

[Anapoda]

how lazy one can be? you have help texts everywhere in the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ game. i dare to assume you can read.

[Squashbuckler]

Originally posted by Anapoda:

how lazy one can be? you have help texts everywhere in the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ game. i dare to assume you can read.

Clearly you don't read enough with your limited writing ability.