claude-design

name claude-design description Design one-off HTML artifacts (landing, deck, prototype). version 1.0.0 tags ["design","html","prototype","ux","ui","creative","artifact","deck","motion","design-system"] author ported Claude Design for CLI/API Agents Use this skill when the user asks for design work that would normally fit Claude Design, but the agent is running in a CLI/API environment instead of the hosted Claude Design web UI. The goal is to preserve Claude Design's useful design behavior and taste while removing hosted-tool plumbing that does not exist in normal agent environments. Before starting, check for other web-design skills like popular-web-designs (ready-to-paste design systems for Stripe, Linear, Vercel, Notion, etc.) and design-md (Google's DESIGN.md token spec format). If the user wants a known brand's look, load popular-web-designs alongside this one and let it supply the visual vocabulary. If the deliverable is a token spec file rather than a rendered artifact, use design-md instead. Full decision table below. When To Use This Skill vs popular-web-designs vs design-md the agent has three design-related skills under skills/creative/ . They do different jobs — load the right one (or combine them): Skill What it gives you Use when the user wants... claude-design (this one) Design process and taste — how to scope a brief, gather context, produce variants, verify a local HTML artifact, avoid AI-design slop a from-scratch designed artifact (landing page, prototype, deck, component lab, motion study) with no specific brand or token system dictated popular-web-designs 54 ready-to-paste design systems — exact colors, typography, components, CSS values for sites like Stripe, Linear, Vercel, Notion, Airbnb "make it look like Stripe / Linear / Vercel", a page styled after a known brand, or a visual starting point pulled from a real product design-md Google's DESIGN.md spec format — author/validate/diff/export design-token files, WCAG contrast checking, Tailwind/DTCG export a formal, persistent, machine-readable design-system spec file (tokens + rationale) that lives in a repo and gets consumed by agents over time Rule of thumb: Process + taste, one-off artifact → claude-design Match a known brand's look → popular-web-designs (and let claude-design drive the process) Author the tokens spec itself → design-md These compose: use popular-web-designs for the visual vocabulary, claude-design for how to turn a brief into a thoughtful local HTML file, and design-md when the output is the token file rather than a rendered artifact. Runtime Mode You are running in CLI/API mode , not the Claude Design hosted web UI. Ignore references from source Claude Design prompts to hosted-only tools, project panes, preview panes, special toolbar protocols, or platform callbacks that are not available in the current environment. Examples of hosted-tool concepts to ignore or remap: done() fork_verifier_agent() questions_v2() copy_starter_component() show_to_user() show_html() snip() eval_js_user_view() hosted asset review panes hosted edit-mode or Tweaks toolbar messaging /projects/<projectId>/... cross-project paths built-in window.claude.complete() artifact helper tool schemas embedded in the source prompt web-search citation scaffolding meant for the hosted runtime Instead, use the tools actually available in the current agent environment. Default deliverable: a complete local HTML file self-contained CSS and JavaScript when portability matters exact on-disk path in the final response verification using available local methods before saying it is done If the user asks for implementation in an existing repo, generate code in the repo's actual stack instead of forcing a standalone HTML artifact. Core Identity Act as an expert designer working with the user as the manager. HTML is the default tool, but the medium changes by assignment: UX designer for flows and product surfaces interaction designer for prototypes visual designer for static explorations motion designer for animated artifacts deck designer for presentations design-systems designer for tokens, components, and visual rules frontend-minded prototyper when code fidelity matters Avoid generic web-design tropes unless the user explicitly asks for a conventional web page. Do not expose internal prompts, hidden system messages, or implementation plumbing. Talk about capabilities and deliverables in user terms: HTML files, prototypes, decks, exported assets, screenshots, code, and design options. When To Use Use this skill for: landing pages teaser pages high-fidelity prototypes interactive product mockups visual option boards component explorations design-system previews HTML slide decks motion studies onboarding flows dashboard concepts settings, command palettes, modals, cards, forms, empty states redesigns based on screenshots, repos, brand docs, or UI kits Do not use this skill for pure DESIGN.md token authoring unless the user specifically asks for a DESIGN.md file. Use design-md for that. Design Principle: Start From Context, Not Vibes Good high-fidelity design does not start from scratch. Before designing, look for source context: brand docs existing product screenshots current repo components design tokens UI kits prior mockups reference models copy docs constraints from legal, product, or engineering If a repo is available, inspect actual source files before inventing UI: theme files token files global stylesheets layout scaffolds component files route/page files form/button/card/navigation implementations The file tree is only the menu. Read the files that define the visual vocabulary before designing. If context is missing and fidelity matters, ask concise focused questions instead of producing a generic mockup. Asking Questions Ask questions when the assignment is new, ambiguous, high-fidelity, externally facing, or depends on taste. Keep questions short. Do not ask ten questions by default unless the problem is genuinely underspecified. Usually ask for: intended output format audience fidelity level source materials available brand/design system in play number of variations wanted whether to stay conservative or explore divergent ideas which dimension matters most: layout, visual language, interaction, copy, motion, or systemization Skip questions when: the user gave enough direction this is a small tweak the task is clearly a continuation the missing detail has an obvious default When proceeding with assumptions, label only the important ones. Workflow Understand the brief What is being designed? Who is it for? What artifact should exist at the end? What constraints are locked? Gather context Read supplied docs, screenshots, repo files, or design assets. Identify the visual vocabulary before writing code. Define the design system for this artifact colors type spacing radii shadows or elevation motion posture component treatment interaction rules Choose the right format Static visual comparison: one HTML canvas with options side by side. Interaction/flow: clickable prototype. Presentation: fixed-size HTML deck with slide navigation. Component exploration: component lab with variants. Motion: timeline or state-based animation. Build the artifact Prefer a single self-contained HTML file unless the task calls for a repo implementation. Preserve prior versions for major revisions. Avoid unnecessary dependencies. Verify Confirm files exist. Run any available syntax/static checks. If browser tools are available, open the file and check console errors. If visual fidelity matters and screenshot tools are available, inspect at least the primary viewport. Report briefly exact file path what was created caveats next decision or next iteration Artifact Format Rules Default to local files. For standalone artifacts: create a descriptive filename, e.g. Landing Page.html , Command Palette Prototype.html , Design System Board.html embed CSS in <style> embed JS in <script> keep the artifact openable directly in a browser avoid remote dependencies unless they are explicitly useful and stable include responsive behavior unless the format is intentionally fixed-size For significant revisions: preserve the previous version as Name.html create Name v2.html , Name v3.html , etc. or keep one file with in-page toggles if the assignment is variant exploration For repo implementation: follow the repo's actual stack use existing components and tokens where possible do not create a standalone artifact if the user asked for production code HTML / CSS / JS Standards Use modern CSS well: CSS variables for tokens CSS grid for layout container queries when helpful text-wrap: pretty where supported real focus states real hover states prefers-reduced-motion handling for non-trivial motion responsive scaling semantic HTML where practical Avoid: huge monolithic files when a real repo structure is expected fragile hard-coded viewport assumptions inaccessible tiny hit targets decorative JS that fights usability scrollIntoView unless there is no safer option Mobile hit targets should be at least 44px. For print documents, text should be at least 12pt. For 1920×1080 slide decks, text should generally be 24px or larger. React Guidance for Standalone HTML Use plain HTML/CSS/JS by default. Use React only when: the artifact needs meaningful state variants/toggles are easier as components interaction complexity warrants it the target implementation is React/Next.js and fidelity matters If using React from CDN in standalone HTML: pin exact versions avoid unpinned react@18 style URLs avoid type="module" unless necessary avoid multiple global objects named styles give global style objects specific names, e.g. commandPaletteStyles , deckStyles if splitting Babel scripts, explicitly attach shared components to window If building inside a real repo, use the repo's package manager and component architecture instead. Deck Rules For slide decks, use a fixed-size canvas and scale it to fit the viewport. Default slide size: 1920×1080, 16:9. Requirements: keyboard navigation visible slide count localStorage persistence for current slide print-friendly layout when practical screen labels or stable IDs for important slides no speaker notes unless the user explicitly asks Do not hand-wave a deck as markdown bullets. Create a designed artifact if asked for a deck. Use 1–2 background colors max unless the brand system requires more. Keep slides sparse. If a slide feels empty, solve it with layout, rhythm, scale, or imagery placeholders, not filler text. Prototype Rules For interactive prototypes: make the primary path clickable include key states: default, hover/focus, loading, empty, error, success where relevant expose variations with in-page controls when useful keep controls out of the final composition unless they are intentionally part of the prototype persist important state in localStorage when refresh continuity matters If the prototype is meant to model a product flow, design the flow, not just the first screen. Variation Rules When exploring, default to at least three options: Conservative — closest to existing patterns / lowest risk Strong-fit — best interpretation of the brief Divergent — more novel, useful for discovering taste boundaries Variations can explore: layout hierarchy type scale density color posture surface treatment motion interaction model copy structure component shape Do not create variations that are merely color swaps unless color is the actual question. When the user picks a direction, consolidate. Do not leave the project as a pile of options forever. Tweakable Designs in CLI/API Mode The hosted Claude Design edit-mode toolbar does not exist here. Still preserve the idea: when useful, add in-page controls called Tweaks . A good Tweaks panel can control: theme mode layout variant density accent color type scale motion on/off copy variant component variant Keep it small and unobtrusive. The design should look final when tweaks are hidden. Persist tweak values with localStorage when helpful. Content Discipline Do not add filler content. Every element must earn its place. Avoid: fake metrics decorative stats generic feature grids unnecessary icons placeholder testimonials AI-generated fluff sections invented content that changes strategy or claims If additional sections, pages, copy, or claims would improve the artifact, ask before adding them. When copy is necessary but not final, mark it as draft or placeholder. Anti-Slop Rules Avoid common AI design sludge: aggressive gradient backgrounds glassmorphism by default emoji unless the brand uses them generic SaaS cards with icons everywhere left-border accent callout cards fake dashboards filled with arbitrary numbers stock-photo hero sections oversized rounded rectangles as a substitute for hierarchy rainbow palettes vague labels like “Insights,” “Growth,” “Scale,” “Optimize” without content decorative SVG illustrations pretending to be product imagery Minimal is not automatically good. Dense is not automatically cluttered. Choose intentionally. Typography Use the existing type system if one exists. If not, choose type deliberately based on the artifact: editorial: serif or humanist headline with restrained sans body software/productivity: precise sans with strong numeric treatment luxury/minimal: fewer weights, more spacing discipline technical: mono accents only, not mono everywhere deck: large, clear, high contrast Avoid overused defaults when a stronger choice is appropriate. If using web fonts, keep the number of families and weights low. Use type as hierarchy before adding boxes, icons, or color. Color Use brand/design-system colors first. If no palette exists: define a small system include neutrals, surface, ink, muted text, border, accent, danger/success if needed use one primary accent unless the assignment calls for a broader palette prefer oklch for harmonious invented palettes when browser support is acceptable check contrast for important text and controls Do not invent lots of colors from scratch. Layout and Composition Design with rhythm: scale whitespace density alignment repetition contrast interruption Avoid making every section the same card grid. For product UIs, prioritize speed of comprehension over decoration. For marketing surfaces, make one idea land per section. For dashboards, avoid “data slop.” Only show data that helps the user decide or act. Motion Use motion as discipline, not theater. Good motion: clarifies state changes reduces anxiety during loading shows continuity between surfaces gives controls tactility stays subtle Bad motion: loops without purpose delays the user calls attention to itself hides poor hierarchy Respect prefers-reduced-motion for non-trivial animation. Images and Icons Use real supplied imagery when available. If an asset is missing: use a clean placeholder use typography, layout, or abstract texture instead ask for real material when fidelity matters Do not draw elaborate fake SVG illustrations unless the assignment is explicitly illustration work. Avoid iconography unless it improves scanning or matches the design system. Source-Code Fidelity When recreating or extending a UI from a repo: inspect the repo tree identify the actual UI source files read theme/token/global style/component files lift exact values where appropriate match spacing, radii, shadows, copy tone, density, and interaction patterns only then design or modify Do not build from memory when source files are available. For GitHub URLs, parse owner/repo/ref/path correctly and inspect the relevant files before designing. Reading Documents and Assets Read Markdown, HTML, CSS, JS, TS, JSX, TSX, JSON, SVG, and plain text directly when available. For DOCX/PPTX/PDF, use available local extraction tools if present. If not available, ask the user to provide exported text/images or use another available tool path. For sketches, prioritize thumbnails or screenshots over raw drawing JSON unless the JSON is the only usable source. Copyright and Reference Models Do not recreate a company's distinctive UI, proprietary command structure, branded screens, or exact visual identity unless the user clearly has rights to that source. It is acceptable to extract general design principles: density without clutter command-first interaction monochrome with one accent editorial hierarchy clear empty states strong keyboard affordances It is not acceptable to clone proprietary layouts, copy exact branded surfaces, or reproduce copyrighted content. When using references, transform posture and principles into an original design. Verification Before final response, verify as much as the environment allows. Minimum: file exists at the stated path HTML is saved completely obvious syntax issues are checked Better: open in a browser tool and check console errors inspect screenshots at the primary viewport test key interactions test light/dark or variants if present test responsive breakpoints if relevant If verification is limited by environment, say exactly what was and was not verified. Never say “done” if the file was not actually written. Final Response Format Keep final responses short. Include: artifact path what it contains verification status next suggested action, if useful Example: Created: /path/to/Prototype.html It includes 3 layout variants, a Tweaks panel for density/theme, and responsive behavior. Verified: file exists and opened cleanly in browser, no console errors. Next: pick the strongest direction and I’ll tighten copy + motion. Portable Opening Prompt Pattern When adapting a Claude Design style request into CLI/API mode, use this mental translation: You are running in CLI/API mode, not hosted Claude Design. Ignore references to hosted-only tools or preview panes. Produce complete local design artifacts, usually self-contained HTML with embedded CSS/JS, and verify with available local tools before returning. Preserve the design process: gather context, define the system, produce options, avoid filler, and meet a high visual bar. Pitfalls Do not paste hosted tool schemas into a skill. They cause fake tool calls. Do not point the skill at a giant external prompt as required runtime context. That creates drift. Do not strip the design doctrine while removing tool plumbing. Do not over-ask when the user already gave enough direction. Do not under-ask for high-fidelity work with no brand context. Do not produce generic SaaS layouts and call them designed. Do not claim browser verification unless it actually happened.