DESIGN.md keeps Claude Code and Codex from shipping generic AI UI
dr_cintas · x · 2026-10-04
A practical trick to stop coding agents (Claude Code, Codex) from producing generic AI-style UI: write your design spec in Google's open DESIGN.md format. Stitch reads it natively; other agents just need one line in AGENTS.md: "Read DESIGN.md before any UI work."
Recommended structure: tokens on top, rules below — Overview, Colors, Typography, Layout, Elevation & Depth, Shapes, Components, Do's and Don'ts. The agent stops inventing new colors and spacing per screen, so every screen looks like the same product.
Extras:
- Claude Code users can install the official frontend plugin: /plugin install frontend-design@claude-plugins-official
- Validate your file with npx @google/design.md lint DESIGN.md
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