Prototypes Skill
Overview
This skill enables Claude to create interactive HTML/CSS prototypes that match your platform's visual design. Prototypes are generated using reference screenshots of existing UI patterns.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when:
- •Creating UI prototypes for features defined in Product Briefs
- •Visualizing user scenarios from briefs as clickable mockups
- •Demonstrating proposed UX flows to stakeholders
- •Iterating on design concepts before hi-fi design work
- •Validating assumptions about feature placement and interaction patterns
Prerequisites
Before creating a prototype:
- •Approved Product Brief: A brief must exist in the
briefs/folder - •Reference Screenshots: Screenshots organized by product area in
reference-screenshots/ - •User Scenarios: Clear understanding of the user flows to prototype
Reference Screenshots
Screenshots are organized by product area in reference-screenshots/:
reference-screenshots/ ├── [Product Area 1]/ # e.g., Dashboard, Settings, etc. │ ├── Landing Page.png │ ├── Detail View.png │ └── Edit Form.png │ ├── [Product Area 2]/ # Another product area │ ├── List View.png │ └── Create Form.png │ └── [New Product Area]/ # Add new folders as needed
Using Reference Screenshots
- •Identify the product area from the brief
- •Load relevant screenshots using the Read tool to analyze UI patterns
- •Match patterns to components - identify reusable patterns
- •Note customizations - colors, spacing, specific patterns
Workflow
Step 1: Gather Context
- •Read the linked Product Brief from
briefs/ - •Identify the product area
- •Load reference screenshots from the matching folder
- •Identify which user scenarios to prototype
- •Ask clarifying questions about scope
Step 2: Analyze Screenshots
- •Read screenshots from
reference-screenshots/[product-area]/ - •Identify layout patterns (navigation, content areas, headers)
- •Note component patterns (buttons, forms, tables, cards)
- •Document color scheme and typography
Step 3: Build Prototype
- •Create HTML structure matching the layout
- •Style with CSS matching the design patterns
- •Add interactivity as needed for the user flow
- •Ensure responsive behavior if required
Step 4: Save and Present
- •Save prototype to
prototypes/[brief-name]/ - •Provide instructions for viewing
- •Gather feedback and iterate
Output Structure
Prototypes are saved in prototypes/ organized by brief name:
prototypes/
└── [brief-name]/
├── index.html # Main prototype file
├── styles.css # Styling
├── script.js # Interactivity (if needed)
└── README.md # What's covered, how to view
Viewing Prototypes
Prototypes are self-contained HTML files that can be opened directly in a browser:
open prototypes/[brief-name]/index.html
Prototype Standards
Structure
- •Self-contained HTML with embedded or linked CSS
- •No external dependencies (CDN links, frameworks)
- •Works when opened directly in browser
Styling
- •Match colors and typography from reference screenshots
- •Consistent spacing and layout patterns
- •Responsive if the product requires it
Interactivity
- •Basic click handlers for navigation flows
- •Form field interactions
- •State changes (hover, focus, active)
Clarifying Questions Pattern
Before creating a prototype, ask:
- •"Which user scenarios from the brief should this prototype cover?"
- •"I see reference screenshots for [Product Area] - should I match that style?"
- •"What's the entry point for the user - where do they start?"
- •"Should this be a single page or a multi-page flow?"
- •"Are there any new UI patterns not shown in the reference screenshots?"
Example Interaction
Good: Using Reference Screenshots
User: "Create a prototype for the new settings configuration feature"
Claude: "I'll create a prototype for the settings configuration feature. Let me gather context first.
Looking at the brief and the Settings reference screenshots, I can see:
- •Settings pages use a sidebar navigation pattern
- •Configuration forms have a specific input styling
- •Action buttons follow a consistent placement
Let me analyze the screenshots to match the exact patterns..."
[Reads brief and reference screenshots]
"Based on the reference screenshots, I'll create a prototype with:
- •Sidebar navigation matching the Settings pattern
- •Form layout matching existing configuration pages
- •Button styling consistent with the design system
Which scenarios should I prioritize?"
Poor: Ignoring Reference Material
User: "Create a prototype for the new settings configuration feature"
Claude: "Here's a generic settings page prototype..."
This skips reference screenshots and brief context
Quality Checklist
Before delivering a prototype:
- • Read the product brief for context
- • Referenced appropriate screenshots from
reference-screenshots/ - • Covers specified user scenarios from the brief
- • Works when opened directly in browser
- • Includes README explaining what's covered
- • Styling matches reference screenshots
Adding New Product Areas
When prototyping a new product area:
- •Create folder in
reference-screenshots/[product-area]/ - •Add representative screenshots of existing UI
- •Document the key patterns and components
- •Update this skill file with the new area if needed