automation

Fast Design with Open-Design

Name: Fast Design with Open-Design
Author: nexu-io

Get native app design with web, desktop, mobile prototypes. For founders needing local-first design tools.

intermediate⏱ 30 minutes💵 Free (self-hosted)

80,541 stars9,291 forksTypeScriptUpdated 7/22/2026100% free · open source

What it is

Create native app designs with web, desktop, and mobile prototypes using a Claude Design alternative.

What you can make with it

Design native apps, including web, desktop, and mobile prototypes, like a local-first design tool for a new product.

How it helps

This skill helps founders and designers create prototypes and design systems without relying on cloud-based tools.

Real use case example

"A founder of a new productivity app wants to create a prototype for Android and iOS. They use Fast Design with Open-Design to create multiple design versions based on user feedback, focusing on a clean layout and clear navigation. With the skill's output, the founder refines the app's UI and makes changes, iterating until satisfied with the design."

If you're new

Beginners can pick this up when they want to create a simple app design without prior design experience.

If you're senior

Senior engineers and professionals will reach for this when they need to design custom, local-first prototypes for specific applications.

Common confusion cleared up

Fast Design with Open-Design is not a full-fledged GUI design tool, but rather a code-based design tool for creating prototypes.

Best inside these AI tools

Claude Desktop

Pairs with

Claude APICodex CLI

Why we list it on WorkflowStacks: It's included as a free, open-source alternative to paid design tools, giving users more options and flexibility.

What it does

Open-design creates native app designs with web, desktop, and mobile prototypes using a local-first approach, providing an alternative to cloud-based design tools like Claude Design.

Install / run

git clone https://github.com/nexu-io/open-design.git && cd open-design

When to use it

•When you need to design native apps with a focus on local development and control over your data
•When you want to create prototypes for web, desktop, and mobile applications from a single design tool
•When you are looking for an open-source alternative to commercial design tools with a wide range of features and integrations

Quick start

1Run the command `npm install` to setup the project
2Use the command `npm run start` to launch the Open-design application
3Explore the design systems and templates available in the `design-systems` folder
4Create a new design project using the `open-design new` command
5Preview your design in a sandboxed environment using the `open-design preview` command

Ready-to-paste prompt

npx open-design new my-app --template hyperframe --platform web,desktop,mobile

Heads up: Make sure you have Node.js and TypeScript installed on your system, as Open-design is built using TypeScript and relies on Node.js for execution

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