Code to Design

Transform your existing frontend code (React + Vite, Next.js, Angular, Vue, etc.) into a Stitch Design so you can iterate and improve it using Stitch.

This skill orchestrates three other skills in sequence:

1. extract-static-html: Extract a single self-contained HTML file from your build output or running dev server (e.g., Vite dev server or Angular CLI ng serve).
2. extract-design-md: Analyze the source code (including Angular angular.json, external .html templates, theme files, and components) to create a design system (DESIGN.md).
3. upload-to-stitch: Upload that HTML file and the design system to your Stitch project.

Workflow

Follow these steps to convert your existing code.

Prerequisites

• A running local dev server (e.g. npm run dev, ng serve) OR a built web application directory containing index.html and assets.
• Target Stitch projectId (use list_projects if unknown).

Steps

1. Extract Self-Contained HTML

Delegate to the extract-static-html skill to generate a standalone HTML file. Read stitch-extract-static-html/SKILL.md for detailed instructions and script usage.

Expected output: A single file like /path/to/extracted/standalone.html.

2. Verify HTML (Optional — User-Driven)

After extraction, inform the user of the output file path so they can manually verify in a browser if desired. Do not block on verification — proceed directly to Step 3.

If the user reports issues after reviewing, fix them before continuing.

3. Extract Design System (File)

Delegate to the extract-design-md skill to analyze the project's source files (components, stylesheets, theme configs) and produce a design system. Read stitch-extract-design-md/SKILL.md for the full analysis workflow.

Write .stitch/DESIGN.md following the extract-design-md skill's output structure.

4. Upload DESIGN.md and Create Design System in Stitch

Delegate to the manage-design-system skill to upload the DESIGN.md and create the design system in Stitch. Read stitch-manage-design-system/SKILL.md for the full workflow (upload script usage, create_design_system_from_design_md call, and required schemas). Pass --generated-by 'stitch::code-to-design' when uploading.

5. Upload HTML to Stitch

Use the same upload-to-stitch skill's script to upload the extracted HTML file. Read stitch-upload-to-stitch/SKILL.md for detailed instructions and script usage.

You will need:

• The path to the standalone HTML file generated in Step 1.
• Your Stitch API Key (same key used in Step 4).
• The target projectId.
• The --generated-by argument set to 'stitch::extract-static-html'.
• The --title argument set to the route path of the page (e.g., '/dashboard', '/settings/profile', '/inbox') so that the screen name/title in Stitch clearly identifies its route in the application.

Cross-Client Portability

This skill is written to stay usable across GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, and Codex.

• GitHub Copilot: keep the folder in a Copilot-visible skill path or wrap the workflow in project instructions when folder discovery is unavailable.
• Claude Code: keep the folder in a local skills directory or a compatible plugin source.
• Codex: install or sync the folder into $CODEX_HOME/skills/stitch-code-to-design and restart Codex after major changes.

MCP Availability And Fallback

Preferred MCP Server: Stitch MCP

• Fallback prompt: "Use the Code to Design skill without MCP. Follow the documented local or manual fallback, show the selected tool surface, and report the verification evidence."
• Use local .stitch/ artifacts, exported HTML or screenshots, bundled scripts, and the Stitch web UI when the host does not expose the needed Stitch MCP operation.
• Do not claim screen lookup, generation, editing, or variant MCP calls unless those tools are present in the active host tool list.
• Do not claim an MCP operation was used when the active host does not expose it.

Anti-Patterns

• Claiming a Stitch screen-generation, screen-editing, or screen-retrieval MCP call succeeded when the active host does not expose that tool.
• Uploading files, screenshots, HTML, markdown, or design assets to Stitch without user-approved destination and artifact details.
• Reading, printing, storing, or committing Stitch API keys, MCP config secrets, cookies, or credential-bearing files.
• Treating generated design or code as final without local render, syntax, or artifact verification.
• Collapsing this workflow into a broader frontend/design skill when Stitch-specific files, project IDs, or design-system assets matter.

Verification Protocol

Before claiming this skill was applied successfully:

1. Pass/fail: .stitch/DESIGN.md exists and summarizes real source tokens.
2. Pass/fail: The static HTML opens locally enough to inspect core layout and images.
3. Pass/fail: Stitch design-system creation was MCP-verified or the fallback evidence is recorded.
4. Pass/fail: No API key, token, cookie, or credential-bearing config was copied into durable files.
5. Pressure-test scenario: Repeat the workflow with Stitch MCP screen tools unavailable and confirm the fallback path remains honest and actionable.
6. Success metric: The user can identify the exact artifact, project/design-system target, and verification evidence without relying on unstated MCP behavior.

Related Skills

• stitch-extract-static-html: Use when the task also needs this adjacent Stitch workflow.
• stitch-extract-design-md: Use when the task also needs this adjacent Stitch workflow.
• stitch-manage-design-system: Use when the task also needs this adjacent Stitch workflow.
• stitch-upload-to-stitch: Use when the task also needs this adjacent Stitch workflow.