MCPInstall

21st-ui-explore

Explore and compare multiple meaningfully different UI directions grounded in the current project's design system and 21st inspiration. Use when the user wants options, variants, concepts, a redesign direction, visual experimentation, or is unsure how a new interface should look. Trigger for requests such as "show me three directions", "explore alternatives", "what could this page look like", or "generate variants". Do not use for a straightforward implementation with an already-selected direction.

Installs
1.4K
Last 24h
+27
Trending rank
#4705
Security
Not audited

Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/21st-dev/skill --skill 21st-ui-explore
  1. 01

    Install

    Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.

  2. 02

    Describe the task

    Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads 21st-ui-explore automatically when relevant.

  3. 03

    Review the result

    The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.

SKILL.md

The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.

Explore grounded UI directions

Create real choices without abandoning the project's visual identity.

Workflow

  1. Read .21st/design.json and the relevant product UI. If context is missing, run 21st init --design-context.

  2. Search 21st for multiple relevant references before generating:

    21st search "<interface and product context>" --context auto
    
  3. Define three named directions. Each direction must differ on at least two meaningful axes such as hierarchy, information density, navigation model, content emphasis, interaction pattern, or composition. Color-only variants do not count.

  4. Keep shared constraints fixed: real stack, tokens, brand assets, required content, accessibility, and responsive behavior.

  5. Create comparable previews. Check MCP get_usage.aiGenerationEnabled or run 21st usage and read the 21st AI generation line. CLI 1.17.1+ also supports 21st usage --json. Only when AI is explicitly enabled, use hosted generation with available AI credits:

    21st generate "<goal plus fixed constraints>" --context auto --variants 3
    

    Otherwise, implement the previews with your own coding agent, grounded in 21st search and 21st get (MCP: search and get_component). Do not call or suggest hosted generate or iterate_generation without AI access.

  6. Present the options together when the host supports a picker. Otherwise give each option a preview/deep link and a compact comparison.

  7. Recommend one direction with concrete tradeoffs, but let the user choose.

  8. After selection, remove abandoned local variants and record the decision in .21st/design.json.

Direction contract

For every direction provide:

  • a short, descriptive name;
  • the core idea and intended user effect;
  • the 21st/project references used;
  • what stays consistent with the project;
  • two or more meaningful differences;
  • accessibility or responsive risks;
  • the best-fit scenario.

Do not generate random style mutations. Every difference must support a product or usability hypothesis that a user can evaluate.

FAQ

What does the 21st-ui-explore skill do?

Explore and compare multiple meaningfully different UI directions grounded in the current project's design system and 21st inspiration. Use when the user wants options, variants, concepts, a redesign direction, visual experimentation, or is unsure how a new interface should look. Trigger for requests such as "show me three directions", "explore alternatives", "what could this page look like", or "generate variants". Do not use for a straightforward implementation with an already-selected direction.

How do I install 21st-ui-explore?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/21st-dev/skill --skill 21st-ui-explore in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/21st-ui-explore/ (personal) or .claude/skills/21st-ui-explore/ (project).

Which AI agents can use 21st-ui-explore?

Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.

Is 21st-ui-explore safe to install?

No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.

Who maintains 21st-ui-explore?

It is published by 21st-dev in 21st-dev/skill. It has 1,388 recorded installs.

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