
prototype designer
Create interactive prototypes, design user flows, implement prototype testing strategies, and manage handoff to development. Validate ideas before building.
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Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/daffy0208/ai-dev-standards --skill prototype-designer- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads prototype designer automatically when relevant.
- 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.
Prototype Designer
Validate ideas through interactive prototypes before writing code.
Core Principle
Test before you build.
Prototypes let you:
- Validate assumptions
- Test with real users
- Iterate faster than code
- Communicate ideas clearly
- Reduce development waste
Phase 1: Choosing Prototyping Tools
Tool Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Learning Curve | Fidelity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Figma | Full designs, collaboration | Medium | High |
| Framer | Code-based, advanced interactions | High | Very High |
| ProtoPie | Complex interactions, sensors | Medium | Very High |
| Adobe XD | Adobe ecosystem users | Low | High |
| InVision | Design handoff, simple clicks | Low | Medium |
| Axure | Complex logic, documentation | High | High |
Quick Start Recommendations
Beginner: Start with Figma
- Built-in to design tool
- No separate app needed
- Intuitive interactions
- Free for individuals
Advanced: Graduate to Framer or ProtoPie
- More complex interactions
- Variable support
- Conditional logic
- Sensor integration (mobile)
Phase 2: User Flow Design
What is a User Flow?
A user flow shows the path users take through your app to complete a task.
Example: User Registration Flow
Start
↓
Landing Page
↓
Click "Sign Up"
↓
Email Entry → Validation
↓ [Valid]
Password Entry → Validation
↓ [Valid]
Success Screen
↓
Onboarding Flow
Creating User Flows in Figma
1. Create Flow Frames:
Frames needed:
├── 01-landing
├── 02-signup-form
├── 03-email-verification
├── 04-success
└── 05-onboarding-step-1
2. Add Interactions:
Click "Sign Up" button → Navigate to 02-signup-form
Click "Submit" → Navigate to 03-email-verification
Click "Continue" → Navigate to 04-success
3. Add Overlays:
Error states:
- Show "Error: Invalid email" overlay
- Show "Error: Password too weak" overlay
User Flow Template
// user-flows.ts
interface UserFlow {
id: string
name: string
description: string
steps: FlowStep[]
alternativePaths: AlternativePath[]
}
interface FlowStep {
id: string
screen: string
action: string
nextStep: string
conditions?: string[]
}
interface AlternativePath {
trigger: string
steps: FlowStep[]
destination: string
}
export const signupFlow: UserFlow = {
id: 'signup',
name: 'User Registration',
description: 'User signs up for an account',
steps: [
{
id: '1',
screen: 'Landing Page',
action: 'Click "Sign Up"',
nextStep: '2'
},
{
id: '2',
screen: 'Sign Up Form',
action: 'Enter email and password',
nextStep: '3',
conditions: ['Email valid', 'Password strong']
},
{
id: '3',
screen: 'Email Verification',
action: 'Enter verification code',
nextStep: '4',
conditions: ['Code valid']
},
{
id: '4',
screen: 'Success',
action: 'Click "Get Started"',
nextStep: '5'
}
],
alternativePaths: [
{
trigger: 'Invalid email',
steps: [
{
id: 'error-1',
screen: 'Sign Up Form',
action: 'Show error message',
nextStep: '2'
}
],
destination: 'Step 2'
}
]
}
Phase 3: Interactive Prototyping
Figma Prototyping Basics
1. Basic Click Navigation:
Select element → Prototype panel → Add interaction
- Trigger: On click
- Action: Navigate to
- Destination: Screen name
- Animation: Instant / Dissolve / Slide / Push
2. Hover States:
Button → Prototype panel
- Trigger: While hovering
- Action: Change to
- Destination: Button-hover variant
3. Scroll Behavior:
Frame → Prototype panel
- Overflow behavior: Vertical scrolling
- Set scroll position (optional)
4. Smart Animate:
Two frames with matching layer names
- Animation: Smart animate
- Easing: Ease out
- Duration: 300ms
Advanced Interactions
Conditional Logic (Variables):
// Figma Variables (Beta)
Variables:
- isLoggedIn: Boolean
- userType: String
- itemCount: Number
Conditional:
IF isLoggedIn = true
THEN Navigate to Dashboard
ELSE
THEN Navigate to Login
Multi-Step Forms:
Step 1 (Name) → Validation
↓ [Valid]
Step 2 (Email) → Validation
↓ [Valid]
Step 3 (Password) → Validation
↓ [Valid]
Success Screen
State Management:
Component: Button
States:
- Default
- Hover
- Pressed
- Disabled
- Loading
Prototype:
On click → Change to "Loading"
After delay → Navigate to next screen
Phase 4: Framer Prototyping
When to Use Framer
Use Framer for:
- Complex animations
- Code-driven interactions
- Real data integration
- Advanced logic
- Production-ready components
Framer Code Component Example
// components/Counter.tsx
import { useState } from 'react'
export function Counter() {
const [count, setCount] = useState(0)
return (
<div
style={{
display: 'flex',
flexDirection: 'column',
alignItems: 'center',
gap: 16
}}
>
<h1 style={{ fontSize: 48 }}>{count}</h1>
<div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 8 }}>
<button
onClick={() => setCount(count - 1)}
style={{
padding: '12px 24px',
fontSize: 16,
borderRadius: 8,
border: 'none',
cursor: 'pointer',
background: '#0066cc',
color: 'white'
}}
>
-
</button>
<button
onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}
style={{
padding: '12px 24px',
fontSize: 16,
borderRadius: 8,
border: 'none',
cursor: 'pointer',
background: '#0066cc',
color: 'white'
}}
>
+
</button>
</div>
</div>
)
}
Framer Motion Animations
// components/AnimatedCard.tsx
import { motion } from 'framer-motion'
export function AnimatedCard() {
return (
<motion.div
initial={{ opacity: 0, y: 20 }}
animate={{ opacity: 1, y: 0 }}
transition={{ duration: 0.3 }}
whileHover={{ scale: 1.05 }}
whileTap={{ scale: 0.95 }}
style={{
width: 300,
height: 200,
background: 'white',
borderRadius: 16,
padding: 24,
boxShadow: '0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)',
cursor: 'pointer'
}}
>
<h2>Card Title</h2>
<p>Hover or click me!</p>
</motion.div>
)
}
Phase 5: Prototype Testing
Usability Testing Plan
1. Define Goals:
- What do you want to learn?
- What tasks should users complete?
- What metrics will you measure?
2. Recruit Participants:
- 5-8 participants (enough to find major issues)
- Match your target audience
- Diverse backgrounds
3. Create Test Script:
# Prototype Usability Test Script
## Introduction (2 min)
"Thank you for helping us test this prototype. There are no wrong answers - we're testing the design, not you. Please think aloud as you complete tasks."
## Tasks (20 min)
### Task 1: Sign Up
"Imagine you want to create an account. Show me how you would do that."
Success criteria:
- [ ] Found sign up button
- [ ] Entered email
- [ ] Entered password
- [ ] Completed verification
- [ ] Reached dashboard
### Task 2: Find Settings
"You want to change your notification preferences. Show me how you would do that."
Success criteria:
- [ ] Navigated to settings
- [ ] Found notifications section
- [ ] Changed setting
- [ ] Saved changes
## Questions (5 min)
1. What was the easiest part?
2. What was the hardest part?
3. What would you change?
4. Would you use this? Why/why not?
4. Conduct Tests:
- Record sessions (with permission)
- Take notes
- Don't help unless stuck
- Ask follow-up questions
5. Analyze Results:
// test-results.ts
interface TestResult {
participant: string
task: string
completed: boolean
timeSeconds: number
errors: string[]
feedback: string
}
const results: TestResult[] = [
{
participant: 'User 1',
task: 'Sign up',
completed: true,
timeSeconds: 45,
errors: ['Missed verification step'],
feedback: 'Form was clear but verification was confusing'
}
// ...
]
// Calculate metrics
function analyzeResults(results: TestResult[]) {
const completionRate = results.filter(r => r.completed).length / results.length
const avgTime = results.reduce((sum, r) => sum + r.timeSeconds, 0) / results.length
const commonErrors = findCommonErrors(results)
return {
completionRate: `${(completionRate * 100).toFixed(0)}%`,
avgTime: `${avgTime.toFixed(0)}s`,
commonErrors
}
}
Remote Testing Tools
Unmoderated:
- UserTesting.com - Recruit + test
- Maze - Analytics for prototypes
- Lookback - Session recording
Moderated:
- Zoom - Screen sharing
- Google Meet - Built-in recording
- Loom - Async feedback
Phase 6: Developer Handoff
Prepare Prototype for Handoff
1. Documentation:
# Prototype Documentation
## User Flows
- [Sign Up Flow](figma-link)
- [Purchase Flow](figma-link)
## Interactions
- Button hover: Scale 1.05, 200ms ease-out
- Page transition: Slide right, 300ms ease-in-out
- Error shake: Translate X ±10px, 3 times, 100ms
## States
- Default
- Hover
- Active
- Disabled
- Loading
- Error
## Animations
- Fade in: opacity 0→1, 300ms
- Slide up: translateY 20px→0, 400ms ease-out
## Breakpoints
- Mobile: 375px - 767px
- Tablet: 768px - 1023px
- Desktop: 1024px+
2. Annotate Prototype:
In Figma:
- Add notes explaining complex interactions
- Document edge cases
- Show error states
- Clarify timing
3. Export Specifications:
// specs/interactions.ts
export const interactions = {
button: {
hover: {
scale: 1.05,
duration: 200,
easing: 'ease-out'
},
click: {
scale: 0.95,
duration: 100,
easing: 'ease-in'
}
},
page: {
transition: {
type: 'slide',
direction: 'right',
duration: 300,
easing: 'ease-in-out'
}
},
modal: {
open: {
backdrop: { opacity: 0.5 },
content: { scale: 0.9, opacity: 0 },
to: { scale: 1, opacity: 1 },
duration: 200
},
close: {
backdrop: { opacity: 0 },
content: { scale: 0.9, opacity: 0 },
duration: 200
}
}
}
4. Create Implementation Guide:
# Implementation Guide
## Tech Stack Recommendations
### Animations
- **Framer Motion** - React animations
- **GSAP** - Advanced animations
- **CSS Transitions** - Simple effects
### State Management
- **useState** - Local component state
- **Zustand** - Global state
- **React Query** - Server state
### Forms
- **React Hook Form** - Form validation
- **Zod** - Schema validation
## Code Examples
### Button with Hover Effect
\`\`\`tsx
import { motion } from 'framer-motion'
export function Button({ children, onClick }) {
return (
<motion.button
whileHover={{ scale: 1.05 }}
whileTap={{ scale: 0.95 }}
transition={{ duration: 0.2 }}
onClick={onClick}
style={{
padding: '12px 24px',
borderRadius: 8,
border: 'none',
background: '#0066cc',
color: 'white',
fontSize: 16,
fontWeight: 600,
cursor: 'pointer'
}} >
{children}
</motion.button>
)
}
\`\`\`
Best Practices
1. Start Low-Fidelity
Begin with sketches/wireframes before high-fidelity prototypes.
Progression:
- Paper sketches (1-2 hours)
- Wireframes (half day)
- High-fidelity design (1-2 days)
- Interactive prototype (1 day)
- User testing (2-3 days)
- Iteration (1-2 days)
2. Focus on Critical Paths
Prototype the most important user flows first:
- Sign up / Login
- Core feature usage
- Purchase / Checkout
- Onboarding
Skip:
- Settings pages
- Admin panels
- Edge cases (initially)
3. Use Real Content
Avoid "Lorem ipsum" - use realistic:
- Text lengths
- Image dimensions
- Data variations
- Error messages
4. Test Early, Test Often
- Test wireframes before designing
- Test prototypes before building
- Test with 5 users, iterate, test again
5. Maintain Prototype
Keep prototype updated as:
- Designs change
- Feedback comes in
- Features are added
- Bugs are found
Common Patterns
Pattern 1: Loading States
// Loading state progression
1. Button: "Submit" (clickable)
2. Button: "Loading..." (disabled, spinner)
3. Button: "Success!" (green, checkmark)
4. After 2s: Back to "Submit"
Pattern 2: Form Validation
// Real-time validation
1. User types in field
2. On blur: Validate
3. Show error if invalid
4. Disable submit until all valid
5. Show success after submit
Pattern 3: Modal Flows
// Modal interaction
1. Click trigger → Open modal (backdrop + animation)
2. User interacts with modal content
3. Click outside / X button → Close modal
4. Prevent scroll on body when open
Tools & Resources
Prototyping:
Testing:
- Maze - Prototype testing
- UserTesting - User research
- Hotjar - Heatmaps & recordings
Animation:
Related Skills:
ux-designer- User experience designfrontend-builder- Implementing prototypesuser-researcher- Testing & validation
Prototype fast, validate early, build right. 🚀
FAQ
What does the prototype designer skill do?
Create interactive prototypes, design user flows, implement prototype testing strategies, and manage handoff to development. Validate ideas before building.
How do I install prototype designer?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/daffy0208/ai-dev-standards --skill prototype-designer 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/prototype-designer/ (personal) or .claude/skills/prototype-designer/ (project).
Which AI agents can use prototype designer?
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 prototype designer 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 prototype designer?
It is published by daffy0208 in daffy0208/ai-dev-standards. It has 274 recorded installs.
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