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Claude Code as a Figma Replacement for Small Teams
A design leader tested using Claude Code instead of Figma for prototyping. Verdict: it works for very small teams who want fast coded prototypes, but medium-to-large teams should stick with Figma for collaboration.
Setup Time
1 hour
Monthly Cost
$15-40
Category
Creative
Difficulty
intermediate
Nic Bertino, a design leader and creative technologist, published an in-depth analysis of using Claude Code as a replacement for Figma.
Key Findings
- Claude Code isn't a sandbox — it operates directly in your codebase
- Great for generating new components from scratch
- When designs evolve, making surgical updates is difficult without human oversight
- Outputs vary significantly between prompts without designer review
Who Should Use This Approach
- Very small teams looking for fast interface prototypes
- Solo developers who need UI without hiring a designer
- Rapid prototyping of common interfaces (signup forms, dashboards)
Who Should NOT
- Medium to large teams needing collaborative design workflows
- Projects requiring extensive design system documentation
- Low-fidelity exploration and discovery phases
Recommended Hybrid Workflow
1. Use FigJam for discovery and brainstorming
2. Use Claude Code for coded prototypes
3. Validate with stakeholders
4. Iterate with designer oversight
Best Practice
- Document design guidelines explicitly for Claude
- Invest in design system documentation
- Always have a human review Claude's output
Requirements
- Claude Code installed
- Existing codebase
- Design guidelines documented
Source
figmaprototypingdesignsmall-teamsui