Guide · Open source
How to use awesome-design-md: DESIGN.md files for AI agents
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
awesome-design-md is a curated collection of DESIGN.md files, each a plain-text markdown document that describes the visual design system of a real developer-focused website such as Claude, Cursor, or Vercel. This guide explains what these files are, how to get them, and how to hand one to an AI coding agent so it generates UI in a similar style. By the end you will know how to clone the repository, pick a file, and write a prompt that uses it.
Awesome DESIGN.mdVoltAgent/awesome-design-md · ★ 125k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/VoltAgent/awesome-design-md in the folder where you want the files.
- 2Pick a category. Browse the collection by category, such as AI & LLM Platforms or Developer Tools & IDEs, and choose a brand whose look you want.
- 3Open the DESIGN.md entry. Follow the entry's link or open the matching file in the cloned repository to read its colour, type and layout rules.
- 4Copy the file into your project. Place the DESIGN.md file in your project root.
- 5Prompt your AI coding agent. Ask the agent to build the page you need in the style of this design, for example by saying build me a page that looks like this.
- 6Review the output. Compare the generated UI against the DESIGN.md and ask the agent to correct any differences.
What is a DESIGN.md file?
A DESIGN.md file is a plain-text markdown document that describes a visual design system. The source describes it as a new concept introduced by Google Stitch, and says AI agents read it to generate consistent UI.
The format has no special tooling. The source notes there are no Figma exports or JSON schemas involved, and that markdown is the format LLMs read best. The repo's table separates two files: AGENTS.md tells coding agents how to build the project, while DESIGN.md tells design agents how the project should look and feel.
- AGENTS.md: how to build the project (coding agents)
- DESIGN.md: how the project should look and feel (design agents)
Get the awesome-design-md files
The README's install method is a git clone of the repository. Run the command below in the folder where you want the files to live.
The collection is organized by category, including AI & LLM Platforms, Developer Tools & IDEs, Backend, Database & DevOps, Productivity & SaaS, Design & Creative Tools, and Fintech & Crypto. Open the category that matches the look you want and find the brand's DESIGN.md entry.
git clone https://github.com/VoltAgent/awesome-design-mdAdd a DESIGN.md to your project
The source says to drop a DESIGN.md into your project root so any AI coding agent can read it. Copy the file for the style you want into the root folder of the project you are building.
Each entry in the collection links to a design file, and the README gives a short description of each brand's look, such as Ollama's terminal-first, monochrome simplicity or Vercel's black and white precision with Geist font.
- Copy the chosen DESIGN.md into your project root.
- Keep the file name as DESIGN.md so agents can find it.
Ask your AI coding agent to build a matching page
With the file in place, tell your AI agent to build the page you need in the style of the design. The README's own wording is: tell your AI agent "build me a page that looks like this."
The agent uses the file's colors, type, and layout rules to produce consistent UI. The source says the files include tokens and rules, so the output should follow those values rather than a generic look. Review the result, because the source does not claim the output is production-ready.
- Name the page or component you want (for example, a landing page or pricing section).
- Point the agent at the DESIGN.md in your project root.
- Check colours, type and spacing against the file and ask for corrections where they differ.
Check licensing before reusing a brand's look
The repository is licensed under MIT, but the files describe third-party websites. The README does not address trademark or licensing of the sampled designs, so the source gives no basis for claiming you may reuse a brand's look commercially.
Treat these files as a reference for learning and prototyping. If you plan to ship a design that closely copies a real brand, get your own legal review first.
Know the limits
The repo provides design description files only, not code or a component library. The README does not describe a component library, so you will still write the components yourself or with your agent.
These files describe third-party sites and are not a design system for your own brand. Create your own DESIGN.md if you need a system tied to your product.
- No components or library code is included; only design description files.
- Files describe other companies' sites, not your brand.
What people use it for
- Prototyping a landing page quickly from an existing look
- Helping an AI coding agent keep generated UI visually consistent
- Studying how different developer-focused brands structure their design rules
- Generating a dashboard in a dark, data-dense style based on a sampled site
Frequently asked questions
Is awesome-design-md free?
The repository is licensed under MIT, according to the source. The MIT licence covers the repository, but the README does not address trademark or licensing of the designs it samples.
Do I need any prerequisites to install awesome-design-md?
The source lists no prerequisites. The install method is a git clone of the repository, followed by copying a DESIGN.md file into your project.
What is the git command to get awesome-design-md?
Run git clone https://github.com/VoltAgent/awesome-design-md. This downloads the collection of DESIGN.md files to your machine.
Does awesome-design-md include code or components?
No. The source says the repo provides design description files only, not code. You will need a separate component library or your own code to build the UI.
Can I use awesome-design-md for my own brand?
The files describe third-party websites, so they are not designed for a team's own brand. The source suggests creating a DESIGN.md that reflects your own design system instead.
Are there alternatives to awesome-design-md?
The source lists no comparable projects, so it does not name alternatives. You can write your own DESIGN.md as a plain markdown file describing your project's colours, type and layout.
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Our verdict
awesome-design-md suits developers who want an AI coding agent to match a known visual style, designers prototyping a landing page quickly, and people studying how developer-focused brands write their design rules. It is a poor fit if you need a finished component library, legal clearance to reuse a brand's look, or a design system for your own company.
Install options & downloads