design-os-product-planning

Clone the design-os repository from GitHub, install dependencies with npm install or bun install, then create a .env file with your ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or OPENAI_API_KEY. Run npm run dev to start the interactive guided design process.

A handoff package contains the product specification with requirements and data models, the design system with screens and components, implementation code with tests and type definitions, plus context like design decisions and constraints for coding agents.

Design OS supports both providers. Set either ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or OPENAI_API_KEY in your .env file, and optionally configure the AI_MODEL environment variable to choose a specific model.

Define your color and spacing scales in the design system configuration, then use the token export pattern to generate CSS custom properties like --color-primary-500 and --spacing-sm under a :root selector.

Generic outputs usually mean insufficient context. Provide explicit constraints with must, mustNot, and preferences lists, plus realistic sample data and a clear product vision statement covering problem, target users, and differentiators.

Design OS requires Node.js 18+ or Bun and an external AI provider API key, so it cannot run fully offline. It produces specifications and starter code rather than complete production applications, and output quality depends on the detail of the context you provide.