Open Design
Connect Claude Code to a local Open Design app over MCP so agents reach 139 design skills plus project, file, and preview tools.
Overview
open-design is a plugin marketplace for the Build phase that wires Claude Code to a local Open Design MCP server with 139 skills and project/file/preview tools.
What is this marketplace?
- Open Design MCP server (stdio) backed by local od daemon
- 139 skills plus projects, files, and preview tools for coding agents
- Local-first design app reachable without cloud-only design lock-in
- Requires od on PATH (Homebrew, npm, or DMG install paths documented)
- Anthropic marketplace.json schema-compatible catalog from nexu-io lineage
- 1 plugin (open-design) in catalog
- 139 skills cited in marketplace description
- MCP transport: stdio via local od daemon
What problem does it solve?
Agent-assisted builders struggle to bridge Figma-like design state and code when design files live outside the agent’s reach on the same machine.
Who is it for?
Solo builders running Open Design locally who want Claude Code to read and act on real design projects during UI implementation.
Skip if: Teams without the od daemon, headless-only pipelines, or builders who do not use design tooling in the agent loop.
What do I get? / Deliverables
After you install the marketplace and od daemon, your agent can use stdio MCP to open projects, manipulate files, preview designs, and invoke the bundled design skill library.
- Registered open-design marketplace plugin
- Running Open Design MCP server over stdio
- Agent access to projects, files, previews, and the 139-skill design library
Plugins in this marketplace
1 plugin — install individually after you add the marketplace.
Recommended Marketplaces
Journey fit
Hooking a local-first design surface into the agent stack is Build work where UI and implementation meet agent tooling. Frontend is the canonical shelf because Open Design exposes design projects, previews, and skills aimed at visual product work—not distribution or ops monitoring.
How it compares
MCP-connected local design marketplace, not a hosted-only Figma clone or a single static UI skill.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is Open Design for?
Indie developers and designer-coders who use Open Design locally and want Claude Code (or MCP-capable agents) to access projects, previews, and skills over stdio.
When should I use Open Design?
Use it during Build while implementing frontend and UX—when screens, components, and previews should stay in sync with agent-written code.
How do I add Open Design to my agent?
Install od on PATH, add the Open Design marketplace via your agent’s plugin command, enable the Open Design plugin, and connect the MCP server over stdio.