Design Before Code

The Law

CODE WRITTEN WITHOUT A SPEC IS ALWAYS A PROTOTYPE.
"I'll design it as I build it" produces UI shaped by what was easy to code — not by what users need.
A written layout, state definitions, final copy, and interaction map IS a spec.

When to Use

Trigger before:

• Implementing any new AI feature UI component
• Refactoring a component that changes its interaction model
• Adding a new page or major section to an AI product
• Implementing the output of an agent or multi-step AI workflow

When NOT to Use