TypeUI
CLI that writes design-system SKILL.md files for AI coding agents
Tier S · Best in classDesign MdAgent SkillMCP Servertypeui.sh

TypeUI is an open-source CLI plus a public registry of design skill files - structured markdown that encodes typography scale, colour tokens, spacing rhythm, component anatomy, interaction states and accessibility rules in a form an agent will actually follow. `npx typeui.sh` runs an interactive generator, or `pull <slug>` fetches a curated spec straight from the registry into `.agents/skills/design-system/SKILL.md`. Commands are generate, update, randomize, list and pull; it also runs as an MCP server so an agent can consult the design system mid-build. It exists to stop LLMs inventing padding values and brand colours on the fly.
npx typeui.shFor an agent
Run this at the start of a greenfield UI task, before you write any component: `npx typeui.sh generate` produces the constraint file you then obey, which is far more reliable than the human describing the style in chat. Prefer `pull <slug>` over `generate` when the user has no strong opinion - a curated spec beats twenty interactive answers. Watch out that the skill file is instructions, not code: it will not install anything, so pair it with an actual registry (shadcn, Componentry, Base UI) for implementation.
Why it is here. It treats the design system as an artefact the agent reads rather than a prompt the human retypes, which is the correct shape for this problem and rare among design-for-AI tools.
Facts
- License
- MIT
- Pricing
- Open source, Free, Freemium, Subscription
- Framework
- Not applicable
- Styling
- Not applicable
- Distribution
- CLI installer, npm package, GitHub repository, MCP server, Web app / online tool
- Platform
- Terminal / CLI, Platform agnostic
- Content type
- Prose / writing, Design tokens / theme files, Prompts
- Agent readiness
- Agent skill or rules pack, CLI installable, MCP server, Readable open source, Structured documentation
- Accessibility
- Accessible
- Maturity
- Actively maintained
- Pricing detail
- CLI and public skill/prompt catalogue free (MIT); Pro subscription via Polar (monthly or yearly, price not verified) adds 20+ markdown files per skill, 10x more layout prompts, private Discord
- GitHub stars
- 1,800
- Package
- typeui.sh
Notable for
- generates SKILL.md / DESIGN.md
- MIT CLI, no install needed
- public registry of curated design skills
- doubles as an MCP server
- ~1.8k GitHub stars
Provenance
Verified 2026-08-15. HTTP 429. https://github.com/bergside/typeui (stars, MIT licence, command list, npm name - the load-bearing source), https://www.creative-tim.com/blog/ai-agent/typeui-the-design-layer-for-ai-coding-agents/, plus web search. typeui.sh itself returned HTTP 429 on four attempts (homepage, /docs, /design-skills twice), so the skill count is left null - sources claim 48, 50+ and 67
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