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alternatives

Generate N parallel design alternatives for side-by-side comparison on the OpenDesign canvas.

24|5|Updated Apr 20, 2026
Search Tags:#canvas#generate#frame#design-alternatives#opendesign#execution-shopping#direction-shopping
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/basta/OpenDesign --skill alternatives-basta
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: alternatives
Source: https://github.com/basta/OpenDesign/tree/main/.claude/skills/alternatives
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/basta/OpenDesign --skill alternatives-basta

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Spin up N parallel takes on a single frame — side by side on the OpenDesign canvas — so the user can eyeball which one wins. Two flavors of comparison:

  • Execution shopping — DESIGN.md is filled; all alternatives respect the committed aesthetic but vary in layout, composition, and copy hierarchy.
  • Direction shopping — DESIGN.md is empty or the user passed --wild; each alternative commits to a different aesthetic direction.

You orchestrate and gate; subagents write the HTML. Nothing is committed to DESIGN.md, FEEL.md, or PROJECT.md — these are exploratory frames.

Quick Start

Describe the frame and let the system generate N side-by-side alternatives for visual comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions about alternatives

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I generate multiple design alternatives for side-by-side comparison on a canvas?▼

To generate design alternatives, describe a single frame and the system creates N parallel options on the OpenDesign canvas, enabling side-by-side visual comparison before you commit to a final layout. It handles layout calculations and frame registration automatically.

What is the difference between execution shopping and direction shopping for design options?▼

Execution shopping generates design alternatives that respect a committed aesthetic from a filled DESIGN.md, varying layout and copy. Direction shopping creates options with entirely different aesthetic directions when DESIGN.md is empty or a wild parameter is passed.

Can I generate design alternatives without overwriting my committed project files?▼

Yes, generating design alternatives is a safe exploratory process. Nothing is committed to DESIGN.md, FEEL.md, or PROJECT.md. The system writes self-contained HTML to unique frame IDs, keeping your core project files untouched.

How do I create varied layout directions while keeping my existing visual aesthetic?▼

You can create varied layouts by ensuring your DESIGN.md is filled with your visual rules. The system will generate parallel alternatives that respect your committed aesthetic while varying composition, layout, and copy hierarchy for visual comparison.

How do I get completely different design directions for a frame on the OpenDesign canvas?▼

To get completely different design directions, leave your DESIGN.md empty or pass a wild flag. The system will generate parallel alternatives where each frame commits to a different aesthetic direction, allowing you to compare diverse visual approaches.

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