UI Sketcher
UI Sketcher is an extension for Visual Studio Code that utilizes the capabilities of GPT-4 Vision to transform user interface (UI) sketches...
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What is UI Sketcher?
UI Sketcher is a Visual Studio Code extension that transforms hand-drawn UI sketches into functional code using GPT-4 Vision. The tool provides an interactive drawing board built on tldraw where users can sketch their interface designs, then click
UI Sketcher pricing
Pricing model: Free
UI Sketcher itself is free to download and use from the Visual Studio Marketplace. However, it requires an OpenAI API token to function, meaning users must pay for OpenAI API usage separately. The extension uses GPT-4 Vision which has associated API costs based on token usage. There are no paid plans for the extension itself - the only cost is the OpenAI API usage fee.
UI Sketcher pros
- Transforms hand-drawn sketches into functional code instantly
- Uses GPT-4 Vision for accurate code generation
- Integrated drawing board within VS Code
- Built on tldraw for familiar drawing experience
- Live iteration through preview URL
- Custom stack configuration for different tech stacks
- Custom instructions support for personalized code generation
- Preview URL setup for component testing
- Secure OpenAI token storage in VSCode secret store
- Works exceptionally well with Tailwind CSS and Svelte
- Cached resources for fast loading after initial use
- Max tokens configuration for controlling output length
- No external sharing of API tokens
- Quick prototype development workflow
- Eliminates gap between design and implementation
UI Sketcher cons
- Requires OpenAI API token (not free)
- Best results only with Tailwind + Svelte stack
- Drawing board may take time to load initially
- Limited testing across different tech stacks
- No built-in preview viewer (requires external URL setup)
- Max tokens default of 1000 may be limiting
- Requires manual stack configuration for non-Tailwind/Svelte projects
- Preview URL setup requires additional configuration
Frequently asked questions about UI Sketcher
How do I install UI Sketcher?
Launch VS Code Quick Open with Ctrl+P, paste the installation command for UI Sketcher, and press enter. After installation, run the command 'UI Sketcher: Set OpenAI API Token' to configure your OpenAI API token, which will be stored securely in VSCode's secret store.
Do I need an OpenAI API token?
Yes, UI Sketcher requires an OpenAI API token to use GPT-4 Vision for code generation. Run 'UI Sketcher: Set OpenAI API Token' after installation. Your token is stored in VSCode's secret store and never shared with anyone.
What tech stacks does UI Sketcher work best with?
UI Sketcher works wonder with Tailwind CSS plus Svelte. While the author hasn't tested many stacks extensively, Tailwind + Svelte produces the best results. You can configure other stacks using the ui-sketcher.stack setting.
How do I generate code from my sketch?
Open a text file in VS Code and position your cursor where you want the code generated. Use 'UI Sketcher: Open drawing board' to access the drawing canvas, draw your UI design, then click 'Make Real' to generate the code. Watch the code appear at your cursor position.
What is the preview URL feature?
The preview URL allows live iteration on your generated components. Set ui-sketcher.previewUrl to a URL that accepts a relative file path as a query parameter and displays the component. This lets you test and iterate on your generated code in real-time.
How do I customize the code generation for my project?
Use two custom settings: ui-sketcher.stack to specify the list of packages in your project, and ui-sketcher.customInstructions to add custom instructions for code generation. These ensure the generated code matches your project's technology stack and requirements.
Why does the drawing board take so long to load?
The drawing board may take a while to load the first time because it needs to initialize tldraw and load resources. However, everything is cached after the initial load, so subsequent uses should be seamless and fast.
What is the maxTokens setting?
ui-sketcher.maxTokens controls the maximum number of tokens to generate during code generation. The default is 1000 tokens. Increase this value if you need longer code outputs or decrease it for faster, shorter generation.
Is my OpenAI API token secure?
Yes, your OpenAI API token is stored in VSCode's secret store when you run 'UI Sketcher: Set OpenAI API Token'. The token is never shared with anyone, ensuring secure storage and handling of your API credentials.
Can I use UI Sketcher with frameworks other than Svelte?
Yes, but you need to configure it properly. Set ui-sketcher.stack to specify your project's packages. While Tailwind + Svelte works best out of the box, other stacks can work with proper configuration, though results may vary since extensive testing hasn been done across all stacks.