Front-End Development with Natural Language
"The future of human/computer interaction is conversational."
OpenUI is a new project that simplifies the creation of front-end applications through an intuitive, AI-powered interface. This open-source tool allows users to describe the elements they need for their web applications using natural language and it dynamically generates the corresponding front-end code. Whether you are a seasoned developer looking to expedite your workflow or a beginner wanting to build interfaces without deep coding knowledge, OpenUI offers a flexible and user-friendly solution.
After installing OpenUI you will need to connect it to your OpenAI API key which acts as the engine for generating code. Alternatively, for those preferring to operate entirely offline or within their local networks, OpenUI supports running with Ollama—a local, open-source AI model. This flexibility allows you to tailor the setup according to your operational security needs.
Step 1: Clone the Repository
Start by cloning the OpenUI repository from GitHub. Run the following command in your terminal:
git clone https://github.com/wandb/openui
Step 2: Set Up the Environment
If you don't already have Docker installed first install it from here. https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/
Navigate into your cloned directory and run the following code from the command line.
docker build . -t wandb/openui --load
Next decide if you would like to use your OpenAI API key or Ollama running locally on your own computer.
For OpenAI API usage run the following code replacing "YOUR-KEY" with your OpenAI API key.
docker run -p 7878:7878 -e OPENAI_API_KEY=YOUR-KEY wandb/openui
or
For Ollama usage run
docker run -p 7878:7878 -e OPENAI_API_KEY=xxx wandb/openui
Navigate to https://localhost:7878/
Step 3: Create and Modify UI Elements
Begin by creating a signup form as an example to get started. Simply type "build me a signup form" in the UI or click the example button "Generate a multi-step form for a checkout procedure including progress indicators", and watch as the tool dynamically generates the frontend for a signup form, including fields for First Name, Last Name, Card Number, and Expiry Date.
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If you need to modify any element, use the interactive tools to split names into first and last names, or to change input types. For example:
To split the name field, select it and type in your natural language instructions for the changes you would like to make. In this example I typed "split names into first and last" which resulted in the following updates to the page.
Enhance your page by making it responsive or adding additional features like sign-in or sign-up buttons. Use commands like "make this responsive" or "add a sign-up button for new users" to instruct the tool to make these adjustments.
Tip: first make sure the icon in the top left corner is selected "Comment on elements in the HTML"
Step 4: Export and Use Your UI
Once your UI is ready, you can view it in various formats (HTML, JSX, React), and even convert between these formats using the tool's options. Download the code, copy it, or share it directly from the UI.
By following these steps, you can quickly and effectively create front-end designs with OpenUI using natural language only.
Additional Features and Settings
Explore other settings and features like toggling between light and dark modes, and viewing different device layouts (desktop, tablet, mobile).
Visual Import Through Screenshots
OpenUI offers a particularly innovative feature that allows users to upload a screenshot of any webpage, which the platform can then analyze and recreate in code. This functionality is extremely valuable for developers who want to replicate or draw inspiration from existing web designs without manually coding every element. By simply dragging and dropping a screenshot into the OpenUI interface, the system uses advanced image recognition technologies to interpret the visual elements and layout. It then generates the corresponding front-end code, whether in HTML, JSX, or other supported frameworks. This feature not only saves significant development time but also enhances accuracy in translating visual designs directly into deployable code, making OpenUI a powerful tool for rapid prototyping and iterative design processes.
Note: When using Ollama make sure to select a visual model like "llava".
OpenUI represents a very promising start down the path to more conversational front-end design. By enabling users to articulate their interface needs through simple commands and see those changes implemented in real time, it bridges a significant gap between design ideation and development. As a tool, OpenUI embodies the potential for a more interactive and intuitive workflow in web development, making it accessible even to those with limited coding expertise. Over time, I expect the feature set and usability of OpenUI to improve, incorporating more advanced AI capabilities and better development workflows to refine its functionality. This type of natural language development approach is likely to form part of more advanced agentic solutions very soon.
Paul Hankin is the author of:
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