Using GUI Wireframes

Overview

ALWAYS use mermaid wireframe syntax for UI mockups. Never use ASCII art boxes, tables, or text representations for UI layouts.

When to Use

Use wireframe syntax when:

• User asks for a "mockup", "wireframe", "UI design", or "screen layout"
• Visualizing app screens, forms, dashboards, or navigation flows
• Showing multi-screen user flows or journeys
• Any situation where you'd otherwise draw ASCII boxes for UI

NEVER use ASCII art for UI. Wireframe syntax renders as actual visual diagrams.

Quick Syntax Reference

wireframe [viewport] [direction]
  [component] ["label"] [modifiers]

Viewports: mobile (375×600), tablet (768×1024), desktop (1200×800)

Direction: LR (horizontal screens), TD (vertical screens)

Containers:

Components:

Modifiers: primary, secondary, danger, disabled, flex=N, width=N, height=N, padding=N

Critical Syntax Rules

1. Indentation = hierarchy - Use 2 spaces per level, no tabs
2. Labels in quotes - Button "Submit" not Button Submit
3. Modifiers after label - Button "Save" primary not primary Button "Save"
4. Grid uses pipes - header "Col1 | Col2" and row "Val1 | Val2"

Common Patterns

Mobile form:

wireframe mobile
  col
    AppBar "Form Title"
    col padding=24
      Input "Field 1"
      Input "Field 2"
      spacer
      Button "Submit" primary

Multi-screen flow:

wireframe mobile LR
  screen "Login"
    col
      AppBar "Sign In"
      col padding=24
        Input "Email"
        Button "Login" primary
  screen "Home"
    col
      AppBar "Dashboard"
      Title "Welcome"

Desktop sidebar layout:

wireframe desktop
  col
    AppBar "App"
    row flex
      col width=200
        List "Nav 1"
        List "Nav 2"
      col flex
        Title "Content"

Common Mistakes

Red Flags - You're Doing It Wrong

If you find yourself:

• Drawing +----+ boxes → Use wireframe syntax
• Writing | Button | → Use Button "label"
• Making ASCII tables for UI → Use Grid with header/row
• Describing UI in prose → Create a wireframe diagram

These all mean: Use wireframe syntax instead.