API Shape Explorer
Generates several radically different interface designs for a module in parallel.
Test report
- Verdict
- Tested · Didn't pass
- Tested
- Jul 12, 2026
- Environment
- Claude Code 2.x (agent harness)
- Upstream re-checked
- Aug 10, 2026 · dd56389
Tested a pure design/prompting scaffold (no scripts, network calls, or external deps) that applies 'Design It Twice' by spawning parallel sub-agents to generate radically different interface options. Verbatim clone+copy install and strict-YAML frontmatter both clean; A/B on a TTL-cache interface-design task showed the skill and base output at rough parity, with the base arm slightly ahead on breadth (4 vs 3 designs, more radically distinct shapes) and per-design test examples. The skill's core mechanism is parallel sub-agents, which this self-contained single-pass test neutralized, so it did not produce a materially better exploration here.
Scored on four weighted criteria — install, triggering, output vs. baseline, docs. How scoring works
- Installs cleanly 5/5
- Triggers reliably 4/5
- Output vs. baseline 4/10
- Docs & honesty 5/5
What API Shape Explorer does
Generate multiple radically different interface designs for a module using parallel sub-agents. Use when user wants to design an API, explore interface options, compare module shapes, or mentions "design it twice".
How to install API Shape Explorer
git clone https://github.com/zebbern/claude-code-guide
cd claude-code-guide
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills
cp -r skills/api-shape-explorer ~/.claude/skills/api-shape-explorer
Skills live in ~/.claude/skills/ (global) or .claude/skills/
(per-project). Restart Claude Code after installing.
Commands — how to trigger API Shape Explorer
-
/api-shape-explorerGenerates several radically different interface designs for a module in parallel.
It also activates on plain-language prompts like these:
-
Design this API two different ways and compare -
Explore alternative shapes for this module's interface -
Generate multiple interface options for this service
Frequently asked questions
- Is the API Shape Explorer skill free?
- Yes. The skill itself is free from zebbern/claude-code-guide. SkillProof publishes the install command and an independent test verdict at no cost.
- Does API Shape Explorer work with Claude Code?
- We tested it with Claude Code 2.x (agent harness) on Jul 12, 2026. Verdict: Tested · Didn't pass. Tested a pure design/prompting scaffold (no scripts, network calls, or external deps) that applies 'Design It Twice' by spawning parallel sub-agents to generate radically different interface options. Verbatim clone+copy install and strict-YAML frontmatter both clean; A/B on a TTL-cache interface-design task showed the skill and base output at rough parity, with the base arm slightly ahead on breadth (4 vs 3 designs, more radically distinct shapes) and per-design test examples. The skill's core mechanism is parallel sub-agents, which this self-contained single-pass test neutralized, so it did not produce a materially better exploration here.
- How do I install API Shape Explorer?
- Copy the install command from this page, run it in your terminal, and restart Claude Code. Skills live in ~/.claude/skills/ (global) or .claude/skills/ inside a project.
- Can I use API Shape Explorer with Cursor, Copilot, Gemini CLI, Codex or other AI tools?
- The SKILL.md format is native to Claude (Claude Code, Desktop, claude.ai). The instructions inside adapt to other assistants: Cursor rules, GitHub Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules, Custom GPTs, AGENTS.md for OpenAI Codex, and GEMINI.md for Google Gemini CLI — our conversion guides cover each, and the free converter on the tools page does the wrapping for you.