What it means
A design system with machine-readable context: component intent, allowed variants, AI-specific states (streaming, citing, failing), and agent install instructions.
Why designers should care
Teams using Cursor, Claude Code, or Figma MCP need systems agents can follow. Without AI-native docs, generated UI drifts from brand and accessibility.
Example
DESIGN.md lists composer, citation, and confidence components with “never use for destructive confirm” rules; agents load it before generating screens.
Common mistakes
- Exporting only colors and fonts without behavior or accessibility rules.
- No documented patterns for AI-specific states.
- Letting each squad invent its own citation or streaming UI.
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Frequently asked questions
What is AI-Native Design System?
An AI-native design system encodes tokens, components, and rules that both designers and coding agents can consume, often via DESIGN.md, SKILL.md, or structured exports.
Why should designers care about AI-Native Design System?
Teams using Cursor, Claude Code, or Figma MCP need systems agents can follow. Without AI-native docs, generated UI drifts from brand and accessibility.
What are common mistakes with AI-Native Design System?
Exporting only colors and fonts without behavior or accessibility rules; No documented patterns for AI-specific states; Letting each squad invent its own citation or streaming UI.