Click-through prototype
A simulated app interface users click to navigate between screens, showing how an app works before it's fully built.
A click-through prototype is like a pretend version of an app. You can click on buttons and links to move between different screens, just like you would in a real app. It helps you see how the app's flow and design would work without needing to build the whole thing.
For example, imagine you want to design a new online store. A click-through prototype could let you click on a product image, then click an 'Add to Cart' button, and then click on your shopping cart icon to see the item you added. It shows the path a user would take.
A click-through prototype is an interactive simulation of a user interface (UI) that allows users to navigate between predefined screens by clicking on interactive elements. It mimics the user experience of a functional application, enabling stakeholders to test usability, user flows, and design concepts before full development. These prototypes are typically built using specialized tools or can be generated by AI systems that interpret design specifications or user prompts.
Anthropic is highlighting click-through prototypes as a way to speed up app design. Their Claude Code tool can generate these prototypes from user ideas, allowing for faster iteration and testing of app concepts before full development.
- Build an App With Claude DesignAnthropic · Claude on YouTube ·
- Build an App With Claude DesignAnthropic · Claude on YouTube ·
- Anthropic Claude
- Anthropic's Claude Code tool can generate click-through prototypes to help users design apps faster.
- Wireframe
- A basic visual guide representing the skeletal framework of a website
- Mockup
- A static, high-fidelity visual representation of a UI design that shows
- Functional Prototype
- A more advanced prototype that includes some working featu
The concept of click-through prototypes emerged from the field of user interface design and usability testing, predating modern AI. Early digital tools allowed designers to link static screens together to simulate navigation.
Use Anthropic's Claude Design tool. Describe a simple app idea, like a basic to-do list, and see if it can generate a clickable prototype. Explore the screens and buttons to understand how the app might function.
The Playbook: reusable how-tos, prompts, configs and tips pulled out of the news.
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Questions people ask
- What is the main benefit of a click-through prototype?
- The main benefit is testing and visualizing the user flow and design of an app early in the development process, saving time and resources.
- Can I test actual app functions with a click-through prototype?
- Typically, no. Click-through prototypes focus on navigation and user flow, not on executing actual app functions or data processing.
First seen on Subvolts Oct 2, 2026. Updated Oct 9, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.