Frame0: a design tool for quickly converting ideas into wireframes

Frame0 is a desktop application focused on quickly creating wireframe drawings with a hand-drawn style. By mimicking the hand-drawn effect, it helps designers and product managers focus on core ideas and layouts early in a project, rather than getting bogged down in discussions about visual details like colors and fonts. This low-fidelity style clearly communicates to the viewer that "this is just a draft," encouraging the team to provide more constructive feedback. The tool runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and offers a rich library of preset components and templates that cover a wide range of devices, from cell phones and websites to smart watches. Frame0 not only draws static interface sketches, but also supports the creation of flowcharts, UML diagrams and other diagrams. At the same time, it introduces an AI-assisted feature that allows users to generate wireframes with simple text commands, or convert completed wireframes into code. Frame0 also supports page-to-page jumping, which can be exported to interactive HTML or PDF files, making it easy for users to create clickable prototypes and presentations.

Function List

• hand-painted style: All components have a hand-drawn appearance, allowing designers to focus on structure and flow rather than visual details.
• Rich component library: Built-in interface components for multiple platforms including desktop, mobile, web and smartwatch, including buttons, forms, navigation bars, cards and more.
• icon library: Provides over 1500 sketch style icons that are consistent with hand-drawn styles.
• AI-assisted generation: can be accessed via Frame0 MCP The server integrates with AI services to generate or modify wireframes using simple text prompts and can generate code from wireframes.
• Component mirroring: A mirror of the main frame (e.g. header, navigation bar) can be created and reused across multiple pages. When the main frame is updated, all mirrors are synchronized to keep the design consistent.
• Interactive prototypes and demosSupport for adding links between different elements to simulate a user's flow. Projects can be put into "Presentation Mode" and shown like a slide show, or exported as an interactive HTML or PDF file.
• Versatile templates: Provide pre-defined templates for web, desktop, mobile, tablet and many other devices to help users start their projects quickly.
• plot: In addition to interface wireframes, it also supports drawing flowcharts, use case diagrams, class diagrams and entity relationship diagrams, etc., and is able to consolidate project documents in the same file.
• Cross-platform support: Available on Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems.
• Export Options: Supports exporting wireframes to a variety of image formats such as PNG, SVG, JPEG and WebP.
• freehand: Pencil and highlighter tools are provided for freehand drawing and labeling.

Using Help

Frame0 is a desktop application that users need to first download from its official website and install it on their local computer. The installation process is the same as for regular software, following the prompts for different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux). Once the installation is complete, you can start using it.

Getting Started with the Basics

1. Create a new project
   • Open the Frame0 application.
   • The software interface usually displays a blank canvas or a guide page where you can choose to create a new project.
   • You can start by choosing a preset template, such as "Web", "Mobile" or "Desktop App", which will create a canvas with a frame of the appropriate size for you.
2. Adding and Editing Components
   • The left or right side of the interface is usually the Libraries. This contains a variety of pre-defined UI elements such as buttons, input boxes, text labels, image placeholders, etc.
   • Drag and drop the desired component from the component library directly onto the canvas.
   • When you select a component on the canvas, the Inspector panel on the right shows the configurable properties of the component. You can modify the text content, resize it, change its state (e.g., the "on/off" state of a switch), and so on.
3. Using Icons
   • Frame0 has a built-in library of over 1500 icons. Find the Icons option in the Component Library and either search or browse by category to find the icon you need, then drag and drop it onto the canvas to use it.

Core Function Operation Flow

1. Creating reusable "mirror" components

When designing applications with multiple similar pages, the Header and Navigation Bar are often recurring. Use the镜像(Mirroring) feature can greatly enhance efficiency.

• Creating the main frame: On a page, combine the elements you want to reuse (such as the logo in the header, navigation links, and user avatars). This combination becomes your "main frame".
• Creating a mirror: Select this main frame and choose "Create Mirror" or similar in the menu or right-click option.
• On other pages use the: Paste the created image into other pages that need this header.
• synchronized update: Now, when you need to change the header, simply go back to the main frame and edit it. Mirror copies of all pages are automatically synchronized and updated, eliminating the need to make changes one by one.

2. Using AI to generate wireframes

This feature requires a connection to the AI service via a Frame0 MCP server, for example Claude Desktop or Cursor.

• Starting the MCP Server: Start the Frame0 MCP server according to the official documentation.
• Write instructions: Describe the interface you want using simple natural language in the integrated input box.
  • For example, enter, "Create a login page with an application logo, username and password entry boxes, and a login button."
• Generation and Adjustment: AI will automatically generate the corresponding wireframe on the canvas according to your instructions. You can continue to make adjustments with text commands, such as "Change the color of the login button to blue" or "Add a 'Forgot password' link below the password box".

3. Interactive prototyping

To better demonstrate user flow, you can add interaction links to the wireframe diagram.

• Selecting the Trigger Element: Select an element on the canvas that you want the user to click on, such as a "Next" button.
• Add Link: In the Inspector panel on the right, find "Link" or a similar option.
• Specify the target page: Links to another page in the project. For example, clicking the "Login" button takes you to the "User Home" page.
• Enter demo modeAfter completing all the link settings, click the "Presentation" button at the top of the interface, Frame0 will enter the full-screen mode, at this time, all the links you have set up before will become clickable, and you can operate and display them like the real application.

4. Exporting and sharing

• Export as Image: You can export individual pages or entire projects as images in PNG, SVG, and other formats for easy insertion into documents or reports.
• Export as Interactive File: Select the "Export to HTML" or "PDF" option. This will generate a standalone file that can be opened by anyone with a browser. This exported file retains all the interaction links you have set up and is perfect for gathering feedback from people outside your team who can experience the prototype without having to install Frame0.

application scenario

1. Early stage of product conceptualization
   When a product has only a vague idea, use Frame0 to quickly sketch the concept in your head. With its hand-drawn style, teams can accelerate idea iteration by focusing on functional flow and information architecture rather than prematurely discussing colors and fonts.
2. Rapid Prototyping
   Product managers or designers can use Frame0 to create interactive prototypes when they need to demonstrate the basic flow of an application to a development team or customer. With the page linking feature, you can simulate the user's actual operation path, making the demonstration more intuitive and convincing.
3. Agile development environment
   In an agile development process that requires rapid production of low-fidelity prototypes for discussion and review, Frame0's AI-generated features and rich template library allow designers to build a complete interface prototype in minutes, meeting the need for rapid iteration.
4. Individual projects and independent development
   For independent developers or small teams, Frame0 provides a lightweight and efficient design tool. It integrates everything from wireframes and flowcharts to prototypes, streamlining workflows by eliminating the need to switch between multiple programs.

QA

1. What is the difference between Frame0 and Balsamiq?
   Both are hand-drawn, low-fidelity wireframe tools. Frame0 is more of a "Balsamiq meets Figma" in terms of functionality, which not only retains the hand-drawn charm and simplicity of Balsamiq, but also introduces modern design features similar to those of Figma, such as component mirroring and more powerful interactive prototyping capabilities. It not only retains the hand-drawn charm and simplicity of Balsamiq, but also introduces modern design features similar to Figma, such as component mirroring and more powerful interactive prototyping. Additionally, Frame0 integrates AI assistance, which is a significant point of difference.
2. Is Frame0 free?
   Frame0 offers a basic version that is free to download and use. Some advanced features, such as the use of preset templates, exporting interactive HTML/PDF prototypes, etc., are part of the paid Premium version.
3. Is there any additional configuration required to use the AI features?
   Yes, using the AI feature requires a connection to a third-party AI service (such as Claude Desktop or Cursor) via the Frame0 MCP server. Users need to perform some simple configuration according to the official documentation to enable this feature.
4. Does Frame0 support teamwork?
   Frame0 itself is a desktop application, and at its core, it's meant to be used offline. However, it simplifies the collaboration process by exporting interactive HTML/PDF prototypes that allow team members or clients to view and comment on designs without installing software, making it easy to gather feedback.