Quick Start

Experience AsciiKit v5's design intelligence in under 5 minutes. Watch Claude transform into a Senior UX Designer who understands human psychology.

What you'll need

  • Claude Code CLI
  • Node.js 18.0.0+ installed on your computer
  • 5 minutes of your time

Step 1: Get your license key

Start your free trial to get a license key (10 free uses, no credit card):

  1. Go to asciikit.com/trial
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Check your email for your license key

Your license key looks like: ak_trial_a1b2c3d4e5f6...

💡 Save this key - you'll need it in Step 3.

Step 2: Install the MCP server

Open your terminal and run:

npm install -g asciikit-mcp

This installs the AsciiKit MCP server globally so Claude Code can use it.

Step 3: Run the setup wizard

Run the interactive setup wizard:

asciikit-mcp setup

The wizard will guide you through configuration:

  1. Enter your license key from Step 1
  2. Choose global or project-specific installation
  3. Done! The wizard handles everything automatically

Example:

🎨 AsciiKit Setup Wizard

Checking your system...
✓ Node.js v22.19.0
✓ Found ~/.claude.json
✓ asciikit-mcp v5.2.1 installed

✔ Enter your AsciiKit license key: ak_trial_***
✓ Valid format

✔ How would you like to install AsciiKit? Global (available in all projects)

✓ Backing up ~/.claude.json
✓ Updated ~/.claude.json
✓ Testing license key... ✓ Valid!

All set! 🎉

That's it! The wizard handles all the configuration automatically.

Step 4: Experience design intelligence

For Claude Code Users

Start Claude Code in your terminal:

claude

Then type:

/asciikit-quick

For Cursor Users

Open Cursor and type the same command:

/asciikit-quick

Note: Cursor requires explicit slash commands - it won't automatically use AsciiKit for design questions like Claude Code does.

Try This Example

You'll see a prompt asking what you want to design. Try this:

Design a payment form for elderly users buying medication online

Watch what happens:

Claude automatically understands:

  • Domain: Healthcare e-commerce
  • Users: Seniors with specific needs
  • Context: High-stakes purchase (medication)
  • Emotions: Likely anxious about online payments

You'll see Claude apply psychological intelligence:

I'll design a payment form optimized for elderly users purchasing
medication. Based on cognitive science and accessibility research,
I'm focusing on:

- Larger touch targets (48px minimum) for reduced motor control
- High contrast for aging vision
- Security badges prominently displayed (fraud concerns)
- Phone support visible (technology anxiety fallback)
- Clear progress indicators (perceived control)

Option A: Trust-focused with security signals
┌────────────────────────────────────┐
│     Secure Checkout - Step 2 of 3  │
│  [SECURE] Your information is safe │
├────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                    │
│  Payment Information               │
│                                    │
│  Card Number                       │
│  ┌──────────────────────────────┐  │
│  │                              │  │
│  └──────────────────────────────┘  │
│                                    │
│  [Security badges: Visa/MC/Norton] │
│                                    │
│  [CALL] Need help? 1-800-XXX-XXXX  │
│                                    │
│  [← Back]    [Continue Securely →] │
│                                    │
└────────────────────────────────────┘

Each element is deliberately designed to reduce anxiety...

🎉 Congratulations! You just experienced design intelligence - Claude didn't just generate a form, it applied senior-specific psychology automatically.

Try more intelligent designs

Now experience how Claude adapts psychology to different contexts:

Anxiety reduction with /asciikit-quick:

/asciikit-quick
Design an error message for users who just lost unsaved work

Watch Claude apply frustration mitigation and recovery psychology.

Emotional journey with /asciikit-flow:

/asciikit-flow
Create an onboarding flow for skeptical enterprise users

See how Claude maps the emotional arc from doubt to confidence.

Compare psychologies with /asciikit-explore:

/asciikit-explore
Show different psychological approaches to a fitness dashboard

Explore achievement-focused vs. progress-focused vs. social motivation.

Domain intelligence with /asciikit-spec:

/asciikit-spec
Design a meditation app for stressed professionals

Experience how Claude creates a calming psychological ecosystem.

The intelligence difference

Traditional approach: "Show me the login pattern" → Generic template

AsciiKit v5 intelligence: "Design login for elderly banking users" → Psychology-optimized design with:

  • Fraud concern mitigation
  • Larger touch targets
  • Phone support visibility
  • Security theater elements
  • Anxiety reduction patterns

Claude doesn't just place elements - every decision is grounded in human psychology.

What's next?

Having issues?

MCP server not showing up?

  • Check ~/.claude.json for typos (especially the license key)
  • Make sure AsciiKit is under root "mcpServers" not inside "projects"
  • Start a fresh claude session
  • See Troubleshooting for more help

License validation failing?

  • Verify your license key is correct (copy/paste from email)
  • Make sure it starts with ak_trial_ or ak_live_
  • Check that you have uses remaining (trial = 10 uses)

Still stuck? Email us at hello@asciikit.com