WebExpress 2.0.0‑alpha – From Sketch to Framework

The way the framework is developed has changed fundamentally and now follows the philosophy of "from sketch to framework". While the focus was previously on manual programming, implementation is now handled entirely by Claude Code. The emphasis has shifted toward the conceptual design of ideas, where a simple mental or visual sketch serves as the direct starting point for new, production-ready components. The subsequent implementation, design, documentation, and creation of tutorial pages are fully automated from this initial concept. Compared to the traditional approach, this process is faster, more precise, more uniform, and more consistent. The human role has evolved into that of a system architect who defines requirements, provides the initial sketch, and steers the architectural direction.

As a current use case, a static control (ControlFormItemInputDnf) for WebUI and a dynamic REST control (ControlDataFormItemInputDnf) for the WebApp are being implemented. This mirrors the mathematical structure of the Disjunctive Normal Form (DNF) in the user interface and enables a selection similar to ControlFormItemInputSelection, where elements are flexibly linked using AND and OR conditions. The new control internally uses ControlFormItemInputSelection to select individual items, which are linked via an AND logic (conjunction) within the respective element. Additional ControlFormItemInputSelection instances can be generated below via a button to add expressions. While a strict AND link applies within each individual selector, the different controls are connected to each other via an OR logic (disjunction). A close icon in the respective select control removes the entire element, provided it is not the primary instance, in which case only the selected chips are reset instead.

In many cases, Claude Design is used beforehand to transform the idea into an initial visual mockup, which serves as the digital sketch. This allows planned functions to be evaluated and conceptually sharpened at an early stage. This visual preview enables an accurate assessment of the later control behavior and ensures that the concept and interaction are harmonious before the actual implementation begins. After this design phase, the finished sketch is transferred via structured prompts to Claude Code, which autonomously generates the control, including documentation, unit tests, and tutorial pages, and embeds it directly into the framework structure.

Following the automated generation, manual quality assurance takes place. The implementation is tested, the integration into the framework is checked, and the usability as well as the architectural fit are evaluated. Optimizations are driven iteratively through subsequent prompts. If necessary, specific, manual adjustments are made to the code or documentation.

The further development of WebExpress is continuously supported by ideas, suggestions, and contributions from the community to constantly increase the quality of the framework. Such a conceptual and architectural transformation thrives on mutual exchange. We warmly invite all developers to critically examine and help shape this new DNF concept. Share your thoughts on the data structure of the two-dimensional array, bring in suggestions for the optimal REST connection, or help us test the new behavior in practice. Simply take a look at GitHub, participate in the current architectural discussions, or submit a pull request directly to lift WebExpress to the next level together.