The developer behind Railcode has shared a detailed account of using coding agents to build the company's website, demonstrating how AI can be leveraged for tasteful design rather than producing low-quality "slop."
How Coding Agents Can Enable Tasteful Website Design
The creative process involved several iterative steps using agents like Claude and Fable. Instead of generating a final design immediately, the developer used the agents to explore various concepts, including ASCII designs and mini-games, to establish a creative vision. The process emphasized using AI to manifest specific aesthetic goals, such as incorporating elements inspired by the game Rollercoaster Tycoon and experimenting with color transitions and animations.
To maintain control over the design, the developer utilized a workflow involving a single HTML file that is later converted into React components, allowing for efficient forking and parallel editing by agents. Additionally, "playgrounds" were created to test different color schemes and variables to find the ideal visual tone. By combining existing design inspirations with iterative AI-assisted refinement, the developer was able to produce a cohesive and intentional website despite not being a professional designer.
Sources
- How our vibe coded website looks like a designer made it （Hacker News Frontpage, 2026-09-29）