Removing UI from TSX for a Design System Migration #

Sometimes change comes from removing, not adding. I recently removed UI contents from a TSX implementation. Now our client’s new aggregated design system component works headless with existing Providers, Components, and Containers.

The challenge #

The old TSX files mixed logic and UI. Layout, styles, and visual glue were baked into every component. This made it hard to scale or update design. The new design system components needed a clean separation. Only then could they deliver a consistent experience across apps and markets.

Headless as an add-on #

The design system is built on top of the core component library. It combines existing base components, defines patterns, and makes Cards, Filters, and Buttons look and behave the same everywhere. The UI components are dumb: they only render what they get. Data, content, and CTA events are injected from outside. This keeps them reusable, predictable, and easy to test.

Connected with MCP servers #

This setup also uses MCP servers:

This automation helps the design system stay aligned with design specs and project workflows without extra manual work.

What I did #

  • Used Agentic Chat and VS Code to strip UI from TSX.
  • Built a migration path in a single prompt file that guided all changes.
  • Integrated MCP servers to connect design, code, and tickets.

The aha moment #

I saw a fully automated migration run from that single prompt file. Design and ticket updates happened in sync. That’s when agentic workflows stopped being theory and started to save real time.

The outcome #

  • Faster migration, less manual work.
  • Consistent design across teams and apps, regardless of dev preferences.
  • Clear alignment between design and delivery pipelines.

Conclusion: Powered by Sapient Slingshot #

Sapient Slingshot turned a tedious migration into a repeatable system. With one prompt file, we automated a process that normally takes weeks. Design and dev stayed aligned in real time. This is how we scale design systems now. AI-driven engineering means fewer manual steps, faster delivery, and better quality.