Claude Code UI to Sasha - Transformation Plan

Executive Summary

This document outlines the strategic transformation of Claude Code UI into Sasha Studio - a business-friendly AI knowledge management platform. By leveraging Claude Code UI's robust technical foundation while removing developer-centric features and adding business-focused capabilities, we can rapidly deliver a production-ready solution that makes AI accessible to non-technical users.

Strategic Advantages of This Approach

Why Claude Code UI as Foundation

1. Proven Architecture

   • Production-tested WebSocket real-time communication
   • Robust session management and persistence
   • Secure authentication and authorization system
   • Mobile-responsive design already implemented

2. Claude Code Integration

   • Full access to Claude's capabilities without API complexity
   • Built-in tool management and safety controls
   • Automatic model selection handled by Claude Code
   • No need to manage multiple AI provider APIs

3. Rapid Time to Market

   • 70% of required infrastructure already built
   • Focus on business features vs. technical plumbing
   • Proven UI/UX patterns for AI interaction
   • Active maintenance and updates from open-source community

4. Cost Efficiency

   • Eliminates need for direct API integration development
   • Reduces infrastructure complexity
   • Leverages existing Claude Code licensing
   • Single interface for all AI operations

Features Analysis

🔴 Features to Remove (Developer-Focused)

🟡 Features to Simplify (Make Business-Friendly)

🟢 Features to Keep (Business Value)

Features to Add (Sasha-Specific)

Technical Architecture

Container Architecture

# Docker Compose Structure
services:
  sasha-app:
    build: ./sasha-studio
    ports:
      - "3001:3001"
    environment:
      - CLAUDE_CODE_PATH=/usr/local/bin/claude
      - WORKSPACE_ROOT=/workspace
      - DOCS_ROOT=/docs
    volumes:
      - ./workspace:/workspace
      - ./html:/docs:ro
      - claude-config:/root/.claude
    depends_on:
      - auth-service
      
  auth-service:
    build: ./auth
    environment:
      - JWT_SECRET=${JWT_SECRET}
      - SSO_ENABLED=true
    
  nginx:
    image: nginx:alpine
    ports:
      - "443:443"
      - "80:80"
    volumes:
      - ./nginx.conf:/etc/nginx/nginx.conf
      - ./ssl:/etc/nginx/ssl

Security Model

Data Flow Architecture

Implementation Roadmap

Phase 1: Core Transformation (Week 1-2)

1. Fork and Rebrand

   • Fork claudecodeui repository
   • Rename to sasha-studio
   • Update branding, logos, colors
   • Simplify UI theme

2. Remove Developer Features

   • Remove Git panel, terminal, code editor
   • Disable technical tool configurations
   • Hide complex settings
   • Simplify error messages

3. Simplify Interface

   • Create business-friendly terminology
   • Add welcome screen with guidance
   • Implement single-workspace model
   • Auto-configure safe defaults

Phase 2: Business Features (Week 3-4)

1. Document Integration

   • Add document browser for /html files
   • Implement iframe viewer with navigation
   • Create document search functionality
   • Add bookmark/favorite system

2. Knowledge Management

   • Create prompt templates library
   • Add common business queries
   • Implement smart suggestions
   • Build quick actions menu

3. User Experience

   • Design onboarding wizard
   • Add contextual help system
   • Create tutorial overlays
   • Implement progress indicators

Phase 3: Containerization (Week 5)

1. Docker Setup

   • Create multi-stage Dockerfile
   • Configure docker-compose.yml
   • Set up volume mounts
   • Implement health checks

2. Security Hardening

   • Configure Nginx reverse proxy
   • Set up SSL/TLS certificates
   • Implement rate limiting
   • Add audit logging

3. Deployment Automation

   • Create deployment scripts
   • Set up environment configs
   • Implement backup strategy
   • Add monitoring hooks

Phase 4: Enterprise Features (Week 6-7)

1. Collaboration

   • Multi-user session support
   • Share and export functions
   • Team workspace management
   • Activity feed

2. Integration

   • Webhook endpoints
   • API gateway
   • SSO integration
   • External tool connectors

3. Analytics

   • Usage dashboard
   • Cost tracking
   • Performance metrics
   • User insights

Phase 5: Polish & Launch (Week 8)

1. Testing

   • User acceptance testing
   • Security audit
   • Performance optimization
   • Cross-browser testing

2. Documentation

   • User guides
   • Admin documentation
   • API documentation
   • Video tutorials

3. Launch Preparation

   • Marketing materials
   • Demo environments
   • Support processes
   • Feedback systems

UI/UX Transformation

Current Claude Code UI

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Projects │ Sessions │ Files │ Git │ Terminal │  ← Remove most
├──────────┼──────────────────────────────────┤
│ Project  │  Chat Interface                  │
│ Tree     │  [Technical conversation]        │
│          │  > Run npm install               │
│ Sessions │  > Edit config.js                │
│ List     │  > Git commit -m "fix"          │
└──────────┴──────────────────────────────────┘

Transformed Sasha Studio

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 🏢 Sasha Studio          [Help] [Settings]  │
├──────────┼──────────────────────────────────┤
│ 📚 Docs  │  💬 Conversation                 │
│ ├─Guides │  "Show me our pricing strategy"  │
│ ├─Cases  │                                  │
│ └─Reports│  📊 Here's your pricing analysis: │
│          │  [Chart] [Summary] [Details]     │
│ 🎯 Quick │                                  │
│ Actions  │  💡 Suggested next steps:        │
│ ├─Analyze│  • Compare with competitors      │
│ ├─Report │  • Review margin trends          │
│ └─Export │  • Generate executive summary    │
└──────────┴──────────────────────────────────┘

Technical Implementation Details

Backend Modifications

// server/index.js modifications
// Remove developer endpoints
// app.delete('/api/git/*')  
// app.delete('/api/terminal/*')
// app.delete('/api/mcp/servers/*')

// Add business endpoints
app.get('/api/documents', authenticateToken, async (req, res) => {
  // List available HTML documents
  const docs = await scanDocumentDirectory('/docs');
  res.json(docs);
});

app.get('/api/templates', authenticateToken, async (req, res) => {
  // Return prompt templates
  const templates = await loadBusinessTemplates();
  res.json(templates);
});

app.post('/api/export', authenticateToken, async (req, res) => {
  // Export conversation as PDF/DOCX
  const format = req.body.format;
  const content = req.body.content;
  const exported = await exportDocument(content, format);
  res.send(exported);
});

Frontend Modifications

// src/App.jsx modifications
// Simplify main navigation
const navigationItems = [
  { id: 'chat', label: 'Assistant', icon: MessageCircle },
  { id: 'documents', label: 'Knowledge Base', icon: Library },
  { id: 'history', label: 'Past Conversations', icon: History },
  { id: 'export', label: 'Reports', icon: FileText }
];

// Add business-friendly welcome
const WelcomeScreen = () => (
  <div className="welcome-container">
    <h1>Welcome to Sasha Studio</h1>
    <p>Your AI-powered knowledge assistant</p>
    <QuickStartCards>
      <Card onClick={() => startTemplate('analyze')}>
        📊 Analyze Data
      </Card>
      <Card onClick={() => startTemplate('report')}>
        📝 Create Report  
      </Card>
      <Card onClick={() => startTemplate('research')}>
        🔍 Research Topic
      </Card>
    </QuickStartCards>
  </div>
);

Docker Configuration

# Dockerfile
FROM node:20-alpine AS builder
WORKDIR /app
COPY package*.json ./
RUN npm ci --only=production

FROM node:20-alpine
RUN apk add --no-cache python3 py3-pip
RUN pip3 install claude-code

WORKDIR /app
COPY --from=builder /app/node_modules ./node_modules
COPY . .

# Pre-configure Claude Code
RUN claude configure --non-interactive \
    --safe-mode enabled \
    --auto-approve false

EXPOSE 3001
CMD ["node", "server/index.js"]

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Development Costs

Benefits of Transformation Approach

1. Time to Market: 75% faster than building from scratch
2. Development Cost: 80% lower than custom development
3. Maintenance: Leverage open-source updates
4. Reliability: Production-tested codebase
5. Features: Access to full Claude Code capabilities
6. Risk: Significantly reduced technical risk

Success Criteria

Launch Readiness Checklist

• All developer features removed or hidden
• Business-friendly UI implemented
• Document browser integrated
• Onboarding wizard completed
• Help system implemented
• Docker deployment working
• Security audit passed
• User testing completed
• Documentation ready
• Support processes defined

Key Performance Indicators

Risk Mitigation

Technical Risks

Business Risks

Conclusion

Transforming Claude Code UI into Sasha Studio represents the optimal path to delivering a production-ready AI knowledge management platform. By leveraging proven technology while focusing on business-user needs, we can deliver a powerful, accessible solution in weeks rather than months. The approach minimizes technical risk, reduces development costs, and ensures access to Claude's full capabilities through a business-friendly interface.

Next Steps

1. Approval: Confirm transformation approach
2. Setup: Fork repository and establish development environment
3. Sprint 1: Begin Phase 1 core transformation
4. Weekly Reviews: Stakeholder feedback sessions
5. Iterative Refinement: Adjust based on user testing
6. Launch Planning: Coordinate deployment and rollout

This transformation strategy positions Sasha Studio as the premier business-friendly AI knowledge management platform, built on solid technical foundations with a focus on user accessibility and organizational value delivery.