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Using Claude Code: The Unreasonable Effectiveness of HTML

sourceSimon Willison
calendar_todayMay 8, 2026
schedule2 min read
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Revolutionizing Output Formats: The Case for HTML in AI Prompts

Summary

The article discusses the advantages of using HTML over Markdown as an output format for AI prompts, particularly in the context of Claude Code by Anthropic. It highlights how HTML can enhance the presentation of information, making it more interactive and visually appealing.

Key Points

  • Authored by Thariq Shihipar from the Claude Code team at Anthropic.
  • Advocates for HTML as a superior output format compared to Markdown for AI-generated content.
  • Provides examples of prompts, such as creating an HTML artifact for a PR review.
  • Emphasizes HTML's ability to include SVG diagrams, interactive widgets, and in-page navigation.
  • Discusses the token efficiency of Markdown during the GPT-4 era but suggests a shift towards HTML for richer outputs.
  • Mentions a recent Linux security exploit and the use of GPT-5.5 to generate an HTML explanation of the exploit.
  • The article encourages experimentation with HTML for clearer and more engaging explanations.

Analysis

The article underscores a significant shift in how IT professionals can leverage AI tools for generating documentation and explanations. By advocating for HTML, it opens up new possibilities for creating more interactive and informative outputs, which can enhance understanding and engagement.

Conclusion

IT professionals should consider adopting HTML as an output format for AI-generated content to take advantage of its interactive features. Experimenting with HTML can lead to richer, more informative documentation and presentations.