# Using Variations

Variations are one of the most powerful and fun to use features in Stitch. They allow you to generate multiple design options at once, breaking you out of a linear workflow and showing you possibilities you might not have imagined.

You are really good at exploring multiple versions of a design and comparing them, so it seems a waste to only generate one option at a time!

Currently, you can generate anywhere from one to five different options at a time. This feature is your sandbox for “What if?” moments.

## When to use variations

While the standard Chat is great for specific, granular updates (like changing a button color), Variations are best used for:

- **Getting Unstuck:** If you don’t know what to change, but you know the current design isn’t working.
- **Exploration:** When you want to see three different layout concepts for the same content.
- **Pivoting:** When you want to change the entire vibe (e.g., from “Corporate Blue” to “Neon Cyberpunk”) in one go.

## Controlling the Creative Range

Each time you generate variations, you specify the **Creative Range** to give Stitch. This tells the AI how far to stray from your current design:

- **Refined (Low Range):** Keeps the structure intact but plays with fonts, subtle spacing, and colors. Use this for polish.
- **Creative (High Range):** Absolute “let’s see what’s possible” freedom. This allows Stitch to completely restructure the layout, swap imagery, and overhaul the theme.

## Writing prompts for Variations

Unlike the standard editing process where we recommend making “one major change at a time,” Variations are the place to make **big swings**. You can combine theme changes and layout changes into a single prompt because you are generating multiple options to choose from.

- Sets the vibe
- Specific color request
- Target specific screen
- Clear, specific instruction

Update the app theme to a luxury aesthetic using a strict black and white palette.On the Episode List screen, change the layout to a minimalist grid.

**Pro Tip:** Even when asking for broad changes, be specific about the _direction_. Instead of saying “Make it different,” say “Make it minimalist” or “Make it bold.”

## Iterating on a winner

The power of variations doesn’t stop after the first click. Once Stitch presents you with five options, you might find that Option 3 has the perfect layout, but Option 5 has the better color scheme.

1. **Pick the best base:** Select the variation that is closest to your vision.
2. **Vary the variation:** You can run variations _on top_ of a variation. Select your winner, lower the **Creative Range** to “Refined,” and ask Stitch to bring in the color scheme you liked from the other option.