When a client asks for a website redesign, the first thing Balay ni Bruno & Co. does is study what already exists. Before touching a single file, we need to understand the current site: its layout, its code, its assets, and how it all fits together. Three tools cover this work, and choosing the right one depends on one question: how complete does the copy need to be?

Three Ways to Capture a Website

Mode 1: Screenshot snapshot via Playwright. This is the fastest approach. We use Playwright (a browser automation tool) to load each page and capture a full-length screenshot. No files are downloaded. No code is touched. The result is a visual record of how the site looks right now, frozen in time. Use this when the goal is design reference only, when the client just wants a fresh look and the current code does not matter.

Mode 2: Single-page clone via PowerShell. When the team needs to read the actual code, not just look at it, we use Invoke-WebRequest in PowerShell to download the HTML, linked CSS files, and key assets for one page at a time. This gives the developer a clean file to audit: what fonts are used, how the layout is structured, what class names appear, where images are hosted. Use this for targeted audits of one or two key pages, like the homepage and the services page.

Mode 3: Full mirror via HTTrack. HTTrack is a dedicated site-copier tool that walks an entire website recursively and downloads everything: every page, every stylesheet, every image, every script. The result is a full offline copy that works in a browser without an internet connection. Use this only when the project calls for a complete rebuild from scratch, where the team needs to reference every corner of the original site.

Always get written permission from the client before mirroring their site. Even for redesign work, copying a third-party site without consent is not something Balay ni Bruno & Co. does. One short email is all it takes.

Which Mode Should You Use?

The decision is straightforward. If you only need to see the design, use Mode 1. If you need to read the code for a few pages, use Mode 2. If you are rebuilding the whole site and need a complete reference, use Mode 3. Start with the lightest option that answers your question. Most redesign projects only ever need Mode 1 or Mode 2. HTTrack is reserved for the rare full-rebuild engagement where no page can be left unstudied.

Key Takeaways

  • Screenshot mode covers 80% of redesign reference needs and is the fastest.
  • Single-page clone via PowerShell needs no extra installs on Windows.
  • HTTrack full mirror is the right tool for a complete rebuild reference.
  • Always get client permission before mirroring their site, even for internal use.