ux-writing

UX Writing

Write clear, concise, user-centered interface copy (UX text/microcopy) for digital products and experiences. This skill provides frameworks, patterns, and best practices for creating text that helps users accomplish their goals.

Compatible with: Claude, Codex, Cursor, and other agents that support the agent skills specification.

Note: This skill works with Codex CLI/IDE, not ChatGPT. ChatGPT cannot install or use skills.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Writing interface copy (buttons, labels, titles, messages, forms)
• Editing existing UX text for clarity and effectiveness
• Creating error messages, notifications, or success messages
• Designing conversational flows or onboarding experiences
• Establishing voice and tone for a product
• Auditing product content for consistency and usability

Core UX Writing Principles

The Four Quality Standards

Every piece of UX text should be:

1. Purposeful — Helps users or the business achieve goals
2. Concise — Uses the fewest words possible without losing meaning
3. Conversational — Sounds natural and human, not robotic
4. Clear — Unambiguous, accurate, and easy to understand

Key Best Practices

Conciseness

• Use 40-60 characters per line maximum
• Every word must have a job
• Break dense text into scannable chunks
• Front-load important information

Clarity

• Use plain language (7th grade reading level for general, 10th for professional)
• Avoid jargon, idioms, and technical terms
• Use consistent terminology throughout
• Choose meaningful, specific verbs

Conversational Tone

• Write how you speak
• Use active voice 85% of the time
• Include prepositions and articles
• Avoid robotic phrasing

User-Centered

• Focus on user benefits, not features
• Anticipate and answer user questions
• Use second-person ("you") language
• Match user's language and mental models

UX Text Patterns

Apply these common patterns for interface elements.

Titles

• Purpose: Orient users to where they are
• Format: Noun phrases, sentence case
• Types: Brand titles, content titles, category titles, task titles
• Examples: "Account settings", "Your library", "Create new post"

Buttons and Links

• Purpose: Enable users to take action
• Format: Active imperative verbs, sentence case
• Pattern: [Verb] [object]
• Examples: "Save changes", "Delete account", "View details"
• Avoid: Generic labels like "OK", "Submit", "Click here"

Error Messages

• Purpose: Explain problem and provide solution
• Format: Empathetic, clear, actionable
• Pattern: [What failed]. [Why/context]. [What to do].

Error Message Types

Validation Errors (Inline)

• Show as user completes field or on blur
• Brief, specific guidance to correct input
• Pattern: [Field] [specific requirement]
• Examples:
  • "Email must include @"
  • "Password must be at least 8 characters"
  • "Choose a date in the future"
• Timing: Real-time or on field exit
• Location: Below or beside the field

System Errors (Modal/Banner)

• Show when backend operations fail
• Explain what happened and why
• Pattern: [Action failed]. [Likely cause]. [Recovery step].
• Examples:
  • "Payment failed. Your card was declined. Try a different payment method."
  • "Couldn't save changes. Connection lost. Reconnect and try again."
  • "Upload failed. File is too large. Choose a file under 10MB."
• Timing: Immediately after failure
• Location: Modal dialog or prominent banner

Blocking Errors (Full-screen)

• Prevent continued use until resolved
• Clear explanation of blocker and resolution
• Pattern: [What's blocked]. [Why]. [Specific action needed].
• Examples:
  • "Update required. This version is no longer supported. Update now to continue."
  • "Subscription expired. Your account is paused. Renew subscription to restore access."
  • "Verification needed. Confirm your email to access features. Check your inbox."
• Timing: On app launch or feature access
• Location: Full screen or large modal

Permission Errors

• Explain benefit before requesting permission
• Pattern: [User benefit]. [Permission needed].
• Examples:
  • "Get notified when orders ship. Enable notifications."
  • "Find nearby stores. Allow location access."
  • "Back up your photos. Grant storage permission."
• Timing: When feature is first used
• Location: In context of the feature

What to Avoid

• Technical codes without explanation ("Error 403")
• Blame language ("invalid input", "illegal character")
• Robotic tone ("An error has occurred")
• Dead ends (error with no recovery path)
• Vague causes ("Something went wrong")

Success Messages

• Purpose: Confirm action completion
• Format: Past tense, specific, encouraging
• Pattern: [Action] [result/benefit]
• Examples: "Changes saved", "Email sent", "Profile updated"

Empty States

• Purpose: Guide users when content is absent
• Types: First-use, user-cleared, error/no results
• Format: Explanation + CTA to populate
• Example: "No messages yet. Start a conversation to connect with your team."

Form Fields

• Labels: Clear noun phrases describing input ("Email address", "Phone number")
• Instructions: Verb-first, explain why information is needed
• Placeholder: Use sparingly, only for standard inputs like "[email protected]"
• Helper text: Static, on-demand, or automatic based on importance

Notifications

• Purpose: Deliver timely, valuable information
• Types: Action-required (intrusive), Passive (less intrusive)
• Format: Verb-first title + contextual description
• Example: "Update required. Install the latest version to continue."

Voice and Tone

Voice (Consistent Brand Personality)

Voice is the consistent personality of the product. Establish voice using:

• Concepts: 3-5 key brand principles/values
• Voice characteristics: Descriptive adjectives for each concept
• Do/Don't examples: Concrete examples showing voice in action

See references/voice-chart-template.md for creating a voice chart.

Tone (Adaptive to Context)

Tone is how voice adapts to specific situations. While voice remains constant, tone shifts based on user context and emotional state.

Tone Variables

• Purpose: Why user is seeing this text (information, action, confirmation)
• Context: What user is trying to do (learning, completing task, recovering from error)
• Emotional state: How user likely feels (frustrated, excited, confused, cautious)
• Stakes: Impact of the action (low: changing theme, high: deleting account)

Tone Adaptation by User Emotional State

Frustrated (errors, failures, blockers)

• Empathetic and solution-focused
• Acknowledge the problem without blame
• Provide clear recovery path
• Example: "Payment failed. Your card was declined. Try a different payment method."

Confused (first use, complex features)

• Patient and explanatory
• Break down steps clearly
• Provide context and guidance
• Example: "Connect your bank to see spending insights. We'll guide you through it."

Confident (routine tasks, return visits)

• Efficient and direct
• Minimal explanation
• Quick confirmation
• Example: "Saved"

Cautious (high-stakes actions, data loss)

• Serious and transparent
• Clear consequences
• Respectful of user's decision
• Example: "Delete account? You'll lose all data and this can't be undone."

Successful (completions, achievements)

• Positive and encouraging
• Proportional to achievement
• Brief celebration
• Example: "Profile updated. Your changes are live."

Tone Adaptation by Content Type

Error messages: Empathetic, reassuring, solution-focused

• Never blame user
• Explain what happened
• Provide clear next step

Success messages: Positive, specific, encouraging

• Confirm what happened
• Proportional to action importance
• Brief and clear

Instructions: Clear, direct, helpful

• Front-load key action
• Explain why when needed
• Use simple steps

Onboarding: Inviting, encouraging, concise

• Welcome without overwhelming
• Focus on value
• Celebrate early wins

Confirmations: Serious, transparent, respectful

• Clear about consequences
• No manipulation
• Easy to back out

Empty states: Hopeful, actionable, guiding

• Explain why it's empty
• Provide clear next action
• Keep encouraging tone

Editing Process

Edit UX text in four phases:

Phase 1: Purposeful

• Does text help user achieve their goal?
• Does text serve business objectives?
• Is value to user clear?
• Are concerns anticipated and addressed?

Phase 2: Concise

• Remove unnecessary words
• Combine redundant information
• Ensure every word earns its space
• Front-load important concepts

Phase 3: Conversational

• Read aloud—would you say this?
• Use active voice (unless passive is clearer)
• Include natural connecting words
• Avoid corporate jargon

Phase 4: Clear

• Use specific, accurate verbs
• Maintain consistent terminology
• Test readability (Hemingway Editor, Flesch-Kincaid)
• Ensure unambiguous meaning

Workflow

1. Understand context

   • User goals and needs
   • Business objectives
   • Technical constraints
   • Emotional state of user

2. Draft content

   • Start with conversation (what would you say?)
   • Apply appropriate pattern
   • Consider voice and tone
   • Front-load important information

3. Edit iteratively

   • Phase 1: Purposeful
   • Phase 2: Concise
   • Phase 3: Conversational
   • Phase 4: Clear

4. Test and measure

   • Review with team
   • Test with users when possible
   • Measure task completion, comprehension
   • Iterate based on feedback

Accessibility in UX Writing

Writing accessible content ensures all users, including those using assistive technology, can understand and interact with your product.

Core Accessibility Principles

Screen Reader Optimization

• Label all int

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