onboarding-copy

Onboarding Copy Skill

The best onboarding doesn't tour features — it walks the user to their first real win (the "aha" where the

product's value clicks). This skill writes the copy for that path: a welcome that sets the outcome, tooltips

that guide the few steps that matter, and a success moment that confirms it worked — concise, encouraging, and

skippable.

Working from a brief

Given "onboarding for a habit-tracking app", write the flow copy anyway — infer the activation moment (the

first win), the minimal steps to reach it, and the voice, labelling assumptions. Focus the copy on the outcome,

not a feature list. Never hand back a question instead of copy.

Required Inputs

Ask for these only if they aren't already provided (else infer and label):

• The product & first win — what it does, and the "aha" moment that means a user is activated.
• The path to it — the minimal steps a new user takes to reach that first win.
• Format — modals, tooltips/coachmarks, a checklist, inline hints, or empty-state prompts.
• Voice & constraints — tone, length limits, and whether steps are skippable (they should be).

Output Format

Onboarding Copy: [product]

• Welcome — a short opener that states the outcome ("Let's set up your first X") — value, not features.
• Guided steps — for each step toward the first win: a tooltip/coachmark with a tight instruction, why it matters (one phrase), and the action label. Keep it to the few steps that matter; let users skip.
• Progress & nudges — checklist item labels, progress encouragement, and empty-state prompts that pull users to the next action.
• First-win moment — the success message when they hit activation — celebrate it specifically, then point to the natural next step.
• Re-engagement — a line or two for users who dropped off mid-setup (gentle, value-reminding).

Keep every piece concise, encouraging, and outcome-focused; note where copy must fit a tight space.

Quality Checks

• [ ] The flow drives toward one clear activation outcome, not a feature tour
• [ ] Each step is concise and says why it matters, not just what to click
• [ ] Steps are skippable / non-blocking — onboarding guides, it doesn't trap
• [ ] There's an explicit first-win success moment that's specific, not generic
• [ ] Tone is encouraging and matches the product voice
• [ ] Empty-state and drop-off nudges move users to the next action

Anti-Patterns

• [ ] Do not tour every feature — guide to the first win; the rest can be discovered
• [ ] Do not write blocking, un-skippable walls of modals — let users get to the product
• [ ] Do not explain what's obvious ("This is the menu") — spend words where there's real friction
• [ ] Do not forget the success moment — activation should feel rewarded
• [ ] Do not be generically chirpy — encouragement should be specific to what they just did

Based On

Product onboarding & activation practice — outcome-led welcome, guided path to the first win, progress nudges, and a celebrated activation moment.