ux-audit

UX Audit

When to Use

Use this skill when you need audit screens for UX issues using Nielsen's heuristics and modern mobile UX best practices.

When NOT to use

• For accessibility-only issues → use /ss-a11y
• For design system token/golden-rule compliance → use /ss-review
• For copy/microcopy quality → use /ss-copy
• For brand new screens that don't exist yet — design first with /ss-page or /ss-flow

Target: $ARGUMENTS

Audit Framework

Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics

1. Visibility of System Status

• [ ] Loading states present (skeleton screens, not spinners)
• [ ] Success/error feedback after actions (toast notifications)
• [ ] Progress indicators for multi-step flows
• [ ] Active state clearly shown on navigation items
• [ ] Real-time data has timestamp showing freshness

2. Match Between System and Real World

• [ ] Labels use user's language, not technical jargon
• [ ] Icons are universally recognizable (Lucide standard set)
• [ ] Number formats match user expectations (comma separators, currency symbols)
• [ ] Date formats are locale-appropriate

3. User Control and Freedom

• [ ] Back navigation available on all non-root screens
• [ ] Destructive actions have confirmation dialogs
• [ ] Undo available for reversible actions (toast with undo)
• [ ] Bottom sheet/modal can be dismissed (backdrop tap, swipe down, X button)
• [ ] No dark patterns (no forced actions, always a way to dismiss)

4. Consistency and Standards

• [ ] Same action = same appearance everywhere
• [ ] Color meanings are consistent (green=success, red=error, brand=active)
• [ ] Text hierarchy follows the 5-level grayscale system
• [ ] All cards use the same shadow, radius, padding
• [ ] Spacing follows the 6px grid system

5. Error Prevention

• [ ] Destructive buttons are visually distinct (destructive variant)
• [ ] Form validation happens on blur (not while typing)
• [ ] Dangerous actions require explicit confirmation
• [ ] Input constraints are visible before errors occur (character limits, format hints)

6. Recognition Rather Than Recall

• [ ] Labels on all icons (especially BottomNav)
• [ ] Current state visible without memorization (active tab highlighted)
• [ ] Recent/frequent items shown for quick access
• [ ] Placeholder text shows expected format

7. Flexibility and Efficiency

• [ ] Key actions reachable within 3 taps from home
• [ ] Pull-to-refresh on data screens
• [ ] Touch targets >= 44x44px (no tiny tap areas)
• [ ] Frequently used actions in easy-to-reach zones (bottom of screen)

8. Aesthetic and Minimalist Design

• [ ] Each screen focuses on ONE primary task
• [ ] No decorative elements that don't serve a purpose
• [ ] Information pyramid respected (most important = biggest)
• [ ] Card density follows the max-4-items rule
• [ ] No competing visual elements (one hero metric per page)

9. Help Users Recover from Errors

• [ ] Error messages explain what went wrong in plain language
• [ ] Error messages suggest how to fix the problem
• [ ] Partial failures don't break the whole page (one card fails, others load)
• [ ] Network errors show retry button
• [ ] Form errors highlight the specific field

10. Help and Documentation

• [ ] Empty states guide users to take action
• [ ] Onboarding for first-time features (if applicable)
• [ ] Tooltips for complex metrics (if applicable)

Mobile-Specific UX Checks

Touch & Gesture

• [ ] Touch targets minimum 44x44px
• [ ] Minimum 8px between adjacent touch targets
• [ ] No hover-dependent interactions (mobile has no hover)
• [ ] Swipe gestures have visible affordances (carousel indicators)

Performance Perception

• [ ] Skeleton screens appear within 300ms
• [ ] Optimistic updates for user actions
• [ ] Above-the-fold content loads first
• [ ] No layout shift after content loads

Safe Areas

• [ ] Content not hidden behind notch/Dynamic Island
• [ ] Bottom content not behind home indicator
• [ ] BottomNav has pb-safe padding

Dark Pattern Prevention

• [ ] No forced bottom sheets on entry
• [ ] No exit-prevention dialogs
• [ ] Every screen has a way to go back/dismiss
• [ ] CTA labels clearly describe the action
• [ ] No manipulative graphics (begging, urgency)

Output Format

1. Score: A+ to F rating with breakdown
2. Critical Issues: Must fix (blocks usability)
3. Major Issues: Should fix (degrades experience)
4. Minor Issues: Nice to fix (polish)
5. Recommendations: Specific code changes for each issue

Example

User request:

> Audit screens for UX issues using Nielsen's heuristics and modern mobile UX best practices.

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream source and local project context.
• Verify commands, generated code, dependencies, credentials, and external service behavior before applying changes.
• Do not treat examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.