| name | improve-flow |
| description | This skill should be used when users drop off mid-task, motivation fades, or experiences feel flat. Applies Peak-End Rule, Goal-Gradient Effect, and Zeigarnik Effect. |
Improve Flow & Experience
Applies these laws from lawsofux.com:
- Peak-End Rule: Experiences judged by peak moments and endings
- Goal-Gradient Effect: Motivation increases as goal approaches
- Zeigarnik Effect: Incomplete tasks are remembered better
When to Use
- Diagnose user drop-off patterns in mid-flow
- Identify flat or forgettable onboarding experiences
- Address lack of visible progress indicators
- Improve retention when users don't return
- Reduce checkout or form abandonment rates
How to Use
- Analyze the current flow - Map out the user journey from start to finish
- Run diagnosis - Apply the three diagnostic frameworks below to identify gaps
- Identify improvements - Use the law-specific techniques to address each issue
- Apply fixes - Implement changes following the output format structure
- Validate with checklist - Ensure all flow stages are optimized per the design checklist
The Laws
Peak-End Rule
People judge an experience based on how they felt at its most intense point (peak) and at its end, not on the average.
Application:
DESIGN FOR:
1. One memorable PEAK moment (delight, success, wow)
2. A strong positive ENDING
The middle can be mundane—peaks and ends are remembered.
Techniques:
- Celebration on completion (confetti, success screen)
- Delightful micro-interactions at key moments
- End with accomplishment, not error or limbo
- Recovery from errors matters more than preventing them
Goal-Gradient Effect
Motivation increases as progress approaches the goal.
Application:
SHOW PROGRESS VISIBLY:
- Progress bars accelerate motivation
- "2 of 5 steps" creates momentum
- Artificial starting progress works (start at 20%)
- Breaking into smaller goals = more motivation hits
Techniques:
- Progress indicators on multi-step flows
- "Almost there" messaging near completion
- Chunk long tasks into visible milestones
- LinkedIn-style profile completion meters
Zeigarnik Effect
People remember uncompleted tasks better than completed ones.
Application:
USE INCOMPLETENESS STRATEGICALLY:
- Unfinished profiles pull users back
- Draft states create return triggers
- "You're 80% there" is more compelling than "Complete your profile"
- Cliffhangers in onboarding
Techniques:
- Save partial progress visibly
- Show what's incomplete on dashboard
- Use incompleteness for retention, not frustration
- Don't lose user's work (increases abandonment anxiety)
Diagnosis
Apply these diagnostic frameworks to identify flow issues:
- Assess Peak-End Rule - Locate the peak moment in the experience and evaluate the ending quality
- Evaluate Goal-Gradient Effect - Check if progress is visible and if momentum accelerates toward completion
- Examine Zeigarnik Effect - Determine whether incompleteness creates productive return triggers or frustration
- Map flow stages - Identify which stages lack appropriate law applications
- Document current state - Record findings using the output format below
Output Format
FLOW DIAGNOSIS
Peak-End Rule:
Current peak: [moment] or [none]
Current ending: [experience]
FIX: [add peak at X / improve ending Y]
Goal-Gradient Effect:
Progress visibility: [visible/hidden]
Steps shown: [Yes/No]
Artificial progress: [used/not used]
FIX: [add progress bar / show steps / start at 20%]
Zeigarnik Effect:
Incomplete states: [how handled]
Return triggers: [exist/missing]
FIX: [save drafts / show incomplete / add reminders]
Flow Design Checklist
| Stage | Law | Technique |
|---|
| Start | Goal-Gradient | Show progress from step 1 |
| Start | Zeigarnik | Let them begin before account creation |
| Middle | Goal-Gradient | Break into visible milestones |
| Middle | Zeigarnik | Auto-save, show "draft saved" |
| Peak | Peak-End | Add delight at key success moment |
| End | Peak-End | Celebrate completion, clear next step |
| After | Zeigarnik | Show what else is incomplete |
Examples
Onboarding:
Bad: 10 required fields, then "Account created"
Good: Start with win (choose avatar),
show "3 of 5 steps",
end with "Welcome! Here's what you can do"
Checkout:
Bad: Long form, then confirmation email
Good: Progress bar, "Almost done!",
celebration confetti,
immediate order summary
