| name | ux-heuristics |
| description | Evaluates interface usability using Nielsen's 10 heuristics + Krug's principles. Returns a severity-scored list of issues. Triggers on "audit this for usability", "heuristic review", "UX issues", "usability check", "ux heuristics". |
| allowed-tools | Read |
UX Heuristics
Evaluates interface usability using Nielsen's 10 heuristics + Krug's "Don't Make Me Think" principles. Returns a severity-scored list of what's broken and why.
Core Philosophy
Users scan, they don't read. They satisfice, they don't optimize. They muddle through, they don't figure out.
"Every page should be self-evident. If something requires thinking, it's a usability problem." — Steve Krug
Krug's Three Laws
- Don't make me think. Pages should be self-evident. Clear labels beat clever marketing copy.
- It doesn't matter how many times I click, as long as each click is mindless. Minimize cognitive effort per interaction.
- Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what's left. Ruthlessly eliminate unnecessary text.
The Trunk Test
Drop a user on any random page. Can they immediately answer:
- What site is this? What page am I on? What are the major sections?
- What are my options at this level? Where am I in the hierarchy? How can I search?
If any answer requires effort, the navigation is broken.
Nielsen's 10 Heuristics
| # | Heuristic | What to Check |
|---|
| 1 | Visibility of System Status | Loading indicators? Form submission feedback? Current state visible? |
| 2 | Match System and Real World | Jargon-free labels? Natural reading order? Icons match mental models? |
| 3 | User Control and Freedom | Undo available? Cancel on every modal? No dead ends? |
| 4 | Consistency and Standards | Same action = same label? Button styles consistent? |
| 5 | Error Prevention | Confirmation for destructive actions? Inline validation? Disabled states? |
| 6 | Recognition Rather Than Recall | Options visible? Recent items surfaced? Labels on icons? |
| 7 | Flexibility and Efficiency | Keyboard shortcuts? Bulk actions? Search as navigation? |
| 8 | Aesthetic and Minimalist Design | Only essential info visible? Progressive disclosure? White space? |
| 9 | Help Recover from Errors | Plain language? Specific not generic? Suggest a fix? |
| 10 | Help and Documentation | Searchable? Task-focused? Concrete steps? |
Severity Scale
| Severity | Label | Priority |
|---|
| 0 | Not a problem | Skip |
| 1 | Cosmetic | Fix if time permits |
| 2 | Minor | Fix in next iteration |
| 3 | Major | Fix before shipping |
| 4 | Catastrophic | Fix immediately |
Audit Output Format
| # | Heuristic Violated | Issue | Severity | Recommendation |
|---|
| 1 | H8: Minimalist Design | Dashboard shows 12 metrics above fold | 2 | Progressive disclosure: show top 4, expand for rest |
| 2 | H1: System Status | No loading indicator on search | 3 | Add spinner or skeleton screen |
Sort by severity (highest first). Summary: total issues, count by severity, top 3 fixes.
Quick Diagnostic Checklist (60 seconds)
