improve-flow

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

1. Analyze the current flow - Map out the user journey from start to finish
2. Run diagnosis - Apply the three diagnostic frameworks below to identify gaps
3. Identify improvements - Use the law-specific techniques to address each issue
4. Apply fixes - Implement changes following the output format structure
5. 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:

1. Assess Peak-End Rule - Locate the peak moment in the experience and evaluate the ending quality
2. Evaluate Goal-Gradient Effect - Check if progress is visible and if momentum accelerates toward completion
3. Examine Zeigarnik Effect - Determine whether incompleteness creates productive return triggers or frustration
4. Map flow stages - Identify which stages lack appropriate law applications
5. 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