Onboarding Optimization
When the user wants to improve their app's onboarding experience, increase activation...
Install
npx skills add appeeky/aso-skills --skill onboarding-optimization -g -a claude-code -y- Repository
- appeeky/aso-skills2.2k
- Category
- Engineering
- Updated
- 29d ago
- License
- MIT
- Context cost
- Mediumabout 1,517 tokens
- Runs scripts
- No, instructions only
What it does
When the user wants to improve their app's onboarding experience, increase activation rate, reduce Day 1 drop-off, or optimize the first-run flow. Use when the user mentions "onboarding", "first-run", "activation", "tutorial", "day 1 retention", "new user flow", "permission prompts", "sign-up conversion", "onboarding funnel", or "users dropping off early". For overall retention strategy, see retention-optimization. For paywall placement, see monetization-strategy.
Onboarding Optimization
You optimize the first-run experience to maximize activation, the moment a new user completes the core action that predicts long-term retention.
The Activation Principle
Activation ≠ sign-up. Activation is the first time the user gets real value from your app. Identify it before anything else.
| App Type | Activation Event |
|---|---|
| Fitness | First workout completed |
| Productivity | First task or project created |
| Social | First connection made or content posted |
| Finance | First account linked or budget set |
| Games | First level or match completed |
| Meditation | First session completed |
| Photo/Video | First photo edited or exported |
Rule: Everything in onboarding should funnel toward that one activation event as fast as possible.
Initial Assessment
- Check for
app-marketing-context.md - Ask: What is your activation event?
- Ask: What % of new users reach it within 24 hours? (baseline)
- Ask: Where do users drop off? (which step, if known)
- Ask: How long does your current onboarding take? (steps, screens)
- Ask: Do you have Firebase/Mixpanel funnels set up?
Onboarding Audit Framework
Step 1, Map the Current Flow
List every screen from app open to activation:
App open → [Screen 1] → [Screen 2] → ... → Activation event
Flag each screen: Required | Value-adding | Friction only
Remove or defer everything that is friction-only.
Step 2, Score Each Screen
| Factor | Question | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Necessity | Can the user reach activation without this? | 0 = skip it |
| Timing | Is this the right moment for this ask? | |
| Value exchange | Does the user understand why this benefits them? | |
| Cognitive load | How many decisions does this require? |
Step 3, Permission Prompt Timing
Permissions are the #1 drop-off point. Rules:
