# Hooked UX

Design habit-forming product loops using the Hook Model (Trigger, Action, Variable...

- Repository: https://github.com/wondelai/skills (2552 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-09-10
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add wondelai/skills --skill hooked-ux -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add wondelai/skills --skill hooked-ux -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add wondelai/skills --skill hooked-ux -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add wondelai/skills --skill hooked-ux -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add wondelai/skills`

## Description

Design habit-forming product loops using the Hook Model (Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, Investment). Use when the user mentions "users arent coming back", "habit formation", "engagement loops", "habit zone", or "the manipulation matrix". Also trigger when designing notification or re-engagement strategies, building streaks or progress systems, or analyzing why users stop after signup. Covers ethics evaluation and onboarding for habits. For friction reduction and B=MAP, see improve-retention. For viral sharing, see contagious.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Hook Model Framework

Framework for building habit-forming products. Habits are not created, they are built through successive cycles through the Hook.

## Core Principle

**The Hook Model** = a four-phase loop that connects the user's problem to your solution frequently enough to form a habit, moving usage from deliberate to automatic.

```
Trigger → Action → Variable Reward → Investment
    ↑                                      │
    └──────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Scoring

**Goal: 10/10.** When reviewing or creating product engagement mechanics, score the loop by the four Quick Diagnostic rows (internal trigger, dead-simple action, variable reward, investment loads next trigger): each row earns 2 (fully satisfied), 1 (partial), or 0 (absent), then `score = round(total / 8 × 10)`. Then apply the ethics gate: if the Manipulation Matrix places the product as Dealer (or it hits any "When NOT to Use" condition), cap the score at 3 regardless of mechanics. Bands: 9-10 = complete loop, internal trigger identified, ethics clear; 5-6 = loop runs but leans on external triggers or predictable rewards; <=3 = broken loop or extractive design. Always state the current score and the specific diagnostic rows blocking 10/10.

## The Four Phases

### 1. Trigger

**Core concept:** The actuator of behavior. Triggers are external (environment-driven: notifications, emails, ads) or internal (emotion-driven), and the goal is to migrate users from external to internal triggers.

**Why it works:** Every habit starts with a cue. External triggers get users started, but internal triggers, boredom, loneliness, uncertainty, FOMO, drive unprompted usage because the emotion itself fires before any reminder can.

The rest: https://github.com/wondelai/skills/blob/HEAD/hooked-ux/SKILL.md