Paths for new and expert users

Combines helpful first-use guidance with efficient repeated actions for experienced users.

expert-first-time-user-paths

See how it helps

When is it useful?

Use when onboarding obstructs daily work or empty screens offer no clear starting point.

What does it help you do?

Explains an empty view briefly and provides one meaningful first action.
Adds appropriate keyboard shortcuts, recent choices and direct or bulk actions.
Keeps recurring guidance concise and compatible with accessible navigation.

Try asking this

Redesign our empty project board and daily task actions so newcomers can start and experienced users can work quickly. Let a newcomer create the first task, then let a regular user update several. Guidance should help once without blocking shortcuts or repeated work.

Detailed documentation

Read the skill’s original instructions, examples and checks in their authored language.

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Expert & First-Time User Paths

A great product neither abandons first-time users in front of a blank screen nor forces experienced daily users to click through slow, patronizing onboarding wizards on every task.

Workflow

Make first-time and empty states actionable, not decorative:
- When a workspace, project, or list is empty, show:
  - What this view is for in one clear sentence.
  - One direct primary action to create the first item or start from a realistic template/example.
- Avoid multi-step modal product tours that force users to click "Next -> Next -> Got it" before they have even seen the workspace; use contextual inline guidance at the moment of action instead.
Build fast lanes (accelerators) for experienced users (Nielsen):
- Ensure daily workflows stay fast after the 100th use:
  - Keyboard shortcuts & command palette: Support Cmd/Ctrl+K, Enter to submit, Esc to close, and arrow-key navigation in lists/menus.
  - Remembered preferences & recent picks: Default to the last-used project, filter view, or model selection where appropriate.
  - Direct & bulk actions: Allow inline status changes, quick copy buttons, and multi-select actions without opening a full detail modal for every item.
Prevent novice-help from cluttering expert views:
- Keep permanent helper copy concise (1 line or a subtle info popover) so repeat users can scan dense tables, boards, and logs without scrolling past paragraphs of instructions.
- Coordinate keyboard navigation and focus management with the accessibility specialist (A11y).

Included files 1

SKILL.md