Onboarding Cro

When the user wants to optimize post-signup onboarding, user activation, first-run experience, or time-to-value. Also use when the user mentions "onboarding flow," "activation rate," "user activation," "first-run experience," "empty states," "onboarding checklist," "aha moment," or "new user experience." For signup/registration optimization, see signup-flow-cro. For ongoing email sequences, see email-sequence.

Diagnose and fix retention problems using behavior design (B=MAP). Use when the user mentions "users drop off", "activation rate", "onboarding friction", "retention metrics", "why users dont complete", "churn analysis", "user activation", or "aha moment". Also trigger when analyzing cohort retention curves, designing activation milestones, reducing time-to-value for new users, or investigating why users stop after their first session. Covers the Ability Chain, prompt design, and tiny behaviors that compound. For habit loops and variable rewards, see hooked-ux. For intrinsic motivation, see drive-motivation.

Designing side-by-side comparison tools (plan-compare, product-compare, alternative-compare) that help users decide rather than just listing features. Axis selection, default-comparison logic, recommendation discipline. Honest about feature-list-dump (every feature in a row, no decision support), hidden-recommendation (biased comparison pretending to be neutral), and honest-comparison-with-guidance (genuine comparison plus opinionated recommendation) patterns. Triggers on comparison tool, plan compare, product compare, alternative compare, vs page, decision support tool. Also triggers when conversion through comparison stages is poor, when users are abandoning at the comparison step, or when a comparison tool is being scoped for the first time.

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.

When the user wants to design, launch, or optimize a referral or affiliate program. Use when they mention 'referral program,' 'affiliate program,' 'word of mouth,' 'refer a friend,' 'incentive program,' 'customer referrals,' 'brand ambassador,' 'partner program,' 'referral link,' or 'growth through referrals.' Covers program mechanics, incentive design, and optimization — not just the idea of referrals but the actual system.

Codebase Onboarding