# Ethical Design

> Ethical design considerations, dark pattern avoidance, and responsible design practices.

- Skill: `dragoon0x/ethical-design` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dragoon0x/ethical-design`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dragoon0x/ethical-design/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: dragoon0x (https://skillmd.com/u/dragoon0x)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dragoon0x/ethical-design

---


# Ethical Design

## Dark Patterns to Avoid
| Pattern | What It Does | Instead |
|---------|--------------|----------|
| Confirmshaming | 'No, I don't want to save money' | Neutral decline option |
| Hidden costs | Reveal fees at checkout | Show total cost upfront |
| Roach motel | Easy to subscribe, hard to cancel | Equal effort for both |
| Forced continuity | Auto-charge after trial without warning | Clear trial end notification |
| Misdirection | Design draws attention from important info | Equal visual weight for choices |
| Trick questions | Confusing double-negatives | Simple, clear language |
| Sneak into basket | Auto-add items to cart | Explicit user selection only |

## Responsible Design
1. **Transparency:** Users understand what they're agreeing to
2. **Fairness:** Options have equal visual weight
3. **Respect:** Don't exploit cognitive biases for profit
4. **Control:** Users can easily undo, cancel, or change decisions
5. **Privacy:** Minimum data collection, clear consent

## Attention Design
- Don't design for addiction (infinite scroll without end, variable reward manipulation)
- Show usage time if appropriate
- Allow notification management
- Design for user wellbeing, not just engagement metrics