# Flpbalada Hooked Model > Design habit-forming products using the Hook cycle. Use when building engagement loops, improving retention, designing notifications, or creating products users return to without external prompting. - Skill: `microck/flpbalada-hooked-model` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add microck/flpbalada-hooked-model` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/microck/flpbalada-hooked-model/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: Microck (https://skillmd.com/u/microck) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/microck/flpbalada-hooked-model --- # Hooked Model - Building Habit-Forming Products The Hooked Model is a four-phase framework by Nir Eyal for creating products that form user habits. A habit is formed when users engage with a product repeatedly without conscious thought, driven by internal triggers rather than external marketing. ## When to Use This Skill - Designing user engagement loops - Improving product retention metrics - Planning notification and re-engagement strategies - Building features that create lasting habits - Evaluating competitor engagement mechanisms - Auditing ethical implications of engagement design ## Core Concepts ### The Hook Cycle ``` +-----------------+ | | v | TRIGGER | (Internal/External) | | | v | ACTION | (Simple behavior) | | | v | VARIABLE REWARD | (Unpredictable) | | | v | INVESTMENT | (User effort)-------+ ``` ### Phase 1: Trigger **External Triggers** (initial hooks): - Push notifications - Email reminders - Advertising - Word of mouth - Social media mentions **Internal Triggers** (goal state): - Boredom → Open TikTok - Loneliness → Check Instagram - Uncertainty → Google it - FOMO → Check Slack ### Phase 2: Action The simplest behavior in anticipation of reward. **Fogg Behavior Model alignment:** ``` B = MAT (Behavior = Motivation + Ability + Trigger) For habit formation: - Motivation: Must exist (desire for reward) - Ability: Must be HIGH (action must be easy) - Trigger: Must be present ``` | Product | Trigger | Simplest Action | | --------- | -------- | --------------- | | Twitter | Boredom | Scroll feed | | Google | Question | Type query | | Instagram | FOMO | Open app | | Slack | Anxiety | Check messages | ### Phase 3: Variable Reward Three types of variable rewards: | Type | Description | Example | | --------- | -------------------- | ----------------------------------- | | **Tribe** | Social validation | Likes, comments, follows | | **Hunt** | Material resources | Search results, deals, information | | **Self** | Personal achievement | Completing tasks, mastery, progress | **Why "Variable"?** Predictable rewards lose power. Slot machines use variable rewards - you never know which pull wins. Social feeds use the same psychology. ### Phase 4: Investment User puts something into the product that: 1. Improves the product for them 2. Increases likelihood of return 3. Creates switching costs | Investment Type | Example | Lock-in Effect | | --------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------ | | Data | Preferences, history | Personalization improves | | Content | Posts, uploads | Social capital | | Followers | Audience built | Network effects | | Learning | Skills developed | Competency | | Reputation | Reviews, karma | Identity | ## Analysis Framework ### Step 1: Map Current Hook ``` Your Product's Hook: TRIGGER External: _____________________ Internal (goal): _______________ ACTION What's the simplest action? _______________ How many steps/taps? _______________ VARIABLE REWARD Type: [ ] Tribe [ ] Hunt [ ] Self What's unpredictable? _______________ INVESTMENT What do users put in? _______________ How does it improve experience? _______________ ``` ### Step 2: Identify Weak Links Rate each phase (1-5): | Phase | Score | Improvement Needed | | ------------------ | ----- | ------------------ | | Trigger strength | [/5] | | | Action simplicity | [/5] | | | Reward variability | [/5] | | | Investment depth | [/5] | | ### Step 3: Design Improvements Focus on the weakest phase first. A hook is only as strong as its weakest link. ## Output Template ```markdown ## Hook Analysis **Product:** [Name] **Date:** [Date] **Goal:** [Habit to form] ### Current Hook Cycle **Trigger:** - External: [Current external triggers] - Internal target: [Emotion/situation → product] **Action:** - Current: [Steps to engage] - Friction points: [Obstacles] **Variable Reward:** - Type: [Tribe/Hunt/Self] - Variability source: [What changes] **Investment:** - Current: [What users contribute] - Lock-in created: [Switching cost] ### Weakness Assessment | Phase | Score (1-5) | Issue | | ---------- | ----------- | ----- | | Trigger | | | | Action | | | | Reward | | | | Investment | | | ### Improvement Plan 1. **Trigger improvement:** [Specific change] 2. **Action simplification:** [Reduce steps to X] 3. **Reward enhancement:** [Add variability via] 4. **Investment deepening:** [New investment type] ### Ethical Check - [ ] Product genuinely improves user's life - [ ] User would recommend to friends - [ ] We'd be comfortable if usage was public - [ ] No dark patterns employed ``` ## Real-World Examples ### Example 1: Instagram | Phase | Implementation | | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | | **Trigger** | External: notifications. Internal: boredom, FOMO | | **Action** | Open app, scroll (one tap) | | **Variable Reward** | New posts (Hunt), likes/comments (Tribe) | | **Investment** | Followers, posts, profile, DM history | ### Example 2: Slack | Phase | Implementation | | ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | | **Trigger** | External: @mentions. Internal: anxiety about missing info | | **Action** | Check channel (one click) | | **Variable Reward** | New messages (Hunt), recognition (Tribe) | | **Investment** | Channel history, integrations, workflows | ### Example 3: Duolingo | Phase | Implementation | | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | | **Trigger** | External: streak reminders. Internal: guilt, achievement | | **Action** | Complete one lesson (5 min) | | **Variable Reward** | XP, leaderboard (Self + Tribe) | | **Investment** | Streak, progress, course completion | ## Ethical Considerations ### The Manipulation Test Ask yourself: 1. **Materially improves life?** Does the habit genuinely help users? 2. **User is the customer?** Or are they the product? 3. **Would you use it yourself?** And let your children use it? 4. **Transparent?** Would users feel manipulated if they knew? ### Ethical Spectrum ``` Facilitator -------- Entertainer -------- Dealer (Helps users) (Neutral) (Exploits users) Your product should be a Facilitator ``` ## Best Practices ### Do - Start with internal trigger research (what emotion leads to use?) - Make first action as simple as possible - Vary rewards meaningfully, not randomly - Ensure investments create genuine value - Test hook cycle with real users ### Avoid - Relying solely on external triggers (expensive, unsustainable) - Complex actions that require learning - Predictable rewards that become boring - Investments that feel like manipulation - Ignoring ethical implications ## Integration with Other Methods | Method | Combined Use | | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | | **Fogg Behavior Model** | Action phase design | | **Self-Initiated Triggers** | Internal trigger development | | **Loss Aversion** | Investment and streak psychology | | **Jobs-to-be-Done** | Understanding underlying motivations | ## Resources - [Hooked - Nir Eyal](https://www.nirandfar.com/hooked/) - [Indistractable - Nir Eyal](https://www.nirandfar.com/indistractable/) - [Atomic Habits - James Clear](https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits)