# Habit Design

> Habit Design

- Skill: `sethdford/habit-design` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add sethdford/habit-design`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/sethdford/habit-design/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: sethdford (https://skillmd.com/u/sethdford)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/sethdford/habit-design

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# Habit Design

Shape behavior with cues, friction, and identity—not endless willpower. Favor tiny starts and systems that survive bad days.

## When to Use
- Starting something new, breaking a costly routine, or recovering after a streak breaks.
- Willpower alone is failing; the environment and triggers need redesign.

## Workflow
1. **Cue–routine–reward**: name the trigger, the behavior, and the payoff; swap or interrupt any leg to change the loop.
2. **Habit stacking**: anchor a new habit to an existing one (“After I pour coffee, I journal for five minutes”).
3. **Environment design**: make good habits obvious and easy; add friction to unwanted habits (distance, steps, logout).
4. **Implementation intentions**: “When X happens, I will Y”—specific situation, specific action.
5. **Start tiny**: shrink until it feels trivial (e.g., one flossed tooth)—consistency beats intensity at first.
6. **Streaks without perfection**: missing once is data, not identity; resume at the next cue.
7. **Identity**: “I’m someone who…” supports maintenance better than guilt-driven grinding.

## Examples
**Example 1:** Want to read more—stack “after I close the laptop, I read one page” and leave the book on the keyboard.

**Example 2:** Cut late scrolling—charge the phone outside the bedroom and replace the cue with a book on the nightstand.