# UX Heuristics

> Run a usability audit using Nielsen's 10 heuristics and Krug's "don't make me think" principles, then return severity-scored UX issues and fixes. Use for heuristic reviews, usability audits, and pre-ship UX quality checks.

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

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# UX Heuristics

Use this skill before shipping features to catch usability problems early.

## What this skill does

This skill reviews an interface against:
- Nielsen's 10 usability heuristics
- Krug's clarity-first usability principles

It outputs issues with severity, rationale, and practical fixes.

## Best triggers

Activate for requests like:
- "audit this for usability"
- "heuristic review"
- "UX issues"
- "pre-ship UX check"

## Severity scale

- `0` No issue
- `1` Cosmetic
- `2` Minor usability issue
- `3` Major usability issue
- `4` Usability blocker

## Audit process

1. Define core tasks users must complete.
2. Walk each task step by step.
3. Evaluate each step using the heuristics:
   - Visibility of system status
   - Match between system and real world
   - User control and freedom
   - Consistency and standards
   - Error prevention
   - Recognition rather than recall
   - Flexibility and efficiency
   - Aesthetic and minimalist design
   - Error recovery help
   - Help and documentation
4. Add Krug checks:
   - Is the next action obvious?
   - Is wording clear at a glance?
   - Is interaction effort low?
5. Score each issue by severity and user impact.
6. Recommend fixes in priority order.

## Output format

For each issue, provide:
- `Issue`
- `Heuristic violated`
- `Severity (0-4)`
- `Why this hurts users`
- `Recommended fix`

End with:
- Top 3 risks to release quality
- Must-fix before ship list
- Nice-to-have improvements

## Guardrails

- Tie every issue to a specific user task.
- Prefer simple fixes that reduce cognitive load.
- Flag blockers and accessibility concerns first.