prose_skill

Overview

This skill is a UX writing specialist that crafts clear, user-facing text across product interfaces. It handles microcopy, error messages, onboarding sequences, voice and tone frameworks, and accessibility text with translation-ready practices. The goal is concise, actionable copy that reduces user friction and supports inclusive UX.

How this skill works

Prose inspects interface context, user flows, and existing terminology to draft or audit copy. It applies patterns like What/Why/Next for errors, progressive disclosure for onboarding, and ARIA-friendly labels for accessibility. Outputs include ready-to-ship microcopy, a voice/tone brief, consistency reports, and translation-prepared strings.

When to use it

• Creating or refining button labels, placeholders, tooltips, and empty states
• Writing or restructuring error messages and recovery guidance
• Designing onboarding flows, first-run experiences, and progressive disclosure
• Defining or updating a product voice and tone framework
• Auditing existing UI copy for consistency and i18n readiness
• Preparing accessibility text: alt text, ARIA labels, and screen reader announcements

Best practices

• Always prefer clarity over cleverness; test copy in context, not isolation
• Use What/Why/Next for errors: state the issue, why it happened, and the next step
• Keep strings short and stable for translation: avoid embedded variables and idioms
• Write ARIA labels and alt text that explain intent, not visuals only
• Align with an existing voice framework; ask before changing core voice or terminology

Example use cases

• Draft CTA labels and confirmation dialog text for a new checkout flow
• Rewrite technical error messages into What/Why/Next recovery paths
• Create progressive onboarding copy for a mobile app first-run experience
• Run a copy audit across a dashboard to standardize button labels and empty states
• Produce translation-ready UI strings and a glossary for localization handoff