ux-writing

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Write or review UI copy — buttons, errors, empty states, microcopy, notifications, labels — using the voice & tone system (clear, concise, useful, human, honest) with the what→why→how error formula and inclusive-language rules. Use when the user needs interface copy, error messages, empty-state text, or a copy review.

plugin87 By plugin87 schedule Updated 6/8/2026

name: ux-writing description: Write or review UI copy — buttons, errors, empty states, microcopy, notifications, labels — using the voice & tone system (clear, concise, useful, human, honest) with the what→why→how error formula and inclusive-language rules. Use when the user needs interface copy, error messages, empty-state text, or a copy review.

Skill: UX Writing

Produce or critique interface copy in the project's voice.

Steps

  1. Read content/voice-tone.md (voice principles, tone spectrum, formulas, microcopy patterns, inclusive language, pre-ship checklist).
  2. Match tone to the user's emotional state (onboarding/success/routine/error/destructive). Higher stress → plainer language.
  3. Apply the formulas:
    • Buttons: frontload the verb, name the outcome.
    • Confirmation dialogs: the confirm button restates the action and object — "Delete account", not "Delete"/"OK"/"Yes"/"Confirm". The title asks ("Delete account?"), the button answers in matching words. Cancel stays "Cancel". For irreversible/high-stakes actions, require a type-to-confirm step (WCAG 3.3.4/3.3.6).
    • Errors: what happened → why → how to fix (no dead ends, no codes/stack traces).
    • Empty states: value → first action.
  4. Enforce mechanics: sentence case, no ALL CAPS, numerals, no blame on the user, labels (not placeholders), no directional/color-only instructions.
  5. Run the 10-item pre-ship copy checklist.

Output

Final copy (or a redline review) that reads naturally aloud and passes the checklist. Keep within any character limits for tight UI.

Verification (mandatory before declaring done)

Run every line through the 10-item pre-ship checklist in content/voice-tone.md — do not skip it:

  • Reads naturally aloud; frontloaded verb on actions; no jargon/blame/dead-ends.
  • Errors follow what→why→how; empty states give value→action; no bare "No data"/"Error".
  • Mechanics: sentence case, numerals, labels (not placeholders), no color/direction-only cues, inclusive language.
  • Within character limits; translatable (no concatenation — see accessibility/i18n-rtl.md).
Install via CLI
npx skills add https://github.com/plugin87/ux-ui-agent-skills --skill ux-writing
Repository Details
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navigation Branch main
article Path SKILL.md
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