What is the Hooked Model in product design?

The Hooked Model is a four-phase framework consisting of Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment, designed to create products that users engage with repeatedly without conscious thought.

When should I use the hooked-model skill?

Use it when building engagement loops, designing notification systems, planning feature updates aimed at retention, or auditing why users aren't returning to your product.

How does this Claude Code skill help improve retention?

It helps you map out your current user journey, identify which of the four phases is failing, and provides specific suggestions to lower friction or increase reward variability.

Is this skill focused on ethical design?

Yes, the skill includes a dedicated analysis framework to ensure products genuinely improve user lives and avoid manipulative 'Dealer' tactics or dark patterns.

Hooked Model Product Strategy

Name: Hooked Model Product Strategy
Author: flpbalada

byflpbalada

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Productivity & Workflow

Design habit-forming products and improve user retention using the four-phase Hook cycle framework.

About

The Hooked Model skill provides a structured methodology for Claude to help you build products that foster user habits through the cycle of Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment. Based on Nir Eyal’s proven framework, this tool assists in mapping user engagement loops, identifying friction points in user journeys, and designing features that keep users returning without constant external prompting. It is particularly valuable for developers and product managers aiming to improve long-term retention metrics and create ethical, value-driven user experiences.

Key Features

Analyzes product features through the Trigger-Action-Reward-Investment cycle
9 GitHub stars
Provides ethical audit tools to prevent the use of dark patterns
Identifies weak links in user engagement loops with a scoring framework
Generates actionable improvement plans for product stickiness
Integrates psychological models like Fogg Behavior and Jobs-to-be-Done

Use Cases

Designing notification strategies and re-engagement loops
Auditing and improving product retention and user stickiness
Evaluating competitor engagement mechanisms and psychological hooks

About

Key Features

Analyzes product features through the Trigger-Action-Reward-Investment cycle
9 GitHub stars
Provides ethical audit tools to prevent the use of dark patterns
Identifies weak links in user engagement loops with a scoring framework
Generates actionable improvement plans for product stickiness
Integrates psychological models like Fogg Behavior and Jobs-to-be-Done

Use Cases

Designing notification strategies and re-engagement loops
Auditing and improving product retention and user stickiness
Evaluating competitor engagement mechanisms and psychological hooks