Install Impeccable skill for Codex

.agents/skills/impeccable/reference/clarify.md

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+> **Additional context needed**: audience technical level and users' mental state in context.
+
+Find the unclear, confusing, or poorly written interface text and rewrite it. Vague copy creates support tickets and abandonment; specific copy gets users through the task.
+
+
+---
+
+## Assess Current Copy
+
+Identify what makes the text unclear or ineffective:
+
+1. **Find clarity problems**:
+   - **Jargon**: Technical terms users won't understand
+   - **Ambiguity**: Multiple interpretations possible
+   - **Passive voice**: "Your file has been uploaded" vs "We uploaded your file"
+   - **Length**: Too wordy or too terse
+   - **Assumptions**: Assuming user knowledge they don't have
+   - **Missing context**: Users don't know what to do or why
+   - **Tone mismatch**: Too formal, too casual, or inappropriate for situation
+
+2. **Understand the context**:
+   - Who's the audience? (Technical? General? First-time users?)
+   - What's the user's mental state? (Stressed during error? Confident during success?)
+   - What's the action? (What do we want users to do?)
+   - What's the constraint? (Character limits? Space limitations?)
+
+**CRITICAL**: Clear copy helps users succeed. Unclear copy creates frustration, errors, and support tickets.
+
+## Plan Copy Improvements
+
+Create a strategy for clearer communication:
+
+- **Primary message**: What's the ONE thing users need to know?
+- **Action needed**: What should users do next (if anything)?
+- **Tone**: How should this feel? (Helpful? Apologetic? Encouraging?)
+- **Constraints**: Length limits, brand voice, localization considerations
+
+**IMPORTANT**: Good UX writing is invisible. Users should understand immediately without noticing the words.
+
+## Improve Copy Systematically
+
+Refine text across these common areas:
+
+### Error Messages
+**Bad**: "Error 403: Forbidden"
+**Good**: "You don't have permission to view this page. Contact your admin for access."
+
+**Bad**: "Invalid input"
+**Good**: "Email addresses need an @ symbol. Try: name@example.com"
+
+**Principles**:
+- Explain what went wrong in plain language
+- Suggest how to fix it
+- Don't blame the user
+- Include examples when helpful
+- Link to help/support if applicable
+
+### Form Labels & Instructions
+**Bad**: "DOB (MM/DD/YYYY)"
+**Good**: "Date of birth" (with placeholder showing format)
+
+**Bad**: "Enter value here"
+**Good**: "Your email address" or "Company name"
+
+**Principles**:
+- Use clear, specific labels (not generic placeholders)
+- Show format expectations with examples
+- Explain why you're asking (when not obvious)
+- Put instructions before the field, not after
+- Keep required field indicators clear
+
+### Button & CTA Text
+**Bad**: "Click here" | "Submit" | "OK"
+**Good**: "Create account" | "Save changes" | "Got it, thanks"
+
+**Principles**:
+- Describe the action specifically
+- Use active voice (verb + noun)
+- Match user's mental model
+- Be specific ("Save" is better than "OK")
+
+### Help Text & Tooltips
+**Bad**: "This is the username field"
+**Good**: "Choose a username. You can change this later in Settings."
+
+**Principles**:
+- Add value (don't just repeat the label)
+- Answer the implicit question ("What is this?" or "Why do you need this?")
+- Keep it brief but complete
+- Link to detailed docs if needed
+
+### Empty States
+**Bad**: "No items"
+**Good**: "No projects yet. Create your first project to get started."
+
+**Principles**:
+- Explain why it's empty (if not obvious)
+- Show next action clearly
+- Make it welcoming, not dead-end
+
+### Success Messages
+**Bad**: "Success"
+**Good**: "Settings saved! Your changes will take effect immediately."
+
+**Principles**:
+- Confirm what happened
+- Explain what happens next (if relevant)
+- Be brief but complete
+- Match the user's emotional moment (celebrate big wins)
+
+### Loading States
+**Bad**: "Loading..." (for 30+ seconds)
+**Good**: "Analyzing your data... this usually takes 30-60 seconds"
+
+**Principles**:
+- Set expectations (how long?)
+- Explain what's happening (when it's not obvious)
+- Show progress when possible
+- Offer escape hatch if appropriate ("Cancel")
+
+### Confirmation Dialogs
+**Bad**: "Are you sure?"
+**Good**: "Delete 'Project Alpha'? This can't be undone."
+
+**Principles**:
+- State the specific action
+- Explain consequences (especially for destructive actions)
+- Use clear button labels ("Delete project" not "Yes")
+- Don't overuse confirmations (only for risky actions)
+
+### Navigation & Wayfinding
+**Bad**: Generic labels like "Items" | "Things" | "Stuff"
+**Good**: Specific labels like "Your projects" | "Team members" | "Settings"
+
+**Principles**:
+- Be specific and descriptive
+- Use language users understand (not internal jargon)
+- Make hierarchy clear
+- Consider information scent (breadcrumbs, current location)
+
+## Apply Clarity Principles
+
+Every piece of copy should follow these rules:
+
+1. **Be specific**: "Enter email" not "Enter value"
+2. **Be concise**: Cut unnecessary words (but don't sacrifice clarity)
+3. **Be active**: "Save changes" not "Changes will be saved"
+4. **Be human**: "Oops, something went wrong" not "System error encountered"
+5. **Tell users what to do**, not just what happened
+6. **Be consistent**: Use same terms throughout (don't vary for variety)
+
+**NEVER**:
+- Use jargon without explanation
+- Blame users ("You made an error" → "This field is required")
+- Be vague ("Something went wrong" without explanation)
+- Use passive voice unnecessarily
+- Write overly long explanations (be concise)
+- Use humor for errors (be empathetic instead)
+- Assume technical knowledge
+- Vary terminology (pick one term and stick with it)
+- Repeat information (headers restating intros, redundant explanations)
+- Use placeholders as the only labels (they disappear when users type)
+
+## Verify Improvements
+
+Test that copy improvements work:
+
+- **Comprehension**: Can users understand without context?
+- **Actionability**: Do users know what to do next?
+- **Brevity**: Is it as short as possible while remaining clear?
+- **Consistency**: Does it match terminology elsewhere?
+- **Tone**: Is it appropriate for the situation?
+
+When the copy reads cleanly, hand off to `$impeccable polish` for the final pass.
+
+---
+
+## Reference Material
+
+The sections below were previously `ux-writing.md` and live inline now so the clarify flow has its deep UX-writing reference in one place.
+
+### UX Writing
+
+#### The Button Label Problem
+
+**Never use "OK", "Submit", or "Yes/No".** These are lazy and ambiguous. Use specific verb + object patterns:
+
+| Bad | Good | Why |
+|-----|------|-----|
+| OK | Save changes | Says what will happen |
+| Submit | Create account | Outcome-focused |
+| Yes | Delete message | Confirms the action |
+| Cancel | Keep editing | Clarifies what "cancel" means |
+| Click here | Download PDF | Describes the destination |
+
+**For destructive actions**, name the destruction:
+- "Delete" not "Remove" (delete is permanent, remove implies recoverable)
+- "Delete 5 items" not "Delete selected" (show the count)
+
+#### Error Messages: The Formula
+
+Every error message should answer: (1) What happened? (2) Why? (3) How to fix it? Example: "Email address isn't valid. Please include an @ symbol." not "Invalid input".
+
+##### Error Message Templates
+
+| Situation | Template |
+|-----------|----------|
+| **Format error** | "[Field] needs to be [format]. Example: [example]" |
+| **Missing required** | "Please enter [what's missing]" |
+| **Permission denied** | "You don't have access to [thing]. [What to do instead]" |
+| **Network error** | "We couldn't reach [thing]. Check your connection and [action]." |
+| **Server error** | "Something went wrong on our end. We're looking into it. [Alternative action]" |
+
+##### Don't Blame the User
+
+Reframe errors: "Please enter a date in MM/DD/YYYY format" not "You entered an invalid date".
+
+#### Empty States Are Opportunities
+
+Empty states are onboarding moments: (1) Acknowledge briefly, (2) Explain the value of filling it, (3) Provide a clear action. "No projects yet. Create your first one to get started." not just "No items".
+
+#### Voice vs Tone
+
+**Voice** is your brand's personality, consistent everywhere.
+**Tone** adapts to the moment.
+
+| Moment | Tone Shift |
+|--------|------------|
+| Success | Celebratory, brief: "Done! Your changes are live." |
+| Error | Empathetic, helpful: "That didn't work. Here's what to try..." |
+| Loading | Reassuring: "Saving your work..." |
+| Destructive confirm | Serious, clear: "Delete this project? This can't be undone." |
+
+**Never use humor for errors.** Users are already frustrated. Be helpful, not cute.
+
+#### Writing for Accessibility
+
+**Link text** must have standalone meaning: "View pricing plans" not "Click here". **Alt text** describes information, not the image: "Revenue increased 40% in Q4" not "Chart". Use `alt=""` for decorative images. **Icon buttons** need `aria-label` for screen reader context.
+
+#### Writing for Translation
+
+##### Plan for Expansion
+
+German text is ~30% longer than English. Allocate space:
+
+| Language | Expansion |
+|----------|-----------|
+| German | +30% |
+| French | +20% |
+| Finnish | +30-40% |
+| Chinese | -30% (fewer chars, but same width) |
+
+##### Translation-Friendly Patterns
+
+Keep numbers separate ("New messages: 3" not "You have 3 new messages"). Use full sentences as single strings (word order varies by language). Avoid abbreviations ("5 minutes ago" not "5 mins ago"). Give translators context about where strings appear.
+
+#### Consistency: The Terminology Problem
+
+Pick one term and stick with it:
+
+| Inconsistent | Consistent |
+|--------------|------------|
+| Delete / Remove / Trash | Delete |
+| Settings / Preferences / Options | Settings |
+| Sign in / Log in / Enter | Sign in |
+| Create / Add / New | Create |
+
+Build a terminology glossary and enforce it. Variety creates confusion.
+
+#### Avoid Redundant Copy
+
+If the heading explains it, the intro is redundant. If the button is clear, don't explain it again. Say it once, say it well.
+
+#### Loading States
+
+Be specific: "Saving your draft..." not "Loading...". For long waits, set expectations ("This usually takes 30 seconds") or show progress.
+
+#### Confirmation Dialogs: Use Sparingly
+
+Most confirmation dialogs are design failures; consider undo instead. When you must confirm: name the action, explain consequences, use specific button labels ("Delete project" / "Keep project", not "Yes" / "No").
+
+#### Form Instructions
+
+Show format with placeholders, not instructions. For non-obvious fields, explain why you're asking.
+
+---
+
+**Avoid**: Jargon without explanation. Blaming users ("You made an error" → "This field is required"). Vague errors ("Something went wrong"). Varying terminology for variety. Humor for errors.