SKILL.md
User Flows and Guided Paths
Related features that belong together should be experienced as a single coherent journey — not as separate screens the user has to navigate between manually. A well-designed flow feels inevitable: each step leads naturally to the next, the user always knows where they are and what comes next, and the path fits the product's information hierarchy.
When to Guide vs. When to Let Users Explore
| Scenario | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Linear process with a clear end goal (checkout, signup, setup) | Guided step-by-step flow or wizard |
| Complex task that benefits from breaking into stages | Wizard with progress indicator |
| Feature discovery across an existing product | Contextual tooltips or coach marks |
| User returning to complete something they started | Resume prompt with clear re-entry point |
| Open-ended exploration (dashboard, settings) | Free navigation — do not force a flow |
Only guide when the task genuinely has a natural order. Forcing a wizard onto a non-sequential task frustrates users who already know what they want.