# Onboarding Copy Plan

Stage essential guidance so a new user can reach meaningful initial value without unnecessary cognitive load, hidden requirements, or premature promotion.

## Usage note

Define “initial value” from the user's goal, not an internal activation metric alone. Do not require data, permissions, preferences, or tutorials before they become necessary.

## How to use this template

1. Segment new users by goal, role, state, knowledge, and relevant constraints.
2. Define one recognizable first-value outcome and the minimum necessary steps.
3. Map contextual copy, choices, permissions, errors, skips, and return states.
4. Test comprehension and completion with realistic users and working behavior.
5. Monitor outcome quality, trust, and support evidence and revise the sequence.

## Blank template

### User and first value

- **User segment and entry source:** [Describe]
- **Primary job:** [Enter]
- **Prior knowledge or imported state:** [Enter]
- **First meaningful outcome:** [Observable result]
- **How user recognizes success:** [Describe]
- **Mandatory prerequisite:** [List]
- **Optional setup:** [List]
- **Commitment or sensitive request:** [Describe]

### Step plan

Duplicate for each necessary step.

- **Step and user question:** [Enter]
- **Action and expected result:** [Enter]
- **Copy needed:** [Heading / Label / Help / Example]
- **Why this appears now:** [Explain]
- **May skip:** [Yes / No and consequence]
- **Error and recovery:** [Enter]
- **Help path:** [Enter]
- **Next state:** [Enter]

### Experience checks

- [ ] Setup includes only what the first outcome requires.
- [ ] Permissions and data requests explain purpose and decline behavior.
- [ ] Experienced or returning users can take an appropriate shorter path.
- [ ] Loading, empty, error, interrupted, and return states are included.
- [ ] Email, notifications, help, and product terminology agree.
- [ ] Success does not depend only on color, animation, or visual position.
- **User-test task:** [Enter]
- **Observed confusion:** [Enter or None]

### Measurement and maintenance

- **Primary outcome signal:** [Define]
- **Quality and trust guardrails:** [Error, reversal, complaint, consent]
- **Qualitative evidence:** [Interview/support]
- **Onboarding completion point:** [Define]
- **Owner and release version:** [Enter]
- **Review trigger:** [Role, plan, flow, behavior, evidence]
- **Next experiment or change:** [Enter]