onboarding-optimization
When the user wants to improve their app's onboarding experience, increase activation rate, reduce Day 1 drop-off, or optimize the first-run flow. Use when the user mentions "onboarding", "first-run", "activation", "tutorial", "day 1 retention", "new user flow", "permission prompts", "sign-up conversion", "onboarding funnel", or "users dropping off early". For overall retention strategy, see retention-optimization. For paywall placement, see monetization-strategy.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/appeeky/aso-skills --skill onboarding-optimization- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads onboarding-optimization automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Onboarding Optimization
You optimize the first-run experience to maximize activation — the moment a new user completes the core action that predicts long-term retention.
The Activation Principle
Activation ≠ sign-up. Activation is the first time the user gets real value from your app. Identify it before anything else.
| App Type | Activation Event |
|---|---|
| Fitness | First workout completed |
| Productivity | First task or project created |
| Social | First connection made or content posted |
| Finance | First account linked or budget set |
| Games | First level or match completed |
| Meditation | First session completed |
| Photo/Video | First photo edited or exported |
Rule: Everything in onboarding should funnel toward that one activation event as fast as possible.
Initial Assessment
- Check for
app-marketing-context.md - Ask: What is your activation event?
- Ask: What % of new users reach it within 24 hours? (baseline)
- Ask: Where do users drop off? (which step, if known)
- Ask: How long does your current onboarding take? (steps, screens)
- Ask: Do you have Firebase/Mixpanel funnels set up?
Onboarding Audit Framework
Step 1 — Map the Current Flow
List every screen from app open to activation:
App open → [Screen 1] → [Screen 2] → ... → Activation event
Flag each screen: Required | Value-adding | Friction only
Remove or defer everything that is friction-only.
Step 2 — Score Each Screen
| Factor | Question | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Necessity | Can the user reach activation without this? | 0 = skip it |
| Timing | Is this the right moment for this ask? | |
| Value exchange | Does the user understand why this benefits them? | |
| Cognitive load | How many decisions does this require? |
Step 3 — Permission Prompt Timing
Permissions are the #1 drop-off point. Rules:
| Permission | When to ask | Never ask |
|---|---|---|
| Push notifications | After activation, not before | On cold open |
| Location | When the feature needs it | During sign-up |
| Camera/microphone | Contextually, when used | Before any value |
| Contacts | When the social feature is used | In onboarding |
| Tracking (ATT) | After user is invested | On first open |
The pre-permission screen: Always show a native-looking explanation screen before the system prompt. Users who understand the "why" grant at 2–3× the rate.
Step 4 — Sign-Up Friction
| Pattern | Impact | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Required sign-up before value | High drop-off | Defer to post-activation |
| Only email+password | Medium drop-off | Add Sign in with Apple + Google |
| Long profile setup | High drop-off | Ask 1 question max, defer rest |
| Email verification required | Kills momentum | Defer or make optional |
Guest mode / try before sign-up: Allow users to experience the core value before requiring an account. Conversion from guest → registered is typically 40–60% vs. a hard gate at 15–30%.
Onboarding Patterns by App Type
Value-First (recommended for most apps)
Open → Core feature demo / interactive preview
→ Activation moment
→ "Save your progress" → Sign-up
→ Permission asks
→ Personalization
Personalization-First (works for health, fitness, AI apps)
Open → 3–5 personalization questions (show progress bar)
→ "Your plan is ready" reveal moment
→ Sign-up gate (invested now)
→ Activation
Social-First (social apps)
Open → Sign in with Apple/Google (single tap)
→ Find friends / follow suggestions
→ First feed with content
→ Activation (post, comment, react)
Funnel Benchmarks
| Step | Benchmark | Poor |
|---|---|---|
| App open → first interaction | > 85% | < 70% |
| Sign-up conversion | > 60% | < 40% |
| Push permission grant | > 50% | < 30% |
| Activation (D0) | > 40% | < 20% |
| Day 1 retention | > 30% | < 15% |
Personalization Questions
If you include personalization, follow these rules:
- Maximum 3–5 questions in onboarding
- Each question must visibly affect the experience
- Show a progress indicator (step 1 of 3)
- Use visual selections, not text inputs
- Never ask for data you won't use immediately
Paywall Placement in Onboarding
Rule: Show value before the paywall.
| Placement | Works When |
|---|---|
| Before activation | Almost never — user has no reference for value |
| At activation | Strong — user just felt the value |
| Post-activation, D1 | Strongest for subscription apps |
| Contextual (feature gate) | Good for feature-based paywall |
See monetization-strategy for paywall design details.
Output Format
Onboarding Audit
Current flow:
[Screen 1] — Required / friction
[Screen 2] — Value-adding
[Screen 3] — Required / friction
...
[Activation event] — Step N
Drop-off analysis:
Biggest drop: [screen] ([X]% exit rate if known)
Estimated cause: [hypothesis]
Recommended changes:
1. [Remove / defer X] — Expected impact: [lift in activation]
2. [Reorder Y before Z] — Expected impact: [rationale]
3. [Add pre-permission screen for Z] — Expected impact: [grant rate improvement]
Revised flow:
Open → [Screen] → [Screen] → Activation → Sign-up → Permissions
Estimated steps removed: [N]
Estimated time to activation: [Xs → Xs]
Permission Screen Copy Template
[Icon representing the permission]
[Benefit headline — what the user gets]
e.g., "Get notified when your goal is complete"
[One-line explanation]
e.g., "We'll only send you reminders you set — no spam."
[Allow button] [Not now]
Related Skills
retention-optimization— Day 7/30 retention strategymonetization-strategy— Paywall placement and trial designab-test-store-listing— Test onboarding variantsapp-analytics— Set up activation funnel trackingrating-prompt-strategy— When to ask for a rating post-activation
FAQ
What does the onboarding-optimization skill do?
When the user wants to improve their app's onboarding experience, increase activation rate, reduce Day 1 drop-off, or optimize the first-run flow. Use when the user mentions "onboarding", "first-run", "activation", "tutorial", "day 1 retention", "new user flow", "permission prompts", "sign-up conversion", "onboarding funnel", or "users dropping off early". For overall retention strategy, see retention-optimization. For paywall placement, see monetization-strategy.
How do I install onboarding-optimization?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/appeeky/aso-skills --skill onboarding-optimization in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/onboarding-optimization/ (personal) or .claude/skills/onboarding-optimization/ (project).
Which AI agents can use onboarding-optimization?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is onboarding-optimization safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains onboarding-optimization?
It is published by appeeky in appeeky/aso-skills. It has 2,598 recorded installs.
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