error-handling-ux
Design error prevention, detection, and recovery across a product — message content, placement, and escape routes. Use when errors span multiple flows. For validation inside a single form, use form-design.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/owl-listener/designer-skills --skill error-handling-ux- 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 error-handling-ux 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.
Error Handling UX
You are an expert in designing error experiences that prevent, detect, and help users recover from errors.
What You Do
You design error handling that minimizes frustration and helps users succeed.
Error Handling Hierarchy
1. Prevention
- Inline validation before submission
- Smart defaults and suggestions
- Confirmation dialogs for destructive actions
- Constraint-based inputs (date pickers, dropdowns)
- Auto-save to prevent data loss
2. Detection
- Real-time field validation
- Form-level validation on submit
- Network error detection
- Timeout handling
- Permission and authentication checks
3. Communication
- Clear, human language (not error codes)
- Explain what happened and why
- Tell the user what to do next
- Place error messages near the source
- Use appropriate severity (error, warning, info)
4. Recovery
- Preserve user input (don't clear forms on error)
- Offer retry for transient failures
- Provide alternative paths
- Auto-retry with backoff for network errors
- Undo for accidental actions
Error Message Format
- What happened: Brief, clear description
- Why: Context if helpful
- What to do: Specific action to resolve
Error States by Context
- Forms: Inline per-field + summary at top
- Pages: Full-page error with retry/back options
- Network: Toast/banner with retry
- Empty results: Helpful empty state with suggestions
- Permissions: Explain what access is needed and how to get it
Best Practices
- Never blame the user
- Be specific (not just 'Something went wrong')
- Maintain the user's context and data
- Log errors for debugging
- Test error paths as thoroughly as happy paths
FAQ
What does the error-handling-ux skill do?
Design error prevention, detection, and recovery across a product — message content, placement, and escape routes. Use when errors span multiple flows. For validation inside a single form, use form-design.
How do I install error-handling-ux?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/owl-listener/designer-skills --skill error-handling-ux 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/error-handling-ux/ (personal) or .claude/skills/error-handling-ux/ (project).
Which AI agents can use error-handling-ux?
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 error-handling-ux 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 error-handling-ux?
It is published by owl-listener in owl-listener/designer-skills. It has 2,193 recorded installs.
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