hierarchy-of-engagement

Q: How do I install hierarchy-of-engagement?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/pmprompt/claude-plugin-product-management --skill hierarchy-of-engagement 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/hierarchy-of-engagement/ (personal) or .claude/skills/hierarchy-of-engagement/ (project).

by pmprompt

Use when asked to "define our core action", "North Star metric", "accruing benefits", "improve retention mechanics", "hierarchy of engagement", or "Sarah Tavel framework". Helps consumer products identify the actions and benefits that drive long-term retention. The Hierarchy of Engagement framework (created by Sarah Tavel at Benchmark) maps progression from core action to mounting loss.

Installs: 341
Last 24h: —
Trending rank: —
Security: Not audited

Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/pmprompt/claude-plugin-product-management --skill hierarchy-of-engagement

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 hierarchy-of-engagement 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.

Domain Context

This skill implements a proven product management framework. The approach combines best practices from industry leaders and is designed for practical application in day-to-day PM work.

Input Requirements

Context about your product, feature, or problem
Relevant data, research, or constraints (recommended but optional)
Clear articulation of what you're trying to achieve

Hierarchy of Engagement

What It Is

The Hierarchy of Engagement is a three-level framework for building consumer products that retain users and create defensibility. The core insight: retention comes from making the product better the more you use it, so users have more to lose by leaving.

Most consumer products fail not because they lack users, but because they lack retention. Getting someone to sign up is one thing; getting them to stay is everything. This framework provides a systematic approach to building products where engagement compounds over time.

The key shift: Move from asking "How do we get more users?" to asking "How do we make each user's experience improve the more they use us?"

When to Use It

Use the Hierarchy of Engagement when you need to:

Define your North Star metric (what action matters most?)
Improve retention in a consumer or social product
Build product stickiness beyond features alone
Create switching costs that protect against competitors
Design your onboarding/activation flow
Evaluate product-market fit through engagement quality
Prioritize features that drive compounding value

When Not to Use It

Don't apply this framework when:

Building B2B enterprise software (different retention dynamics)
The product is transactional by nature (one-time purchase)
There's no meaningful "use over time" pattern
You're optimizing for viral acquisition before proving retention

Resources

Writing:

The Hierarchy of Engagement by Sarah Tavel (Medium)
The Hierarchy of Engagement, Expanded by Sarah Tavel

FAQ

What does the hierarchy-of-engagement skill do?

How do I install hierarchy-of-engagement?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/pmprompt/claude-plugin-product-management --skill hierarchy-of-engagement 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/hierarchy-of-engagement/ (personal) or .claude/skills/hierarchy-of-engagement/ (project).

Which AI agents can use hierarchy-of-engagement?

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 hierarchy-of-engagement 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 hierarchy-of-engagement?

It is published by pmprompt in pmprompt/claude-plugin-product-management. It has 341 recorded installs.