Righter

A UX writing skill. Review existing UI copy against a defined set of principles, or write new copy from scratch applying those principles from the start.

Reference files — read these when relevant:

• references/components.md — per-component writing rules (Alert Dialog, Toast, Inline Alert, Helper Text, Alert Banner, Tooltip)
• references/weakeners.md — full word lists for all weakener categories
• references/phonaesthetics.md — full sound concepts and cluster table for word choice

How to Use This Skill

Always call `get_microcopy` first before writing or reviewing any copy.

The get_microcopy MCP tool returns workspace-specific copy rules, approved terminology, and tone overrides that take precedence over the general principles in this skill. If the workspace has an entry for the copy type you're working on, use it — don't improvise.

Tool: get_microcopy
Arguments:
  context: <what the copy is for, e.g. "empty state for token list", "error on form submit">
  copy_type: <one of: label | cta | error | empty_state | tooltip | placeholder | helper_text | toast | modal_title | modal_body>

Resolution order:

1. Workspace override (from get_microcopy) — use this if returned, no changes
2. Knowledge base match (from get_microcopy) — apply as a strong starting point, adapt if needed
3. LLM fallback — get_microcopy returns nothing; apply the principles in this skill directly

When falling back to the principles, note it at the top of your output: Source: LLM fallback — no workspace or knowledge base match for this copy type.

The tool logs every query. When you write copy that isn't in the knowledge base, it gets flagged for human review and may become a new entry. This is how the system improves.

Two Modes

Mode 1: Review Existing Copy

For each piece of content:

1. Call get_microcopy with the relevant context
2. Check against the review checklist below
3. Identify every violation
4. Rewrite it
5. Output in the review format below

Mode 2: Write New Copy

1. Call get_microcopy with the relevant context
2. Apply all relevant principles
3. For labels, CTAs, and microcopy: read references/phonaesthetics.md and apply sound guidance
4. Output in the new copy format below

Output Formats

Review format

Use this block for every piece of copy reviewed:

Before: [original copy] After: [rewritten copy]

Source: [Workspace override | Knowledge base | LLM fallback]

Principles applied:

• [Principle name]: [one sentence on why this improved the copy]

Weakeners removed:

• "[word or phrase]" → removed because [category, e.g. hedging / filler adverb / weak verb]. If none found, write "None found."

Phonaesthetics:

• Note any sound improvements made (rhythm, stress pattern, sound cluster choices, ease of mouth). If phonaesthetics wasn't a factor (e.g. error messages), write "Not applicable for this copy type."

Reading metrics (Before → After):

• Word count: X → Y
• ARI score: X.X → Y.Y
• Grade level: Grade X (age X–X) → Grade X (age X–X)
• Target: ARI ≤ 6 (Grade 5, age 10–11)

New copy format

Copy: [final copy]

Source: [Workspace override | Knowledge base | LLM fallback]

Principles applied:

• [Principle name]: [one sentence on why]

Weakeners avoided:

• Note any weakener patterns consciously avoided, or write "None present."

Phonaesthetics:

• Explain the sound choices made — rhythm, stress, clusters, ease of mouth. If not applicable, say so.

Reading metrics:

• Word count: X
• ARI score: X.X
• Grade level: Grade X (age X–X)
• Target: ARI ≤ 6 (Grade 5, age 10–11)

UX Writing Principles

Apply all of these when reviewing or writing. These are the fallback when get_microcopy returns no match.

1. Use active voice

Subject → verb → object. Active voice is shorter and easier to follow.

• ✗ "Rewards can be earned by clicking here."
• ✓ "Click here to start earning rewards."

2. Write at or below a fifth grade reading level

Short sentences. Simple words. Clear structure. Target ARI ≤ 6.

• ✗ "If you have forgotten your password, please click on the 'Forgot Password' link and submit your registered email address."
• ✓ "Click 'Forgot Password'. Enter your email. Check your inbox for a reset link."

3. Avoid jargon

Replace technical terms with plain language. Don't assume domain knowledge.

• ✗ "Authenticate your credentials."
• ✓ "Log in with your username and password."

4. Avoid complex sentence structures

One idea per sentence. Avoid dependent clauses stacked on independent clauses.

• ✗ "The fox, which was red, over the gate jumped."
• ✓ "The red fox jumped over the gate."

5. Avoid double negatives

Double negatives increase misreads and cognitive load.

• ✗ "Please don't fail to save your changes."
• ✓ "Please save your changes."

6. Use contractions

Contractions sound human. Formal constructions feel stiff.

• ✗ "Do not submit the form until all fields are complete."
• ✓ "Don't submit until all fields are complete."

7. Write in present tense

Describe what's happening now or what the user can do.

• ✗ "Your file was uploaded."
• ✓ "Your file is uploading."

8. Frame around the user's goals, not the system

Users care about what they're doing, not how the system works.

• ✗ "Due to an HTTPS network security issue, some features are not available."
• ✓ "This site may be insecure. Some features aren't available."

9. Avoid describing the interface

Don't reference UI elements like "tab," "panel," "menu," "page," or "section."

• ✗ "Go to the Settings panel."
• ✓ "Go to Settings."

10. Use consistent terminology

Pick one word for each concept and stick to it.

• ✗ Using "Sign Up," "Register," and "Create Account" interchangeably
• ✓ Always "Sign up"

11. Apply progressive disclosure

Lead with what the user needs now. Offer detail only when needed.

• ✗ "Your password must be at least 8 characters, contain a number, a symbol, and a capital letter."
• ✓ "Your password must be at least 8 characters." [+ optional detail link]

12. Don't apologize unnecessarily

Reserve "sorry" for serious errors. Hollow apologies undermine trust.

• ✗ "Whoops! We can't upload your picture. Try again."
• ✓ "We couldn't upload your picture. Try again."

13. Limit exclamation marks

Use words to convey energy, not punctuation. One per screen max, only for genuine celebration.

• ✓ "Your profile has been updated!" (success state)
• ✗ "Error! You can't submit the form! Please fix the errors!"

14. Check prepositions

Prepositions sit between two nouns. Never start or end a sentence with one.

• ✗ "Click on the Submit button."
• ✓ "Click Submit."

15. Eliminate weakeners

Remove all hedging words, softeners, empty intensifiers, filler adverbs, throat-clearing, passive-aggressive politeness, vague quantifiers, redundant framing, weak verb phrases, and meta-commentary.

Read references/weakeners.md for the full word lists and examples.

Key patterns to catch immediately:

• Hedging: maybe, probably, might be, appears to, seems like
• Filler: actually, basically, literally, just, simply
• Weak verbs: "make a decision" → decide, "conduct an analysis" → analyze
• Throat-clearing: "I think," "we believe," "it is important to note that"

Error Message Guidelines

Apply these on top of the general principles when reviewing or writing error messages.

Structure

Every error must answer:

1. What happened? (required)
2. Why? (only if it genuinely helps)
3. What should they do next? (required)

Voice and tone

• Instructive — describe the issue precisely, optimize for understanding
• Reassuring — no disparaging tone, no unnecessary humor
• Supportive — always provide a clear next step

Mechanics

• Sentence case: "This field is required." not "This Field Is Required."
• No ALL CAPS (except real acronyms)
• 1–2 sentences max

Don't blame the user

Describe the situation, not the mistake.

• ✗ "You didn't enter enough characters."
• ✓ "This field needs 8 characters."

Form field vs system errors

• Form field — what's wrong and how to fix it: "Enter a valid email address."
• System error — what happened and what to try next: "We couldn't connect. Check your internet or try again."

Other rules

• Preserve user input where possible — let users edit rather than start over
• Place errors adjacent to the element that triggered them (Law of Proximity)

Component decision tree

Use this before writing any error message to pick the right component. Then read references/components.md for full writing rules for that component.

Does it block progress and require immediate action?
  └─ Yes → Alert Dialog

Is it a system-level issue (outage, permissions, account)?
  └─ Yes → Alert Banner

Is it confirming something that just happened?
  └─ Yes → Toast

Is it attached to a specific form field?
  └─ Yes → Helper Text

Is it contextual to a page section, non-blocking?
  └─ Yes → Inline Alert

Is it a hover label for an icon or interactive element?
  └─ Yes → Tooltip

Phonaesthetics

When writing new copy — especially labels, CTAs, empty states, and microcopy — consider sound alongside meaning. Copy that sounds good is easier to remember and more pleasant to use.

Read references/phonaesthetics.md for the full concept guide and sound cluster table.

Core rules to apply immediately:

• Prefer consonant-vowel alternation (CVCV) for labels — natural rhythm, easy to say
• Two-beat phrases are catchy; three-beat phrases are melodic; irregular stress is awkward
• Liquids and nasals (l, m, n, r, w, y) → calm, gentle contexts
• Plosives (p, b, t, d, k, g) → energetic, action-oriented CTAs
• Avoid tongue twisters — if it's hard to say, it's hard to remember

Sound clusters to reach for:

• gl- → clarity, light (insight, vision, illumination features)
• fl- → flow, ease (smooth UX, motion)
• sp- → speed, energy (action, innovation)
• cl- → precision, closure (tools, interactions)

Reading Metrics

Calculate and show these for all reviewed and written copy.

ARI Formula

ARI = 4.71 × (characters ÷ words) + 0.5 × (words ÷ sentences) − 21.43

• Characters = letters and numbers only (no spaces or punctuation)
• Words = space-separated tokens
• Sentences = units ending in . ? or !

Round to one decimal place. Always include grade and age range.

Grade Level Table

Target: ARI ≤ 6 (Grade 5, age 10–11)

Review Checklist

Run through this for every piece of copy before finalizing.

Before starting

• [ ] Called get_microcopy and checked for workspace/knowledge base match?

Voice and structure

• [ ] Passive voice present?
• [ ] Complex sentence structure?
• [ ] Double negatives?
• [ ] Past or future tense where present tense works?
• [ ] Missing contractions (do not → don't)?

Clarity

• [ ] Jargon or technical terms?
• [ ] Reading level above Grade 5?
• [ ] Interface elements named (tab, panel, section)?
• [ ] System-framing instead of user-goal framing?
• [ ] Too much information up front (no progressive disclosure)?

Tone

• [ ] Unnecessary apology?
• [ ] Overuse of exclamation marks?
• [ ] Any weakener words? (see references/weakeners.md)

Mechanics

• [ ] Inconsistent terminology?
• [ ] Preposition starting or ending a sentence?

Errors (if applicable)

• [ ] Clear next step provided?
• [ ] Does it blame the user?
• [ ] Right component chosen? (use decision tree above)