hooked-model

Map product engagement loops using the Hook cycle phases.

23|4|Updated Jan 4, 2026

Search Tags:#engagement #retention #product-strategy #hook-model #ethical-design #habit-formation #UX-design

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/flpbalada/thinking-toolkit --skill hooked-model

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: hooked-model
Source: https://github.com/flpbalada/thinking-toolkit/tree/main/plugins/hooked-model/skills/hooked-model
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/flpbalada/thinking-toolkit --skill hooked-model

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps product teams design habit-forming products using the Hook cycle to create repeat usage without relying on constant external prompts.

Core Features & Use Cases

Four-Phase Hook Cycle: map Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment.
Ethical Engagement: guidelines to avoid manipulative patterns while achieving business goals.
Practical Templates: ready-to-use maps and checklists for evaluating current hooks and planning improvements.

Quick Start

Analyze a current product and outline its Trigger, Action, Reward, and Investment. Propose at least one improvement to each phase to increase healthy engagement. Create an ethics checklist to ensure responsible design.

Frequently Asked Questions about hooked-model

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

What is the Hook cycle and how does it drive habit formation in product design?▼

The Hook cycle is a four-phase framework—Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment—used to design habit-forming products that create repeat usage without relying on constant external prompts. It maps engagement loops to build intrinsic user motivation.

How do I map my current product's engagement loop to find weak retention links?▼

To map your engagement loop, analyze your product across the four Hook cycle phases: Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment. Use practical templates to evaluate current hooks, identify weak links, and propose improvements to each phase for healthier retention.

Can I apply the Hook model to both web and mobile app feature design?▼

Yes, the Hook model supports feature-level design across both web and mobile apps. It provides ready-to-use maps and checklists to plan notification strategies, optimize engagement loops, and evaluate habit-forming patterns regardless of your platform.

How do I design habit-forming products without using manipulative patterns?▼

You can design ethical engagement by applying built-in ethical guardrails during your Hook cycle analysis. The framework includes an ethics checklist to ensure responsible design, helping you achieve business goals and increase healthy engagement without manipulative patterns.

What's the best way to start optimizing user retention using the Hook cycle?▼

Start by analyzing your current product to outline its Trigger, Action, Reward, and Investment phases. Propose at least one improvement to each phase to increase healthy engagement, then create an ethics checklist to ensure responsible habit-forming design.