# critique

Evaluates interface designs from a UX angle, scoring hierarchy and cognitive load. Highlights AI slop patterns and clarifies user flows.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 705 installs · ★ 46
- Author: aladicf
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/aladicf/better-web-ui/tree/HEAD/skills/critique/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-05-21
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/aladicf-critique

## What it does

The skill conducts a design review from the viewpoint of a design director. It inspects where the user looks first. A core check searches for telltale signs of AI generation: gradient text and repetitive card grids.

The review uses an 8-item cognitive load checklist along with rules for visual surfaces and text readability. It tracks decision points: if more than 4 options appear simultaneously, the skill flags them under Tesler's Law.

Operation depends on loading `$frontend-design`, and running `$setup` is mandatory if design context is missing. It does not measure technical performance or audit accessibility tags.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aladicf/better-web-ui --skill critique -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/critique/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/critique/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aladicf/better-web-ui --skill critique -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/critique/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aladicf/better-web-ui --skill critique -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/critique/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install aladicf/better-web-ui critique
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/critique/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aladicf/better-web-ui --skill critique -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/aladicf/better-web-ui --path skills/critique
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/critique/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aladicf/better-web-ui --skill critique -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/aladicf/better-web-ui/tree/HEAD/skills/critique/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- flag generic AI design patterns like glowing dark-mode cards and gradient headings
- inspect visual hierarchy and confirm primary actions stand out within 2 seconds
- audit interface elements against an 8-item cognitive load checklist
- identify decision bottlenecks with more than 4 competing choices

## Example prompts
- /critique checkout checkout-flow
- /critique user settings page
- /critique dashboard navigation drawer

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 47888ae2c29d47c2.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 47888ae2c29d47c2
```text
---
name: critique
description: Evaluate an interface from a UX perspective, assessing hierarchy, information architecture, emotional resonance, cognitive load, and overall quality with quantitative scoring and actionable feedback. Use when the user wants an overall design or UX review—not when the main need is measurable accessibility/performance diagnosis, or final micro-detail polish.
metadata:
  argument-hint: "[area (feature, page, component...)]"
---

## MANDATORY PREPARATION

Users start this workflow with `/critique`. Once this skill is active, load $frontend-design — it contains design principles, anti-patterns, and the **Context Gathering Protocol**. Follow that protocol before proceeding — if no design context exists yet, you MUST load $setup first. Additionally gather: what the interface is trying to accomplish.

---

Conduct a holistic design critique, evaluating whether the interface actually works — not just technically, but as a designed experience. Think like a design director giving feedback.

Consult the [hierarchy checklist](../frontend-design/reference/hierarchy-checklist.md) for grayscale tests, action prioritization, and label/value treatment.
Consult the [text hierarchy and readability](../frontend-design/reference/text-hierarchy-and-readability.md) for line length, line-height, baseline, alignment, and title restraint.
Consult the [cognitive load](../frontend-design/reference/cognitive-load.md) for working-memory limits and the 8-item checklist.
Consult the [interaction design](../frontend-design/reference/interaction-design.md) when evaluating familiar patterns, target sizing, focus treatment, and overlay behavior.
Consult the [search and findability](../frontend-design/reference/search-and-findability.md) when the interface depends on site search, command palettes, autosuggest, result relevance, or no-results recovery.
Consult the [legacy modernization](../frontend-design/reference/legacy-modernization.md) when the critique involves legacy systems, old/new seams, migration candidates, or high-risk operational workflows.
Consult the [ai slop detection](../frontend-design/reference/ai-slop-detection.md) for the consolidated anti-pattern list.
Consult the [action hierarchy](../frontend-design/reference/action-hierarchy.md) when evaluating primary/secondary/tertiary actions.
Consult the [semantic color](../frontend-design/reference/semantic-color.md) when color is carrying meaning.
Consult the [surface separation](../frontend-design/reference/surface-separation.md) when judging borders, card usage, overlap, or background-shift decisions.
Consult the [image treatment](../frontend-design/reference/image-treatment.md) when screenshots, icons, and media affect readability or polish.

Treat the shared frontend-design references as canonical for hierarchy, readability, and cognitive-load doctrine, then keep this skill focused on evaluation, scoring, and prioritization.

When empty states are relevant, evaluate the zero-data surface itself through `empty-state` thinking, and evaluate broader activation, aha moments, and first-run education through `onboard` thinking.

## Phase 1: Design Critique

Evaluate the interface across these dimensions:

### 1. AI Slop Detection (CRITICAL)
```
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---
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