# First-Time User Experience Checklist

Walk through every product as a brand-new user. Check each item and note specific observations.

## Pre-Connection (Before Wallet)

- [ ] Landing page explains what the product does in < 5 seconds
- [ ] Value proposition is clear without crypto jargon
- [ ] User can preview or explore before connecting a wallet
- [ ] Social proof is visible (users, volume, audits, backers)
- [ ] It's obvious what the user should do first (clear CTA)

## Wallet Connection

- [ ] Wallet connection flow is smooth (< 3 clicks)
- [ ] Multiple wallet options supported (Phantom, Solflare, Backpack, etc.)
- [ ] Alternative onboarding for non-wallet users (email, social login via Privy/Dynamic)
- [ ] Connection state is clearly indicated (connected vs. not)
- [ ] Wallet address displayed in truncated, recognizable format

## First Meaningful Action

- [ ] First meaningful action takes < 60 seconds after wallet connect
- [ ] The path to that action is obvious (no hunting through menus)
- [ ] Tooltips or help text explain crypto concepts for new users
- [ ] Input fields have clear labels, placeholders, and validation
- [ ] Fees and costs are shown before committing

## Transaction Experience

- [ ] Transaction preview is clear (what will happen, what it costs)
- [ ] Pending state is visible after signing
- [ ] Confirmation is shown with explorer link
- [ ] Error messages are human-readable (not raw error codes or hex)
- [ ] Failed transactions have clear recovery guidance

## Post-Action

- [ ] User knows where to go next after completing first action
- [ ] Balance/state updates reflect the completed action
- [ ] There's a reason to come back (notification, position, pending action)
- [ ] Transaction appears in history with readable description

## General Quality

- [ ] Mobile experience is functional and usable
- [ ] Loading states are informative (not just spinners)
- [ ] Empty states guide the user (not blank or confusing)
- [ ] Support/help is accessible (docs link, Discord, chat widget)
- [ ] No broken links, missing images, or console errors

## Scoring Guide

Count the checked items:

| Checked | Rating |
|---------|--------|
| 25-28 | Excellent onboarding — users will convert |
| 20-24 | Good — minor friction points to address |
| 15-19 | Needs work — users are bouncing at specific points |
| 10-14 | Significant issues — many users won't complete onboarding |
| 0-9 | Critical — most users will leave immediately |

## How to Use This

1. Open the product in a fresh browser (incognito mode, no existing wallet connection)
2. Walk through each section in order
3. For each item, note: Pass / Fail / Partial, plus specific observation
4. Time yourself: how long from landing to first meaningful action?
5. Note your emotional state at each step: confused? delighted? frustrated? bored?
6. The items you fail tell you exactly where users are dropping off