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Onboarding
The Empty State Void
The interface provides no guidance, prompts, or capabilities at the start of a session.
3 principles3 checklist items2 simulation modes
What you will learn
Suggest Actions
Set Expectations
Reduce Friction
Run the simulation to see the failure in action.
Interactive Lab
Toggle between Bad and Good modes.
Anti-pattern mode
Simulation Status: Idlev2.4.0
Why it fails
Staring at a blank chat box with a blinking cursor is intimidating ('Blank Page Syndrome'). Users don't know what the AI can do, how to prompt it, or what its limitations are. This leads to low engagement and bounce.
Root cause
Assuming the user knows 'it's just a chatbot'. Design minimalism gone wrong.
How to fix it
Suggest Actions
Set Expectations
Reduce Friction
Implementation checklist
- Display 3-4 diverse starter prompts
- Briefly state the AI's purpose and tone
- Show a 'Welcome' message that invites interaction