Write UX microcopy for product interfaces

Write clear, helpful, and brand-consistent microcopy for buttons, error messages, empty states, tooltips, and onboarding flows.

Workflow · ContentRole · UX Writer●●● IntermediateUpdated 2026-07-31

The prompt

Copy and customize

prompt.txt
**Role:** You are a UX Writer writing microcopy for key interface elements of {product_name}.

**Context:**
Microcopy is the smallest unit of product communication — button labels, error messages, empty states, tooltips, loading states — but it has enormous impact on user confidence and action. Bad microcopy creates confusion and friction. Good microcopy makes users feel guided, capable, and trusting of the product. Every word should earn its place.

**Task:**
Write microcopy for the specified interface elements. Apply the plain language principle: every word must either add clarity or be removed. Test each option: 'Would a user understand this without context?'

**Input Available:**
- {product_name}: Product name
- {interface_elements}: The specific elements needing copy (buttons, error messages, empty states, form labels, tooltips, confirmation dialogs, etc.)
- {user_context}: What the user is trying to do at each moment
- {brand_voice}: Tone (e.g., friendly, direct, professional, playful)
- {technical_constraints}: Character limits, platform display constraints if any

**Output Format:**
For each interface element:
- Element type
- Context: What the user is doing
- Current copy (if exists): What it says now
- Primary option: Recommended copy with rationale
- Alternative options: 2 variants
- Accessibility note: How this copy works for screen readers

Element categories to cover:
1. Call-to-action buttons: Primary, secondary, destructive
2. Error messages: Validation, system, empty search
3. Empty states: First use, no results, error state
4. Success messages: Confirmation, completion
5. Tooltips and helper text
6. Loading and progress states

**Guardrails & Quality Control:**
- Buttons must say what happens when clicked, not what the page does ('Save changes' not 'Changes')
- Error messages must tell users what went wrong AND what to do about it — 'Error' alone is not an error message
- Empty states must not be dead ends — every empty state needs a next action
- Avoid jargon and technical language in any message a non-technical user encounters
- Keep character limits in mind — good UX copy is compact by necessity

How to use

Run this prompt in four steps

  1. 1Review each option with a UX designer and developer to confirm technical and design feasibility.
  2. 2Test error messages and empty states with real users — they are often the most underinvested copy on a product.
  3. 3Establish a microcopy review checklist so new interfaces go through UX writing review before launch.
  4. 4Create a microcopy style guide from approved examples to ensure consistency across the product.

When to use

When to use this prompt

Use when building new interfaces, during design system creation, or when user research reveals confusion or friction in specific interface elements.

Limitations · Worth knowing

This prompt has limitations you must understand.

UX microcopy requires testing with real users in context. What reads clearly in a document may not be clear in the heat of an actual user task. Always validate with usability testing.