User Journeys

User Journeys Skill

For defining and testing real user experiences - not just specs, but actual flows humans take through your application.

Philosophy

Specs test features. Journeys test experiences.

A feature can pass all specs but still deliver a terrible experience. User journeys capture:

• How users actually navigate (not how we think they should)
• Emotional states at each step (frustrated, confused, delighted)
• Recovery from mistakes (users will make them)
• Real-world conditions (slow networks, interruptions, distractions)

Journey Documentation Structure

_project_specs/
├── journeys/
│   ├── _template.md              # Journey template
│   ├── critical/                 # Must-work journeys (revenue, core value)
│   │   ├── signup-to-first-value.md
│   │   ├── checkout-purchase.md
│   │   └── login-to-dashboard.md
│   ├── common/                   # Frequent user paths
│   │   ├── browse-and-search.md
│   │   ├── update-profile.md
│   │   └── invite-team-member.md
│   └── edge-cases/               # Error recovery, unusual paths
│       ├── payment-failure-retry.md
│       ├── session-timeout-recovery.md
│       └── offline-reconnection.md

Journey Template

# Journey: [Name]

## Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Priority** | Critical / High / Medium |
| **User Type** | New / Returning / Admin |
| **Frequency** | Daily / Weekly / One-time |
| **Success Metric** | Conversion rate, time to complete, drop-off rate |

## User Goal
What is the user trying to accomplish? Write from their perspective.

> "I want to [goal] so that I can [benefit]."

## Preconditions
- User state (logged in, has subscription, first visit)
- Data state (has items in cart, has team members)
- Environment (mobile, desktop, slow connection)

## Journey Steps

### Step 1: [Entry Point]
**User Action:** What the user does
**System Response:** What they should see/experience
**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] Page loads in < 2 seconds
- [ ] Primary CTA is immediately visible
- [ ] User understands what to do next

**Potential Friction:**
- Slow load time → Show skeleton/loader
- Unclear CTA → A/B test copy variations

---

### Step 2: [Next Action]
**User Action:** ...
**System Response:** ...
**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] ...

**Potential Friction:**
- ...

---

## Error Scenarios

### E1: [Error Name]
**Trigger:** What causes this error
**User Sees:** Error message/state
**Recovery Path:** How user gets back on track
**Test:** How to verify recovery works

## Metrics to Track
- Time to complete journey
- Drop-off rate at each step
- Error rate and recovery rate
- User satisfaction (if surveyed)

## E2E Test Reference
Link to Playwright test: `e2e/tests/journeys/[name].spec.ts`

Critical Journey Examples

Signup to First Value

# Journey: Signup to First Value

## Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Priority** | Critical |
| **User Type** | New |
| **Frequency** | One-time |
| **Success Metric** | % reaching "aha moment" within 5 min |

## User Goal
> "I want to try this product quickly to see if it solves my problem."

## Preconditions
- First visit to site
- No account
- Came from landing page or ad

## Journey Steps

### Step 1: Landing Page
**User Action:** Clicks "Get Started Free" or "Try Now"
**System Response:** Signup form appears (modal or new page)
**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] CTA visible above fold
- [ ] No distracting elements
- [ ] Clear value proposition visible

**Potential Friction:**
- Too many form fields → Reduce to email + password only
- Social login missing → Add Google/GitHub options

### Step 2: Account Creation
**User Action:** Enters email and password (or uses social login)
**System Response:**
- Creates account
- Sends verification email (don't block on it)
- Redirects to onboarding

**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] Account created in < 3 seconds
- [ ] No email verification wall (verify later)
- [ ] Clear next step shown

**Potential Friction:**
- Email already exists → Offer login link
- Weak password → Show requirements inline, not after submit

### Step 3: Onboarding (Quick Win)
**User Action:** Completes 1-2 setup questions
**System Response:**
- Personalizes experience
- Shows progress indicator
- Leads to first action

**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] Max 3 questions
- [ ] Skip option available
- [ ] < 60 seconds total

**Potential Friction:**
- Too many questions → User abandons
- No skip option → User feels trapped

### Step 4: First Value (Aha Moment)
**User Action:** Completes core action (creates first X, sees first result)
**System Response:**
- Celebrates success
- Shows value delivered
- Suggests next step

**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] User experiences core value
- [ ] Completion feels rewarding
- [ ] Clear path to continue

## Error Scenarios

### E1: Email Already Registered
**Trigger:** User tries existing email
**User Sees:** "Already have an account? Log in or reset password"
**Recovery Path:** Click to login or reset
**Test:** `signup-existing-email.spec.ts`

### E2: Social Login Fails
**Trigger:** OAuth provider error
**User Sees:** "Couldn't connect. Try email signup or try again."
**Recovery Path:** Email signup form shown as fallback
**Test:** `social-login-failure.spec.ts`

## Metrics to Track
- Signup → First Value: Target < 5 min
- Drop-off at each step
- Social vs email signup ratio
- Skip rate on onboarding

Checkout Purchase

# Journey: Checkout Purchase

## Overview
| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Priority** | Critical (Revenue) |
| **User Type** | Any |
| **Frequency** | Variable |
| **Success Metric** | Checkout completion rate |

## User Goal
> "I want to pay quickly and securely without surprises."

## Journey Steps

### Step 1: Cart Review
**User Action:** Views cart before checkout
**System Response:**
- Shows all items with images, prices
- Shows subtotal, taxes, shipping
- Clear "Checkout" CTA

**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] No hidden fees revealed later
- [ ] Easy to modify quantities
- [ ] Saved items visible

### Step 2: Checkout Start
**User Action:** Clicks "Checkout"
**System Response:**
- Shows checkout form or redirect to payment
- Progress indicator (Step 1 of 3)
- Order summary sidebar

**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] Guest checkout option
- [ ] Express checkout (Apple/Google Pay) prominent
- [ ] Form fields pre-filled if logged in

### Step 3: Payment
**User Action:** Enters payment info
**System Response:**
- Secure input fields (Stripe/payment provider)
- Real-time validation
- Clear "Pay $XX" button

**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] Card validation inline, not after submit
- [ ] Multiple payment options
- [ ] Security indicators visible

### Step 4: Confirmation
**User Action:** Submits payment
**System Response:**
- Processing indicator
- Success page with order details
- Email confirmation sent

**Success Criteria:**
- [ ] Confirmation within 5 seconds
- [ ] Order number clearly visible
- [ ] Next steps clear (shipping, access, etc.)

## Error Scenarios

### E1: Payment Declined
**Trigger:** Card declined by processor
**User Sees:** "Payment declined. Please try another card."
**Recovery Path:**
- Stay on payment step
- Pre-fill other fields
- Offer alternative payment methods
**Test:** `payment-declined-recovery.spec.ts`

### E2: Session Timeout During Checkout
**Trigger:** User away too long
**User Sees:** Cart preserved, re-auth required
**Recovery Path:**
- Quick login
- Return to same checkout step
- Cart contents intact
**Test:** `checkout-session-timeout.spec.ts`

Journey Testing with Playwright

Journey Test Structure

// e2e/tests/journeys/signup-to-value.spec.ts
import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';

test.describe('Journey: Signup to First Value', () => {
  test.describe.configure({ mode: 'serial' }); // Run in order

  test('Step 1: Landing page has clear CTA', async ({ page }) => {