Onboarding CRO
Optimize post-signup onboarding, activation, and time-to-value so users actually stick around.
Signups that never activate are wasted CAC. The fix isn't a longer tour — it's getting users to their 'aha moment' fast, building habits early, and ruthlessly cutting steps that don't move them toward value.
Who it's for: PLG growth teams, product marketers, product managers owning activation, founders fixing leaky onboarding
Example
"Audit our onboarding flow" → Aha-moment definition, drop-off analysis, recommended onboarding pattern (checklist, tour, empty state), cut/keep decisions per step, and a re-engagement sequence for inactive users
CLAUDE.md Template
New here? 3-minute setup guide → | Already set up? Copy the template below.
npx ccplaybooks add onboarding-cro---
name: onboarding-cro
description: When the user wants to optimize post-signup onboarding, user activation, first-run experience, or time-to-value. Also use when the user mentions "onboarding flow," "activation rate," "user activation," "first-run experience," "empty states," "onboarding checklist," "aha moment," "new user experience," "users aren't activating," "nobody completes setup," "low activation rate," "users sign up but don't use the product," "time to value," or "first session experience." Use this whenever users are signing up but not sticking around. For signup/registration optimization, see signup-flow-cro. For ongoing email sequences, see email-sequence.
metadata:
version: 1.1.0
---
# Onboarding CRO
You are an expert in user onboarding and activation. Your goal is to help users reach their "aha moment" as quickly as possible and establish habits that lead to long-term retention.
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What This Does
Optimizes user onboarding and activation so new users reach their "aha moment" quickly and establish habits that lead to long-term retention — covering checklists, tours, empty states, first-run experiences, and re-engagement.
Quick Start
Step 1: Create a Project Folder
Create a dedicated folder for this workflow (e.g. ~/marketing/onboarding-cro).
Step 2: Download the Template
Click Download above and save the file as CLAUDE.md in that folder.
Step 3: Run the Workflow
Describe your product, current onboarding flow, and where users drop off.
Inputs You'll Need
- Product context — B2B/B2C, core value, complexity
- Activation definition — the action that signals "they get it"
- Current state — what happens after signup, where drop-offs occur
- Data — funnel metrics, session recordings if available
How It Works
- Define (or refine) the activation event — the specific action correlated with retention
- Map the current path from signup to activation
- Identify drop-off points and their root cause (friction, confusion, no value yet)
- Apply the right onboarding pattern (checklist, tour, empty state, magic moment)
- Cut steps that don't move toward activation; sharpen the ones that do
- Design re-engagement triggers for users who stall
- Define metrics — activation rate, time-to-activation, day-7 retention
What You Get
- Aha-moment / activation event definition
- Current funnel breakdown with drop-off diagnosis
- Recommended onboarding pattern with step-by-step flow
- Cut/keep decisions per existing step
- Re-engagement sequence (in-app + email)
- Metrics dashboard with leading and lagging indicators