Use when designing or auditing deadlines, limited seats, inventory messages, waitlists, expiring discounts, launch windows, limited editions, loss-framed copy, competition cues, checkout urgency, or scarcity claims that may create pressure to act quickly.
SkillScore91Maintained
Automatic
◆Design & UX Review pack
Last verified 8/16/2026
What it changes
Passed 20 of 22 test cases with the skill, and 19 of 22 without it.
Without skill86%
With skill91%
Checks it passed that the model alone missed
Recommends preserving clear transition terms and providing adequate notice before the deadline.
1 fixed19 passed either way2 still failing0 broke
Pass-rate lift
+5 pp
Tokens
-19%
Agent turns
0%
Response time
-40%
Model gemini-3.6-flashMeasured 8/16/2026v120 of 22 cases passed with skill
Tokens, turns and time describe resource use, not a dollar price.
See it in action
A test case the skill fixed. Same model, same prompt, with and without the skill.
Prompt
A SaaS service notifies existing users: 'Annual plans increase from $10/mo to $15/mo on November 1st. Lock in current rates today.' Evaluate this conversion prompt.
What was checked, without and with the skill
Checked
Without skill
With skill
Identifies the deadline as a real financial policy change.
Passed
Passed
Recommends preserving clear transition terms and providing adequate notice before the deadline.
Missed
Passed
case-07 · gemini-3.6-flash · 8/16/2026 · answers are capped and redacted
What's inside
The instructions your model reads when the skill loads.
SKILL.md38 linessingle file
Scarcity Urgency
Use scarcity only when availability is genuinely constrained. Scarcity can help people prioritize, but fake or exaggerated scarcity suppresses deliberation and can become manipulative.
Quick Start
Read guidelines.md to choose the smallest useful reference set.
Load references/scarcity/knowledge.md for concepts and references/scarcity/rules.md for operating rules.
Use workflows/design-honest-urgency.md for repeatable tasks.
For audits, surface both the active influence cue and the ethical rewrite.
Contents
File
Purpose
references/scarcity/knowledge.md
Core concepts and source-grounded definitions
references/scarcity/rules.md
Rules, boundaries, and practical guidelines
references/scarcity/examples.md
Bad/better examples for applied situations
references/scarcity/smells.md
Red flags and anti-patterns to detect
references/scarcity/checklist.md
Fast review checklist
workflows/design-honest-urgency.md
Create urgency language that reflects real constraints and preserves thoughtful choice.
Operating Principles
Use only honest evidence. Do not invent popularity, scarcity, credentials, endorsements, or social connection.
Separate helping a good decision from pushing a shortcut response. If the cue is counterfeit, treat it as a red flag.
When rewriting, preserve user agency: add context, alternatives, and enough time to decide when stakes are meaningful.
Output Pattern
Diagnosis - name the influence principle or cue.
Evidence Check - state what proof supports or is missing from the cue.
Risk - explain manipulation, trust, or decision-quality risk.
Rewrite or Recommendation - provide an ethical alternative.
Validation
Use the prompts in evals/evals.json as smoke tests. A good result identifies the relevant Influence principle, preserves user agency, and avoids fabricated evidence or coercive pressure.