Design Empty States

Community

gnurio

design-empty-states

Create helpful, actionable zero-content states

Overview

Publisher	gnurio
Repository	`refactoring-ui-plugin`
Skill name	`design-empty-states`
Stars	453
Forks	16
Bundled files	Instructions only
Links	Skill source Repository Homepage

Markdown instructions
A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.
Works with any LLM
AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.
Self-contained
Everything the model needs lives in the instructions — no extra files to sync.
Open source
Published by gnurio on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Design Empty States AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
Choose "Install from GitHub".
Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
https://github.com/gnurio/refactoring-ui-plugin/tree/main/skills/07-design-empty-states
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/gnurio/refactoring-ui-plugin.git /tmp/refactoring-ui-plugin
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/refactoring-ui-plugin/skills/07-design-empty-states .claude/skills/design-empty-states

Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Design Empty States in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Design Empty States on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Design Empty States is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

Loaded only when it is needed
The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.
Switch models mid-chat
Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

Skill: Design Empty States

Purpose

Create helpful, actionable empty/zero states that guide users forward instead of leaving them at a dead end.

Type

Generative + Evaluative

Input

Context (what would be here normally)
User state (first-time vs. cleared content)
Available actions (what can the user do)

Output

Empty state design specification
Copy recommendations
Primary action to highlight
Pass/Fail assessment

Transformation Performed

Transforms blank screens into onboarding/guidance moments with context, explanation, and clear next steps.

Decision Criteria

PASS (Good Empty State)

Explains what would be here (sets expectation)
Tells user how to add content (clear instruction)
Provides clear primary action button
Uses appropriate illustration/icon (not generic)
Friendly, helpful tone (not "No items found")
Hides useless UI (tabs, filters that don't work without content)

FAIL (Poor Empty State)

Blank screen or just "No data"
Technical error message as empty state
No guidance on what to do next
Generic illustration unrelated to context
Dead end with no actions

Empty State Components

Illustration/Icon (optional but helpful)
- Relevant to the content type
- Not generic "404" style
- Can be simple icon or custom illustration
Headline
- Friendly, explanatory
- Not "Empty" or "No items"
- Example: "No projects yet" or "Start your first campaign"
Description
- Brief explanation of what this area is for
- How to add content
- Benefits of adding content
Primary Action
- Clear CTA button
- Takes user to creation flow
- Obvious next step
Secondary Info (optional)
- Learn more link
- Example/template
- Import option

Types of Empty States

Type	Context	Approach
First-time	New user, no content	Onboarding, education, clear CTA
User-cleared	User deleted everything	Confirmation, undo option, re-add CTA
No results	Search/filter returned nothing	Adjust filters, clear search, try different terms
No access	Permission restrictions	Explain why, how to request access
Error state	Failed to load	Retry action, support contact

Common Failure Modes

Failure	Description	Fix
The Void	Blank white space	Add context, illustration, CTA
Error as Empty	"404" or "Null" message	Distinguish error states from empty states
No Way Forward	Message but no action	Always provide primary CTA
Generic Illustration	Unrelated cute character	Use relevant icon or context illustration
Negative Framing	"You have no friends"	Positive framing: "Connect with people"
Too Much Info	Paragraphs of text	Keep to 1-2 sentences + CTA

Prerequisites

Understanding of user goals
Knowledge of creation flow

Dependencies

design-button-hierarchy (needs clear primary action)
apply-typography-scale (headline + body hierarchy)

Refactoring UI References

"Never leave users at a dead end"
"Empty states are opportunities"
"Set expectations"

Example Assessment

Input: Dashboard showing "No data available" in small gray text, no other content

Evaluation: FAIL

Negative framing
No context about what should be here
No action to take
Visual treatment too subtle

Recommendation:

Headline: "No reports yet"
Description: "Create your first report to start tracking metrics"
Primary button: "Create Report"
Optional: Small illustration or icon
Consider: Template/example preview

Frequently asked questions

What does the Design Empty States AI skill do?

Create helpful, actionable zero-content states

Why use Design Empty States on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Design Empty States is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Design Empty States in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/gnurio/refactoring-ui-plugin/tree/main/skills/07-design-empty-states. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Design Empty States?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Design Empty States?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Design Empty States with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Design Empty States AI skill free?

It is published on GitHub by gnurio. Check the repository for licensing terms. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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Overview

Installation

Install in TypingMind

Install in another agent

Use it in TypingMind

Works with any AI model

Skill instructions

Skill: Design Empty States

Purpose

Type

Input

Output

Transformation Performed

Decision Criteria

PASS (Good Empty State)

FAIL (Poor Empty State)

Empty State Components

Types of Empty States

Common Failure Modes

Prerequisites

Dependencies

Refactoring UI References

Example Assessment

Frequently asked questions

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