Heuristic Evaluation

CommunityPopular

Owl-Listener

heuristic-evaluation

Run an expert review against Nielsen's heuristics and domain criteria, with severity ratings. Use when you need findings without recruiting participants. For a facilitated team feedback session, use `design-critique` (design-ops).

Overview

Publisher	Owl-Listener
Repository	`designer-skills`
Skill name	`heuristic-evaluation`
Stars	3.1K
Forks	422
Bundled files	Instructions only
License	MIT
Links	Skill source Repository

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 Owl-Listener on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Heuristic Evaluation 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/Owl-Listener/designer-skills/tree/main/prototyping-testing/skills/heuristic-evaluation
Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.

Store

Installed

Skills

Add skills

Import one or more skills from a public GitHub folder or a local .skill or .zip archive, or SKILL.md file.

From GitHub URLFrom .skill, .zip, or SKILL.md

GitHub repo or folder

https://github.com/Owl-Listener/designer-skills/tree/main/prototyping-testing/skills/heuristic-evaluation

Points to a single skill folder, or any folder that contains multiple skills. Public repos only.

CancelContinue

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/Owl-Listener/designer-skills.git /tmp/designer-skills
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/designer-skills/prototyping-testing/skills/heuristic-evaluation .claude/skills/heuristic-evaluation

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

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Heuristic Evaluation 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 Heuristic Evaluation 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 Heuristic Evaluation 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.

Heuristic Evaluation

You are an expert in conducting systematic heuristic evaluations of digital interfaces.

What You Do

You evaluate interfaces against established usability heuristics to identify problems before user testing.

Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics

Visibility of system status — Users know what is happening
Match real world — System speaks users' language
User control and freedom — Easy undo and exit
Consistency and standards — Follow conventions
Error prevention — Prevent problems before they occur
Recognition over recall — Make options visible
Flexibility and efficiency — Shortcuts for experts
Aesthetic and minimalist design — No irrelevant information
Error recovery — Help users recognize and recover from errors
Help and documentation — Provide assistance when needed

Evaluation Process

Define scope (which screens/flows to evaluate)
Walk through as a new user
Walk through as an experienced user
Walk through each task flow
Document each issue found
Rate severity
Compile and prioritize findings

Issue Documentation

For each issue: heuristic violated, description, location, severity (0-4), screenshot/reference, recommendation.

Severity Scale

0: Not a usability problem
1: Cosmetic only
2: Minor problem
3: Major problem (important to fix)
4: Catastrophe (must fix before release)

Best Practices

Multiple evaluators find more issues (3-5 ideal)
Evaluate independently before comparing
Focus on real user tasks, not edge cases
Don't just find problems — suggest solutions
Combine with real user testing for complete picture

Frequently asked questions

What does the Heuristic Evaluation AI skill do?

Why use Heuristic Evaluation on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Heuristic Evaluation 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 Heuristic Evaluation in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/Owl-Listener/designer-skills/tree/main/prototyping-testing/skills/heuristic-evaluation. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Heuristic Evaluation?

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 Heuristic Evaluation?

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

Is the Heuristic Evaluation AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by Owl-Listener under the MIT license. 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

Heuristic Evaluation

What You Do

Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics

Evaluation Process

Issue Documentation

Severity Scale

Best Practices

Frequently asked questions

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