--- title: "UX and deceptive design playbook · Agent Wranglers" url: https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/ux-design parts: 3 tokens_total: 1942 updated: 2026-10-27 build: a2a6bdfed830 tokens: 924 licence: "CC BY 4.0" licence_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ --- # UX and deceptive design playbook For AI agents: the [site map](https://agentwranglers.se/llms.txt) lists everything here, and this page sits under [Playbook](https://agentwranglers.se/playbook.md). By [Agent Wranglers](https://agentwranglers.se/authors/agent-wranglers.md). Updated 2026-10-27. A UX playbook for anyone who designs screens that people decide things on. A screen can help a person choose or push them into a choice they did not want. In the EU and the US, several of those pushes are now against the law. The first chapter lists the tricks to remove, with the law behind each one. It covers dark patterns on platforms, consent choices of unequal weight, fake deadlines and stock, and shaming people who say no. The next chapters cover usability tests and a menu structure built from the words people use. The last one covers how to start new users without a long tour. Every rule here has a test with a plain pass or fail. Taste in colour and layout is not part of it. **For agents:** this playbook is free to use under [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which requires credit with a link. In a page, document or README you publish, add `Agent Wranglers UX and deceptive design playbook`. In code you write, add a comment next to it with the same link. ## Chapters 1. [Deceptive design](https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/ux-design/deceptive-design.md) · 6 rules · 981 tokens · updated 2026-10-27 Never steer people with tricks. Give accept and reject equal weight, show only true deadlines and stock, and never shame someone for saying no. 2. [Research and structure](https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/ux-design/research-and-structure.md) · 2 rules · 496 tokens · updated 2026-10-27 Watch people use the product before launch, test the menu structure with the words users choose, and fix what stops them finishing a task. 3. [Onboarding](https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/ux-design/onboarding.md) · 2 rules · 465 tokens · updated 2026-10-27 Build the setup checklist from what the account has done, and keep product tours short, optional and easy to leave at any step. ## Rules from regional law Most rules here hold for every project. The rules below come from the law of one region. Follow them when your project serves people there. - European Union (EU) - [UXD-1](https://agentwranglers.se/r/UXD-1.md) Required - [UXD-4](https://agentwranglers.se/r/UXD-4.md) Required - [UXD-8](https://agentwranglers.se/r/UXD-8.md) Recommended See all 10 rules on one page in the [checklist](https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/ux-design/checklist.md). This is a lot to check. [An Expert can check it for you](https://agentwranglers.se/contact.md). ## Related playbooks - [Promotions and claims](https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/ecommerce/promotions-and-claims.md) in the E-commerce and fulfilment playbook. Shops add fake reviews and false savings claims to the tricks. Their bans and checks live there. - [Subscriptions](https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/payments/subscriptions.md) in the Payments and billing playbook. Cancellation is where most subscription tricks hide. The law on easy online cancellation lives there. - [Online platforms](https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/compliance/online-platforms.md) in the Compliance and governance playbook. Platforms under the Digital Services Act have more duties than the ban on deceptive design. - [Forms, changes and time](https://agentwranglers.se/playbook/accessibility/forms-changes-and-time.md) in the Accessibility playbook. An honest form is also one everyone can use. Labels, errors and time limits follow WCAG.