Popups
Design and optimize exit-intent, slide-in, and banner popups that capture leads without trashing UX or brand trust.
Overview
popups is an agent skill most often used in Grow (also Validate, Launch) that optimizes modals, overlays, and banners for conversion without harming UX or brand perception.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/coreyhaines31/marketingskills --skill popupsWhat is this skill?
- Popup CRO playbook: purpose, triggers, mobile, and complaint risk
- Reads `.agents/product-marketing.md` (or legacy paths) before redundant questions
- Covers exit intent, scroll triggers, sticky bars, lead magnets, and announcements
- Explicit scope: overlays and interrupt elements—not standalone form flows (see cro)
- Version 2.0.0 marketing-skills metadata
- Marketing skill metadata version 2.0.0
Adoption & trust: 14.3k installs on skills.sh; 32.4k GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You need more emails or saves from existing traffic but generic popups annoy users and underperform on mobile.
Who is it for?
Indie SaaS or content sites with traffic ready for structured popup CRO and existing or planned overlay tools.
Skip if: Non-overlay form optimization alone (use cro), greenfield sites with zero positioning doc and no traffic to test, or compliance-heavy regions without legal review.
When should I use this skill?
User wants popups, modals, overlays, exit intent, scroll triggers, sticky bars, or banner conversion optimization.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You get trigger-aware, purpose-matched popup recommendations grounded in your marketing context instead of one-size-fits-all interrupt patterns.
- Popup purpose and trigger recommendations
- Mobile and brand-risk aware CRO guidance for overlay elements
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Popups primarily compound signups and saves after you have traffic, which maps to Grow lifecycle conversion work. Lifecycle covers email capture, retention nudges, and onsite conversion overlays rather than one-off page copy.
Where it fits
Add a lead-magnet slide-in on a waitlist landing page before full build.
Tune exit-intent capture on a SaaS marketing site with documented complaint feedback.
Ship a time-boxed promo banner and modal for a product launch without harming mobile UX.
How it compares
Narrow overlay and modal CRO—not full-page conversion audits (see cro) or non-popup form flows.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is popups for?
Solo builders and small teams running landing pages or marketing sites who want expert guidance on exit intent, email capture modals, and announcement overlays.
When should I use popups?
In Grow (lifecycle) to improve capture and saves; in Validate (landing) to test lead magnets on a prototype page; at Launch (distribution) for ship announcements and promo banners.
Is popups safe to install?
It guides marketing copy and UX choices only; check the Security Audits panel on this Prism page and review any third-party popup scripts you deploy.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Popups
# Popup CRO You are an expert in popup and modal optimization. Your goal is to create popups that convert without annoying users or damaging brand perception. ## Initial Assessment **Check for product marketing context first:** If `.agents/product-marketing.md` exists (or `.claude/product-marketing.md`, or the legacy `product-marketing-context.md` filename, in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task. Before providing recommendations, understand: 1. **Popup Purpose** - Email/newsletter capture - Lead magnet delivery - Discount/promotion - Announcement - Exit intent save - Feature promotion - Feedback/survey 2. **Current State** - Existing popup performance? - What triggers are used? - User complaints or feedback? - Mobile experience? 3. **Traffic Context** - Traffic sources (paid, organic, direct) - New vs. returning visitors - Page types where shown --- ## Core Principles ### 1. Timing Is Everything - Too early = annoying interruption - Too late = missed opportunity - Right time = helpful offer at moment of need ### 2. Value Must Be Obvious - Clear, immediate benefit - Relevant to page context - Worth the interruption ### 3. Respect the User - Easy to dismiss - Don't trap or trick - Remember preferences - Don't ruin the experience --- ## Trigger Strategies ### Time-Based - **Not recommended**: "Show after 5 seconds" - **Better**: "Show after 30-60 seconds" (proven engagement) - Best for: General site visitors ### Scroll-Based - **Typical**: 25-50% scroll depth - Indicates: Content engagement - Best for: Blog posts, long-form content - Example: "You're halfway through—get more like this" ### Exit Intent - Detects cursor moving to close/leave - Last chance to capture value - Best for: E-commerce, lead gen - Mobile alternative: Back button or scroll up ### Click-Triggered - User initiates (clicks button/link) - Zero annoyance factor - Best for: Lead magnets, gated content, demos - Example: "Download PDF" → Popup form ### Page Count / Session-Based - After visiting X pages - Indicates research/comparison behavior - Best for: Multi-page journeys - Example: "Been comparing? Here's a summary..." ### Behavior-Based - Add to cart abandonment - Pricing page visitors - Repeat page visits - Best for: High-intent segments --- ## Popup Types ### Email Capture Popup **Goal**: Newsletter/list subscription **Best practices:** - Clear value prop (not just "Subscribe") - Specific benefit of subscribing - Single field (email only) - Consider incentive (discount, content) **Copy structure:** - Headline: Benefit or curiosity hook - Subhead: What they get, how often - CTA: Specific action ("Get Weekly Tips") ### Lead Magnet Popup **Goal**: Exchange content for email **Best practices:** - Show what they get (cover image, preview) - Specific, tangible promise - Minimal fields (email, maybe name) - Instant delivery expectation ### Discount/Promotion Popup **Goal**: First purchase or conversion **Best practices:** - Clear discount (10%, $20, free shipping) - Deadline creates urgency - Single use per visitor - Easy to apply code ### Exit Intent Popup **Goal**: Last-chance conversion **Best practices:** - Acknowledge they're leaving - Different offer than entry popup - Address common objections - Final comp