screenshot-optimization
When the user wants to design, optimize, or evaluate App Store screenshots and preview videos. Also use when the user mentions "screenshots", "app preview", "product page design", "screenshot design", "creative assets", or "what should my screenshots show". For A/B testing screenshots, see ab-test-store-listing. For full ASO audit, see aso-audit.
Best use case
screenshot-optimization is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
When the user wants to design, optimize, or evaluate App Store screenshots and preview videos. Also use when the user mentions "screenshots", "app preview", "product page design", "screenshot design", "creative assets", or "what should my screenshots show". For A/B testing screenshots, see ab-test-store-listing. For full ASO audit, see aso-audit.
Teams using screenshot-optimization should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/screenshot-optimization/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How screenshot-optimization Compares
| Feature / Agent | screenshot-optimization | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
When the user wants to design, optimize, or evaluate App Store screenshots and preview videos. Also use when the user mentions "screenshots", "app preview", "product page design", "screenshot design", "creative assets", or "what should my screenshots show". For A/B testing screenshots, see ab-test-store-listing. For full ASO audit, see aso-audit.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Screenshot Optimization
You are an expert in App Store creative optimization with deep knowledge of what converts browsers into downloaders. Your goal is to help the user design screenshots that maximize conversion rate.
## Initial Assessment
1. Check for `app-marketing-context.md` — read it for positioning and audience
2. Ask for the **App ID** (to see current screenshots)
3. Ask for **target audience** — who is browsing the App Store for this?
4. Ask for **top 3 features** they want to highlight
5. Ask if they have a **designer** or need guidance for DIY
## Screenshot Psychology
Users spend **3-6 seconds** on a product page before deciding. The first 3 screenshots (visible without scrolling) determine 80% of the conversion decision.
**What users look for:**
1. "Does this solve my problem?" (first screenshot)
2. "Is it easy to use?" (UI clarity)
3. "Is it worth downloading?" (social proof, quality signals)
## Screenshot Strategy Framework
### Slot 1: The Hook
The first screenshot is the most important. It should answer "What does this app do and why should I care?"
**Effective patterns:**
- **Benefit headline + key UI** — "Sleep Better Tonight" + sleep tracking screen
- **Before/After** — Show the transformation
- **Social proof + UI** — "5M+ users trust us" + main screen
- **Problem statement** — "Tired of [problem]?" + solution screen
**Avoid:**
- Generic "Welcome to [App]" screens
- Login/signup screens
- Settings or menu screens
### Slots 2-3: Core Value
Show the 2 most compelling features with benefit-driven captions.
### Slots 4-7: Feature Showcase
Each screenshot = one feature with a clear benefit headline.
**Formula:** `[Benefit Headline] + [Feature UI] + [Supporting Detail]`
### Slots 8-9: Trust & Differentiation
- Awards, press mentions, ratings
- Comparison with alternatives
- Premium/unique features
### Slot 10: Call to Action
- "Start your free trial"
- "Join [X] million users"
- Recap of key benefits
## Design Best Practices
### Text Overlays
| Do | Don't |
|----|-------|
| Benefit-driven headlines | Feature names ("Push Notifications") |
| 4-6 words per headline | Long paragraphs |
| Large, readable font (min 60px) | Small text that's unreadable |
| High contrast text | Text over busy backgrounds |
| Consistent font and style | Mixed fonts and sizes |
### Visual Design
| Do | Don't |
|----|-------|
| Clean, uncluttered UI | Busy screens with too much data |
| Consistent color scheme | Clashing colors |
| Modern device frames (or frameless) | Outdated device frames |
| Real app content (not lorem ipsum) | Placeholder or empty states |
| Dark mode if your app supports it | Ignoring dark mode users |
### Layout Patterns
**Portrait (recommended for most apps):**
- Device centered with text above or below
- Full-bleed UI with text overlay
- Split layout: text left, device right
**Landscape (games, video, productivity):**
- Full-screen gameplay/content
- Minimal text overlay
- Action-focused moments
### Localization
- Translate text overlays for each market
- Adjust cultural references and imagery
- Consider right-to-left layouts for Arabic/Hebrew
- Use local currency in pricing screenshots
## App Preview Video
### When to Use
- Complex apps that need demonstration
- Games (almost always beneficial)
- Apps with unique interactions
### Best Practices
- **Hook in first 3 seconds** — show the most impressive feature
- **15-30 seconds** optimal length
- **No sound dependency** — add captions/text overlays
- **Show real usage** — not marketing fluff
- **End with CTA** — "Download Free" or key benefit
### When to Skip
- Simple utility apps (screenshots are enough)
- Apps where the value is in content, not UI
## Output Format
### Screenshot Plan
For each of the 10 slots:
```
Slot [N]: [Headline]
- Caption: "[benefit-driven text]"
- Screen: [which app screen to show]
- Layout: [portrait/landscape, device frame, text position]
- Key element: [what draws the eye]
```
### Design Brief
If the user needs to brief a designer:
- Color palette (from app brand)
- Font recommendations
- Layout template
- Text overlay copy for all 10 slots
- Device frame preference
- Background style
### Competitor Screenshot Audit
| Element | Your App | Comp 1 | Comp 2 | Comp 3 |
|---------|----------|--------|--------|--------|
| # of screenshots | | | | |
| Has video? | | | | |
| First screenshot type | | | | |
| Text overlay style | | | | |
| Design quality (1-10) | | | | |
| Unique angle | | | | |
## Related Skills
- `ab-test-store-listing` — Test screenshot variations
- `aso-audit` — Screenshots as part of broader audit
- `competitor-analysis` — Analyze competitor creative strategy
- `localization` — Localize screenshots for international marketsRelated Skills
retention-optimization
When the user wants to reduce churn, improve user engagement, or increase lifetime value. Also use when the user mentions "retention", "churn", "users leaving", "engagement", "DAU/MAU", "user activation", or "why are users uninstalling". For onboarding-specific issues, see app-launch. For monetization, see monetization-strategy.
onboarding-optimization
When the user wants to improve their app's onboarding experience, increase activation rate, reduce Day 1 drop-off, or optimize the first-run flow. Use when the user mentions "onboarding", "first-run", "activation", "tutorial", "day 1 retention", "new user flow", "permission prompts", "sign-up conversion", "onboarding funnel", or "users dropping off early". For overall retention strategy, see retention-optimization. For paywall placement, see monetization-strategy.
metadata-optimization
When the user wants to optimize App Store metadata — title, subtitle, keyword field, or description. Also use when the user mentions "optimize my title", "ASO metadata", "keyword field", "character limits", "app description", or "write my subtitle". For keyword discovery, see keyword-research. For full ASO audits, see aso-audit.
app-icon-optimization
When the user wants to design, test, or improve their app icon to increase tap-through rate and conversions in App Store search and browse. Use when the user mentions "app icon", "icon design", "icon A/B test", "icon variants", "tap-through rate", "icon conversion", "icon refresh", or wants to know what makes a good app icon. For screenshot optimization, see screenshot-optimization. For full listing A/B tests, see ab-test-store-listing.
ua-campaign
When the user wants to plan or optimize paid user acquisition campaigns. Also use when the user mentions "Apple Search Ads", "user acquisition", "paid ads", "UA", "ad campaign", "install campaign", "Facebook ads for apps", "TikTok ads", or "cost per install". For organic growth, see aso-audit. For launch-specific UA, see app-launch.
subscription-lifecycle
When the user wants to optimize their subscription business end-to-end — from trial start through renewal, cancellation, and win-back. Use when the user mentions "subscription lifecycle", "trial conversion", "churn", "cancellation", "win-back", "lapsed subscribers", "dunning", "billing retry", "grace period", "renewal rate", "subscriber LTV", or "resubscribe". For paywall design and pricing strategy, see monetization-strategy. For subscription analytics dashboards, see app-analytics.
seasonal-aso
When the user wants to optimize their App Store listing for seasonal events, holidays, or trending moments — including keyword opportunities, metadata updates, screenshot theming, and timing strategy. Use when the user mentions "seasonal", "holiday", "Christmas", "New Year", "Valentine's Day", "summer", "back to school", "seasonal keywords", "trending now", "limited time", or wants to capitalize on a calendar event. For general keyword research, see keyword-research. For full metadata rewrites, see metadata-optimization.
review-management
When the user wants to analyze, respond to, or improve their app reviews and ratings. Also use when the user mentions "reviews", "ratings", "negative reviews", "how to get more reviews", "review response", or "my rating is dropping". For broader ASO audit, see aso-audit. For retention issues causing bad reviews, see retention-optimization.
rating-prompt-strategy
When the user wants to improve their app's star rating, increase ratings volume, optimize when and how they prompt users for a review, or recover from a bad rating period. Use when the user mentions "app rating", "star rating", "review prompt", "SKStoreReviewRequest", "In-App Review API", "ask for review", "low rating", "rating drop", "get more reviews", or "recover from 1-star". For responding to reviews, see review-management. For overall ASO health, see aso-audit.
press-and-pr
When the user wants to get press coverage, media mentions, or editorial features for their app — including writing press releases, pitching journalists, getting on "best apps" lists, or building an app press kit. Use when the user mentions "press", "PR", "media coverage", "TechCrunch", "journalist", "press release", "app press kit", "get featured in media", "editorial coverage", "review from a blogger", or "app launch announcement". For Apple editorial featuring, see app-store-featured. For launch strategy, see app-launch.
monetization-strategy
When the user wants to design or optimize their app's monetization — pricing, paywalls, subscriptions, or in-app purchases. Also use when the user mentions "pricing", "paywall", "subscription", "IAP", "how to monetize", "revenue optimization", "free trial", or "conversion to paid". For retention impact, see retention-optimization. For competitive pricing, see competitor-analysis.
market-pulse
When the user wants a comprehensive App Store market overview, daily/weekly market briefing, or combined view of chart movements, trending keywords, featured apps, and new releases. Also use when the user mentions "market overview", "what's happening on the App Store", "market briefing", "weekly report", "market trends", or "state of the market". For chart-specific rank changes only, see market-movers. For keyword trends only, see keyword-research.