Hook Model Framework

Framework for building habit-forming products. Habits are not created — they are built through successive cycles through the Hook.

Core Principle

The Hook Model = a four-phase loop that connects the user's problem to your solution frequently enough to form a habit, moving usage from deliberate to automatic.

Trigger → Action → Variable Reward → Investment
    ↑                                      │
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Scoring

Goal: 10/10. When reviewing or creating product engagement mechanics, score the loop by the four Quick Diagnostic rows (internal trigger, dead-simple action, variable reward, investment loads next trigger): each row earns 2 (fully satisfied), 1 (partial), or 0 (absent), then score = round(total / 8 × 10). Then apply the ethics gate: if the Manipulation Matrix places the product as Dealer (or it hits any "When NOT to Use" condition), cap the score at 3 regardless of mechanics. Bands: 9-10 = complete loop, internal trigger identified, ethics clear; 5-6 = loop runs but leans on external triggers or predictable rewards; <=3 = broken loop or extractive design. Always state the current score and the specific diagnostic rows blocking 10/10.

The Four Phases