An empty state with guidance is shown before the first message
Why it matters
Without an empty state, a first-time user lands on a blank canvas with a single input box and no signal about what the AI can do, how to phrase a prompt, or what kinds of answers to expect. First-session activation — the user typing a first successful prompt — is the single most important conversion metric for any AI chat product, and a cold empty state is the largest drag on that metric. Example prompts also help set quality expectations and steer new users away from low-quality first attempts.
Severity rationale
Low because returning users are unaffected, but first-session activation is disproportionately hurt by a cold empty canvas.
Remediation
In src/components/chat/ChatWindow.tsx, render a conditional empty state when messages.length === 0 that includes a welcome line and at least two clickable example prompts that pre-fill the input. Keep the copy specific to the AI's actual capabilities.
{messages.length === 0 && (
<div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-4 py-12">
<h2>How can I help?</h2>
{['Explain this concept', 'Help me debug'].map(prompt => (
<Button key={prompt} variant="outline" onClick={() => setInput(prompt)}>{prompt}</Button>
))}
</div>
)}
DetectionPro
The detection method for this pattern is part of AuditBuffet Pro.
The full method (what to look for, pass and fail conditions, and how results get reported) ships inside the AI Chat Visibility Audit. The pattern definition, severity rationale, and remediation remain openly licensed under CC-BY-4.0.
Taxons
History
- 2026-04-18·v1.0.0·Initial import from ai-chat-visibility·automated