Generating State Maps
Quick start
Collect or infer:
- •Feature name and scope
- •User actions that trigger state changes
- •System events that trigger state changes
- •Error conditions and edge cases
- •Content touchpoints per state (messages, labels, CTAs)
Then produce output using TEMPLATES.md. Validate with RUBRIC.md.
Workflow
- •Identify the feature's entry state (first state a user encounters).
- •List all possible states using the state taxonomy.
- •Document transitions: what triggers movement from one state to another.
- •Identify dead ends (terminal states with no outbound transitions).
- •Map content requirements per state (what copy appears, what actions are available).
- •Validate completeness: every state must have at least one inbound transition (except entry).
- •Identify missing states by checking for unhandled edge cases.
- •Run the rubric check. Revise until it passes.
Degrees of freedom
- •Default: Low. State maps must be complete and accurate.
- •Allowed variation: Visual format (Mermaid, table, ASCII) may vary by team preference. Content requirement detail level may flex based on scope.
Failure modes to avoid
- •Omitting error states
- •Forgetting permission-gated states
- •Missing loading/pending states
- •Creating orphan states (no inbound transition)
- •Conflating user-facing states with technical backend states
- •Assuming happy path only
References
- •Templates: TEMPLATES.md
- •Rubric: RUBRIC.md
- •Examples: EXAMPLES.md
- •State taxonomy: reference/state-taxonomy.md
- •Transition patterns: reference/transition-patterns.md