# Error messages are the real interface

> The screens people read most carefully are the ones where something went wrong. Write them first.

[Writing](https://portfolio.vagejs.com/blog/)

24 October 2026 · Mira Halden

Nobody reads a welcome screen. Everybody reads an error message, slowly, often twice. That makes it one of the most important pieces of writing in any app.

## Say what happened, then what to do

"Your card was declined. Try another card or pay at the machine" works because it answers both questions people have: what went wrong, and what now.

## Never blame the person

"Invalid input" sounds like an accusation. "That date is in the past. Pick a date from today onwards" sounds like help.

## Write them first

I now write the error messages before the happy path. It forces the team to decide what can go wrong, and it's much cheaper to decide that on paper.