Introduction: The Hidden Architecture of Habit

Every day, without realizing it, we’re caught in loops — subtle, repeating rhythms of thought and behavior. We check our phones when bored. Scroll through feeds when lonely. Tap into apps when anxious. These aren’t random choices. They’re engineered experiences.

In Hooked, Nir Eyal lifts the curtain on how the world’s most successful products — from Instagram to Slack — train us to keep coming back. But this isn’t a story of manipulation. It’s a call to responsibility. Because the same psychology used to create compulsive tech can also build products that enrich lives, foster growth, and solve real human problems.

This book is for creators — entrepreneurs, designers, marketers, writers — anyone who wants to build things people don’t just try, but live with. You’ll discover the Hook Model, a four-step blueprint for crafting habit-forming experiences that stick.

But more importantly, you’ll gain a new lens on your own behavior. You’ll see the triggers, actions, rewards, and investments that shape your daily life — and learn how to design better ones.

You’re not just reading a book. You’re learning to write behavioral code.