Six principles for what makes a good artifact — does one thing, works on a phone, loads instantly, explains itself. The post is the proof. Swipe through.
this is the live artifact — interact right here, or open it edge to edge ↗ like it lives on a profile.
Most advice about making things describes the thing instead of being it. This one doesn't — the guide above is itself an artifact, and it follows every rule it lays out. Swipe through it in about ninety seconds, or read the short version here.
Six principles:
It does one thing well. A good artifact has a single clear job and finishes it. The moment it tries to be three tools at once, it stops being shareable and starts needing a manual.
It works on a phone. Most things get opened on a phone, in a moment, with one thumb. If it only behaves on a wide screen, most people never see it properly.
It loads instantly, with no setup. No sign-in, no install, no spinner, no cookie banner. It opens and it's there. Every step between the tap and the payoff is a place people leave.
It explains itself. You shouldn't have to send a caption with it. A good artifact tells you what it is in the first three seconds, and how to use it without being told.
It respects the reader's time. Say the thing. Stop.
It's something you'd actually send to someone. The real test isn't "is it impressive" — it's "would I drop this in a message to a person I respect." If the answer is yes, the rest mostly took care of itself.
That last test is the one that matters. If you've made something that passes it, publish it on Artifacky and give it a link worth sending.