# Heuristic Evaluation Heurio provides built-in heuristics, to evaluate live websites, helping users identify usability and design issues. This guide offers an overview of how to use Heurio for heuristic evaluations. ## What is a heuristic evaluation? A heuristic evaluation is a method used to assess a website's usability and design by comparing it against a set of established heuristics or principles. This technique is essential for identifying areas that may hinder user experience or overall functionality. Heurio incorporates this process by offering built-in guidelines, facilitating comprehensive, consistent evaluations.

Using the built-in heuristics in the Heurio extension

## How to conduct heuristic evaluations with Heurio? * Reference the relevant heuristics directly by selecting a built-in heuristic. * Enter your feedback, including: * **Note:** Describe the issue or area requiring attention. * **Suggestion:** Provide recommendations for resolving the issue or improving the element. * **Severity:** Rate the impact of the issue in scale from 1 (blue) -5 (red) * **Guideline & Rule:** Select the relevant heuristic (e.g. Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics - 1. Visibility of System Status) ## Speed up the process by locking heuristics * In the Chrome Extension, users can lock a specific guideline's rule by clicking on the "Book of Guidelines" button in the bottom right corner. * Select a guideline (e.g. Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics) you need and then choose the rule (1. Visibility of the System Status) you wish to lock. The locked rule will be automatically set for your next comment (heurio). * This option is useful for a comprehensive, rule-by-rule evaluation of a website, ensuring thorough coverage. ## Learn more about built-in heuristics Visit [Heurio's website](https://www.heurio.co/guidelines) for a detailed overview of the available guidelines. Heurio's built-in guidelines offer a streamlined way to incorporate heuristic evaluation into the feedback process. By referencing established systems directly within the [Heurio Extension](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/heurio-ux-check-visual-fe/pjdbofhiijhapnmpgilkeammkanglfdj), users can ensure consistent, comprehensive evaluations. The option to lock a rule facilitates a thorough, rule-by-rule review, making heuristic evaluation more accessible and efficient. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://heurio.gitbook.io/docs/how-to-use-heurio/heuristic-evaluation.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.