Tailscale

Streamlining the App Integration Experience for Tailscale Users

When I started designing the “Add an App” flow for Tailscale, the primary objective was to make the process of connecting third-party applications significantly faster and easier. Tailscale helps users create secure, private networks across devices and services, but adding and configuring external apps had previously been a technical and time-consuming task. My goal was to redesign this experience so users could quickly integrate the tools they rely on without getting lost in configuration details.

Simplifying the Starting Point

The original integration process required users to navigate through multiple steps before they could even begin connecting an app. To improve this, I started by introducing a clear and simple call-to-action right from the main interface: “Add an app.” This made it immediately obvious how to start the process and gave users a clear path forward without digging through documentation or menus.

I also restructured the initial selection screen to include popular app integrations up front, along with search and filtering capabilities. This reduced friction for common use cases and allowed users to find what they needed in seconds rather than minutes.

Reducing Cognitive Load Through Guided Configuration

One of the biggest pain points users faced was configuring each app connection correctly. The previous design required users to enter information in multiple places and understand complex network terms. To solve this, I created a guided step-by-step configuration flow that walked users through the essential setup details in small, focused segments.

Each step provided clear explanations and inline validation, which prevented errors before they occurred. Smart defaults and contextual hints helped users make decisions confidently, even if they weren’t familiar with advanced networking concepts.