diff --git a/skills/bin1874/before-you-build-skill/before-you-build/SKILL.md b/skills/bin1874/before-you-build-skill/before-you-build/SKILL.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..405093e8e --- /dev/null +++ b/skills/bin1874/before-you-build-skill/before-you-build/SKILL.md @@ -0,0 +1,95 @@ +--- +name: before-you-build +description: Review product and feature risk before an AI coding agent starts implementation. +--- + +# Before You Build + +Don't ask AI to build it yet. Ask why it might fail first. + +## When to Use + +Use this skill before building or changing a product, feature, SaaS, AI app, side project, or startup idea. + +Use it when the user asks: + +- "Is this worth building?" +- "Should I add this feature?" +- "Will anyone want this?" +- "Sanity-check this idea before implementation." +- "The requirements changed. Should we still build it?" + +## Prerequisites + +No API keys or external services are required. + +If live evidence would improve the review, ask the user whether they want you to search for similar products, competitor complaints, communities, or demand signals. + +## Workflow + +First, do not write code, scaffold a project, recommend a tech stack, or create an implementation plan. + +Review whether the idea should move into implementation at all. + +If the idea is too broad, ask the user to complete this sentence: + +```text +This tool is for [specific people], in [specific situation], to solve [specific problem]. +``` + +If the current alternative is missing and the review would be too speculative, ask: + +```text +How do they solve this today, and why is that not good enough? +``` + +Ask at most two questions before giving a constrained review. + +Then produce a short Quick Reality Check: + +```markdown +## Quick Reality Check + +Assumption: +- [State the assumption if any.] + +Verdict: +- Don't build yet / Build smaller / Build only if / Build small + +Biggest risk: +- [The most important likely failure mode.] + +Most likely problem: +- [Demand / distribution / pricing / positioning / retention / trust.] + +What to validate first: +- [One concrete test before implementation.] + +Smallest useful version: +- [A narrower version worth testing.] +``` + +## Common Patterns + +For a new product idea, check whether the user has a narrow buyer, specific situation, painful problem, current alternative, and reachable distribution channel. + +For a feature request, check whether it comes from repeated demand, a paying segment, a retention blocker, or only a loud edge case. + +For a requirement change or pivot, check whether the change improves validated demand or only expands scope. + +For a learning or portfolio project, do not judge by startup standards. Keep the scope small and focus on the learning artifact. + +## Gotchas + +Do not reward vague AI app ideas with implementation plans. + +Do not treat "a competitor exists" as proof of demand. + +Do not treat friends saying "cool idea" as validation. + +Do not turn the review into a long questionnaire. + +Do not block all building. The useful outcome may be "build smaller" or "validate this narrow version first." + +Full project: +https://github.com/bin1874/before-you-build-skill