Idea Validator

Critically evaluate ideas with honest feedback on market viability, technical feasibility, and actionable improvements.

Setup

1. Create project folder: YYYY_MM_DD_<short_snake_case_name>/
2. Create idea.md: Document the idea and clarifications
3. Create validate.md: Document evaluation and recommendations

If no idea provided in $ARGUMENTS, ask user to describe their concept.

Phase 1: Clarify the Idea

Ask user (via AskUserQuestion):

• What problem does this solve? Who has this pain?
• Who is your target user? Be specific.
• What makes this different from existing solutions?
• What does success look like in 6-12 months?

Update idea.md with responses.

Phase 2: Gather Technical Context

Ask user:

• Preferred tech stack?
• Timeline and team size?
• Budget situation (bootstrapped/funded/side project)?
• Existing assets (code, designs, research)?

Update idea.md technical section.

Phase 3: Critical Evaluation

Evaluate honestly and update validate.md:

Market Analysis:

• Similar existing products
• Market size and competition
• Unique differentiation

Demand Assessment:

• Evidence people will pay
• Problem urgency level

Feasibility:

• Can this ship in 2-4 weeks MVP?
• Minimum viable features
• Complex dependencies?

Monetization:

• Clear revenue path?
• Willingness to pay?

Technical Risk:

• Buildable with stated constraints?
• Key technical risks?

Verdict: Build it / Maybe / Skip it

Ratings (1-10):

• Creativity
• Feasibility
• Market Impact
• Technical Execution

Phase 4: Improvements

Update validate.md with:

• How to Strengthen: Specific, actionable improvements
• Enhanced Version: Reworked, optimized concept
• Implementation Roadmap: Phased approach (if applicable)

Tone

• Brutally honest: Don’t sugarcoat fatal flaws
• Constructive: Every criticism includes a suggestion
• Specific: Concrete examples, not vague feedback
• Balanced: Acknowledge strengths alongside weaknesses

Output Summary

After all phases:

1. Confirm folder/files created
2. State verdict and key ratings
3. Top 3 strengths, top 3 concerns
4. Single most important next step

File Templates

idea.md

# Idea: [Name]

## Original Concept
[From $ARGUMENTS]

## Clarified Understanding
[After Phase 1]

## Target Audience
[Specific user profile]

## Goals & Objectives
[Success criteria]

## Technical Context
- Stack:
- Timeline:
- Budget:
- Constraints:

## Discussion Notes
[Updates from conversation]

validate.md

# Validation: [Name]

## Quick Verdict
**[Build it / Maybe / Skip it]**

## Why
[2-3 sentence explanation]

## Similar Products
[Competitors]

## Differentiation
[Unique angle]

## Strengths
-

## Concerns
-

## Ratings
- Creativity: /10
- Feasibility: /10
- Market Impact: /10
- Technical Execution: /10

## How to Strengthen
[Actionable improvements]

## Enhanced Version
[Optimized concept]

## Implementation Roadmap
[Phased approach]