# book-idea-validator

Stress-tests a nonfiction book concept against existing research. Tells you whether the thesis holds up before you write.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · ★ 132
- Author: robertguss
- License: LicenseRef-Proprietary · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit/tree/HEAD/skills/non-fiction-book-factory/book-idea-validator/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-09-16
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/book-idea-validator

## What it does

This skill takes a Book Concept Document from `book-ideation` and breaks it into individual claims. First it checks the eight elements are present: reader, transformation, core thesis, author angle, stakes, key concepts, enemy, promise. Miss one and it sends you back to fix the concept.

Work then runs in phases. Claims get extracted and confirmed, then a landscape scan maps who already covers this ground and where the gaps sit. For claims the scan can't settle, the skill writes research prompts you run yourself in Claude, Gemini or another tool, then bring the findings back. The last phase produces a Validation Report that rates each claim and lands on Go, Revise or Kill.

Along the way it maintains a Master Claim List, Landscape Scan Notes, Deep Research Log, competitor title analysis and a Decision Log. Templates for each live in `assets/templates/`. Nonfiction only. Expect pushback rather than flattery — Claude argues its case, but nothing moves forward without your approval.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-idea-validator -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/book-idea-validator/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/book-idea-validator/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-idea-validator -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/book-idea-validator/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-idea-validator -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/book-idea-validator/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install robertguss/claude-code-toolkit book-idea-validator
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/book-idea-validator/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-idea-validator -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --path skills/non-fiction-book-factory/book-idea-validator
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/book-idea-validator/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-idea-validator -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit/tree/HEAD/skills/non-fiction-book-factory/book-idea-validator/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- check whether your thesis survives contact with published work
- find gaps in the topic before outlining chapters
- build a list of claims the manuscript has to defend
- work out how your book differs from adjacent titles
- decide to kill the project while that's still cheap

## Example prompts
- Here's my Book Concept Document — check whether all eight elements are there
- Pull the core claims out of this concept and show me which ones are weak
- Draft deep research prompts for the third claim

## Similar
- [idea-validator](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/idea-validator.md) — skill · 1700 installs
- [narrative-nonfiction](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/narrative-nonfiction.md) — skill · 565 installs
- [book-review](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/book-review.md) — skill · 589 installs
- [kids-book-writer](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/kids-book-writer.md) — skill · 519 installs
- [story-idea-generator](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/story-idea-generator.md) — skill · 664 installs
- [idea-generation](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/lingzhi227-idea-generation.md) — skill · 1800 installs

From the same set: [robertguss/claude-code-toolkit](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit.md) — 6 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md