# epic-hypothesis

Frames initiative ideas as testable product hypotheses with target personas, expected outcomes, and discovery experiments. Useful before delivery planning.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 2800 installs · ★ 7673
- Author: deanpeters
- License: CC-BY-SA-4.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills/tree/HEAD/skills/epic-hypothesis/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-16
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/epic-hypothesis

## What it does

This skill turns an initiative or epic idea into an explicit if/then hypothesis. Instead of treating features as fixed delivery commitments, it frames them as measurable bets that can be proven wrong early.

The structure builds on Lean UX framing inspired by Tim Herbig. The workflow defines the solution, the target user, measurable business results, and small tests such as clickable prototypes, concierge tests, or landing pages. Sessions take 15 to 20 minutes.

Running this workflow on trivial tweaks or already validated features is a waste of time because its purpose is handling uncertainty.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills --skill epic-hypothesis -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills --skill epic-hypothesis -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills --skill epic-hypothesis -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills epic-hypothesis
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/epic-hypothesis/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills --skill epic-hypothesis -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills --path skills/epic-hypothesis
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills --skill epic-hypothesis -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/deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills/tree/HEAD/skills/epic-hypothesis/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- frame major product initiatives as testable hypotheses
- define measurable validation criteria before implementation
- design quick discovery experiments to test core assumptions
- clarify target personas and expected user outcomes

## Example prompts
- Frame as an epic hypothesis: usage alerts so account admins prevent overages
- Help me turn bulk item deletion for power users into a testable hypothesis

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From the same set: [deanpeters/product-manager-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/deanpeters/product-manager-skills.md) — 73 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