# problem-statement

Turn a user’s obstacle into a concise problem statement that captures their goal, what gets in the way, and why it matters. Use it during discovery or while framing work for a PRD.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 2600 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/problem-statement/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-16
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/problem-statement

## What it does

The skill guides you from the person experiencing a problem to their desired outcome, barriers, root cause, and emotional impact. It then brings those details together in a short statement, with relevant context and constraints. This helps teams discuss the problem before settling on a solution.

The fill-in structure lives in `template.md`. Interview notes or other user research make a stronger starting point; without that context, research the problem instead of guessing. This skill frames the problem, not the solution, so it does not replace a PRD.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

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

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

### Codex

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

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

### Cursor

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

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

### GitHub Copilot

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

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

### Gemini CLI

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

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

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add deanpeters/Product-Manager-Skills --skill problem-statement -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/problem-statement/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- frame a user problem before discussing solutions
- identify who is blocked and what is stopping them
- turn a vague complaint into an actionable problem statement
- distinguish a user need from a feature request
- prepare a concise problem statement for a PRD

## Example prompts
- Help me describe which users are stuck, what they want to achieve, and what is getting in their way.
- Turn these interview notes into a user problem statement with relevant constraints.
- Frame this user problem for a PRD without proposing a solution.

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From the same set: [deanpeters/product-manager-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/deanpeters/product-manager-skills.md) — 69 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