# startup-validator

Runs a startup idea through market research, competitor mapping and problem-solution fit checks. Useful when you need a verdict before building anything.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1600 installs · ★ 458
- Author: ailabs-393
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills/tree/HEAD/dist/skills/startup-validator/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2025-11-11
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/startup-validator

## What it does

The skill walks the agent through a fixed sequence. First it pins down the problem, target customer and proposed solution, then builds a research plan and fires off a batch of web searches — at least 10–15 of them, covering market size, competitors, problem evidence, trends and pricing. Full articles get pulled with `web_fetch` instead of relying on snippets.

Analysis follows the frameworks in `references/frameworks.md`: TAM/SAM/SOM estimates, a competitor map, problem frequency and intensity, unit economics. Query templates live in `references/research_templates.md`. When enough numbers pile up, you can drop them into a JSON file and run `scripts/market_analyzer.py` for extra metrics — optional, not required.

You get back a markdown report with a bottom line (STRONG GO, PROCEED WITH VALIDATION, PIVOT RECOMMENDED or NOT VIABLE), risk breakdown, positioning recommendations and next validation steps. One catch: the whole thing leans on live web data, so without search access there is nothing to analyse. And the verdict reflects what the research turned up, not a promise about your market.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills --skill startup-validator -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills --skill startup-validator -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills --skill startup-validator -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills startup-validator
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills --skill startup-validator -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills --path dist/skills/startup-validator
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills --skill startup-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/ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills/tree/HEAD/dist/skills/startup-validator/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- check demand for an idea before writing code
- map direct and indirect competitors
- size the market and its growth rate
- figure out whether customers will actually pay
- pick a beachhead segment and positioning angle

## Example prompts
- validate my startup idea: a subscription box for local farm produce
- analyze the market and competition for a B2B time-tracking tool
- check if there's demand for an AI personal training app

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 1989adcbd67f1fb1.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 1989adcbd67f1fb1
```text
---
name: startup-validator
description: Comprehensive startup idea validation and market analysis tool. Use when users need to evaluate a startup idea, assess market fit, analyze competition, validate problem-solution fit, or determine market positioning. Triggers include requests to "validate my startup idea", "analyze market opportunity", "check if there's demand for", "research competition for", "evaluate business idea", or "see if my idea is viable". Provides data-driven analysis using web search, market frameworks, competitive research, and positioning recommendations.
---

# Startup Validator

A comprehensive tool for analyzing startup ideas through systematic market research, competitive analysis, problem validation, and positioning strategy. This skill helps evaluate whether a startup idea has genuine market potential and how to position it effectively.

## Core Workflow

When a user presents a startup idea, follow this systematic validation process:

### 1. Idea Clarification & Scoping (2-3 minutes)

Ensure complete understanding before research begins:

**Extract key information:**
- Problem being solved
- Target customer/market
- Proposed solution
- Business model (if mentioned)
- Geographic focus (default: global/US)

**Ask clarifying questions only if critical information is missing:**
- "Who specifically is your target customer?"
- "What problem are they currently facing?"
- "How are they solving this problem today?"

**Do not ask** for information you can research independently (market size, competitors, trends).

### 2. Research Plan Development (1 minute)

Based on the idea, create a research plan identifying:
- Market size queries needed
- Competitor research keywords
- Problem validation searches
- Trend analysis topics
- Pricing/business model research

Use templates from `references/research_templates.md` for query formulation.

### 3. Comprehensive Market Research (10-15 tool calls minimum)

Execute systematic research across all dimensions. **Always use at least 10-15 web searches** to ensure thorough analysis.

#### A. Market Opportunity (3-5 searches)
Search for:
- Market size and projections
- Growth rates and trends
- TAM/SAM calculations
- Industry reports and forecasts

**Query examples:**
- "[industry] market size 2025"
- "global [product category] market forecast"
- "[industry] growth rate CAGR"

#### B. Competitive Landscape (3-5 searches)
Search for:
- Direct competitors
- Alternative solutions
- Market leaders
- Recent funding/acquisitions
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 1989adcbd67f1fb1

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First 2519 of 11024 bytes. © ailabs-393 · MIT · https://github.com/ailabs-393/ai-labs-claude-skills/tree/HEAD/dist/skills/startup-validator/SKILL.md

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