/validate-idea
Comprehensive validation of an idea's documentation structure and readiness.
Usage
bash
/validate-idea coordinatr # Validate specific idea /validate-idea yourbench # Check another project
Validation Checklist
Required Files (Minimum Viable Idea)
| File | Required | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| README.md | Yes | Status, overview, progress |
| project-brief.md | Yes | Vision, problem, audience, solution |
Recommended Files (Phase-Dependent)
| File/Directory | When Needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| critique.md | Before planning | Risk assessment |
| competitive-analysis.md | Before MVP | Market positioning |
| specs/ | Defining features | Technical specifications |
| docs/adrs/ | Major tech decisions | Architecture Decision Records |
| issues/ | In development | Work tracking |
Phase-Aware Validation
Concept Phase:
- •README + project-brief.md sufficient
- •critique.md optional (recommend before planning)
Planning Phase:
- •Should have critique.md
- •Should have specs/ OR features/
Development/Implementation Phase:
- •Must have specs/ (at least one)
- •Must have issues/ with PLAN.md files
- •Should have docs/adrs/ if major decisions made
Execution Flow
1. Locate Project
bash
ls ideas/[project-name]/
2. Check Required Files
- •README.md: Has status, last updated date, progress
- •project-brief.md: Vision, problem, audience, solution complete
3. Check Recommended Files (Phase-Aware)
Based on project phase in README.
4. Verify Consistency
- •README status matches CLAUDE.md
- •Brief aligns with README description
- •Specs reference features
- •Issues link to specs
5. Suggest Next Steps
| Current State | Suggested Next Step |
|---|---|
| Just README | Run /brief |
| Has brief | Run /critique |
| Has critique | Run /research |
| Has research | Run /spec |
| Has specs | Run /plan + /issue |
Validation Report
markdown
# Validation Report: [Project Name] ## Status - Current phase: [Concept / Planning / Development] - Documentation completeness: X/Y files ## Required Files ✅ README.md - Complete ✅ project-brief.md - Complete ## Recommended Files ⚠️ critique.md - Missing (run /critique) ✅ specs/SPEC-001.md - Present ## Issues Found 1. README last updated is stale 2. Status mismatch with CLAUDE.md ## Recommendations 1. Update README last updated 2. Run /critique before specs ## Readiness Assessment - Ready for specs: ⚠️ After fixing issues - Ready for implementation: ❌ No specs yet - Overall health: 7/10
Readiness Criteria
Ready for /spec
- •project-brief.md complete
- •critique.md present
- •Key research done
Ready for /plan + /implement
- •At least one spec complete
- •Acceptance criteria clear
- •Technical decisions made
When to Use
- •Before starting spec work
- •After long pause in project
- •Monthly project health checks
- •Before presenting to stakeholders
- •When unsure what to do next
Integration
code
/validate-idea → Fix issues → /validate-idea again → /spec or /plan