Project Startup / Kickoff
When to run
Apply this skill when:
- •The user opens the project and has not yet stated a specific task
- •The user sends a vague or opening message (e.g. "let's go", "what's next", "start", "help me build")
- •The user asks what to build or how to get started
- •No project brief or clear goal is evident from context
Do not run when the user has already given a concrete task (e.g. "add a login form", "fix the bug in X").
Kickoff flow
Run the following as a short, conversational question flow. Ask one or two questions at a time; wait for answers before continuing. Do not dump all questions at once.
1. What to build
- •What are we building? (product, feature, or goal in one sentence)
- •Who is it for? (users, audience, or "just me")
- •What problem does it solve? (optional; if not obvious)
2. How to build it
- •Tech stack or constraints? (e.g. "React + Node", "Python only", "must run on Raspberry Pi", "use what's already in the repo")
- •Any must-use or must-avoid? (libraries, frameworks, hosting, APIs)
- •Rough scope for this session? (e.g. "MVP only", "full feature", "spike/prototype")
3. Optional
- •Reference or inspiration? (existing app, design, doc, or link)
- •Success criteria for today? (how we know we're done for this session)
After the flow
- •Summarize the answers in 2–4 sentences (the "brief").
- •If AutoTask is available: Create a project container in AutoTask and use it in the project definition:
- •Call
create_taskwithkind: "epic", title = the project name (what we're building), description = the one-sentence brief (or 2–4 sentence summary). This epic represents the project. - •Store the returned task ID in the brief (see template below) as AutoTask epic ID so future work can be associated with this project.
- •Call
- •Offer to save the brief to a file (e.g.
PROJECT_BRIEF.mdordocs/kickoff.md) so future conversations can use it. Include the AutoTask epic ID if you created one. - •Propose next step: one concrete first task (e.g. "Set up the app shell", "Add the data model", "Create the main screen") and ask if they want to do that now.
Tone
- •Brief and friendly; avoid long paragraphs.
- •Ask only what's needed to unblock building.
- •If the user wants to skip questions, skip them and move on.
Optional: PROJECT_BRIEF.md template
If the user agrees to save a brief, create or update a file with:
markdown
# Project brief **What we're building:** [one sentence] **For whom:** [audience] **Tech / constraints:** [stack, must-use, must-avoid] **Scope this session:** [MVP / full feature / spike] **Success for today:** [optional] **AutoTask epic ID:** [uuid if AutoTask was used; use for linking stories to this project] --- *Last updated: [date]. From project-startup skill.*
Keep the brief short so it can be reused in later chats.