/validate-idea
Comprehensive validation of an idea's documentation structure and readiness.
Usage
/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
- Locate Project
ls ideas/[project-name]/
- Check Required Files
-
README.md: Has status, last updated date, progress
-
project-brief.md: Vision, problem, audience, solution complete
- Check Recommended Files (Phase-Aware)
Based on project phase in README.
- Verify Consistency
-
README status matches CLAUDE.md
-
Brief aligns with README description
-
Specs reference features
-
Issues link to specs
- 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
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
- README last updated is stale
- Status mismatch with CLAUDE.md
Recommendations
- Update README last updated
- 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
/validate-idea → Fix issues → /validate-idea again → /spec or /plan