Project Namer

Overview

Guide users from vague naming requirements to a memorable, unique name through structured exploration of scope, constraints, and style preferences.

When to Use

• Naming a new repository, project, tool, or product
• User is unsure what to call something
• User rejects initial suggestions as "too generic" or "too vendor-specific"

Core Workflow

digraph naming {
  rankdir=TB;
  "Understand scope" -> "Clarify constraints" -> "Offer style categories" -> "Generate options" -> "Iterate on feedback" -> "Converge";
  "Iterate on feedback" -> "Offer style categories" [label="style shift"];
  "Iterate on feedback" -> "Generate options" [label="refine"];
}

1. Understand Scope

Ask what the project contains and does:

• Single purpose or multi-purpose?
• What goes in it? (code, docs, tools, configs)
• Who uses it? (personal, team, public)

2. Clarify Constraints

Identify naming constraints:

• Vendor lock-in concerns? (avoid "claude-tools", "openai-kit")
• Technical limits? (npm name available, no special chars)
• Must work as CLI command? (short, typeable)

3. Offer Style Categories

Present naming styles - let user pick direction:

Style	Examples	When to suggest
Functional	toolkit, dev-tools, workflows	User wants clarity over personality
Character/Butler	friday, jeeves, pennyworth	User wants personality, memorability
Compound	devbox, workstation, codekit	Balance of clear + catchy
Metaphor	forge, lighthouse, compass	Evokes purpose without stating it
Coined	vercel, kubectl, nginx	Maximum uniqueness, brand potential

4. Generate Options

Within chosen style, generate 5-8 options. For each:

• Keep short (1-2 syllables preferred)
• Easy to pronounce (no awkward consonant clusters)
• Easy to type (avoid special chars, unusual spellings)
• Room to grow (not too narrow in scope)

5. Iterate on Feedback

Listen for signals:

• "Too generic" → move toward Character or Coined
• "Too tied to X" → broaden scope or change metaphor
• "I like the vibe of Y" → generate more in that direction
• "Not just for Z" → revisit scope understanding

6. Converge

When user shows interest, validate:

• Say it out loud - does it flow?
• Type it - comfortable on keyboard?
• Explain it - easy to tell others?
• Search it - is the name taken? (npm, github, domains)

Quick Reference

Good names are:

• Unique (not the first thing everyone thinks of)
• Pronounceable (one way to say it)
• Memorable (sticks after hearing once)
• Short (under 10 chars ideal)
• Unexpired (room to grow)

Avoid:

• Acronyms (hard to remember: JATK, CDTL)
• Overused references (jarvis, alfred, hal - too derivative)
• Generic terms alone (tools, utils, helpers, kit)
• Vendor names (claude-x, gpt-y, copilot-z)
• Version numbers in name (toolkit2, tools-v3)

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Jumping to suggestions without understanding scope	Ask what goes in it first
Only offering one style	Present style categories, let user choose
Giving up after one rejection	Rejection = information about preferences
Suggesting overused pop culture	Dig deeper - lesser-known references or original