/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

1. Locate Project

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

# 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

/validate-idea → Fix issues → /validate-idea again → /spec or /plan