/validate-idea
Comprehensive validation of an idea's documentation structure and readiness.
Usage
/validate-idea coordinatr # Validate specific idea
/validate-idea yourbench # Check another projectValidation 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: 7/10Readiness 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