idea-validator
A structured idea testing framework that runs every concept through a reality checklist before you invest time, money, or energy. Combines lean validation, customer discovery, and risk analysis into a single process for solopreneurs, creators, and innovators.
Profile →npx skills add cosmicstack-labs/mercury-agent-skills --skill idea-validator --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# Idea Validator ## What It Does Turns raw ideas into testable hypotheses. Instead of falling in love with an idea and building it in a vacuum, this skill runs it through a validation gauntlet — surfacing assumptions, identifying risks, and designing the smallest possible test to learn whether the idea has legs before you commit significant resources. --- ## The Validation Funnel ``` ┌─────────────┐ │ RAW IDEA │ └──────┬──────┘ │ ┌──────▼──────┐ │ CANVAS IT │ ← Problem, Solution, Audience, Channel └──────┬──────┘ │ ┌──────▼──────┐ │ CHECKLIST │ ← 20-point viability screen └──────┬──────┘ │ ┌──────▼──────┐ │ RISK MAP │ ← What could kill this? └──────┬──────┘ │ ┌──────▼──────┐ │ TEST DESIGN │ ← Smallest experiment that teaches most └──────┬──────┘ │ ┌──────▼──────┐ │ GO / PIVOT │ │ / KILL │ └─────────────┘ ``` --- ## The 20-Point Validation Checklist Rate each factor as ✅ Strong / ⚠️ Moderate / ❌ Weak ### Problem & Need - [ ] **1. Is this a real problem?** Not a "nice to have" — would people pay to solve it? - [ ] **2. Is the problem widespread?** Does enough of your target audience have it? - [ ] **3. Is the problem urgent?** Are people actively searching for solutions right now? -
- What It Does
- The Validation Funnel
- The 20-Point Validation Checklist
- Problem & Need
- Solution & Product
- Market & Audience
- Business & You
- Risk Map: The 5 Ways Ideas Die
- Lean Validation Experiments
- Tier 1: Low Effort (Days)
- Tier 2: Medium Effort (Weeks)
- Tier 3: Higher Effort (Months)
- Trigger Phrases
- Step-by-Step Instructions
What does the idea-validator skill do?
A structured idea testing framework that runs every concept through a reality checklist before you invest time, money, or energy. Combines lean validation, customer discovery, and risk analysis into a single process for solopreneurs, creators, and innovators.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add cosmicstack-labs/mercury-agent-skills --skill idea-validator --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From cosmicstack-labs/mercury-agent-skills, a repository with 364 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.