office-hours

Validate startup ideas through structured questions and produce a design doc.

Updated Mar 14, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Bradliebs/VolumeTurtle --skill office-hours-bradliebs
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: office-hours
Source: https://github.com/Bradliebs/VolumeTurtle/tree/main/.gstack/office-hours
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Bradliebs/VolumeTurtle --skill office-hours-bradliebs

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

YC Office Hours helps founders validate product ideas and structure brainstorming to surface demand reality. It provides two modes: Startup mode, which asks six forcing questions to reveal demand reality, status quo, desperate specificity, narrowest wedge, observation, and future-fit; and Builder mode, which guides design-thinking brainstorming for side projects, hackathons, learning, and open source, saving a design doc.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Two modes for idea validation and ideation, with a final design doc output.
  • Proactive invocation when user asks to brainstorm, assess worth building, or design a plan.
  • Produces clear next steps, risk signals, and a path to execution.

Quick Start

Describe your product idea and learning goals, and I will guide you through the Office Hours process.

Frequently Asked Questions about office-hours

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I validate a startup idea to see if there is real demand?▼

Startup idea validation uses structured forcing questions to reveal demand reality, covering status quo, desperate specificity, narrowest wedge, observation, and future-fit to assess market need.

What is the best way to brainstorm and structure a design doc for a hackathon project?▼

Design-thinking brainstorming for hackathon projects uses a guided Builder mode to structure ideation, producing a concise design doc with clear next steps and risk signals for execution.

Can I use this to assess whether a side project is worth building?▼

Yes, you can assess if a side project is worth building by proactively invoking the brainstorming mode to evaluate learning goals and output a structured design plan.

How does structured design thinking help with early ideation for open source efforts?▼

Structured design thinking helps early ideation for open source efforts by guiding brainstorming sessions to surface demand reality and produce a concise design doc defining the path forward.

What specific questions are asked during startup idea validation?▼

Startup idea validation asks six forcing questions targeting demand reality, status quo, desperate specificity, narrowest wedge, observation, and future-fit to reveal product viability.

Does idea validation work for side projects or is it only for startups?▼

Idea validation works for both startups and side projects, offering a dedicated Builder mode for hackathons and open source efforts alongside a Startup mode for demand assessment.