spike

Decompose ideas into feasibility spikes and produce a VALIDATED, PARTIAL, or INVALIDATED verdict.

Updated May 4, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Plaidmustache/hermes-nulab --skill spike-plaidmustache
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: spike
Source: https://github.com/Plaidmustache/hermes-nulab/tree/main/skills/software-development/spike
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Plaidmustache/hermes-nulab --skill spike-plaidmustache

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Spike helps teams quickly validate ideas by running lightweight, disposable experiments before committing to a full build, reducing risk and wasted effort.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Decompose ideas into 2-5 independent feasibility spikes and frame them as Given/When/Then questions.
  • Align multi-spike work, surface findings, and converge on a verdict to guide real development decisions.
  • Use Hermes-like workflow: research, build, and verdict with clear evidence and traceability.
  • Use case: before investing in a new feature, run a spike to surface unknowns and validate feasibility.

Quick Start

Create a spike folder for my idea with a minimal observable prototype.

Frequently Asked Questions about spike

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

FAQPage Schema
What is a feasibility spike and when should I use rapid prototyping?▼

A feasibility spike is a throwaway experiment to validate ideas before committing to a full build. Use rapid prototyping to surface unknowns and reduce wasted effort when evaluating new features.

How do I decompose an idea into independent feasibility spikes?▼

Decompose ideas by framing 2-5 independent feasibility spikes as Given/When/Then questions. This aligns multi-spike work to validate specific unknowns before full development.

Can I use this workflow to align multiple rapid prototyping experiments?▼

Yes, this workflow aligns multi-spike work by surfacing findings from standalone spikes and converging on a final verdict to guide real development decisions.

What is the final verdict format for evaluating feasibility spikes?▼

The final verdict format evaluates feasibility spikes and outputs VALIDATED, PARTIAL, or INVALIDATED. This provides clear evidence and traceability to guide next steps for development.

How do I create a minimal observable prototype for a throwaway experiment?▼

Create a spike folder for your idea to generate a minimal observable prototype. This lightweight workflow requires standalone spikes with observable outputs to validate feasibility fast.

What are the limitations of using throwaway experiments for idea validation?▼

Throwaway experiments are limited to lightweight feasibility validation and should not be used for full builds. Spikes must remain standalone with observable outputs to avoid scope creep.