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.