/product-hunt-launch-plan

name: product-hunt-launch-plan
description: Creates a comprehensive, personalized Product Hunt launch plan to rank #1. Use when user needs a step-by-step Product Hunt launch strategy, launch checklist, or wants to maximize their Product Hunt success.

Product Hunt Launch Plan

Purpose

Generate a comprehensive, personalized Product Hunt launch plan with actionable steps from A-Z to help the user rank #1 Product of the Day.

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Execution Logic

**Check $ARGUMENTS first to determine execution mode:**

If $ARGUMENTS is empty or not provided:

Respond with: "product-hunt-launch-plan loaded. I'll create a personalized Product Hunt launch strategy to help you rank #1. Let me gather some information about your product first."

Then proceed to the Discovery Questions phase.

If $ARGUMENTS contains content:

Use the provided content as initial context, but still proceed through Discovery Questions to fill any gaps.

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Task Execution

When user engages with this skill:

1. MANDATORY: Read Reference Files FIRST

**BLOCKING REQUIREMENT — DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP**

Before doing ANYTHING else, you MUST use the Read tool to read the reference file:

Read: ./references/ultimate_product_hunt_launch_guide.md

**What you will find:**

• Complete 3-phase launch strategy (Before, During, After)
• Timing and day selection guidance
• Asset requirements and examples
• Support list building strategies
• Launch day timeline hour-by-hour
• Hidden gems and pro tips from makers who ranked #1
• 20+ alternative launch platforms

**DO NOT PROCEED** to Step 2 until you have read this file and have the complete guide in context.

2. Check for Business Context

Check if `FOUNDER_CONTEXT.md` exists in the project root.

• **If it exists:** Read it and extract all relevant product information (product name, description, target audience, unique value proposition, current traction, audience size).
• **If it doesn't exist:** You will gather this information through Discovery Questions.

3. Discovery Questions (MANDATORY)

**Ask up to 10 targeted questions to personalize the launch plan.**

Present questions using the AskUserQuestion tool or conversationally. Gather:

1. **Product Basics**

• What is your product name and one-line description?
• What problem does it solve and for whom?

2. **Current State**

• What's your current launch date (or target timeframe)?
• Do you have a Product Hunt account? Is it active/warmed?

3. **Audience & Reach**

• How large is your email list?
• What's your Twitter/X following size?
• Are you active in any communities (Indie Hackers, Discord, Slack)?

4. **Assets Readiness**

• Do you have product screenshots/demo video ready?
• Do you have a landing page live?

5. **Support Network**

• Do you have founder friends who could support the launch?
• Have you supported other Product Hunt launches before?

6. **Goals & Constraints**

• What's your primary goal? (users, awareness, investors, validation)
• Any constraints? (budget, time, team size)

**Adapt questions based on FOUNDER_CONTEXT.md if available.** Skip questions already answered there.

4. Analyze & Personalize

Based on gathered information, assess:

• **Support Strength:** Weak (<100 supporters), Moderate (100-300), Strong (300-500+)
• **Asset Readiness:** Not ready, Partially ready, Fully ready
• **Timeline:** Rushed (<2 weeks), Tight (2-4 weeks), Ideal (4+ weeks)
• **Audience Reach:** Limited, Moderate, Strong

Use this assessment to customize recommendations.

5. Generate Personalized Launch Plan

Create a comprehensive plan with:

**Section 1: Executive Summary**

• Product overview (from their input)
• Launch date recommendation
• Predicted ranking potential based on their current assets
• Key success factors for THEIR specific situation

**Section 2: Pre-Launch Phase (customize timeline based on their date)**

• Week-by-week action items
• Specific community recommendations based on their niche
• Asset creation checklist tailored to what they're missing
• Support list building strategy based on their current reach

**Section 3: Launch Week Preparation**

• Day-by-day countdown
• Specific outreach templates personalized for their product
• Social media post drafts
• Email copy suggestions

**Section 4: Launch Day Battle Plan**

• Hour-by-hour timeline in their timezone
• Specific platforms to post on based on their product type
• Engagement scripts for comments
• Monitoring setup

**Section 5: Post-Launch Strategy**

• Follow-up actions
• How to leverage results (even if not #1)
• Badge/social proof implementation

**Section 6: Hidden Gems & Pro Tips** Include 5-10 advanced tactics from the reference guide, selected based on relevance to their situation.

**Section 7: Alternative Launch Platforms** List the 20+ platforms from the reference guide, prioritized based on their product type (dev tool, SaaS, AI product, etc.).

6. Format and Verify

• Structure output according to **Output Format** section
• Complete **Quality Checklist** self-verification before presenting

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Writing Rules

Hard constraints. No interpretation.

Core Rules

• Be specific and actionable — no vague advice like "build community"
• Include exact timelines, numbers, and examples
• Personalize every recommendation to THEIR product
• Reference their product name throughout the plan
• Include templates they can copy/paste
• Prioritize actions by impact

Personalization Rules

• If small audience (<500): Focus on community building and reciprocity tactics
• If large audience (5000+): Focus on coordinated launch and momentum strategies
• If dev tool: Emphasize Hacker News, DevHunt, GitHub community
• If AI product: Include AI-specific directories
• If B2B SaaS: Focus on LinkedIn, professional communities
• If consumer app: Focus on Twitter/X, visual assets

Honesty Rules

• Be realistic about their chances based on their current situation
• If timeline is too tight, say