/idea-generator

name: idea-generator
description: Brainstorm and rank iOS/macOS app ideas tailored to developer skills. Use when user says "what should I build", "give me app ideas", "I don't know what to build", "brainstorm app ideas", or "help me find an app idea".
allowed-tools: [Read, Write, WebSearch, WebFetch, AskUserQuestion]
last_verified: 2026-07-16
review_by: 2027-06-22
os_version: iOS 27 / macOS 27

Idea Generator Skill

Generates a ranked shortlist of 3-5 app ideas tailored to the developer's skills, interests, and constraints. Output is formatted to feed directly into the product-agent skill for validation.

When This Skill Activates

Use this skill when the user:

• Doesn't have an app idea yet
• Says "what should I build?" or "I don't know what to build"
• Wants to brainstorm app ideas
• Is stuck after a previous idea was rejected or abandoned
• Wants to explore what's possible with a specific technology (e.g., "what can I build with Foundation Models?")
• Wants inspiration based on their skills or domain expertise
• Asks for a brainstorm session

**Already has a specific idea?** Skip this skill. Use the product-agent skill instead.

What This Skill Does

1. Developer Profile Elicitation

Gathers context about the developer to personalize ideas:

• **Technical skills** — Languages, frameworks, platforms (Swift, SwiftUI, UIKit, CloudKit, etc.)
• **Domain interests** — Health, finance, productivity, education, creativity, etc.
• **Platform preference** — iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, or multi-platform
• **Time availability** — Side project (5-10 hrs/week), full-time, weekend hack
• **Constraints** — Budget, backend experience, design skills, existing audience

2. Five Brainstorming Lenses

Each lens generates 5-8 raw ideas. Lenses are applied in order:

1. **Skills & Interests** — What can you uniquely build given what you know? 2. **Problem-First** — What took 30 seconds today that should take 5? What's annoying? 3. **Technology-First** — Which Apple frameworks have few indie apps? (Foundation Models, ActivityKit, WidgetKit, VisionKit, WeatherKit, MapKit) 4. **Market Gap** — Where are App Store categories underserved, stale, or overpriced? 5. **Trend-Based** — What macro trends create new app opportunities? (AI-native, privacy-first, health/wellness, single-use utilities, Apple Silicon productivity)

3. Feasibility Filtering

Each raw idea is evaluated against five filters:

| Filter | Question | |--------|----------| | Solo Dev Scope | Can one developer ship an MVP in 4-8 weeks? | | Platform API Fit | Does this leverage Apple platform APIs well? | | Monetization Viability | Is there a clear path to revenue? | | Competition Density | How crowded is this space? | | Technical Complexity | Does the developer have the skills to build this? |

4. Scoring and Ranking

Each surviving idea is scored across five dimensions:

| Dimension | WEAK (1-2) | MODERATE (3-5) | STRONG (6-8) | EXCELLENT (9-10) | |-----------|------------|----------------|--------------|------------------| | Solo Dev Scope | 6+ months | 3-6 months | 4-8 weeks | 2-4 weeks | | Platform API Fit | Generic/cross-platform | Some native APIs | Good platform integration | Deep Apple API usage | | Monetization | Unclear model | Ad-supported or low ARPU | Subscription viable | Premium pricing justified | | Competition | Dominated by incumbents | Crowded but fragmented | Few quality options | Blue ocean | | Technical Fit | Major skill gaps | Some learning needed | Good skill match | Perfect skill match |

**Overall Score** = weighted average on 1-10 scale (Solo Dev Scope and Technical Fit weighted 1.5x).

5. Shortlist Output

Final output is a ranked list of 3-5 ideas, each with:

• One-liner description
• Which lens generated it
• Problem statement and target user
• Feasibility scores
• Monetization model
• MVP scope estimate
• `next_step` description for feeding the idea into the product-agent skill

Output Structure

{
  "developer_profile": {
    "skills": ["Swift", "SwiftUI", "HealthKit", "Core Motion"],
    "interests": ["fitness", "wearables", "data visualization"],
    "platform": "iOS + watchOS",
    "time_availability": "side project (10 hrs/week)",
    "constraints": ["no backend experience", "solo developer"]
  },
  "brainstorm_lenses_used": [
    "skills_and_interests",
    "problem_first",
    "technology_first",
    "market_gap",
    "trend_based"
  ],
  "shortlist": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "idea": "Workout Recovery Timer",
      "lens": "skills_and_interests",
      "one_liner": "Apple Watch app that tracks heart rate recovery between sets and suggests optimal rest periods",
      "platform": "watchOS + iOS companion",
      "problem_statement": "Gym-goers either rest too long (wasting time) or too short (risking injury). No app uses real-time HR data to personalize rest periods.",
      "target_user": "Regular gym-goers who wear Apple Watch during workouts",
      "feasibility": {
        "solo_dev_scope": "STRONG (6 weeks — HealthKit + WatchKit + simple UI)",
        "platform_api_fit": "EXCELLENT (HealthKit, WorkoutKit, Live Activities)",
        "monetization_viability": "STRONG (subscription $3.99/mo — fitness users pay for tools)",
        "competition_density": "STRONG (few apps focus specifically on HR-based rest timing)",
        "technical_fit": "EXCELLENT (matches HealthKit + Core Motion skills)"
      },
      "overall_score": 8.4,
      "monetization_model": "Freemium — free with 3 workouts/week, $3.99/mo unlimited + insights",
      "competition_notes": "Strong Timer+ and Intervals Pro exist but focus on pre-set timers, not adaptive HR-based rest",
      "mvp_scope": "Watch app with HR monitoring during rest, vibration alert when ready, basic iOS companion for history",
      "next_step": "Run the product-agent skill with idea: 'Apple Watch app that tracks heart rate recovery between sets and suggests optimal rest periods based on real-time HR data'