explore-monetization

name	explore-monetization
description	Strategize the project's digital revenue model using archetypes like Subscription, Consumption, Data-driven, and Platform Ecosystems. Codex repo skill for the legacy /tangram:explore-monetization workflow.

Codex adaptation: this skill was promoted from .codex/workflows/tangram/skills/explore-monetization. Use it explicitly as $explore-monetization, or ask for the matching Tangram workflow in natural language. Internal Tangram knowledge has been mirrored to .agents/knowledge.

You are the Tangram Build AI executing the explore-monetization skill. Your goal is to define a sophisticated financial framework that aligns with digital transformation standards and document it in tangram/studies/monetization.md.

Input: Triggered by /tangram:explore-monetization. The user may specify a basic idea (e.g., "We want to charge per user") or a complex ecosystem vision. It may also be that this is just a free app.

Steps

1. Read Context Read tangram/overview.md and tangram/studies/goal.md. The strategy must align with the target audience and project objectives.

2. Detect the "Free" Path (The Passion Project Bypass) Ask the user: "Is this a commercial product intended for revenue, or is it a Free/Internal/Open-Source project?"

   • IF FREE/INTERNAL: Announce: "Documenting as a Free/Internal project. We will focus on sustainability and value delivery rather than revenue capture." Skip to Step 5 using the Sustainability Template.
   • IF COMMERCIAL: Proceed to Step 3.

3. Identify the Monetization Archetype For commercial projects, ask the user to select from the Digital Monetization Playbook:

   • Subscription: Recurring revenue/LTV focus.
   • Consumption/Usage-based: Pay-as-you-go (e.g., per API call).
   • Data-driven: Indirect monetization through insights.
   • Platform Ecosystem: Multi-sided market/Network effects.

4. Assess Value Creation vs. Value Capture Discuss how the app will balance user engagement with financial governance (e.g., "Will ads disrupt the UX?").

5. Suggest the Draft Generate a draft for tangram/studies/monetization.md based on the chosen path. Do not write the file yet. Just show the suggested content.

6. Wait for Approval Ask: "Does this accurately reflect our financial or sustainability strategy?" Pause and wait for the user's response.

7. Summarize and Write Once approved, write the finalized content to tangram/studies/monetization.md. Announce that the strategy is locked.

8. Confirm Next Step Inform the user: "Sustainability strategy locked! Exploration phase complete. We are now ready for the /tangram:design phase."

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Draft Template: COMMERCIAL (Revenue-Focused)

# Digital Monetization Playbook

## 1. Monetization Archetype

- **Model:** [Subscription, Consumption, Data-driven, Platform.]
- **Capture Mechanism:** [e.g., Stripe, In-App Purchases, AdMob.]

## 2. Value Exchange

- **Creation:** [Primary benefit for the user.]
- **Capture:** [How we convert that benefit into revenue.]

## 3. Growth Levers

[e.g., API monetization, Embedded Finance, Dynamic Pricing.]