| name | id8ops |
| description | Operations engine for ID8Labs. Build systems that run without consuming you. Document, automate, delegate - in that order. |
Core Workflows
Workflow 1: Primary Action
- Analyze the input and context
- Validate prerequisites are met
- Execute the core operation
- Verify the output meets expectations
- Report results
When to Use
- Product is stable and needs operational rigor
- User is drowning in repetitive tasks
- User asks "how do I not be the bottleneck?"
- User needs to document processes
- User is thinking about hiring
- Project is in GROWING or OPERATING state
Commands
/ops <project-slug>
Run full operations audit and systematization.
Process:
- AUDIT - Identify recurring work
- SYSTEMATIZE - Document processes
- AUTOMATE - Script what can be scripted
- DELEGATE - Hand off what can't be automated
- MEASURE - Track operational health
- OPTIMIZE - Improve continuously
/ops audit
Audit current operations for systematization opportunities.
/ops sop <process-name>
Create a Standard Operating Procedure document.
/ops delegate <task>
Create delegation framework for a specific task.
/ops playbook
Generate comprehensive operations playbook.
Operations Philosophy
Solo Builder Reality
| Stage | Operations Focus |
|---|
| Building | Minimal - focus on product |
| Launching | Essential checklists only |
| Growing | Document critical paths |
| Scaling | Systematize everything |
The Operations Ladder
Level 1: Chaos
Everything in your head
You are the system
Level 2: Documentation
Processes written down
Others could follow them
Level 3: Automation
Scripts handle routine work
You review outputs
Level 4: Delegation
Others own processes
You set direction
Level 5: Organization
Systems run systems
You focus on strategy
Goal: Move up the ladder. Most solo builders stay at Level 1 too long.
Process Detail
Phase 1: AUDIT
Identify all recurring work:
| Task | Frequency | Time/Occurrence | Weekly Hours | Category |
|---|
| {task} | {daily/weekly} | {X min} | {X hrs} | {ops/support/dev} |
Categories:
- Customer Support - Answering questions, issues
- Operations - Billing, admin, maintenance
- Marketing - Content, social, outreach
- Development - Bug fixes, features
- Strategy - Planning, decisions
Analysis:
- Which tasks consume most time?
- Which are repetitive and predictable?
- Which require your unique skills?
- Which could someone else do?
Phase 2: SYSTEMATIZE
For each recurring task, create an SOP:
## SOP: {Task Name}
### Purpose
Why this task exists and what it achieves.
### Trigger
When to perform this task.
### Steps
1. Step one (be specific)
2. Step two
3. Step three
### Output
What the completed task produces.
### Quality Check
How to verify it was done correctly.
### Common Issues
What goes wrong and how to fix it.
Systematization priority:
- Tasks you hate (you'll skip them otherwise)
- Tasks that block others
- Tasks that cause errors when done wrong
- Tasks that take longest
Phase 3: AUTOMATE
Automation candidates:
| Good for Automation | Bad for Automation |
|---|
| Repetitive, predictable | Requires judgment |
| Data entry/movement | Creative work |
| Notifications/alerts | Relationship building |
| Reporting | Complex decisions |
| Backups | Edge case handling |
Automation tools for solo builders:
| Category | Tools |
|---|
| Workflows | Zapier, Make, n8n |
| Scheduling | Cron, scheduled functions |
| Email | Sequences, auto-responders |
| Data | Scripts, database triggers |
| Monitoring | Uptime, error alerts |
Automation ROI:
Time saved per occurrence × Occurrences per month × 12
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Time to build automation + Time to maintain × 12
If ratio > 3, automate.
Phase 4: DELEGATE
Delegation framework:
CAN delegate:
- Tasks with clear inputs/outputs
- Tasks with written SOPs
- Tasks that don't require context
- Tasks with measurable quality
CAN'T delegate:
- Tasks requiring your unique insight
- High-stakes decisions
- Relationship-dependent work
- Tasks you haven't systematized
Delegation readiness checklist:
Who to delegate to:
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|
| VA (Virtual Assistant) | $5-25/hr | Admin, data entry |
| Freelancer | $25-100/hr | Specialized tasks |
| Contractor | $50-150/hr | Ongoing work |
| Part-time hire | Salary | Critical functions |
| AI tools | Varies | Repetitive analysis |
Phase 5: MEASURE
Operational health metrics:
| Metric | What It Shows | Target |
|---|
| Response time | Support speed | < 24 hours |
| Resolution rate | Support quality | > 90% |
| Uptime | System reliability | > 99.5% |
| Error rate | Product quality | < 1% |
| Churn rate | Customer health | < 5%/mo |
Weekly ops review:
- What broke this week?
- What took longer than expected?
- What can be improved?
- What should be documented/automated?
Phase 6: OPTIMIZE
Continuous improvement cycle:
Measure → Analyze → Improve → Measure
Optimization targets:
- Reduce time per task
- Reduce error rate
- Reduce response time
- Increase automation coverage
- Increase delegation effectiveness
Framework References
Systems Thinking
frameworks/systems-thinking.md - Building systems, not tasks
SOPs
frameworks/sops.md - Standard operating procedure patterns
Delegation
frameworks/delegation.md - Effective handoff frameworks
Customer Success
frameworks/customer-success.md - Support and onboarding systems
Team Building
frameworks/team-building.md - Hiring and culture (when ready)
Output Templates
SOP Template
templates/sop-template.md - Standard operating procedure
Ops Playbook
templates/ops-playbook.md - Overall operations document
Hiring Scorecard
templates/hiring-scorecard.md - Evaluation framework
Tool Integration
MCPs
Supabase:
- Operational data queries
- User support context
- System health metrics
Subagents
operations-manager:
- Complex operations coordination
- System design assistance
- Process optimization
Handoff
After completing operations setup:
-
Save outputs:
- SOPs →
docs/sops/
- Playbook →
docs/OPS_PLAYBOOK.md
-
Log to tracker:
/tracker log {project-slug} "OPS: Systematized {N} processes. {N} automated. Ready for scale."
-
Update state:
/tracker update {project-slug} OPERATING
-
Next steps:
- Execute SOPs consistently
- Review and improve weekly
- When exit opportunity arises, transition to id8exit
Quick Wins
Day 1: Document Support
Write SOPs for:
- Answering common questions
- Bug report handling
- Refund process
Week 1: Automate Notifications
Set up:
- New user alerts
- Error notifications
- Churn warnings
Month 1: Build Playbook
Create comprehensive ops playbook covering:
- All recurring processes
- Emergency procedures
- Quality standards
Anti-Patterns
| Anti-Pattern | Why Bad | Do Instead |
|---|
| "Just do it faster" | Doesn't scale | Systematize first |
| Automating first | Waste if wrong | Document, then automate |
| Delegating chaos | Sets up failure | Systematize, then delegate |
| No documentation | Knowledge silos | Write it down |
| Perfect systems | Never finished | Good enough, iterate |
| Ignoring ops | Drowning inevitable | Schedule ops time |
Quality Checks
Before finalizing operations setup:
