product-match

# /product-match — Product Match "Find me something like this." Takes a product — by name, image, or description — and searches the web for similar alternatives. Returns 5-10 matches with specs, pricing, and links. ## When to Use - Designer has a product they like but it's over budget, discontinued, or wrong lead time - Client references a product and you need alternatives at different price points - Sourcing a similar product from a different manufacturer or region - Finding contract/trade equivalents of residential products (or vice versa) ## Step 1: Accept Input The designer provides a product reference in any format: **By name:** ``` /product-match Eames Lounge Chair ``` **By name + constraints:** ``` /product-match Eames Lounge Chair but under $3,000 ``` **By image:** ``` /product-match ~/Downloads/chair-photo.jpg ``` **By description:** ``` /product-match mid-century lounge chair, molded plywood shell, leather cushions, swivel base ``` **By URL:** ``` /product-match https://store.hermanmiller.com/living-room-furniture/eames-lounge-chair ``` ## Step 2: Identify the Source Product If given a name or URL, look up the product's key attributes: - Category and subcategory - Dimensions (W, D, H) - Materials and finishes - Price range - Designer / design era - Key visual characteristics (silhouette, proportions, details) If given an image, use Claude vision to describe: - Product type and category - Shape, proportions, silhouette - Materials visible (wood type, metal finish, upholstery) - Style period and design language - Color palette - Estimated scale If given a description, extract the same attributes from the text. Document the source product clearly: ``` ## Source Product Eames Lounge Chair — Herman Miller Category: Lounge Chair Dims: 32.75"W × 32.5"D × 33.5"H Materials: Molded plywood, leather Price: $5,695 Style: Mid-Century Modern, organic, sculptural Key features: Swivel base, tilting seat, separate ottoman ``` ## Step 3: Search for Matches Run 3-5 web searches targeting different angles: 1. **Direct alternatives**: `lounge chairs similar to Eames` 2. **Category + style**: `mid-century molded plywood lounge chair` 3. **Price-specific** (if budget mentioned): `modern lounge chair under $3,000` 4. **Material-specific**: `leather and walnut lounge chair swivel` 5. **Trade/contract sources**: `contract lounge chair molded wood specification` For each candidate found, attempt to fetch the product page for full specs. **Target: 5-10 matches** that genuinely resemble the source. Quality over quantity. ## Step 4: Score and Rank Matches For each match, assess similarity on: - **Visual similarity** (0-5): Does it look like the source? - **Material match** (0-3): Same or similar materials? - **Price proximity** (0-3): Within a reasonable range of source or stated budget? - **Dimension match** (0-2): Similar scale? - **Availability** (0-2): In stock or reasonable lead time? Total score out of 15. Present in descending order. ## Step 5: Present Results ``` ## Product Matches for: Eames Lounge Chair ### 1. Plycraft Mr. Chair — Plycraft (Score: 13/15) 32"W × 30"D × 33"H · Molded walnut plywood, leather · $2,495 Lead: In stock · Indoor 🔗 plycraft.com/mr-chair Why: Direct mid-century competitor. Same era, same construction technique. Nearly identical silhouette at less than half the price. ### 2. Tiempo Lounge — Lazar (Score: 11/15) 31"W × 33"D × 34"H · Walnut veneer, leather · $3,200 Lead: 6-8 weeks · Indoor 🔗 lazarind.com/tiempo Why: Modern reinterpretation. Slightly softer lines, similar materials. Available in COM. ### 3. ... --- ## Comparison | # | Product | Brand | W | D | H | Price | Material | Lead | Match | |---|---------|-------|---|---|---|-------|----------|------|-------| | 1 | Mr. Chair | Plycraft | 32 | 30 | 33 | $2,495 | Plywood/Leather | Stock | 13/15 | | 2 | Tiempo | Lazar | 31 | 33 | 34 | $3,200 | Walnut/Leather | 6-8w | 11/15 | ``` ### Presentation rules - Lead with the comparison table for quick scanning - Include "Why" for each — what makes this a good match and what's different - Flag trade-offs: "veneer not solid", "no swivel", "larger scale" - Group if useful: "Closest matches", "Budget alternatives", "Contract options" ## Step 6: Save If the designer picks matches ("save 1 and 3"), write to the master Google Sheet using the 33-column schema defined in `../../schema/product-schema.md` (read for column reference and formats). Use `../../schema/sheet-conventions.md` for CRUD patterns. - Column AD (Tags): append `match:{source-product-name}` so matches are traceable - Column AE (Notes): "Matched from {source product}. {Why reasoning}" - Column AF (Status): "saved" - Column AG (Source): "product-match" ## Pairs With - `/product-research` — research finds products from a brief, match finds alternatives to a specific product - `/product-enrich` — enrich the matched products with categories and tags - `/product-pair` — after matching, find complementary products - `/product-data-import` — import matched products into the master schedule