| name | idea-reality |
| version | 0.5.0 |
| description | Pre-build reality check — scan GitHub, HN, npm, PyPI, Stack Overflow for existing prior art before you build. |
| metadata | {"openclaw":{"emoji":"🔍","requires":{"bins":["python3"]},"install":"pip install idea-reality-mcp"}} |
Idea Reality Check
Scans existing projects across GitHub, Hacker News, npm, PyPI, and Stack Overflow. Returns a reality_signal score (0-100) indicating how much prior art already exists for a given idea.
When to Use
- Before starting a new project — check if it already exists
- User asks "has anyone built X?" or "does X exist?"
- Validating competition or market saturation for an idea
- Comparing existing solutions before deciding to build
- Works with English and Traditional Chinese input
How It Works
- Extracts keywords from the idea description (dictionary-based, no LLM dependency)
- Queries sources in parallel based on depth mode
- Computes a weighted
reality_signal score using log-curve continuous scoring
- Returns evidence, similar projects, and actionable pivot hints
Depth Modes
| Mode | Sources | Weights |
|---|
quick | GitHub + HN | repos 60%, stars 20%, HN 20% |
deep | GitHub + HN + npm + PyPI + Stack Overflow | repos 25%, stars 10%, HN 15%, npm 20%, PyPI 15%, PH 15% |
Usage
Quick mode (default)
idea_check(idea_text="CLI tool for managing Docker containers", depth="quick")
Deep mode
idea_check(idea_text="MCP server for stock trading memory", depth="deep")
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|---|
idea_text | str | Yes | — | Natural-language description of the idea |
depth | "quick" | "deep" | No | "quick" | Source coverage level |
Output Format
{
"reality_signal": 42,
"duplicate_likelihood": "medium",
"sub_scores": {
"competition_density": 55,
"market_maturity": 30,
"community_buzz": 20,
"ecosystem_depth_npm": 45,
"ecosystem_depth_pypi": 38,
"product_launches": 12,
"market_momentum": 65
},
"trend": "stable",
"evidence": [
{
"source": "github",
"type": "repo_count",
"query": "docker cli",
"count": 120,
"detail": "120 repos found across queries",
"queried_at": "2026-03-14T10:00:00+00:00"
}
],
"top_similars": [
{
"name": "lazydocker",
"url": "https://github.com/jesseduffield/lazydocker",
"stars": 35000,
"updated": "2026-03-10",
"description": "The lazier way to manage everything docker"
}
],
"pivot_hints": [
"Moderate competition exists. Focus on a specific use case..."
],
"meta": {
"checked_at": "2026-03-14T10:00:00+00:00",
"sources_used": ["github", "hackernews", "npm", "pypi", "stackoverflow"],
"depth": "deep",
"version": "0.5.0",
"keyword_source": "dictionary"
}
}
Key Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|
reality_signal | 0-100. Higher = more existing competition |
duplicate_likelihood | low (<30), medium (30-60), high (>60) |
sub_scores | Per-source breakdown. npm/pypi/product_launches are null in quick mode |
trend | accelerating, stable, or declining based on recent activity ratios |
top_similars | Existing projects found, filtered for relevance. Prefixed with npm:, pypi:, ph: for non-GitHub sources |
pivot_hints | 3 actionable suggestions based on competition level |
Built by Mnemox AI
