// Proactively detects product/project descriptions and guides users through SpecWeave increment planning. Activates when user provides product name, features, tech stack, timeline, or problem description. Keywords: project, product, SaaS, app, MVP, build, new project, features, tech stack, core functionality, monetization, timeline, I want to build, let's build, quick build, core features.
| name | project-kickstarter |
| description | Proactively detects product/project descriptions and guides users through SpecWeave increment planning. Activates when user provides product name, features, tech stack, timeline, or problem description. Keywords: project, product, SaaS, app, MVP, build, new project, features, tech stack, core functionality, monetization, timeline, I want to build, let's build, quick build, core features. |
The project-kickstarter skill is a generic, pattern-based detection system that:
Not product-specific! This skill recognizes the STRUCTURE of product descriptions, not specific products.
CRITICAL CONTEXT: When working in a SpecWeave-initialized project (.specweave/ directory exists), ANY product/feature description MUST be interpreted as "create an increment for this."
This skill activates when:
Key Insight: If user is in a SpecWeave folder and describes a product, they're implicitly asking "create a SpecWeave increment for this."
SpecWeave Context Multiplier: When .specweave/ exists, apply +2 confidence boost to signal count.
Example 1: In SpecWeave project
Working directory: /project-with-specweave/ (.specweave/ exists)
User: "Project: RosterSync - Team scheduling SaaS
Core features: roster management, availability calendar, scheduling
Tech stack: .NET 8, Next.js 14+, PostgreSQL
MVP time: 2-3 weeks
Monetization: Freemium ($10/mo)"
Detected signals: โ
Name, โ
Features, โ
Tech, โ
Timeline, โ
Business (5 signals)
SpecWeave context: โ
+2 bonus
Adjusted confidence: 5 + 2 = 7/6 = 100% โ AUTO-ROUTE to increment planning
Example 2: In SpecWeave project (fewer signals still triggers)
Working directory: /project-with-specweave/ (.specweave/ exists)
User: "I want to build a task manager with React and Node.js"
Detected signals: โ
Intent ("build"), โ
Type ("task manager"), โ
Tech stack (3 signals)
SpecWeave context: โ
+2 bonus
Adjusted confidence: 3 + 2 = 5/6 = 83% โ AUTO-ROUTE to increment planning
Working directory: /regular-project/ (no .specweave/)
User: "I want to build a task manager with React and Node.js"
Detected signals: โ
Intent ("build"), โ
Type ("task manager"), โ
Tech stack
SpecWeave context: โ No bonus
Confidence: 3/6 = 50% โ ASK 1-2 clarifying questions, THEN route
User: "What do you think about using PostgreSQL?"
Detected signals: โ
Tech mention
Confidence: 1/6 = 17% โ Regular conversation (not product planning)
Scan user message for the 6 signals above.
High Confidence:
"I see you're describing [ProjectName] - a [type] project with [key features].
SpecWeave works best when we start with a proper increment plan. I'm going to:
1. Clarify any ambiguities (1-2 questions max)
2. Create a SpecWeave increment with complete specs
Let's start: [Ask 1 clarifying question if needed, otherwise proceed]"
[Automatically invoke /specweave:inc or spec-driven-brainstorming]
Medium Confidence:
"It looks like you're planning a new project. To help you best, I need to understand:
1. [Ask about missing signals: features? timeline? tech stack?]
Once I have these details, I'll guide you through SpecWeave's increment planning process."
[Wait for response, then route to the planning workflow]
Low Confidence: Don't activate. Let other skills handle it.
Purpose: Check if user has external project management tool (GitHub/Jira/ADO) and offer sync
Signals to Detect:
Environment Variables:
GITHUB_TOKEN โ GitHub IssuesJIRA_URL or JIRA_API_TOKEN โ JiraAZURE_DEVOPS_PAT โ Azure DevOpsGit Remote:
github.com โ GitHubdev.azure.com โ Azure DevOpsExisting Config:
.specweave/config.json has externalPM.tool setFile Patterns:
.github/ directory โ GitHubPROJ-123 โ Jira#12345 โ ADOWhen to Ask:
.specweave/config.json): Always askInteractive Prompt:
Great! Before we create the increment, quick question:
**Do you use an external project management tool?**
Options:
1. **GitHub Issues** (Recommended - detected GitHub repo)
2. **Jira**
3. **Azure DevOps**
4. **None** (Just SpecWeave)
I can automatically sync increment progress with your PM tool if configured.
If User Selects GitHub/Jira/ADO:
/plugin list --installed | grep specweave-{tool}).specweave/config.jsonIf User Selects None:
externalPM.enabled: falseExample Flow:
User: "Build SaaS app with user authentication"
project-kickstarter:
1. Detects: High confidence (project description)
2. Checks: Git remote = github.com/myorg/myapp
3. Detects: GITHUB_TOKEN environment variable set
4. Asks: "Do you use GitHub Issues for project management?"
5. User: "Yes"
6. Checks: specweave-github plugin installed? Yes
7. Tests: GitHub API connection? โ
Success
8. Saves: externalPM.tool = "github" to config
9. Creates increment: /specweave:inc "User authentication"
10. Auto-creates: GitHub Issue #42 linked to increment
Based on clarity of requirements:
/specweave:inc directlyspec-driven-brainstorming firstUser:
Project: RosterSync - Team scheduling & availability management SaaS
Quick build for sports teams, esports orgs, or any team-based groups to manage player/member availability, practice schedules, and lineup confirmations.
Core features:
- Team roster management
- Availability calendar (who's available when)
- Event/practice scheduling with auto-notifications
- Simple lineup builder
- Basic analytics on attendance patterns
Tech stack:
- .NET 8 Web API (backend)
- Next.js 14+ (frontend with App Router)
- PostgreSQL (local dev, easy cloud migration)
- Auth: .NET Identity or simple JWT
MVP time: 2-3 weeks
Monetization: Freemium (5 teams free, $10/mo for unlimited)
project-kickstarter detects:
Confidence: 6/6 = 100% โ AUTO-ROUTE
Response:
Perfect! I can see you have a well-defined product concept for RosterSync - a team scheduling SaaS.
SpecWeave works by creating a complete increment specification first (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md, tests.md), then implementing incrementally.
I'm going to use SpecWeave's increment planning process to:
1. Create the product specification (WHAT & WHY)
2. Design the technical architecture (HOW)
3. Break down implementation tasks (STEPS)
4. Define test strategy
Since you've provided the tech stack (.NET 8 + Next.js 14+), I'll structure this as a full-stack increment.
Creating increment now with /specweave:inc...
[Invokes /specweave:inc "RosterSync team scheduling SaaS"]
User:
I want to build a price tracking system that monitors crypto prices in real-time
project-kickstarter detects:
Confidence: 3/6 = 50% โ CLARIFY THEN ROUTE
Response:
Great! A real-time crypto price tracking system is a solid project.
To help you plan this properly, I need a bit more context:
1. **Features:** Beyond real-time price monitoring, what should it do?
- Just display prices, or also alerts/notifications?
- Historical data tracking?
- Portfolio tracking?
- Price predictions/analysis?
2. **Tech Stack:** Do you have a preferred stack, or should I recommend one?
- Frontend: React, Next.js, Vue, or other?
- Backend: Node.js, Python, .NET, or other?
- Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis?
3. **Timeline/Scope:** Is this a quick MVP or a production-ready system?
Please share what you have in mind, and I'll create a complete SpecWeave increment plan for you.
User:
What do you think about using PostgreSQL vs MongoDB for this project?
project-kickstarter detects:
Confidence: 1/6 = 17% โ DON'T ACTIVATE
This is a technical question, not a project description. Let other skills or general conversation handle it.
Workflow:
User message โ specweave-detector (checks .specweave/ exists)
โ
project-kickstarter (pattern detection)
โ
[3+ signals detected?]
โ YES
[Calculate confidence with SpecWeave context bonus]
โ
[Route to /specweave:inc or spec-driven-brainstorming]
Calls:
specweave-detector - Checks if .specweave/ directory exists (SpecWeave context)/specweave:inc - For clear requirements (high confidence)Called By:
skill-router when routing ambiguous "build X" requestsKey Design:
Users can override auto-routing with explicit instructions:
This skill solves the "I described my product but SpecWeave didn't help me plan it" problem by proactively detecting project descriptions and routing to increment planning.