Validation before vibes
Count behavior before you generate UI — smoke tests and concierge beats a beautiful prototype for demand truth.
Spin-out from AI-Native Product Building.
Claim
Validation answers: will a specific human take a specific action under real constraints? Building the product to validate demand only proves you can build — not that anyone cares.
Experiment ladder
| Level | Measure |
|---|---|
| Smoke | Clicks, signups, reply rate |
| Concierge | Completion, return, payment |
| Wizard of Oz | Time saved vs manual |
| Thin slice | Repeat use in real code |
Pre-register success and kill thresholds before launch. AI summarizes results; you own the decision.
Pressure-test
- What number would kill this bet in two weeks?
- Are you measuring compliments at a demo or behavior on a schedule?
Related
- Handbook: Finding problems
- Handbook: Vibe prototyping