Idea-to-blueprint workflow
Guides someone from a vague app idea to a structured, buildable blueprint rather than starting with implementation details.
vibe-check
vibe-check is a skill for AI coding tools that helps beginners turn a vague app idea into a validated, buildable plan before coding starts. It supports planning, validation, and guided build checkpoints for tools such as Claude Code.
What vibe-check does
vibe-check is a skill for AI coding tools that helps a beginner move from a vague app idea to a buildable plan before coding starts. It is written for people who need help deciding what to build, validating whether the problem is worth solving, and translating the result into a structured blueprint an AI agent can follow.
The README says the workflow starts with the underlying problem, then maps the user experience, tech choices, and growth loop. It is positioned as a companion for Claude Code and is also described as usable with Codex and Antigravity, with the skill file available for other AI tools through their instruction or prompt setup.
Core capabilities
Evidence-based validation
Uses research steps such as Reddit pain-mining, competitor gap analysis, and opportunity scoring to pressure-test whether the idea is worth building.
Experience and scope planning
Maps the full product experience, including happy paths, failure flows, edge cases, and a story map organized into V1, V2, and later.
Beginner-friendly build guidance
Explains build-time basics in plain language, including local vs. GitHub vs. live, commits, pushes, deploys, and secret handling.
Phase-by-phase checkpoints
Includes build checkpoints so the AI pauses between phases to explain what was built, why it matters, and what happens next.
Checkup mode for existing projects
Adds a safe checkup mode for messy existing codebases so the AI can tidy up without blindly continuing to build on top of problems.
When to use vibe-check
Turning a vague app idea into a blueprint
A first-time builder can start with a rough idea and use the skill to uncover the real problem, validate it, and turn it into a step-by-step build plan.
Testing an idea before spending time on build planning
If you are unsure whether an idea is worth building, the validate-only path provides an evidence-backed answer and a findings summary without creating a full blueprint.
Moving from validated research to build planning
If research is already done, the plan-only path lets you skip validation and move straight into the build structure and implementation guidance.
Working inside Claude Code
A beginner using Claude Code can install the skill in a project and ask the agent to guide planning, checkpoints, and build-time basics in plain language.
Cleaning up an existing AI-built project
If an AI-built app has become messy or hard to maintain, the checkup mode is meant to review and tidy the codebase safely before more work is added.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Helps beginners shape an idea before committing to code.
- Uses structured validation steps instead of relying only on intuition.
- Produces a detailed, buildable plan that an AI tool can follow.
- Covers both product thinking and build-time basics in one workflow.
- Supports a separate validate-only path and a plan-only path, which avoids repeating work.
Cons
- The product is focused on the planning and validation stage, so it is not a code editor or deployment platform.
- The README does not give a full limit list, pricing model, or detailed compatibility matrix for every AI tool and environment.
FAQ
How do I set it up?
It is installed through the open skills workflow for Claude Code, either with `npx skills add TexasBedouin/vibe-check` or by cloning the repository into `.claude/skills/vibe-check` and loading it from there.
What workflow does it support?
The README describes three entry points: the full journey from vague idea to buildable plan, a validate-only mode for deciding whether an idea is worth building, and a plan-only mode for moving straight into build planning after research is already done.
What does it produce?
It produces a plan document that includes a problem statement, evidence boards, a chosen experience, a story map, user flows, feature breakdown, system architecture, tech stack, data model, cost breakdown, pre-launch checklists, a growth loop, and build phases with checkpoints.
Can it be used with other AI coding tools?
The README shows support for Claude Code directly and says that with other AI tools, you can copy `SKILL.md` into the tool’s system prompt or project instructions. The page title also names Codex and Antigravity as supported tools.
Are there any limitations or constraints?
The repository does not describe hard limitations, but the core flow is aimed at beginners who need help before coding starts. The validate-only and plan-only paths are also meant to avoid unnecessary work when an idea is not ready or has already been researched.
Quick Facts
- Category
- AI coding skill
- Primary users
- Beginners and non-engineers planning an app with AI tools
- Source domain
- github.com
- Supported tools
- Claude Code, Codex, Antigravity
- Distribution
- Open-source GitHub repository
- Pricing
- The repository and GitHub pricing page do not show a product-specific paid plan; the method is described as free.
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