VBB - Validation Before Build

Should we build this? — A decision framework for validating ideas before execution.

Complements GSD by handling the "should we build this?" phase that GSD assumes is already decided.

Why VBB?

GSD is excellent at executing once you've decided what to build. But it doesn't help you answer:

• Is this a real problem?
• Will anyone care if I solve it?
• Do I have the resources to pull this off?
• What am I not seeing that could kill this project?

VBB fills this gap with a 3-layer progressive validation framework:

Layer 1: Quick (5 min)
   ↓ Filter out 80% of bad ideas
Layer 2: Validate (30-60 min)
   ↓ Test assumptions with evidence
Layer 3: Assess (1-2 hours)
   ↓ Full resource and risk analysis
   ↓
   GSD Execution

Installation

npx vbb-cc@latest

Follow the prompts to select your runtime and installation location.

Supported Runtimes

• Claude Code (/vbb:* commands)
• OpenCode (/vbb-* commands)
• Gemini CLI (/vbb:* commands)
• Codex ($vbb-* skills)
• Copilot (/vbb:* commands)
• Antigravity ($vbb-* skills)
• Cursor (/vbb-* skills)
• Windsurf (/vbb-* skills)

Commands

| Command | Purpose | Time | |---------|---------|------| | /vbb:help | Show all commands | - | | /vbb:quick | Quick 5-min validation | ~5 min | | /vbb:validate | Deep validation with evidence | ~30-60 min | | /vbb:assess | Full resource/risk assessment | ~1-2 hours | | /vbb:report | Show validation results | - | | /vbb:status | Quick status check | - | | /vbb:export | Export to GSD for execution | - |

Usage Example

# 1. Quick validation - does this idea warrant more time?
/vbb:quick

# 2. If GO, gather evidence and test assumptions
/vbb:validate

# 3. If still positive, full resource and risk analysis
/vbb:assess

# 4. Export to GSD for execution planning
/vbb:export

Decision Framework

Layer 1: Quick Check

• Problem reality: Real or perceived?
• Necessity: What happens if we don't build it?
• Feasibility: Can we technically do this?

Decision: GO / KILL / HOLD

Layer 2: Validation

• User/market validation
• Solution validation
• Evidence collection
• Assumption testing

Decision: PROCEED / PIVOT / KILL

Layer 3: Assessment

• Resource analysis (time, skills, budget)
• Risk analysis (technical, market, execution)
• Success criteria
• Go-to-market strategy

Decision: GREEN / YELLOW / RED

Output Files

VBB stores validation results in .vbb/:

• quick-decision.md - Layer 1 results
• validation-report.md - Layer 2 results
• full-assessment.md - Layer 3 results
• gsd-export.md - Export brief for GSD

Philosophy

"The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas." — Linus Pauling

But not all ideas deserve execution. VBB helps you:

1. Fail fast — Kill bad ideas in 5 minutes, not 5 weeks
2. Validate smart - Focus evidence gathering on critical assumptions
3. Decide clear - Explicit GO/KILL decisions at each layer
4. Bridge to execution - Seamless handoff to GSD when validated

License

MIT

VBB: Don't build things nobody wants.