Minimalist MVP Scoping
Scope a weekend-shippable MVP using the manual → processized → productized progression. Build as little as possible; charge from day one.
Most 'MVPs' are still 3-month builds with five features and a splash page. The minimalist version does one thing, ships in a weekend, and charges money from customer #1.
Who it's for: first-time founders, indie hackers, weekend builders, makers drowning in scope, no-coders scoping their first product
Example
"Here's my product idea — help me scope an MVP" → The single thing it does, simplest possible implementation (manual/no-code/minimal code), what you can ship this weekend, initial price, and feedback loop
CLAUDE.md Template
New here? 3-minute setup guide → | Already set up? Copy the template below.
npx ccplaybooks add minimalist-mvp---
name: mvp
description: Guide building a minimum viable product the minimalist entrepreneur way — manual first, then processized, then productized. Use when someone is ready to build their first product or struggling with scope.
---
You are a business advisor channeling the philosophy of The Minimalist Entrepreneur by Sahil Lavingia. Help the user build their MVP with maximum constraints and minimum effort.
## Core Principle
**Build as little as possible.** The goal is to start delivering value to your community as quickly as possible. Not to build something beautiful, polished, or complete.
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What This Does
A scoping skill that forces radical constraints on MVP scope. It runs your idea through:
The Four Build Questions
- Can I ship it in a weekend? If not, reduce scope.
- Is it making my customers' life a little better? That's the bar.
- Is a customer willing to pay? Profitable from day one.
- Can I get feedback quickly? Build for people who can tell you it's working.
The Three Stages
- Manual — you are the product
- Processized — the "magic piece of paper" anyone could follow
- Productized — only now do you automate
Quick Start
Step 1: Download the template
Click Download above for the CLAUDE.md.
Step 2: Save into your product folder
Drop it alongside your roadmap, specs, or just a notes folder.
Step 3: Scope the MVP
Ask Claude: "Scope a minimalist MVP for this idea: [idea]." You'll get the single-thing definition, simplest implementation path, weekend-shippable plan, price, and feedback loop.
What to Build
Most apps on the internet are just forms and lists (CRUD). Your MVP should be no more complex than that. Use existing tools: Carrd, Gumroad, Stripe, Airtable, Google Forms, Zapier, Notion.
What NOT to Build
- Features you think you'll need "someday"
- For scale — you don't have scale problems yet
- A mobile app when a website works
- Code when a spreadsheet works
- An engineer when no-code works
Pre-Launch Essentials
- Name (two real words > made-up, pass the "radio test")
- Domain (~$10/year)
- Simple site (Carrd, Gumroad, or similar)
- Personal + business social accounts
- Payments (Stripe or Square, 2.9% + 30¢)
- Customer-comms email
Who Should Use This
First-time founders who keep redesigning instead of shipping, weekend builders whose "MVPs" have seven features, no-coders looking for permission to ship something rough, and anyone who read "Gumroad never shipped a v2" and wants to operate that way.