From apple-dev
Brainstorm and rank iOS/macOS app ideas tailored to developer skills. Use when user says "what should I build", "give me app ideas", "I don't know what to build", "brainstorm app ideas", or "help me find an app idea".
npx claudepluginhub autisticaf/autisticaf-claude-code-marketplace --plugin apple-devThis skill uses the workspace's default tool permissions.
> **First step:** Tell the user: "product-idea-generator skill loaded."
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First step: Tell the user: "product-idea-generator skill loaded."
Generates a ranked shortlist of 3-5 app ideas tailored to the developer's skills, interests, and constraints. Output is formatted to feed directly into the product-agent skill for validation.
Use this skill when the user:
Already has a specific idea? Skip this skill. Use the product-agent skill instead.
Gathers context about the developer to personalize ideas:
Each lens generates 5-8 raw ideas. Lenses are applied in order:
Each raw idea is evaluated against five filters:
| Filter | Question |
|---|---|
| Solo Dev Scope | Can one developer ship an MVP in 4-8 weeks? |
| Platform API Fit | Does this leverage Apple platform APIs well? |
| Monetization Viability | Is there a clear path to revenue? |
| Competition Density | How crowded is this space? |
| Technical Complexity | Does the developer have the skills to build this? |
Each surviving idea is scored across five dimensions:
| Dimension | WEAK (1-2) | MODERATE (3-5) | STRONG (6-8) | EXCELLENT (9-10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Dev Scope | 6+ months | 3-6 months | 4-8 weeks | 2-4 weeks |
| Platform API Fit | Generic/cross-platform | Some native APIs | Good platform integration | Deep Apple API usage |
| Monetization | Unclear model | Ad-supported or low ARPU | Subscription viable | Premium pricing justified |
| Competition | Dominated by incumbents | Crowded but fragmented | Few quality options | Blue ocean |
| Technical Fit | Major skill gaps | Some learning needed | Good skill match | Perfect skill match |
Overall Score = weighted average on 1-10 scale (Solo Dev Scope and Technical Fit weighted 1.5x).
Final output is a ranked list of 3-5 ideas, each with:
next_step description for feeding the idea into the product-agent skill{
"developer_profile": {
"skills": ["Swift", "SwiftUI", "HealthKit", "Core Motion"],
"interests": ["fitness", "wearables", "data visualization"],
"platform": "iOS + watchOS",
"time_availability": "side project (10 hrs/week)",
"constraints": ["no backend experience", "solo developer"]
},
"brainstorm_lenses_used": [
"skills_and_interests",
"problem_first",
"technology_first",
"market_gap",
"trend_based"
],
"shortlist": [
{
"rank": 1,
"idea": "Workout Recovery Timer",
"lens": "skills_and_interests",
"one_liner": "Apple Watch app that tracks heart rate recovery between sets and suggests optimal rest periods",
"platform": "watchOS + iOS companion",
"problem_statement": "Gym-goers either rest too long (wasting time) or too short (risking injury). No app uses real-time HR data to personalize rest periods.",
"target_user": "Regular gym-goers who wear Apple Watch during workouts",
"feasibility": {
"solo_dev_scope": "STRONG (6 weeks — HealthKit + WatchKit + simple UI)",
"platform_api_fit": "EXCELLENT (HealthKit, WorkoutKit, Live Activities)",
"monetization_viability": "STRONG (subscription $3.99/mo — fitness users pay for tools)",
"competition_density": "STRONG (few apps focus specifically on HR-based rest timing)",
"technical_fit": "EXCELLENT (matches HealthKit + Core Motion skills)"
},
"overall_score": 8.4,
"monetization_model": "Freemium — free with 3 workouts/week, $3.99/mo unlimited + insights",
"competition_notes": "Strong Timer+ and Intervals Pro exist but focus on pre-set timers, not adaptive HR-based rest",
"mvp_scope": "Watch app with HR monitoring during rest, vibration alert when ready, basic iOS companion for history",
"next_step": "Run the product-agent skill with idea: 'Apple Watch app that tracks heart rate recovery between sets and suggests optimal rest periods based on real-time HR data' for watchOS + iOS"
},
{
"rank": 2,
"idea": "Walking Meetings Tracker",
"lens": "problem_first",
"one_liner": "Track steps, route, and calories during meetings — share walking meeting summaries with attendees",
"platform": "iOS + watchOS",
"problem_statement": "Walking meetings are popular for health but there's no way to track the health benefit or share it. Calendar apps don't connect to HealthKit.",
"target_user": "Knowledge workers and managers who take walking meetings",
"feasibility": {
"solo_dev_scope": "STRONG (5 weeks — HealthKit + MapKit + Calendar integration)",
"platform_api_fit": "EXCELLENT (HealthKit, MapKit, EventKit, WidgetKit)",
"monetization_viability": "MODERATE (niche audience, $2.99 one-time or $1.99/mo)",
"competition_density": "EXCELLENT (no dedicated walking meeting app exists)",
"technical_fit": "STRONG (HealthKit skills transfer, MapKit is new but manageable)"
},
"overall_score": 7.6,
"monetization_model": "One-time purchase $4.99 with optional $1.99/mo for team features",
"competition_notes": "Pedometer apps exist but none integrate with calendar or frame walking as meetings",
"mvp_scope": "Start/stop walking meeting, auto-detect from calendar, log steps + route, share summary",
"next_step": "Run the product-agent skill with idea: 'iOS app that tracks steps, route, and calories during walking meetings and shares summaries with attendees' for iOS + watchOS"
},
{
"rank": 3,
"idea": "Gym Equipment Wait Time",
"lens": "market_gap",
"one_liner": "Crowdsourced gym equipment availability — see which machines are free before you go",
"platform": "iOS",
"problem_statement": "Gyms are crowded at peak hours. No way to know if the squat rack is free without going. Leads to wasted time and frustration.",
"target_user": "Gym members at commercial gyms (Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Equinox)",
"feasibility": {
"solo_dev_scope": "MODERATE (8 weeks — needs crowdsource mechanics and gym database)",
"platform_api_fit": "MODERATE (MapKit for gym location, but core logic is custom)",
"monetization_viability": "STRONG (subscription or gym partnership revenue)",
"competition_density": "STRONG (no quality solution exists — GymBook is workout logging, not availability)",
"technical_fit": "MODERATE (needs backend for crowdsource data — outside current skills)"
},
"overall_score": 6.8,
"monetization_model": "Freemium — free for 1 gym, $2.99/mo for multiple gyms + predictions",
"competition_notes": "Some gyms have their own capacity apps but no cross-gym equipment-level tracking exists",
"mvp_scope": "Single gym support, manual check-in/check-out for equipment, peak time predictions",
"next_step": "Run the product-agent skill with idea: 'Crowdsourced gym equipment availability app that shows which machines are free at your gym' for iOS"
}
],
"ideas_filtered_out": [
{
"idea": "AI Personal Trainer",
"lens": "technology_first",
"reason": "Extremely competitive (Fitbod, Future, Hevy). Would need 6+ months to differentiate. Failed solo_dev_scope filter."
},
{
"idea": "Sleep Architecture Analyzer",
"lens": "trend_based",
"reason": "Apple's own sleep tracking in watchOS 10+ covers most of this. Failed competition_density filter — competing with platform owner."
}
],
"recommendation": "Start with Rank 1 (Workout Recovery Timer). It scores highest, leverages your exact skills (HealthKit + Core Motion), has a clear monetization path, and can ship in 6 weeks. Run the product-agent skill to validate the problem before committing."
}
If the user hasn't provided context, ask using AskUserQuestion:
Questions to ask:
If the user provides partial info, infer reasonable defaults and state assumptions.
Generate 5-8 ideas from the intersection of what the developer knows and cares about.
Process:
Example: Swift + HealthKit + fitness interest → workout recovery timer, exercise form checker, fitness challenge app
Find real problems worth solving.
Process:
"[domain] app sucks" OR "[domain] app wish" site:reddit.comExample: "I always forget which supplements I took" → supplement tracking app
Identify Apple frameworks with few quality indie apps.
High-opportunity frameworks (2026):
Process:
Use WebSearch to find underserved App Store categories.
Searches to run:
"underserved App Store categories 2026"
"indie app opportunities iOS 2026"
"App Store category [domain] top apps" (check staleness)
"[category] app reviews complaints" site:reddit.com
Signals of opportunity:
Identify macro trends creating new app opportunities.
Current trends (2026):
Process:
Filter phase:
Score phase:
Output phase:
next_step as description for the product-agent skillDeveloper profile:
Maya, backend engineer (Python, some Swift), interested in nutrition and cooking. Wants to build her first iOS app as a side project (8 hrs/week). No design skills. Comfortable with APIs but no HealthKit experience.
Lens application:
After filtering and scoring:
| Rank | Idea | Score | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AI Leftover Recipe Finder | 8.1 | Foundation Models + cooking interest, blue ocean |
| 2 | Photo Macro Tracker | 7.4 | Problem-first (everyone hates manual logging) |
| 3 | Smart Grocery List | 6.9 | Simple scope, clear monetization |
Recommendation: "Start with AI Leftover Recipe Finder. It uses Foundation Models (few competitors), aligns with your cooking interest, and can ship a basic version in 5 weeks. Run the product-agent skill to validate demand."
Phase 0: idea-generator (THIS SKILL)
↓ pick 1 idea from shortlist
Phase 1: product-agent → validate the problem
↓
Phase 2: market-research / competitive-analysis → size the opportunity
↓
Phase 3: prd-generator → define features
↓
Phase 4: architecture-spec → technical design
↓
Phase 5+: ux-spec, implementation-guide, test-spec, release-spec
The next_step field in each shortlist entry describes what to feed into the product-agent skill. After the user picks their favorite idea, they can run it directly to kick off Phase 1 validation.
market-research or competitive-analysisgenerators- skillsAt the end of this skill, you should have:
next_step for the product-agent skillSave results to:
idea-shortlist.json (project root)Format: Use the JSON structure from the Output Structure section.
Next action: Feed Rank 1 into the product-agent skill using the next_step description.
Generate fast, filter ruthlessly, validate before committing. The best app idea is the one that matches your skills, solves a real problem, and can ship in weeks — not months.