recipe-validate

Context: Validate hypotheses using appropriate methods based on risk type. Invoke hypothesis-verifier for bias-free validation design. Record results in hypothesis files.

Orchestrator Definition

Execution Protocol:

1. Delegate verification design to hypothesis-verifier (via Agent tool, subagent_type: "discover:hypothesis-verifier") for bias-free assessment
2. Follow the validation flow defined below
3. Stop at every [STOP — BLOCKING] marker — present findings and CANNOT proceed until user explicitly confirms

Workflow Overview

Input (hypothesis file or hypothesis ID)
    ↓
1. Hypothesis Assessment → Read and understand the hypothesis
    ↓
2. Validation Design → hypothesis-verifier designs the test [Stop: User confirms design]
    ↓
3. Validation Execution → Type-appropriate method
    ↓
4. Result Recording → Update hypothesis file [Stop: User reviews results]
    ↓
Output: Updated hypothesis file with validation results

Execution Decision Flow

1. Hypothesis Assessment

Input: $ARGUMENTS

Read the target hypothesis file(s). Understand:

• What is being tested (the hypothesis statement)
• Which risk dimension is primary (Value / Usability / Feasibility / Viability)
• Current confidence scores
• Time budget and deadline
• Parent Opportunity context

2. Validation Design

Invoke hypothesis-verifier using Agent tool (subagent_type: "discover:hypothesis-verifier") to design the validation:

• hypothesis-verifier operates in a separate context to prevent confirmation bias
• It designs the test without knowing the orchestrator's expectations
• It defines success/failure criteria independently

[STOP — BLOCKING] Present validation design to user for confirmation:

• Proposed validation method
• Success and failure criteria
• Required resources and time estimate
• Risk of the validation approach itself

CANNOT proceed to validation execution until user explicitly confirms the design.

3. Validation Execution

Execute validation based on the risk type and method:

Risk Type	Validation Methods	Tools
Value	Market research, user interviews, competitive analysis, landing page test	WebSearch tool, survey analysis
Usability	Prototype testing, usability study, interaction analysis	prototype-generator agent (context-separated)
Feasibility	Code spike, architecture review, dependency analysis	codebase-analyzer, worktree code spike
Viability	Business model analysis, ROI calculation, regulatory review	WebSearch tool, BMC/VPC analysis

Prototype Generation (for Usability validation)

Invoke prototype-generator using Agent tool (subagent_type: "discover:prototype-generator"):

1. Pass the hypothesis file path and output path in the prompt
2. prototype-generator operates in a separate context — it reads design context files independently and produces a natural product UI
3. When multiple patterns need validation, invoke prototype-generator separately for each pattern
4. Output: docs/discovery/prototypes/hypo-{id}-prototype.html (or hypo-{id}-{pattern}-prototype.html for multiple)
5. User opens in browser for verification

Worktree Code Spike (for Feasibility validation)

When validating Feasibility through code:

1. Invoke codebase-analyzer (via Agent tool, subagent_type: "discover:codebase-analyzer") for current architecture understanding
2. Use Agent tool with isolation: "worktree" to run a code spike in an isolated environment
3. The spike agent implements a minimal proof-of-concept
4. Results (feasibility assessment, complexity, blockers) are reported back
5. The worktree is automatically cleaned up — no code persists in the main branch

Market Research (for Value/Viability validation)

Use WebSearch tool to gather market data. See product-principles skill references/mvp-definition.md for scope assessment.

4. Result Recording

After validation execution:

1. Update the hypothesis file:
   • Change status (validated / invalidated / inconclusive / timeout)
   • Update confidence scores with evidence
   • Record evidence and artifacts
   • Document learnings
2. Link to validation artifacts (prototypes, data, interview notes)

[STOP — BLOCKING] Present results to user for review:

• Validation outcome (validated / invalidated / inconclusive)
• Updated confidence scores with evidence
• Key learnings
• Recommended next actions

CANNOT proceed to next hypothesis or close the workflow until user explicitly reviews.

5. Timeout Handling

When a hypothesis reaches its deadline without conclusion:

1. Set status to timeout
2. Present options to user:
   • Extend: Add more time with justification
   • Pivot: Modify the hypothesis based on partial evidence
   • Abandon: Stop validation, record learnings from partial evidence

Sub-agent Usage

Agent	When	Why (context separation benefit)
hypothesis-verifier (subagent_type: "discover:hypothesis-verifier")	Always (validation design)	Eliminates confirmation bias in test design
prototype-generator (subagent_type: "discover:prototype-generator")	Usability validation	Produces natural product UI without test infrastructure contamination
codebase-analyzer (subagent_type: "discover:codebase-analyzer")	Feasibility validation	Objective code analysis without hypothesis bias

Scope Boundaries

Included: Hypothesis validation design, validation execution, result recording Not included: Hypothesis generation, PRD creation, reflection/distillation

Completion Criteria

• Hypothesis assessed and understood
• hypothesis-verifier designed the validation (bias-free)
• User confirmed validation design
• Validation executed with appropriate method
• Hypothesis file updated with results and evidence
• User reviewed results
• Next actions identified