yc-new-way
v0.1.0Apply Y Combinator’s “New Way to Build a Startup” playbook to ship fast, validate with real distribution, and iterate using data. Use when the user asks to follow “New Way”, design a 7-day startup sprint, pick a narrow wedge, build a lightweight MVP/SEO site/newsletter, set up experiments, or turn a...
Installation
YC “New Way” (ship → distribute → learn)
Goal
Turn an idea into a running distribution loop fast (days, not weeks), using the smallest product that can measure real demand.
Workflow (default)
0) Clarify the bet (2 minutes)
Fill this sentence: - For [who] with [pain], we offer [promise] via [channel], and we’ll know it works when [metric] hits [threshold].
If missing, use references/experiment-brief.md.
1) Pick a narrow wedge
Prefer wedges that are: - High intent (people already searching/buying) - Clear objects (SKUs, listings, templates) - Easy to prove with evidence (links, screenshots, timestamps)
Output: - 1 primary wedge + 1 backup wedge - 3 user stories
2) Choose one distribution channel first
Pick exactly one: - SEO (content library + internal links) - Newsletter (weekly digest) - Community (Reddit/Discord/forums) where posting is allowed
Do not build more channels until one shows signal.
3) Ship the smallest MVP that measures
Default MVPs: - SEO site: 10 pages (2 money pages + 8 support pages) - Newsletter: 1 issue + signup + archive - Tool page: 1 calculator/checklist with email capture
Include: - Clear CTA - Analytics - Evidence links (avoid “AI says”)
Use references/landing-page-checklist.md and references/seo-10-page-plan.md.
4) Instrumentation & decision rules
Track only the fewest metrics: - Traffic → CTA CTR → Outbound clicks → (optional) purchases - Time to publish / pages per week (throughput)
Define stop/iterate rules: - If CTR is low → fix promise/copy - If CTR is high but no conversions → fix offer/price/trust - If no traffic after 7 days → distribution problem (not product)
Use references/weekly-loop.md.
5) Weekly iteration loop
Every week: 1) Double down on 1 thing that worked 2) Kill 1 thing that didn’t 3) Add 1 new experiment
Keep a changelog; avoid rebuilding.
Output templates (use these verbatim)
- Experiment brief:
references/experiment-brief.md - Landing page checklist:
references/landing-page-checklist.md - SEO 10-page plan:
references/seo-10-page-plan.md - Weekly loop:
references/weekly-loop.md
Guardrails
- Distribution before system: don’t over-automate until there’s signal.
- Evidence-first: recommendations must cite sources.
- Narrow first: one wedge, one channel, one metric.
- Legal/ToS: prefer public sources / allowed APIs; avoid bypassing logins or CAPTCHAs.