Gate Validating
fnd-validating-gates
Validates phase transition requirements for Canvas population. Checks G0-G4 gates to determine if prerequisites are met before advancing phases. Use when checking readiness, validating gates, or assessing Canvas completion status.
SKILL.md
Full skill instructions
Gate Validating
Validate Canvas phase transitions and assess readiness.
Phase Definitions
| Phase | Focus | Canvas Sections | Gate Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0. Mode | Business model choice | 00 | G0 |
| 1. Discovery | Market understanding | 01-06 | G1 |
| 2. Definition | Value & business model | 07-09, 12-14 | G2 |
| 3. Validation | Assumption testing | 10 | G3 |
| 4. Launch | Market entry | 11, 15 | G4 |
| 5. Execution | Live operations | - | - |
Process
Step 1: Identify Current Phase
Read existing Canvas files in strategy/canvas/. Determine current phase based on which sections exist and are populated.
Step 2: Identify Target Gate
From request, determine which gate to validate:
- "Ready for definition?" → Check G1
- "Ready for validation?" → Check G2
- "Ready for launch?" → Check G3
- "Ready for execution?" → Check G4
Step 3: Check Gate Requirements
Load gate requirements (below). For each criterion:
- Read specified Canvas section
- Apply check logic
- Record PASS or FAIL
Step 4: Report Results
Generate gate check report with status, blockers, and recommendations.
Gate Requirements
G0: Mode Selection → Discovery
| Requirement | Section | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Mode declared | 00.mode | Contains VENTURE, BOOTSTRAP, or HYBRID |
G1: Discovery → Definition
| Requirement | Section | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Segment defined | 04.segments | At least 1 segment with 2+ filterable criteria |
| Problems ranked | 05.problem | Top 3 problems with severity scores |
| Competition mapped | 06.competitive | Direct + indirect competitors listed |
| Soft Required | ||
| Context captured | 01.context | File exists with content |
| Market sized | 03.opportunity | TAM/SAM/SOM estimated |
G2: Definition → Validation
| Requirement | Section | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| UVP articulated | 07.uvp | Single sentence value prop exists |
| Solution defined | 09.solution | Feature list tied to problems + growth model |
| Pricing set | 12.revenue | At least 1 pricing tier defined |
| Unit economics | 13.metrics | CAC, LTV, LTV:CAC present |
| Soft Required | ||
| Defensibility | 08.unfair | Moat identified |
| Cost structure | 14.costs | Costs outlined |
G3: Validation → Launch
| Requirement | Section | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Assumptions documented | 10.assumptions | Prioritized list exists |
| Critical identified | 10.assumptions | P0 assumptions marked |
| Soft Required | ||
| High-risk validated | 10.assumptions | >50% P1 validated |
G4: Launch → Execution
| Requirement | Section | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| Channels selected | 11.channels | Primary channel with CAC estimate |
| Motion defined | 15.gtm | Motion type declared with rationale |
| Launch sequence | 15.gtm | At least 2 phases defined |
| Soft Required | ||
| First customers | - | Identified or acquired |
Output Format
## Gate Check: [G0/G1/G2/G3/G4]
**Transition:** [Phase] → [Phase]
**Status:** [PASS | FAIL]
### Required Criteria
| Section | Criteria | Status |
|---------|----------|--------|
| [section] | [criteria] | ✅/❌ |
### Soft Required
| Section | Criteria | Status |
|---------|----------|--------|
| [section] | [criteria] | ✅/⚠️ |
### Blockers (if FAIL)
- [Specific missing element]
- [What needs to be done]
### Recommendations
- [Suggested next steps]
Bypass Rules
Gates can be bypassed with explicit acknowledgment:
## Gate Bypass
**Gate:** [G#]
**Missing:** [criteria]
**Reason:** [justification]
**Risk accepted:** [what could go wrong]
**Mitigation:** [how to handle if it fails]
⚠️ Proceeding with incomplete prerequisites
Document bypass in strategy/canvas/00.mode.md under a Bypasses section.
Quick Reference
| Want To | Must Pass | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Define value prop | G1 | Segments + Problems |
| Set pricing | G2 | UVP + Solution + Growth model |
| Plan channels | G2 | Pricing + Unit economics |
| Plan GTM | G3 | Assumptions + Channels |
| Launch | G4 | Channels + GTM motion |
Canvas Completion Status
For overall status check:
## Canvas Status
### Phase Completion
| Phase | Status | Sections |
|-------|--------|----------|
| Mode | ✅/❌ | 00 |
| Discovery | ✅/❌ | 01-06 |
| Definition | ✅/❌ | 07-09, 12-14 |
| Validation | ✅/❌ | 10 |
| Launch | ✅/❌ | 11, 15 |
### Section Detail
| Section | Exists | Complete |
|---------|--------|----------|
| 00.mode | ✅/❌ | ✅/❌ |
| 01.context | ✅/❌ | ✅/⚠️/❌ |
| ... | | |
### Next Gate: [G#]
**Status:** [X/Y required passing]
**Blockers:** [List]
Boundaries
- Does NOT fix issues (reports only)
- Does NOT assess business viability or strategy quality
- Does NOT bypass gates without explicit user acknowledgment
- Validates structural completeness, not content quality
- Gate pass does not guarantee business success
- Bypass documentation required for any gate skip
- Does NOT validate external market conditions