positioning

Pack Availability Guard

Before telling the user to run a skill from another project-local pack, check .agents/project.json.enabled_packs. If the target pack is not enabled, recommend npx skillpacks install <pack> from the project shell, instead of the target skill. After install, tell Claude users to run /reload-skills, then /clear or restart if the skill remains invisible. Global skills are always valid. Skills from this same pack are valid because the current skill is already running from that pack.

Positioning — Orchestrator

This is an orchestrator skill using the parent router delegation pattern (see docs/orchestrator-convention.md). It detects context, recommends applicable positioning frameworks, and synthesizes their outputs. Individual frameworks live as child skills under frameworks/.

Report-First Approval Gate

Default to scope-first approval: before synthesized research, inspect only enough repository, user, and source context to propose research scope, source plan, assumptions, output paths, and approval questions in a review alignment page plus a concise conversation summary.

Do not perform synthesized research, rank candidates, make recommendations, or write working packets or canonical deliverables until final compiled YAML approves the research scope. Minimal pre-approval discovery may identify available files, source categories, and open questions; label it as scope evidence, not findings.

After approved research-scope YAML, perform the research and write only the non-canonical working packet defined in the staged workflow. Then update the review alignment page with findings and stop again for feedback-only YAML or final compiled YAML artifact approval before creating or updating canonical research, spec, or task files.

Do not include Recommended next skill, Recommended next command, or downstream routing language. The approval request itself is the next action. Only emit next-skill routing after the approved artifact has been written or updated.

Staged Research Workflow

Use this staged workflow for synthesized research or report outputs that would create or update canonical research, spec, or task files.

1. Stage 1 - Scope discovery and approval. Inspect only enough repository, user, and source context to propose research scope, source plan, assumptions, output paths, and approval questions. Build the review HTML alignment page before synthesized research. The page must render the proposed scope, available source categories, known context, assumptions/confidence, proposed working-packet and canonical output paths, and research-scope approval gates. Stop for final compiled YAML approval of the research scope. Do not perform synthesized research, rank candidates, make recommendations, or write working packets, canonical research, spec, or task files in Stage 1.
2. Stage 2 - Research and artifact review. Only after approved research-scope YAML with no unresolved needs-clarification, unresolved down feedback, or other unresolved negative feedback, perform the synthesized research, run required source/code checks, and write only a non-canonical working packet: flat mode uses research/_working/preliminary-<skill>-research.md; product-path mode uses research/{slug}/_working/preliminary-<skill>-research.md. Replace <skill> with this skill's name value. Raw evidence or search logs may remain as supporting evidence where this skill already requires them, but synthesized deliverables stay in the working packet. Update the review HTML alignment page so it renders the complete working-packet substance as structured HTML review UI: purpose-built sections, tables, matrices, gates, cards, and tier-appropriate charts or diagrams that preserve every packet section, finding, caveat, and decision detail without summary loss. Raw Markdown packet text may appear only as a supplemental source view after the rendered review UI; do not make a Full Preliminary Packet or Full Working Packet raw Markdown dump, giant <pre><code> block, link-only view, or source-only view the primary review surface. Include the evidence matrix, assumptions/confidence register, source coverage gaps, proposed canonical file changes, and artifact approval gates. Stop for either feedback-only YAML or final compiled YAML. Feedback-only YAML revises the working packet and page, then remains in Stage 2.
3. Stage 3 - Finalize approved artifacts. Consume final compiled YAML for artifact approval only when it has no unresolved needs-clarification, unresolved down feedback, or other unresolved negative feedback. Apply approved edits first, archive the working packet to docs/history/archive/YYYY-MM-DD/HHMMSS/<original-working-path>, remove the active working packet, write the approved canonical artifacts to the unchanged output paths below, and convert the alignment page to confirmed with the approval record preserved.

Canonical output paths remain unchanged. Search logs and other supporting evidence remain allowed only where this skill's output contract already requires them.

Evidence And Feedback Handling

Treat user feedback as input to evaluate, not as automatic ground truth.

• For factual, evidentiary, technical, or source-backed claims: verify against available evidence. If the user appears to misunderstand the evidence or states something factually incorrect, push back clearly and cite the evidence. Do not rewrite findings merely to agree.
• For taste, brand, positioning preference, risk appetite, prioritization, or other subjective judgment calls: weigh user feedback heavily and adapt the recommendation unless it conflicts with verified evidence.
• When feedback mixes facts and preference, separate them explicitly: correct the factual part, then incorporate the preference where it is a legitimate judgment call.
• When uncertain, say what is known, what is inferred, and what would change the conclusion.

Prerequisites

• Hard: research/icp.md (or research/{slug}/icp.md) must exist. If not, tell the user to run /customer-discovery first and stop.
• Hard: research/competitive-analysis.md (or research/{slug}/competitive-analysis.md) must exist. If not, tell the user to run /competitive-analysis first and stop.
• Strong default: research/journey-map.md (or research/{slug}/journey-map.md) should exist before writing canonical positioning. If missing, recommend /journey-map first unless the user explicitly needs a provisional positioning analysis.
• Soft: Read these if they exist:
  • research/journey-map.md — where value is delivered, the aha moment
  • research/customer-feedback.md — real customer language about what makes the product different
  • research/monetization.md — pricing context for value perception

Operational Modes

Mode A: Framework Selection (default first invocation)

Activated by: /positioning or /positioning [focus area] (no special flags).

Mode B: Synthesis

Activated by: /positioning --synthesize

Mode C: Product-Positioning Shortcut

Activated by: /positioning product or /positioning post-launch or /positioning obviously-awesome

---

Process

0. Product-Path Scope Resolution

Resolve research scope by product path before using code or app structure as a hint:

1. If $ARGUMENTS names a non-archived research/{slug}/ directory or a product-path ID whose scope_path points there, use that path. Treat {slug} as the product/app name, not the ICP, audience, or segment label.
2. If $ARGUMENTS names only research/_archive/{slug}/ or a manifest entry with status: archived or legacy status: abandoned, stop and warn that the path is archived; do not write or update scoped outputs there.
3. Read research/.progress.yaml when present. Normalize legacy active_path to active_paths on read and write back active_paths on manifest updates. Treat legacy abandoned as archived; exclude archived, abandoned, deferred, revisit_candidate, promoted, and any scope_path under research/_archive/ from active target selection.
4. If active product paths exist in the manifest, use those paths. If multiple active paths exist, ask which one to target unless this skill explicitly supports cross-path output.
5. If no active manifest target exists, list non-archived product directories under research/, excluding research/_archive/ and dot directories. Auto-select only when exactly one exists; ask when multiple exist.
6. If no product directories exist, use flat research/ single-product mode.
7. Detect monorepo/app/package structure only as a secondary hint. Suggest creating a missing research/{slug}/ product path when code clearly exposes an app, but do not require code or monorepo detection before using research/{slug}/.

When product path {slug} is active, read and write research under research/{slug}/, specs under specs/{slug}/, and treat top-level research/*.md files as flat-mode documents or cross-path summaries.

1. Mode Detection

Detect market-positioning mode (default) or product-positioning mode:

Market-positioning mode activates when:

• No research/customer-feedback.md with post-launch customer evidence, AND
• No production codebase with live users detected, AND
• $ARGUMENTS does not contain "product", "post-launch", or "obviously-awesome"

Available frameworks in market mode:

• jtbd-positioning — Jobs-to-be-Done positioning analysis
• strategic-canvas — Blue Ocean strategic canvas (eliminate/reduce/raise/create)
• moore-positioning — Geoffrey Moore positioning hypothesis
• category-design — Play Bigger category creation

Product-positioning mode activates when:

• research/customer-feedback.md exists with real customer data, OR
• $ARGUMENTS contains "product", "post-launch", or "obviously-awesome", OR
• Production spec exists AND customer feedback references real users

Available frameworks in product mode:

• obviously-awesome — April Dunford (requires real customer evidence)
• strategic-canvas — optionally, for category refresh

2. Load Context

• Read research/icp.md — ICP segments, pain points, value props, trigger events
• Read research/competitive-analysis.md — competitor landscape, gaps
• Read research/journey-map.md if it exists — aha moment, value delivery
• Read research/customer-feedback.md if it exists — real language, satisfaction drivers
• Read CLAUDE.md, README for product context
• Read any existing research/positioning-*.md intermediate artifacts (from prior runs)

3. Mode A — Framework Selection

Build an alignment page with:

1. Mode explanation: which mode was detected and why (evidence for detection)
2. Available evidence summary: what research exists and what's missing
3. Multi-select framework section: checkboxes for each available framework with:
   • Framework name and one-line description
   • Why it's recommended or optional for this context
   • Pre-checked defaults based on available evidence:
     • Market mode defaults: jtbd-positioning + strategic-canvas + moore-positioning pre-checked; category-design unchecked (recommended only when strategic canvas shows no existing category fits)
     • Product mode defaults: obviously-awesome pre-checked; strategic-canvas unchecked (optional refresh)
4. Execution plan explanation: selected frameworks will be written to tasks/todo.md for sequential /exec execution
5. Approval gate: framework selection confirmation

After user approval via compiled YAML (which includes selected_frameworks list):

Write selected frameworks as sequential steps in tasks/todo.md:

## Positioning Framework Execution

- [ ] Run `/positioning/frameworks/jtbd-positioning` — JTBD analysis
- [ ] Run `/positioning/frameworks/strategic-canvas` — Blue Ocean gap analysis
- [ ] Run `/positioning/frameworks/moore-positioning` — Positioning hypothesis
- [ ] Synthesize: `/positioning --synthesize` — Combine framework outputs into research/positioning.md

Only include frameworks the user selected. Always append the synthesis step last.

Stop after writing tasks/todo.md. The approved task artifact records the ordered framework execution and synthesis steps.

4. Mode B — Synthesis (/positioning --synthesize)

Read all intermediate framework outputs:

• research/positioning-jtbd.md
• research/positioning-strategic-canvas.md
• research/positioning-moore.md
• research/positioning-category-design.md
• research/positioning-obviously-awesome.md

At least one must exist. If none exist, tell user to run framework selection first.

Synthesize into unified research/positioning.md:

Market-positioning synthesis includes:

• Combined positioning hypothesis drawing from all framework outputs
• Moore template filled with evidence from JTBD + Canvas + Category analysis
• Evidence matrix: each claim mapped to which framework(s) support it
• Confidence levels per claim (strong/moderate/hypothesized)
• Validation plan: what needs testing before the position is canonical
• Mode header: > Mode: Market Positioning (hypothesized, pre-product)

Product-positioning synthesis includes:

• Positioning statement (Obviously Awesome output)
• Evidence matrix grounded in customer feedback
• Confidence levels (most should be "strong" — backed by customer data)
• Mode header: > Mode: Product Positioning (customer-grounded)

Build alignment page for synthesis approval with:

• Full proposed research/positioning.md content
• Evidence matrix combining all framework sources
• Confidence/assumption register
• Proposed file changes gate
• Approval gate

After approval: write research/positioning.md, then emit next-step routing.

5. Mode C — Product-Positioning Shortcut

Skip multi-select. Build an alignment page for the shortcut execution plan with:

1. Shortcut explanation: product-positioning shortcut selected and why obviously-awesome is the only queued framework
2. Evidence readiness: customer-feedback requirement and any missing evidence caveats
3. Proposed execution plan: the exact tasks/todo.md framework queue shown below
4. Approval gate: require final compiled YAML approval before writing tasks/todo.md

Do not write tasks/todo.md before alignment approval. The next action is review of the HTML alignment page.

After user approval via final compiled YAML, write this execution plan to tasks/todo.md:

## Positioning Framework Execution

- [ ] Run `/positioning/frameworks/obviously-awesome` — April Dunford positioning
- [ ] Synthesize: `/positioning --synthesize` — Write research/positioning.md

Stop; the approved task artifact is the routing contract.

6. Next Steps (after synthesis only)

Include 3–5 applicable items with "Recommended + Other options" framing:

• IF no research/journey-map.md: check for customer-lifecycle pack → recommend /journey-map
• DEFAULT: check .agents/project.json.enabled_packs for product-design — if not enabled, recommend npx skillpacks install product-design from the project shell; if enabled, recommend /user-flow-map [positioning-backed product direction]
• IF solution-customer fit is weak/disputed: /value-prop-canvas
• IF revenue/channels/cost/defensibility risks exposed: /lean-canvas
• IF no research/gtm.md: check for business-growth pack → recommend /gtm
• IF research/gtm.md exists: recommend /gtm refresh
• IF no research/monetization.md: check for business-growth pack → recommend /monetization
• IF codebase exists: check for business-ops pack → recommend /mvp-gap

7. Downstream Impact Check (after synthesis write)

Check for downstream research documents that may be affected:

• research/gtm.md

Classify impact as None/Minor/Major per standard pattern.

Optional Research Trigger Map

These detours are conditional framework owners, not required AFPS chain links. Apply after synthesis.

Positioning signal	Owner	Trigger threshold
Solution-customer fit weak/disputed, value mapping low confidence	/value-prop-canvas	Trigger: unique attributes can't be confidently mapped to value. Skip: value mapping clear even if hypothesized.
Business-model risk (revenue/channels/cost/defensibility) exposed by category strategy	/lean-canvas	Trigger: risk would change UX or prototype choices. Skip: normal competitive findings.
Pricing architecture central to positioning (premium vs value changes direction)	/monetization	Trigger: category/value mapping requires grounded pricing. Skip: pricing not a differentiator.

Output

Mode A output: tasks/todo.md update

Framework execution steps (see section 3 above).

Mode B output: research/positioning.md (or research/{slug}/positioning.md)

# Positioning

> Based on: [list of framework outputs used]
> Date: [current date]
> Mode: Market Positioning (hypothesized, pre-product) | Product Positioning (customer-grounded)
> Frameworks applied: [list]

## Positioning Statement

**For** [target segment]
**who** [key pain / trigger event]
**[product name] is a** [market category]
**that** [key value / unique benefit]
**Unlike** [primary competitive alternative]
**[product name]** [key differentiator]

## Summary
[2-3 sentences: the positioning thesis]

## Evidence Matrix

| Claim | Supporting Framework(s) | Evidence | Confidence | Assumption Status |
|-------|------------------------|----------|------------|-------------------|
| [claim] | JTBD / Canvas / Moore / Category / OA | [source] | Strong / Moderate / Hypothesized | Validated / Needs testing |

## Framework Synthesis

### From JTBD Analysis
[Key findings — primary job, outcome positioning]

### From Strategic Canvas
[Key findings — eliminate/reduce/raise/create moves, competitive gaps]

### From Moore Hypothesis
[Key findings — positioning template, evidence gaps]

### From Category Design
[Key findings — category diagnosis, POV if new category]

### From Obviously Awesome
[Key findings — if product mode]

## Target Segment
[Best-fit segment with evidence from multiple frameworks]

## Market Category
[Chosen category with evidence from multiple frameworks]

## Confidence Register

| Element | Confidence | Evidence Source | What Would Change It |
|---------|-----------|----------------|---------------------|
| [element] | [level] | [source] | [condition] |

## Validation Plan (market mode only)
[What needs testing before this position is canonical]

## Positioning Implications

### For Messaging
### For Product
### For Sales
### For Pricing

## Downstream Impact
[Standard pattern]

## Next Steps
[Standard routing]

Task Classification

When this skill produces follow-up work, file it by execution semantics:

• Immediately actionable implementation or documentation work goes in tasks/todo.md.
• Human-only external actions tied to automated steps go in tasks/manual-todo.md with _(blocks: Step N.X)_ or _(after: Step N.X)_.
• One-time condition-gated records go in tasks/record-todo.md.
• Cadence-based reviews go in tasks/recurring-todo.md.
• Do not put non-blocking records or recurring obligations in tasks/todo.md unless promoted.

Constraints

• Requires ICP + competitive analysis. Positioning without knowing the customer and the competition is guesswork.
• Customer-grounded. Every positioning decision must connect to real customer behavior or research evidence.
• Mode detection is evidence-based. Do not override mode detection without user confirmation.
• Parent does not execute frameworks. It selects and queues them. /exec handles execution.
• Synthesis requires at least one framework output. Do not synthesize from zero evidence.
• Do not overwrite existing research/positioning.md without asking the user first.

Context Gathering

Step 1 — Scope questions. Before researching, ask the user 1–3 questions via AskUserQuestion to understand: their product/service, target audience, and what they hope to learn or decide from this research.

Step 2 — Research. Conduct research scoped by the user's answers.

Step 3 — Findings validation. Before building the alignment page, present the 3–5 most important findings and ask the user to validate or correct any critical assumptions.

Alignment Page

When this skill produces durable deliverables (research, specs, plans, reports, prototypes, or any document output), build a full-depth HTML alignment page following ALIGNMENT-PAGE.md in this skill's directory. Output: alignment/positioning-{topic}.html.

Default Shipping Contract

Follow the shared shipping contract convention in CLAUDE.md.