---
name: idea-check
description: Pre-build reality check. Scans GitHub, HN, npm, PyPI, and Stack Overflow for existing competitors before you build. Use when starting a new project, evaluating a side project idea, or doing a build-vs-buy decision.
---

# Idea Reality Check

## When to use
- Starting a new project or side project
- Evaluating whether to build or buy
- Researching competitors before a sprint
- Validating a feature idea before implementation

## Instructions
1. Ask the user for a natural-language description of their idea
2. Call the `idea_check` MCP tool with the idea text
3. Use `depth="quick"` for fast checks (GitHub + HN), `depth="deep"` for comprehensive analysis (all 5 sources)
4. Present the reality_signal score (0-100) and interpret it:
   - **0-30**: Low competition — green light to build
   - **31-60**: Moderate competition — differentiation needed
   - **61-80**: High competition — find a niche or pivot
   - **81-100**: Very high competition — consider contributing to existing projects instead
5. List the top 3 competitors with star counts and descriptions
6. Share the pivot_hints for actionable next steps