feat: update positioning
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INDEX.md
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INDEX.md
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# Banatie Strategy Documentation Index
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# Banatie Strategy Documentation Index
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**Last Updated:** January 2, 2026
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**Last Updated:** January 9, 2026
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**Total Documents:** 20 (numbered in strategy/execution) + research (prefixed)
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**Total Documents:** 22 (numbered in strategy/execution) + research (prefixed)
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**Next Available Number:** 20
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**Next Available Number:** 22
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**Project Stage:** Pre-launch / MVP Development
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**Project Stage:** Pre-launch / MVP Development
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---
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---
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@ -35,8 +35,10 @@
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- 18 - Production Infrastructure
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- 18 - Production Infrastructure
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- 19 - Placeholder SEO Sprint
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- 19 - Placeholder SEO Sprint
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- 20 - Template System
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- 21 - Validation Approaches
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**Next to assign:** 20
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**Next to assign:** 22
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---
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---
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@ -144,6 +146,11 @@ Status: ✅ Validated - One product, multiple entry points
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Key insight: Direction 1 (Agencies) + Direction 2 (AI Developers) = SAME product
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Key insight: Direction 1 (Agencies) + Direction 2 (AI Developers) = SAME product
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Segments: A (Studios/Agencies), B (Power Users - PRIMARY), C (Freelancers), D (AI-Savvy Freelancers - SECONDARY)
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Segments: A (Studios/Agencies), B (Power Users - PRIMARY), C (Freelancers), D (AI-Savvy Freelancers - SECONDARY)
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**[Positioning Updates Jan 2026](strategy/positioning-updates-jan-2026.md)** (Jan 9, 2026) ⭐ NEW
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*Critical positioning changes summary*
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Status: ✅ Reference document
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Covers: MCP/SDK/CLI = table stakes, Template System reframe, 70/30 allocation, Validation approaches
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---
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---
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## 🎯 Execution Documents
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## 🎯 Execution Documents
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@ -204,6 +211,16 @@ Status: 🔄 Active Sprint
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Tracks: Landing page `/placeholder-images`, Docs `/docs/placeholders/`, Homepage quick wins
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Tracks: Landing page `/placeholder-images`, Docs `/docs/placeholders/`, Homepage quick wins
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Target: Zero-KD keywords + 14,800 vol main keyword
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Target: Zero-KD keywords + 14,800 vol main keyword
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**[20 - Template System](execution/20-template-system.md)** (Jan 9, 2026)
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*Reframed "Prompt Enhancement" as Template System*
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Status: ✅ Strategic decision documented
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Key: Granular enhancement, default = Photorealistic, Custom Templates = Pro paid feature
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**[21 - Validation Approaches](execution/21-validation-approaches.md)** (Jan 9, 2026)
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*Catalog of 8 validation approaches with pros/cons*
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Status: ✅ Reference document
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Best balance: Discord AI Tools (⭐⭐⭐, 1-2 weeks)
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### Technical Documentation
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### Technical Documentation
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**[12 - Current Tech State](execution/12-the-current-tech-state.md)** (v1.0, Nov 1)
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**[12 - Current Tech State](execution/12-the-current-tech-state.md)** (v1.0, Nov 1)
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@ -426,5 +443,5 @@ research/seo-keyword-research-*.md → ROADMAP.md (Content Sprint) → blog arti
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---
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---
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**Last maintained by:** @men
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**Last maintained by:** @men
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**Version:** 4.3 (Placeholder SEO Sprint added Jan 2, 2026)
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**Version:** 4.4 (Template System + Validation Approaches added Jan 9, 2026)
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**Next review:** End of Placeholder SEO Sprint (mid-January 2026)
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**Next review:** After validation approach selected
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# Pricing Strategy: Banatie for AI Developers
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# Pricing Strategy: Banatie for AI Developers
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**Date:** October 20, 2025
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**Date:** October 20, 2025 (Updated: January 9, 2026)
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**Version:** 2.0 (Hybrid model - Credits + Subscription)
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**Version:** 2.2 (Fixed encoding, Template System terminology)
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**Based on:** Oleg's personal feedback + Krea.ai model inspiration
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**Based on:** Oleg's personal feedback + Krea.ai model inspiration
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**Status:** Draft for validation testing
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**Status:** Draft for validation testing
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@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
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## Pricing Philosophy
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## Pricing Philosophy
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**Core insight from ICP research:**
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**Core insight from ICP research:**
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> "ДиÑкомфорт подпиÑки в том, что Ñ Ð½Ðµ регулÑрно пользуюÑÑŒ ÑервиÑами и жалко денег когда не пользуюÑÑŒ"
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> "Дискомфорт подписки в том, что я не регулярно пользуюсь сервисами и жалко денег когда не пользуюсь"
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**Problem with traditional SaaS subscriptions:**
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**Problem with traditional SaaS subscriptions:**
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- Episodic usage patterns (site in a weekend, then 2 months idle)
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- Episodic usage patterns (site in a weekend, then 2 months idle)
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- Basic transformations only
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- Basic transformations only
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**What's included:**
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**What's included:**
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- ✅ REST API access
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- ✅ REST API access
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- ✅ MCP integration
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- ✅ MCP integration
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- ✅ Prompt Enhancement
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- ✅ Template System (built-in templates)
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- ✅ CDN delivery
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- ✅ CDN delivery
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- ✅ @name references
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- ✅ @name references
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- ✅ Basic transformations (resize, format)
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- ✅ Basic transformations (resize, format)
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- ✅ Generation history (30 days)
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- ✅ Generation history (30 days)
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**What's NOT included:**
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**What's NOT included:**
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- ⌠No watermark removal
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- ❌ No watermark removal
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- ⌠Limited transformations (no custom presets)
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- ❌ Limited transformations (no custom presets)
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- ⌠Priority queue (slower generation)
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- ❌ Priority queue (slower generation)
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- ⌠Advanced features (when released)
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- ❌ Advanced features (when released)
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**Revenue impact:** $0 (cost center)
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**Revenue impact:** $0 (cost center)
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**Goal:** Convert 10-20% to paid within 30 days
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**Goal:** Convert 10-20% to paid within 30 days
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@ -80,19 +80,19 @@
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| 1,500 generations | | | | Bulk work |
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| 1,500 generations | | | | Bulk work |
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**What's included:**
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**What's included:**
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- ✅ All Free tier features
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- ✅ All Free tier features
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- ✅ No watermark (production-ready)
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- ✅ No watermark (production-ready)
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- ✅ All transformations
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- ✅ All transformations
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- ✅ Extended history (1 year)
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- ✅ Extended history (1 year)
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- ✅ Priority support (email, 48hr response)
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- ✅ Priority support (email, 48hr response)
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**What's NOT included:**
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**What's NOT included:**
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- ⌠Priority generation queue (Pro only)
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- ❌ Priority generation queue (Pro only)
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- ⌠Advanced features (Pro only, when released)
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- ❌ Advanced features (Pro only, when released)
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- ⌠Monthly recurring generations
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- ❌ Monthly recurring generations
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**Why 90-day expiry:**
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**Why 90-day expiry:**
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- Based on Oleg's Krea.ai feedback: "90 дней доÑтаточно чтобы потом потратить оÑтальное"
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- Based on Oleg's Krea.ai feedback: "90 дней достаточно чтобы потом потратить остальное"
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- Long enough to not feel rushed
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- Long enough to not feel rushed
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- Short enough to encourage purchase when needed
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- Short enough to encourage purchase when needed
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- Industry standard (Krea.ai, similar services)
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- Industry standard (Krea.ai, similar services)
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- OR $470/year (save $118 = 20% discount)
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- OR $470/year (save $118 = 20% discount)
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**What's included:**
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**What's included:**
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- ✅ 500 generations per month (included)
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- ✅ 500 generations per month (included)
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- ✅ All Credit Pack features
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- ✅ All Credit Pack features
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- ✅ Priority generation queue (2x faster)
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- ✅ Priority generation queue (2x faster)
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- ✅ Advanced features (exclusive):
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- ✅ Advanced features (exclusive):
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- Flow-based generation (when released)
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- Flow-based generation (when released)
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- **Custom Templates** (create your own enhancement templates)
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- Namespaces / project organization
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- Namespaces / project organization
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- On-demand URL generation
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- On-demand URL generation
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- Custom style presets (future)
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- Custom style presets (future)
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- ✅ Priority support (24hr response)
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- ✅ Priority support (24hr response)
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- ✅ Overage pricing: $0.10/gen (same as Starter pack)
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- ✅ Overage pricing: $0.10/gen (same as Starter pack)
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**Why $49:**
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**Why $49:**
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- Below Cloudinary ($89/month)
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- Below Cloudinary ($89/month)
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|---------|------|---------|-----|
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|---------|------|---------|-----|
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| **Generations/month** | 10 | As purchased | 500 included |
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| **Generations/month** | 10 | As purchased | 500 included |
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| **Watermark** | Yes | No | No |
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| **Watermark** | Yes | No | No |
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| **MCP Integration** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
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| **MCP Integration** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
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| **Prompt Enhancement** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
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| **Template System** | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in + Custom |
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| **@name References** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
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| **@name References** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
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| **CDN Delivery** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
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| **CDN Delivery** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
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| **Transformations** | Basic | All | All |
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| **Transformations** | Basic | All | All |
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| **Priority Queue** | ⌠| ⌠| ✅ 2x faster |
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| **Priority Queue** | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ 2x faster |
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| **Advanced Features** | ⌠| ⌠| ✅ Exclusive |
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| **Advanced Features** | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Exclusive |
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| **Support** | Community | Email (48h) | Email (24h) |
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| **Support** | Community | Email (48h) | Email (24h) |
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| **Price** | $0 | $20-100 | $49/mo |
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| **Price** | $0 | $20-100 | $49/mo |
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| **Best For** | Testing | 1-4 projects | Regular use |
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| **Best For** | Testing | 1-4 projects | Regular use |
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**Prompt Enhancement (Gemini 2.0 Flash):**
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**Prompt Enhancement (Gemini 2.0 Flash):**
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- ~$0.001 per prompt (negligible)
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- ~$0.001 per prompt (negligible)
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- Note: This is the technical implementation powering Template System
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**CDN Bandwidth (Cloudflare):**
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**CDN Bandwidth (Cloudflare):**
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- Free tier: 100GB/month
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- Free tier: 100GB/month
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### Revenue Per Generation:
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### Revenue Per Generation:
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**Free Tier:** -$0.040 (loss per image)
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**Free Tier:** -$0.040 (loss per image)
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**Starter Pack ($20 / 200):** $0.10 per gen → **$0.06 profit**
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**Starter Pack ($20 / 200):** $0.10 per gen → **$0.06 profit**
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**Builder Pack ($50 / 600):** $0.083 per gen → **$0.043 profit**
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**Builder Pack ($50 / 600):** $0.083 per gen → **$0.043 profit**
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**Creator Pack ($100 / 1500):** $0.067 per gen → **$0.027 profit**
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**Creator Pack ($100 / 1500):** $0.067 per gen → **$0.027 profit**
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**Pro Subscription ($49 / 500):** $0.098 per gen → **$0.058 profit**
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**Pro Subscription ($49 / 500):** $0.098 per gen → **$0.058 profit**
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**Pro Overage:** $0.10 per gen → **$0.06 profit**
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**Pro Overage:** $0.10 per gen → **$0.06 profit**
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---
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---
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**3. Decision Simplification:**
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**3. Decision Simplification:**
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- Only 3 paid options (not 6-7 like some competitors)
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- Only 3 paid options (not 6-7 like some competitors)
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- Clear use case per tier (testing → projects → regular use)
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- Clear use case per tier (testing → projects → regular use)
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- Easy to upgrade (credits → Pro seamless)
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- Easy to upgrade (credits → Pro seamless)
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**4. Commitment Gradient:**
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**4. Commitment Gradient:**
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- Free → try instantly (no credit card)
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- Free → try instantly (no credit card)
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- Credits → low commitment (pay once, use when needed)
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- Credits → low commitment (pay once, use when needed)
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- Pro → higher commitment (monthly, but cancel anytime)
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- Pro → higher commitment (monthly, but cancel anytime)
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---
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---
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## MCP Access Strategy (Revised)
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## MCP Access Strategy (Revised)
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**Original plan:** MCP only for Pro tier
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**Original plan:** MCP only for Pro tier
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**Oleg's feedback:** "MCP должно быть беÑплатно, Ñто Ð¼Ð°Ñ€ÐºÐµÑ‚Ð¸Ð½Ð³Ð¾Ð²Ð°Ñ Ñ„Ð¸Ñ‡Ð°"
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**Oleg's feedback:** "MCP должно быть бесплатно, это маркетинговая фича"
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**New strategy: MCP on ALL tiers ✅**
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**New strategy: MCP on ALL tiers ✅**
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**Why this is correct:**
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**Why this is correct:**
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1. **Viral adoption:** Developers try MCP → share with others → network effect
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1. **Viral adoption:** Developers try MCP → share with others → network effect
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2. **Can't restrict:** If API is open, community will build MCP anyway
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2. **Can't restrict:** If API is open, community will build MCP anyway
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3. **Marketing asset:** "First AI image gen with native MCP support"
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3. **Marketing asset:** "First AI image gen with native MCP support"
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4. **Trust building:** No artificial feature paywalls (developer-friendly)
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4. **Trust building:** No artificial feature paywalls (developer-friendly)
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**How to monetize without MCP paywall:**
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**How to monetize without MCP paywall:**
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- Free tier: Limited generations (10/month) → forces upgrade
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- Free tier: Limited generations (10/month) → forces upgrade
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- Credits: Episodic users buy when needed → flexible revenue
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- Credits: Episodic users buy when needed → flexible revenue
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- Pro: Heavy users subscribe → predictable MRR
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- Pro: Heavy users subscribe → predictable MRR
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**Features exclusive to Pro (after launch):**
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**Features exclusive to Pro (after launch):**
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- Priority queue (2x faster generation)
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- Priority queue (2x faster generation)
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- Flow-based generation (complex workflows)
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- Flow-based generation (complex workflows)
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- Custom Templates (create your own)
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- Namespaces (project organization)
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- Namespaces (project organization)
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- On-demand URL generation
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- On-demand URL generation
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- Custom style presets
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- Custom style presets
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- 10 generations/month
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- 10 generations/month
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- MCP + API + UI access
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- MCP + API + UI access
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- Prompt Enhancement
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- Template System (built-in)
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- CDN delivery
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- CDN delivery
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- Watermark on images
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- Watermark on images
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[Start Free →]
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[Start Free →]
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---
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---
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@ -356,7 +359,7 @@ Buy credits when you need them
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- Valid for 90 days
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- Valid for 90 days
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- No recurring charges
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- No recurring charges
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[View Packs →]
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[View Packs →]
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---
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---
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@ -369,11 +372,11 @@ For regular builders and agencies
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- 500 generations/month included
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- 500 generations/month included
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- Priority generation queue (2x faster)
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- Priority generation queue (2x faster)
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- Exclusive features (Flow, Namespaces)
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- Custom Templates + Exclusive features
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- $0.10 per additional generation
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- $0.10 per additional generation
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- Cancel anytime
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- Cancel anytime
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[Start Pro Trial →]
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[Start Pro Trial →]
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---
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---
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@ -406,13 +409,16 @@ A: Yes, 90 days from purchase. You'll get email reminders at 30 days and 7 days
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**Q: Is there an Enterprise plan?**
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**Q: Is there an Enterprise plan?**
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A: Not yet. Contact us if you need >10K generations/month or custom features.
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A: Not yet. Contact us if you need >10K generations/month or custom features.
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**Q: What's the difference between Template System tiers?**
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A: All tiers get built-in templates (Photorealistic, Illustration, etc.). Pro tier adds Custom Templates — create and save your own enhancement templates for brand consistency.
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---
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---
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## Pricing Experiments (Post-Launch)
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## Pricing Experiments (Post-Launch)
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### Month 1-2: Validation
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### Month 1-2: Validation
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- Test current structure
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- Test current structure
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- Track conversion rates (Free → Credits, Free → Pro)
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- Track conversion rates (Free → Credits, Free → Pro)
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- Identify most popular pack (likely Builder $50)
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- Identify most popular pack (likely Builder $50)
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### Month 3: A/B Test
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### Month 3: A/B Test
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@ -440,7 +446,7 @@ A: Not yet. Contact us if you need >10K generations/month or custom features.
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- After strong PMF signals (low churn, high NPS)
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- After strong PMF signals (low churn, high NPS)
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**When to decrease prices:**
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**When to decrease prices:**
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- If conversion rate <5% (Free → Paid)
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- If conversion rate <5% (Free → Paid)
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- If competitor undercuts significantly
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- If competitor undercuts significantly
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- If usage patterns show lower value perception
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- If usage patterns show lower value perception
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@ -570,7 +576,7 @@ Metadata: { included_credits: 500, overage_rate: 0.10 }
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## Pricing Strategy: Key Decisions
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## Pricing Strategy: Key Decisions
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### ✅ CONFIRMED:
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### ✅ CONFIRMED:
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1. **Hybrid model (Credits + Subscription)** - accommodates episodic AND regular users
|
1. **Hybrid model (Credits + Subscription)** - accommodates episodic AND regular users
|
||||||
2. **MCP on all tiers** - marketing asset, can't be restricted
|
2. **MCP on all tiers** - marketing asset, can't be restricted
|
||||||
|
|
@ -579,15 +585,16 @@ Metadata: { included_credits: 500, overage_rate: 0.10 }
|
||||||
5. **Watermark on free tier** - clear upgrade incentive
|
5. **Watermark on free tier** - clear upgrade incentive
|
||||||
6. **$49 Pro tier** - positioned between dev tools ($20) and platforms ($89+)
|
6. **$49 Pro tier** - positioned between dev tools ($20) and platforms ($89+)
|
||||||
7. **No fake scarcity** - transparent, developer-friendly pricing
|
7. **No fake scarcity** - transparent, developer-friendly pricing
|
||||||
|
8. **Template System on all tiers** - built-in templates free, Custom Templates = Pro
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
### â³ TO VALIDATE:
|
### ⏳ TO VALIDATE:
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
1. **Credit pack sizes** - are 200/600/1500 the right amounts?
|
1. **Credit pack sizes** - are 200/600/1500 the right amounts?
|
||||||
2. **Pro inclusion (500 gens)** - is this the sweet spot or too low/high?
|
2. **Pro inclusion (500 gens)** - is this the sweet spot or too low/high?
|
||||||
3. **Annual discount (20%)** - does this drive annual commitments?
|
3. **Annual discount (20%)** - does this drive annual commitments?
|
||||||
4. **Overage pricing ($0.10)** - acceptable or feels like nickel-and-diming?
|
4. **Overage pricing ($0.10)** - acceptable or feels like nickel-and-diming?
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
### ðŸ"® FUTURE:
|
### 🔮 FUTURE:
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
1. **Hobbyist tier ($10-20)** - if demand shows for lower entry point
|
1. **Hobbyist tier ($10-20)** - if demand shows for lower entry point
|
||||||
2. **Agency tier ($149+)** - when agencies start adopting
|
2. **Agency tier ($149+)** - when agencies start adopting
|
||||||
|
|
@ -596,8 +603,6 @@ Metadata: { included_credits: 500, overage_rate: 0.10 }
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
---
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
---
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## Alternative Approach: Single Tier Launch (For Consideration)
|
## Alternative Approach: Single Tier Launch (For Consideration)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Before launch, it's worth considering an alternative strategy: start with **one paid tier only** instead of three (Free, Credits, Pro).
|
Before launch, it's worth considering an alternative strategy: start with **one paid tier only** instead of three (Free, Credits, Pro).
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
@ -1,30 +1,45 @@
|
||||||
# Product Features Overview
|
# Product Features Overview
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Date:** November 2, 2025
|
**Date:** November 2, 2025 (Updated: January 9, 2026)
|
||||||
**Status:** 📝 Living document - feature roadmap
|
**Status:** 📝 Living document - feature roadmap
|
||||||
**Version:** 1.0
|
**Version:** 1.1 (Template System = primary feature, Prompt Enhancement = technical implementation)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
---
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## Core Features (MVP)
|
## Core Features (MVP)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
### 1. Prompt Enhancement ⭐ PRIMARY MOAT
|
### 1. Template System ⭐ PRIMARY MOAT
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**What:** AI improves user prompts for professional quality
|
**What:** User-facing feature for professional quality output
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Under the hood:** Prompt Enhancement (AI improves prompts) — technical implementation that powers templates
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**How:**
|
**How:**
|
||||||
- User provides generic prompt: "hero image for SaaS"
|
- User selects template (Photorealistic default, or custom)
|
||||||
- System enhances: "Professional SaaS hero image, modern gradient background, clean UI elements, high contrast, 4K quality, corporate aesthetic"
|
- System analyzes prompt for specified parameters (subject, style, lighting, etc.)
|
||||||
- Gemini generates with enhanced prompt
|
- Template applies **only** to missing details (granular enhancement)
|
||||||
|
- Detailed prompts pass through unchanged
|
||||||
|
- User always sees before/after comparison
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Status:** ✅ Working, always enabled
|
**Example - Short prompt:**
|
||||||
|
- Input: "hero image for SaaS"
|
||||||
|
- Template: Photorealistic (fills lighting, background, quality, composition)
|
||||||
|
- Output: Full professional prompt
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Example - Detailed prompt:**
|
||||||
|
- Input: "Professional SaaS dashboard mockup, purple gradient, soft shadows, 4K"
|
||||||
|
- Template: Detects most params specified
|
||||||
|
- Output: Passes through mostly unchanged (adds only missing critical details)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Status:** ✅ Working (enhancement logic), needs template selector UI
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Why it matters:**
|
**Why it matters:**
|
||||||
- This is our main competitive advantage
|
- This is our main competitive advantage (3-6 months to replicate)
|
||||||
- Justifies $0.10 vs $0.0006 commodity
|
- Justifies $0.10 vs $0.0006 commodity
|
||||||
- Users get professional quality without prompt engineering skills
|
- Users control output via template choice, not generic "enhancement"
|
||||||
|
- Intelligent analysis = unique, complex feature
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Cannot be disabled** - this is the value we sell
|
**Custom Templates = Pro tier paid feature**
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
---
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
@ -282,7 +297,7 @@ const features = await banatie.generate({
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
| Feature | Segment | Priority | Status | Days |
|
| Feature | Segment | Priority | Status | Days |
|
||||||
|---------|---------|----------|--------|------|
|
|---------|---------|----------|--------|------|
|
||||||
| Prompt Enhancement | All | 🔴 Critical | ✅ Done | - |
|
| Template System | All | 🔴 Critical | ✅ Done | - |
|
||||||
| 6 Aspect Ratios | All | 🔴 Critical | ✅ Done | - |
|
| 6 Aspect Ratios | All | 🔴 Critical | ✅ Done | - |
|
||||||
| Prompt URLs | All | 🔴 Critical | ⏳ Todo | 3 |
|
| Prompt URLs | All | 🔴 Critical | ⏳ Todo | 3 |
|
||||||
| MCP Server | B/D | 🟡 High | ⏳ Todo | 3 |
|
| MCP Server | B/D | 🟡 High | ⏳ Todo | 3 |
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
@ -0,0 +1,212 @@
|
||||||
|
# Template System
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Date:** January 9, 2026
|
||||||
|
**Status:** ✅ Strategic decision documented
|
||||||
|
**Version:** 1.0
|
||||||
|
**Previous concept:** Prompt Enhancement (reframed, not replaced)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Executive Summary
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What changed (MARKETING ONLY, not technical):**
|
||||||
|
- OLD: "Prompt Enhancement" = primary feature (Template System = detail of how it works)
|
||||||
|
- NEW: **Template System** = primary feature (Prompt Enhancement = technical implementation for those who want to understand deeper)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Prompt Enhancement still exists** — it's the AI that analyzes and improves prompts. We just reframed the hierarchy for better user communication.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Why reframe:**
|
||||||
|
- Better marketing: "Choose template" clearer than "we enhance your prompt"
|
||||||
|
- User control: User selects outcome style, not "trust us to improve"
|
||||||
|
- Explains mandatory nature: Template must always be selected (not "we won't let you disable")
|
||||||
|
- Solves stylization: Custom templates = paid feature (replaces need for separate styling system)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## How Templates Work
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### User Experience
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
1. User selects template (or uses default)
|
||||||
|
2. User writes prompt (any completeness level)
|
||||||
|
3. System applies template intelligently based on prompt completeness
|
||||||
|
4. Generation produces professional result
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Template Logic
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Default template:** Photorealistic (not "general")
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Granular enhancement based on prompt completeness:**
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
| User prompt | System behavior |
|
||||||
|
|-------------|-----------------|
|
||||||
|
| Short/vague | Full template enhancement applied |
|
||||||
|
| Partial (missing some details) | Fills only missing details |
|
||||||
|
| Detailed/specific | Passes through unchanged |
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Example: Photorealistic template**
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
Template specifies: camera type, lens, lighting, focus characteristics, etc.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- **User writes:** "cat on table"
|
||||||
|
**System applies:** Full template (camera, lens, lighting, focus, composition)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- **User writes:** "cat on table, deep focus, natural window light"
|
||||||
|
**System applies:** Camera and lens only (respects user's focus and light choices)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- **User writes:** "cat on table, Canon EOS R5, 85mm f/1.4, shallow focus, golden hour backlight, rule of thirds composition"
|
||||||
|
**System applies:** Nothing (user specified everything)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Principle:** Respect user intent. If they specified something, don't change it.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Template Types
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Built-in Templates (Free)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
| Template | Purpose | Key characteristics |
|
||||||
|
|----------|---------|---------------------|
|
||||||
|
| **Photorealistic** (default) | Real-world photos | Camera specs, lighting, focus, composition |
|
||||||
|
| **Illustration** | Digital art | Style consistency, color palette, line work |
|
||||||
|
| **3D Render** | Product visualization | Materials, lighting setup, render quality |
|
||||||
|
| **Icon/Logo** | Simple graphics | Clean lines, scalability, flat design |
|
||||||
|
| **UI Mockup** | Interface screenshots | Device frames, realistic UI elements |
|
||||||
|
| **Abstract** | Backgrounds, patterns | Color harmony, texture, visual flow |
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Custom Templates (Paid Feature)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What:** Users create and save their own templates
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Use cases:**
|
||||||
|
- Brand-specific style (colors, mood, composition rules)
|
||||||
|
- Project consistency (same visual language across all images)
|
||||||
|
- Agency presets (client-specific templates)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Pricing:** Pro tier feature (or separate add-on)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Why paid:**
|
||||||
|
- Requires storage (user templates saved)
|
||||||
|
- Advanced feature for power users
|
||||||
|
- Replaces need for separate "stylization" system
|
||||||
|
- Clear value differentiation
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Technical Implementation
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Prompt Analysis
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
Before applying template, analyze user prompt for:
|
||||||
|
- Camera/equipment mentions
|
||||||
|
- Lighting descriptions
|
||||||
|
- Composition directions
|
||||||
|
- Style keywords
|
||||||
|
- Technical parameters (focus, exposure, etc.)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Template Application
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
```
|
||||||
|
finalPrompt = userPrompt + templateAdditions(excluding what user specified)
|
||||||
|
```
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Not:**
|
||||||
|
```
|
||||||
|
finalPrompt = template.replace("{prompt}", userPrompt) // Wrong - ignores user specificity
|
||||||
|
```
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Template Storage
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Built-in:** Hardcoded in backend
|
||||||
|
**Custom:** User account storage (Pro feature)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Migration from "Prompt Enhancement"
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### What stays the same:
|
||||||
|
- AI improves prompts automatically ✅
|
||||||
|
- Professional quality output ✅
|
||||||
|
- Works in any language ✅
|
||||||
|
- Always enabled (mandatory) ✅
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### What changes:
|
||||||
|
- **Naming:** "Prompt Enhancement" → "Template System"
|
||||||
|
- **Control:** System chooses enhancement → User chooses template
|
||||||
|
- **Granularity:** All-or-nothing → Intelligent partial application
|
||||||
|
- **Paid feature:** No paid enhancement option → Custom templates = paid
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Documentation updates needed:
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Landing page copy
|
||||||
|
- [ ] API documentation
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Pricing page (custom templates = Pro)
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Marketing materials
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Competitive Positioning
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Why this is still a moat:
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
1. **Intelligent partial application** - Complex to implement, competitors use simple template substitution
|
||||||
|
2. **Built-in quality templates** - Curated by us, tested for Gemini optimization
|
||||||
|
3. **Custom template creation** - Paid feature, requires UI and storage
|
||||||
|
4. **Prompt analysis** - Understanding what user specified vs. what to add
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Time to replicate: 3-6 months (unchanged)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
Competitors would need to:
|
||||||
|
- Build prompt analysis system
|
||||||
|
- Create and test template library
|
||||||
|
- Implement granular application logic
|
||||||
|
- Build custom template UI
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## User Communication
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### How to explain to users:
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Simple version:**
|
||||||
|
> "Choose a template that matches your desired style. We'll make sure your image looks professional."
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Technical version:**
|
||||||
|
> "Templates provide baseline parameters (camera, lighting, composition). If you specify these yourself, we respect your choices. If you don't, we fill in the gaps with professional defaults."
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### FAQ additions:
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Q: Can I disable templates?**
|
||||||
|
A: Templates ensure professional quality. You can override any aspect by specifying it in your prompt.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Q: Why is there a default template?**
|
||||||
|
A: Photorealistic is the most common use case. You can change it per request.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Q: Can I create my own templates?**
|
||||||
|
A: Custom templates are available on Pro tier.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Action Items
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Immediate:
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Update landing page messaging (template language)
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Update API docs with template parameter
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Add template selection to UI
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Technical:
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Implement prompt analysis (detect user-specified params)
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Implement granular template application
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Add template parameter to API
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Future (Pro):
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Custom template creation UI
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Template storage per user
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Template sharing (optional)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Document owner:** @men + Oleg
|
||||||
|
**Last updated:** January 9, 2026
|
||||||
|
**Related docs:**
|
||||||
|
- [16-product-features.md](16-product-features.md) - Feature overview
|
||||||
|
- [10-pricing-strategy.md](10-pricing-strategy.md) - Custom templates pricing
|
||||||
|
|
@ -0,0 +1,271 @@
|
||||||
|
# Validation Approaches Catalog
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Date:** January 9, 2026
|
||||||
|
**Status:** ✅ Reference document
|
||||||
|
**Version:** 1.0
|
||||||
|
**Purpose:** Catalog of validation approaches with pros/cons for Oleg to choose
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Current State
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- **Paying customers:** 0
|
||||||
|
- **Interviews conducted:** 0
|
||||||
|
- **API feedback received:** 0
|
||||||
|
- **Product status:** MVP ready, validation flows partially ready
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Validation Flows (What User Tests)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
| Flow | Status | Description |
|
||||||
|
|------|--------|-------------|
|
||||||
|
| **Flow 1: Live URLs** | ✅ Ready | Generate via URL params, no API key needed |
|
||||||
|
| **Flow 2: Lab UI** | TBD | Web interface for testing generations |
|
||||||
|
| **Flow 3: API Integration** | ✅ Ready | Full API with key, SDK, documentation |
|
||||||
|
| **Flow 4: MCP** | ❌ Not built | Claude/Cursor integration |
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Validation Approaches
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### 1. Known Developer (Personal Network)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What:** Ask developers you already know to try Banatie
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Reliability:** ⭐ (Low)
|
||||||
|
**Cost:** $0
|
||||||
|
**Time:** 1 day
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Pros:**
|
||||||
|
- Fastest possible feedback
|
||||||
|
- Will actually try it (personal relationship)
|
||||||
|
- Can ask deep follow-up questions
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Cons:**
|
||||||
|
- Biased feedback (won't say "this is useless")
|
||||||
|
- May not be target ICP
|
||||||
|
- Small sample size
|
||||||
|
- "Friend favor" dynamic distorts honesty
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Best for:** Technical sanity check, UX bugs, basic flow testing
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### 2. Telegram RU Communities
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What:** Post in Russian-speaking dev communities
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Reliability:** ⭐⭐ (Low-Medium)
|
||||||
|
**Cost:** $0
|
||||||
|
**Time:** 2-3 days
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Pros:**
|
||||||
|
- Native language = deeper conversations
|
||||||
|
- Some communities are active and engaged
|
||||||
|
- Can find specific niches (React, AI, etc.)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Cons:**
|
||||||
|
- Russian market ≠ global market (different pain points)
|
||||||
|
- Many communities are dead or low-quality
|
||||||
|
- May attract tire-kickers, not potential customers
|
||||||
|
- Language barrier limits global applicability
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Best for:** Initial concept validation, Russian market exploration
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### 3. Daily.dev Personal Post
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What:** Post on daily.dev as Oleg (personal brand, 5.2K rep)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Reliability:** ⭐⭐ (Medium-Low)
|
||||||
|
**Cost:** $0
|
||||||
|
**Time:** 3-5 days
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Pros:**
|
||||||
|
- Existing audience (5.2K reputation)
|
||||||
|
- Developer-focused platform
|
||||||
|
- Can test messaging
|
||||||
|
- Admin of 1.5K member squad
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Cons:**
|
||||||
|
- Personal brand risk if product is bad
|
||||||
|
- One-shot (can't spam product posts)
|
||||||
|
- Engagement may be passive (likes, not signups)
|
||||||
|
- Platform algorithm may limit reach
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Best for:** Awareness, traffic spike, testing headlines/positioning
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### 4. Discord AI Tools Communities
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What:** Join Discord servers focused on AI coding tools (Claude, Cursor, etc.)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium-High)
|
||||||
|
**Cost:** $0
|
||||||
|
**Time:** 1-2 weeks
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Pros:**
|
||||||
|
- Exact ICP: developers using AI tools
|
||||||
|
- Real conversations, not just reactions
|
||||||
|
- Can observe pain points before pitching
|
||||||
|
- Multiple communities to test
|
||||||
|
- Global audience
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Cons:**
|
||||||
|
- Need to build credibility first (can't just pitch)
|
||||||
|
- Time investment in community participation
|
||||||
|
- May get banned if too promotional
|
||||||
|
- Quality varies by community
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Best for:** ICP validation, pain point discovery, warm outreach
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Recommended approach:**
|
||||||
|
1. Week 1: Join, observe, help others
|
||||||
|
2. Week 2: Start mentioning Banatie when relevant
|
||||||
|
3. Week 3+: Direct conversations with interested devs
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### 5. jsjobs.ru Paid Interviews
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What:** Pay for interviews with Russian developers
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High)
|
||||||
|
**Cost:** $50-100 (5-10 interviews × $10 each)
|
||||||
|
**Time:** 1 week
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Pros:**
|
||||||
|
- Structured interviews with real developers
|
||||||
|
- Payment ensures commitment
|
||||||
|
- Can screen for specific profile
|
||||||
|
- Get deep feedback (30-60 min each)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Cons:**
|
||||||
|
- Cost (budget constraint)
|
||||||
|
- Russian market focus
|
||||||
|
- May attract interview-seekers, not product users
|
||||||
|
- Requires interview script preparation
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Best for:** Deep ICP validation, detailed feedback on specific features
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### 6. Henry Warmup (Content Marketing)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What:** Build Henry persona presence, then soft-pitch Banatie
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐ (Medium-High)
|
||||||
|
**Cost:** $0
|
||||||
|
**Time:** 2-3 weeks minimum
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Pros:**
|
||||||
|
- Builds sustainable channel
|
||||||
|
- Attracts target audience organically
|
||||||
|
- No "spam" perception
|
||||||
|
- Can repurpose content across platforms
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Cons:**
|
||||||
|
- Slow (need multiple posts before credibility)
|
||||||
|
- Requires consistent content production
|
||||||
|
- Indirect feedback (traffic, not conversations)
|
||||||
|
- Henry persona needs maintenance
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Best for:** Long-term channel building, organic discovery
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### 7. SEO Organic Traffic
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What:** Wait for organic search traffic to convert
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High)
|
||||||
|
**Cost:** $0
|
||||||
|
**Time:** 1-3 months
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Pros:**
|
||||||
|
- Highest quality signal (people searching for solution)
|
||||||
|
- Sustainable and scalable
|
||||||
|
- No manual outreach needed
|
||||||
|
- Validates market demand definitively
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Cons:**
|
||||||
|
- Slowest approach
|
||||||
|
- Requires content + SEO investment upfront
|
||||||
|
- May not get enough volume for statistical significance
|
||||||
|
- Depends on keyword rankings
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Best for:** End-goal validation, sustainable acquisition
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### 8. Product Hunt Launch
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**What:** Launch on Product Hunt
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Reliability:** ⭐⭐⭐ (High for awareness)
|
||||||
|
**Cost:** $0
|
||||||
|
**Time:** 1 month+ preparation
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Pros:**
|
||||||
|
- High visibility spike
|
||||||
|
- Developer/tech audience
|
||||||
|
- Social proof from upvotes
|
||||||
|
- Press/blogger attention possible
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Cons:**
|
||||||
|
- One-shot (can't re-launch easily)
|
||||||
|
- Requires preparation (assets, hunters, timing)
|
||||||
|
- Vanity metrics (upvotes ≠ customers)
|
||||||
|
- Post-launch depression (traffic drops)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Best for:** Awareness milestone, social proof, traffic spike
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Decision Framework
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Choose based on:**
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
| Priority | Best approach |
|
||||||
|
|----------|---------------|
|
||||||
|
| Speed | #1 Known Developer |
|
||||||
|
| Quality feedback | #5 jsjobs Paid |
|
||||||
|
| ICP accuracy | #4 Discord AI Tools |
|
||||||
|
| Sustainability | #7 SEO Organic |
|
||||||
|
| One-time boost | #8 Product Hunt |
|
||||||
|
| Balance | #4 Discord AI Tools |
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Not Included (Considered but Rejected)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- **Reddit cold posts** — High ban risk, low reliability without reputation
|
||||||
|
- **Twitter/X outreach** — Requires follower base first
|
||||||
|
- **LinkedIn cold messages** — Low response rate, wrong audience vibe
|
||||||
|
- **Email cold outreach** — Spam perception, low conversion
|
||||||
|
- **Paid ads** — Premature for validation stage
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Recommended Sequence
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**If Oleg wants structured approach:**
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
1. **Week 1:** #1 Known Developer (sanity check)
|
||||||
|
2. **Week 2-3:** #4 Discord AI Tools (ICP discovery)
|
||||||
|
3. **Week 3-4:** #6 Henry Warmup (start content)
|
||||||
|
4. **Month 2:** #7 SEO Organic (wait for traffic)
|
||||||
|
5. **Month 3:** #8 Product Hunt (if signals are positive)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**But:** Oleg decides. This is catalog, not prescription.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Document owner:** @men
|
||||||
|
**Last updated:** January 9, 2026
|
||||||
|
**Related docs:**
|
||||||
|
- [ROADMAP.md](../ROADMAP.md) - Current phase and priorities
|
||||||
|
- [03-icp-research-questions.md](../research/03-icp-research-questions.md) - ICP definition
|
||||||
|
|
@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
|
||||||
# Market Positioning & Strategy
|
# Market Positioning & Strategy
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Date:** October 20, 2025
|
**Date:** October 20, 2025 (Updated: January 9, 2026)
|
||||||
**Version:** 3.0 (Major update - expanded ICP, realistic TAM/SAM, competitive analysis)
|
**Version:** 3.1 (MCP/CLI repositioned as table stakes, Template System = primary feature)
|
||||||
**Status:** Working hypothesis - requires validation through founder's use case + 10-15 external interviews
|
**Status:** Working hypothesis - requires validation through founder's use case + 10-15 external interviews
|
||||||
**Previous versions:**
|
**Previous versions:**
|
||||||
- v1.0: Agencies-focused (archived)
|
- v1.0: Agencies-focused (archived)
|
||||||
|
|
@ -275,7 +275,7 @@ We ARE competing in "Production Image Infrastructure for Agentic Development" ($
|
||||||
| **MCP Integration** | ✅ | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| 🔨 DIY |
|
| **MCP Integration** | ✅ | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| 🔨 DIY |
|
||||||
| **CLI Tool** | ✅ | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| 🔨 DIY |
|
| **CLI Tool** | ✅ | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| 🔨 DIY |
|
||||||
| **REST API** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 🔨 DIY |
|
| **REST API** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | 🔨 DIY |
|
||||||
| **Prompt Enhancement** | ✅ Unique | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| ⌠|
|
| **Template System** | ✅ Unique | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| ⌠|
|
||||||
| **@name References** | ✅ Unique | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| 🔨 DIY |
|
| **@name References** | ✅ Unique | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| 🔨 DIY |
|
||||||
| **Prompt URLs** | ✅ Unique | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| ⌠|
|
| **Prompt URLs** | ✅ Unique | ⌠| ⌠| ⌠| ⌠|
|
||||||
| **Permanent CDN** | ✅ | ✅ | ⌠Temp URLs | ⌠| 🔨 DIY |
|
| **Permanent CDN** | ✅ | ✅ | ⌠Temp URLs | ⌠| 🔨 DIY |
|
||||||
|
|
@ -285,7 +285,9 @@ We ARE competing in "Production Image Infrastructure for Agentic Development" ($
|
||||||
| **Total Cost (TCO)** | $0.10 | $0.08-0.15 | $0.15-0.25 | $0.10-0.20 | $1-3 (time) |
|
| **Total Cost (TCO)** | $0.10 | $0.08-0.15 | $0.15-0.25 | $0.10-0.20 | $1-3 (time) |
|
||||||
| **Setup Time** | 5 min | 10 min | 10 min | 15 min | 20-40 hours |
|
| **Setup Time** | 5 min | 10 min | 10 min | 15 min | 20-40 hours |
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Our unique value:** ONLY solution with complete developer workflow integration (MCP + CLI + API + Prompt URLs) + production pipeline (CDN + transformations + optimization)
|
**Our unique value:** Complete developer workflow (MCP + CLI + API + Prompt URLs) + intelligent Template System + production pipeline (CDN + transformations + optimization)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Note (Jan 2026):** MCP/CLI are now table stakes for developer tools. All serious competitors will have them by mid-2026. Our defensible moats are: Template System (intelligent prompt analysis), @references (consistency), Prompt URLs (unique), and complete production pipeline.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
---
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
@ -298,7 +300,7 @@ We ARE competing in "Production Image Infrastructure for Agentic Development" ($
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**What we BUILD:**
|
**What we BUILD:**
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
### 1. **Best Developer Experience (DX)**
|
### 1. **Complete Developer Experience (DX Suite)**
|
||||||
- MCP integration (for Claude Code, Cursor, future tools)
|
- MCP integration (for Claude Code, Cursor, future tools)
|
||||||
- CLI tool (for CI/CD, scripts, terminal workflows)
|
- CLI tool (for CI/CD, scripts, terminal workflows)
|
||||||
- REST API (fully documented, with SDKs)
|
- REST API (fully documented, with SDKs)
|
||||||
|
|
@ -307,17 +309,24 @@ We ARE competing in "Production Image Infrastructure for Agentic Development" ($
|
||||||
- Interactive docs with live examples
|
- Interactive docs with live examples
|
||||||
- Fast, helpful support (Discord, email)
|
- Fast, helpful support (Discord, email)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Note (Jan 2026):** MCP/CLI/SDK collectively express "DX-first approach" but are NOT competitive advantages on their own. All serious competitors will have similar tools by mid-2026. The moat is in the *quality and completeness* of our DX suite, not individual tools.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Moat:** Switching cost increases with integration depth. Once they've integrated Banatie into their workflow, moving to competitor requires re-coding, re-testing, re-deploying.
|
**Moat:** Switching cost increases with integration depth. Once they've integrated Banatie into their workflow, moving to competitor requires re-coding, re-testing, re-deploying.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
---
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
### 2. **Workflow Intelligence**
|
### 2. **Workflow Intelligence**
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Prompt Enhancement:**
|
**Template System (PRIMARY MOAT):**
|
||||||
- AI agent optimizes prompts automatically
|
- User selects template (Photorealistic default, or custom)
|
||||||
|
- System analyzes prompt for specified parameters
|
||||||
|
- Applies template only for missing details (granular enhancement)
|
||||||
|
- Detailed prompts pass through unchanged
|
||||||
- Works in any language (Russian → English, etc.)
|
- Works in any language (Russian → English, etc.)
|
||||||
- Applies Gemini best practices
|
|
||||||
- Shows before/after (educational)
|
- Shows before/after (educational)
|
||||||
|
- Custom templates = Pro tier paid feature
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Technical implementation:** Prompt Enhancement (AI-powered prompt analysis and improvement). This is the "how it works" for technical users who want to understand the system.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Competitors don't have this** — they just pass raw prompts to model.
|
**Competitors don't have this** — they just pass raw prompts to model.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
|
||||||
# Competitive Analysis
|
# Competitive Analysis
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**Date:** November 2, 2025
|
**Date:** November 2, 2025 (Updated: January 9, 2026)
|
||||||
**Status:** ✅ Updated with Runware + ImageKit research
|
**Status:** ✅ Updated - Template System = primary feature (Prompt Enhancement = technical implementation), MCP/CLI = table stakes
|
||||||
**Version:** 1.0
|
**Version:** 1.1
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
---
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
@ -34,11 +34,14 @@
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## Our Competitive Advantages
|
## Our Competitive Advantages
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
### 1. Prompt Enhancement (PRIMARY MOAT)
|
### 1. Template System (PRIMARY MOAT)
|
||||||
- Generic → Professional quality
|
- Generic to Professional quality via intelligent templates
|
||||||
|
- Granular enhancement: only fills missing prompt details
|
||||||
|
- Custom templates = Pro tier paid feature
|
||||||
- 3-6 months to replicate
|
- 3-6 months to replicate
|
||||||
- Always enabled, not optional
|
- Always enabled, not optional
|
||||||
- This is what justifies $0.10 vs $0.0006
|
- This is what justifies $0.10 vs $0.0006
|
||||||
|
- **Technical implementation:** Prompt Enhancement (AI analyzes and improves prompts) — the "how it works" for devs who want details
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
### 2. Consistency System (@references)
|
### 2. Consistency System (@references)
|
||||||
- Style/object persistence across generations
|
- Style/object persistence across generations
|
||||||
|
|
@ -51,12 +54,14 @@
|
||||||
- Transformations (with focal point detection)
|
- Transformations (with focal point detection)
|
||||||
- Zero manual work
|
- Zero manual work
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
### 4. Developer Experience
|
### 4. Developer Experience (DX Suite)
|
||||||
- MCP (Cursor/Claude Code)
|
- MCP (Cursor/Claude Code)
|
||||||
- SDK (programmatic)
|
- SDK (programmatic)
|
||||||
- CLI (terminal)
|
- CLI (terminal)
|
||||||
- Prompt URLs (universal)
|
- Prompt URLs (universal)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Note (Jan 2026):** MCP/CLI/SDK are table stakes for 2026. All competitors will have them. Our moat is the *completeness and quality* of DX, not individual tools.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
---
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## Positioning vs Competitors
|
## Positioning vs Competitors
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
|
||||||
|
# Positioning Updates - January 2026
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Date:** January 9, 2026
|
||||||
|
**Status:** ✅ Strategic decisions documented
|
||||||
|
**Purpose:** Summary of critical positioning changes to apply across documentation
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Critical Update #1: MCP/SDK/CLI Repositioning
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Change
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**OLD positioning:**
|
||||||
|
> "First to MCP" as competitive moat
|
||||||
|
> MCP/SDK/CLI as unique differentiators
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**NEW positioning:**
|
||||||
|
> MCP/SDK/CLI/Lab = **table stakes** for 2026
|
||||||
|
> Collectively they express "DX-first approach", not competitive advantage
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Rationale
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- All serious competitors will have MCP in 2026
|
||||||
|
- Can be replicated in 2-4 weeks by any team
|
||||||
|
- Like having documentation — expected, not special
|
||||||
|
- "First to market" advantage is temporary (months, not years)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### What IS still defensible
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
1. **Template System** — Intelligent prompt analysis + granular application (3-6 months to replicate)
|
||||||
|
2. **@references consistency** — Unique, complex (post-MVP)
|
||||||
|
3. **Production pipeline** — CDN + transformations included
|
||||||
|
4. **DX quality** — Sum of all tools + docs + support
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Documentation updates required
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
| Document | Section | Change |
|
||||||
|
|----------|---------|--------|
|
||||||
|
| 01-market-positioning-v3.md | Competitive table | Remove MCP/CLI from "unique advantages" |
|
||||||
|
| 01-market-positioning-v3.md | Moat strategy | Reframe: "Complete DX suite" vs competitors' partial |
|
||||||
|
| 13-competitive-analysis.md | Competitor features | Update comparison to show MCP as expected |
|
||||||
|
| 16-product-features.md | MCP section | Reframe as "must-have" not "differentiator" |
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Critical Update #2: Template System (Marketing Reframe)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Change
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**OLD messaging:**
|
||||||
|
> "We enhance your prompts"
|
||||||
|
> (Sounds restrictive — "we change what you wrote")
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**NEW messaging:**
|
||||||
|
> "Choose a template that matches your style"
|
||||||
|
> (User control — "you choose, we help")
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Key points
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- Template is always applied (mandatory) — but framed as "ensures quality"
|
||||||
|
- Default template: **Photorealistic** (not "general")
|
||||||
|
- Granular enhancement:
|
||||||
|
- Short prompt → full template applied
|
||||||
|
- Partial prompt → fills missing details only
|
||||||
|
- Detailed prompt → passes through unchanged
|
||||||
|
- Custom templates = **Pro tier paid feature** (replaces separate stylization system)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Full documentation
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
See: [execution/20-template-system.md](execution/20-template-system.md)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Documentation updates required
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
| Document | Section | Change |
|
||||||
|
|----------|---------|--------|
|
||||||
|
| 16-product-features.md | Prompt Enhancement | Rename to "Template System" |
|
||||||
|
| 10-pricing-strategy.md | Pro features | Add "Custom Templates" as paid feature |
|
||||||
|
| Landing page copy | Feature descriptions | Update messaging |
|
||||||
|
| API documentation | Enhancement parameter | Add template selection |
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Critical Update #3: Resource Allocation (70/30)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Decision
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**70% effort:** SEO + Content (primary acquisition channel)
|
||||||
|
**30% effort:** API refinement + validation outreach
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Rationale
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- Organic search = highest quality signal
|
||||||
|
- Content builds sustainable moat (competitors can't copy overnight)
|
||||||
|
- First Henry article published, pipeline validated
|
||||||
|
- API is "good enough" for validation flows
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Implications
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- Don't over-engineer API features before validation
|
||||||
|
- Prioritize content production velocity
|
||||||
|
- SEO optimization is strategic, not tactical
|
||||||
|
- Direct outreach is secondary to organic discovery
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Critical Update #4: Validation Approach
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Current state
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- 0 paying customers
|
||||||
|
- 0 interviews conducted
|
||||||
|
- 0 API feedback received
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Available validation flows
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
| Flow | Status |
|
||||||
|
|------|--------|
|
||||||
|
| Live URLs | ✅ Ready |
|
||||||
|
| Lab UI | TBD |
|
||||||
|
| API Integration | ✅ Ready |
|
||||||
|
| MCP | ❌ Not built |
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Approach catalog
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
8 approaches documented with reliability/cost/time analysis.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
See: [execution/21-validation-approaches.md](execution/21-validation-approaches.md)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Next step
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
Oleg decides which approach(es) to pursue. Recommendation: Discord AI Tools for best balance of reliability and speed.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## Master Update Checklist
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### High Priority (affects positioning)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- [ ] 01-market-positioning-v3.md — Remove MCP from unique advantages
|
||||||
|
- [ ] 01-market-positioning-v3.md — Update moat strategy section
|
||||||
|
- [ ] 13-competitive-analysis.md — Reframe competitor comparison
|
||||||
|
- [ ] 16-product-features.md — Rename "Prompt Enhancement" → "Template System"
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Medium Priority (affects pricing/features)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- [ ] 10-pricing-strategy.md — Add Custom Templates to Pro tier
|
||||||
|
- [ ] INDEX.md — Add documents #20, #21
|
||||||
|
- [ ] ROADMAP.md — Update current phase description
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
### Low Priority (can wait)
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Landing page messaging updates
|
||||||
|
- [ ] API documentation updates
|
||||||
|
- [ ] Marketing materials refresh
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
---
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
**Document owner:** @men
|
||||||
|
**Last updated:** January 9, 2026
|
||||||
|
**Status:** Reference for documentation updates
|
||||||
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Reference in New Issue