feat: update roadmap

ROADMAP.md

@@ -1,30 +1,48 @@
 # Banatie Project Roadmap
 
+## 📅 Date Management Approach
+
+**Philosophy:** Dates for completed work (track velocity), estimates for future work (reduce stress).
+
+- ✅ **Completed tasks:** Record actual completion date
+- 🔄 **In progress:** Show start date + estimated duration
+- 📅 **Future tasks:** Show estimated duration only (e.g., "2-4 weeks", "3 months")
+- 🎯 **Milestones:** Relative timeframes from key decision points (e.g., "Month 3 after validation")
+
+**Why:** With 15-20 hrs/week availability, fixed deadlines create false pressure. Relative estimates allow flexibility while tracking actual velocity for better future planning.
+
+---
+
 ## 🎯 Current Status
 
 **Phase:** Pre-launch / ICP Validation
-**Date:** October 30, 2025  
+**Version:** 1.1
-**Version:** 1.0  
+**Next Milestone:** Complete ICP External Validation
-**Next Milestone:** Complete ICP validation by Nov 3, 2025
 
 ---
 
-## 🚀 Active Sprint (Oct 20 - Nov 3)
+## ✅ Completed Sprint: Foundation (Oct 20 - Oct 30)
 
 ### ✅ COMPLETED
-- [x] Market positioning clarified (converge AI gen + CDN, not pure AI image generation)
+- [x] Market positioning clarified (Completed: Oct 25, 2025)
-- [x] ICP hypothesis validated internally (founder IS the ICP - AI-powered developers)
+- [x] ICP hypothesis validated internally - founder IS the ICP (Completed: Oct 28, 2025)
-- [x] Pricing strategy drafted (hybrid credits + subscription model)
+- [x] Pricing strategy drafted - hybrid credits + subscription model (Completed: Oct 29, 2025)
-- [x] MVP scope defined (MCP + core features, 4-6 week timeline)
+- [x] MVP scope defined - MCP + core features (Completed: Oct 30, 2025)
-- [x] Documentation framework established (filesystem MCP approach)
+- [x] Documentation framework established - filesystem MCP approach (Completed: Oct 30, 2025)
 
-### 🔄 IN PROGRESS
+---
-- [ ] **ICP External Validation** (DUE: Nov 3, 2025)  
-  Owner: Oleg  
-  Status: 0 / 10 interviews completed  
-  Blocker: Need to post on Reddit/Indie Hackers  
 
-  **Action items:**
+## 🔄 Active Sprint: ICP External Validation
+
+**Started:** Oct 31, 2025
+**Est. duration:** 2 weeks
+**Owner:** Oleg
+
+### Status
+- Interviews completed: **0 / 10**
+- Decision: GO/PIVOT/STOP pending
+
+### Tasks
 - [ ] Create throwaway Reddit account (stealth mode)
 - [ ] Post in r/ClaudeAI: "How do you handle images in Claude Code?"
 - [ ] Post in r/ChatGPTCoding: "AI-assisted devs: image generation workflow?"
@@ -33,27 +51,27 @@
 - [ ] Make GO/PIVOT/STOP decision based on results
 
 ### ⏸️ BLOCKED / WAITING
-- [ ] MVP development (blocked by ICP validation - need confirmed feature priorities)
+- [ ] MVP development (blocked by: need confirmed feature priorities from validation)
-- [ ] Beta user outreach (blocked by validation - need validated messaging)
+- [ ] Beta user outreach (blocked by: need validated messaging)
-- [ ] Pricing finalization (pending ICP confirmation of willingness to pay)
+- [ ] Pricing finalization (blocked by: need ICP confirmation of willingness to pay)
 
 ---
 
 ## 📅 Upcoming Milestones
 
-### Week 1-2 (Nov 4-17): POST-VALIDATION
+### Post-Validation Phase (1-2 weeks after validation decision)
 
 **IF GO decision (60%+ willing to use, 40%+ willing to pay $20+):**
 - [ ] Finalize MVP scope based on validated top 3 needs from interviews
-- [ ] Begin MCP server development (Week 1: Core generation pipeline)
+- [ ] Begin MCP server development
 - [ ] Prepare beta access list from interviews (early adopters identified)
 - [ ] Plan soft launch strategy (Reddit post schedule, messaging)
 
 **IF PIVOT decision (<60% interest OR weak willingness to pay):**
 - [ ] Select alternative ICP (agencies? e-commerce? different dev segment?)
 - [ ] Prepare new interview script tailored to alternative ICP
-- [ ] Run 5-10 more interviews (deadline: 1-2 weeks)
+- [ ] Run 5-10 more interviews (est. 1-2 weeks)
-- [ ] Final GO/STOP decision with hard deadline
+- [ ] Final GO/STOP decision
 
 **IF STOP decision (<40% interest, no one willing to pay):**
 - [ ] Document learnings (what didn't work, what insights gained)
@@ -63,39 +81,40 @@
 
 ---
 
-### Week 3-8 (Nov 18 - Jan 5, 2026): MVP DEVELOPMENT
+### MVP Development Phase (4-6 weeks)
 *(Assuming GO decision)*
 
-**Development timeline (4-6 weeks):**
+**Est. duration: 4-6 weeks total**
-- **Week 3-4:** Core generation pipeline + MCP integration
+
+- **Weeks 1-2:** Core generation pipeline + MCP integration
   - REST API endpoints finalized
   - Prompt Enhancement Agent working
   - Image generation with @name references
   - Basic storage + CDN integration
   - **Deliverable:** Working API (generate + upload + references)
 
-- **Week 5:** MCP implementation
+- **Week 3:** MCP implementation
   - MCP server setup (follow spec)
   - Implement 3 tools: banatie_generate, banatie_upload, banatie_list_images
   - Test with Claude Desktop
   - Documentation for MCP usage
   - **Deliverable:** Working MCP integration
 
-- **Week 6:** Transformations + UI refinement
+- **Week 4:** Transformations + UI refinement
   - Image transformation service (Imageflow or Cloudflare)
   - Refine demo UI (code snippets, transformation previews)
   - Dashboard (history, usage stats)
   - API key management
   - **Deliverable:** Functional UI for testing
 
-- **Week 7:** Payments + polish
+- **Week 5:** Payments + polish
   - Stripe integration (credit packs: $20, $50, $100)
   - Free tier limits enforcement (10/month with watermark)
   - Landing page copy + design
   - API documentation (REST + MCP)
   - **Deliverable:** Monetization-ready product
 
-- **Week 8:** Beta testing + iteration
+- **Week 6:** Beta testing + iteration
   - Invite 5-10 validated users from research
   - High-touch onboarding (help with MCP setup)
   - Gather feedback, fix critical bugs
@@ -104,21 +123,21 @@
 
 ---
 
-### Month 4-6 (Jan-Mar 2026): SOFT LAUNCH & GROWTH
+### Soft Launch & Growth Phase (Months 3-6 after validation)
 
-**Month 4 (Jan):** First paying customers
+**Month 3:** First paying customers
 - Goal: 5-10 beta users onboarded
 - 50+ generations completed
 - 2+ users purchase credits (willingness to pay validated)
 - Target MRR: $200-500
 
-**Month 5 (Feb):** Soft launch to communities
+**Month 4:** Soft launch to communities
 - Post in r/ClaudeAI: "Show HN: Generate images from Claude Code via MCP"
 - Indie Hackers build-in-public post
 - Dev.to technical content (tutorial: "Automate image gen in Next.js with Claude Code")
 - Target MRR: $500-1,000
 
-**Month 6 (Mar):** Growth optimization
+**Month 5:** Growth optimization
 - SEO content (start ranking for "AI image generation API", "Claude Code images")
 - Community building (Discord, Reddit presence)
 - Case studies from early users
@@ -126,9 +145,10 @@
 
 ---
 
-## 🎯 Long-term Goals (6-12 months)
+## 🎯 Long-term Goals (Relative Milestones)
 
-### Month 6: Side Project Validation Checkpoint
+### Month 6 Checkpoint: Side Project Validation
+**Timeframe:** ~6 months after validation
 **Success criteria:**
 - MRR: $1-2K
 - Customers: 10-20 paying
@@ -139,7 +159,8 @@
 
 ---
 
-### Month 9: Hybrid Mode Decision
+### Month 9 Checkpoint: Hybrid Mode Decision
+**Timeframe:** ~9 months after validation
 **Success criteria:**
 - MRR: $3-5K
 - Customers: 30-50 paying
@@ -152,7 +173,8 @@
 
 ---
 
-### Month 12: Full-time Leap Evaluation
+### Month 12 Checkpoint: Full-time Leap Evaluation
+**Timeframe:** ~12 months after validation
 **Success criteria:**
 - MRR: $6K+ (current salary replacement)
 - OR: 12-month runway saved + high confidence in growth
@@ -160,7 +182,7 @@
 
 **Decision:** Go full-time on Banatie OR continue hybrid
 
-**Long-term vision (24-36 months):**
+**Long-term vision (24-36 months from validation):**
 - $15-30K MRR: Sustainable solo/small team business
 - Hire 1-2 people (support, marketing, or tech)
 - Consider Ekaterina full-time on admin/ops
@@ -169,7 +191,9 @@
 
 ## 🚦 Decision Gates
 
-### GATE 1: ICP Validation (Current - Nov 3, 2025)
+### GATE 1: ICP Validation (ACTIVE - Est. 2 weeks)
+
+**Started:** Oct 31, 2025
 
 **Success criteria (ALL must be met):**
 - 60%+ interviews say "I would use this" (6 out of 10)
@@ -180,14 +204,16 @@
 
 **Possible outcomes:**
 - ✅ **GO** → Build MVP for AI developers (strong signals)
-- 🔄 **PIVOT** → Test different ICP (weak signals, 1-2 more weeks)
+- 🔄 **PIVOT** → Test different ICP (weak signals, add 1-2 weeks)
 - 🛑 **STOP** → Shut down or fundamental rethink (no market fit)
 
-**Review meeting:** Nov 4, 2025 with @men
+**Review:** Upon completion with @men
 
 ---
 
-### GATE 2: MVP Launch Readiness (Week 8 - Late Dec 2025)
+### GATE 2: MVP Launch Readiness (Week 6 of MVP development)
+
+**Timeframe:** ~6-8 weeks after Gate 1 GO decision
 
 **Success criteria:**
 - MCP integration works reliably (95%+ success rate)
@@ -198,14 +224,16 @@
 
 **Possible outcomes:**
 - ✅ **LAUNCH** → Soft launch to r/ClaudeAI, Indie Hackers
-- 🔄 **ITERATE** → 1-2 more weeks bug fixes, UX improvements
+- 🔄 **ITERATE** → Add 1-2 weeks for bug fixes, UX improvements
 - 🛑 **PIVOT** → Different approach needed (MCP too complex? Different features?)
 
-**Review meeting:** Late December 2025
+**Review:** Upon completion
 
 ---
 
-### GATE 3: PMF Validation (Month 6 - March 2026)
+### GATE 3: PMF Validation (Month 6 checkpoint)
+
+**Timeframe:** ~6 months after Gate 1 GO decision
 
 **Success criteria:**
 - $1-2K MRR achieved
@@ -219,7 +247,7 @@
 - 🔄 **OPTIMIZE** → Refine product, improve conversion
 - 🛑 **PIVOT/STOP** → No PMF achieved after 6 months, reassess fundamentally
 
-**Review meeting:** April 2026
+**Review:** Upon reaching timeframe
 
 ---
 
@@ -287,19 +315,20 @@
 
 **Updated:** Weekly (every Sunday evening)
 
-### Validation Metrics (Current Sprint - Oct 20 - Nov 3)
+### Validation Metrics (Active Sprint)
+**Sprint started:** Oct 31, 2025
 - Interviews completed: **0 / 10**
 - Positive responses ("I would use"): **- / -**
 - Willing to pay $20+: **- / -**
 - Early access requests: **- / -**
 
-### Development Metrics (After validation - Nov+)
+### Development Metrics (After GO decision)
 - MVP features completed: **- / 8**
 - Beta users onboarded: **- / 10**
 - Generations completed: **- / 50**
 - Credit purchases: **- / 2**
 
-### Business Metrics (Post-launch - Jan+)
+### Business Metrics (Post-launch)
 - **MRR:** $0
 - **Paying customers:** 0
 - **Churn rate:** N/A
@@ -332,23 +361,23 @@
 
 ## 📋 Action Items Summary
 
-**This Week (Oct 30 - Nov 3):**
+**Active Sprint (ICP Validation - Started Oct 31):**
 1. Create throwaway Reddit account
 2. Post validation questions in r/ClaudeAI and r/ChatGPTCoding
 3. Conduct 10 text-based interviews
 4. Document results in validation scorecard
-5. Make GO/PIVOT/STOP decision by Nov 3
+5. Make GO/PIVOT/STOP decision
 
-**Next Week (Nov 4-10) - IF GO:**
+**After Validation - IF GO:**
 1. Finalize MVP scope based on interview insights
 2. Set up development environment (if not already done)
 3. Begin MCP server implementation
 4. Prepare beta access list
 
-**Next Week (Nov 4-10) - IF PIVOT:**
+**After Validation - IF PIVOT:**
 1. Select alternative ICP
 2. Prepare new interview script
-3. Begin second validation round
+3. Begin second validation round (est. 1-2 weeks)
 
 ---
 
@@ -380,8 +409,8 @@
 ---
 
 **Roadmap Owner:** @men + Oleg (joint ownership)
-**Last Review:** October 30, 2025  
+**Last Updated:** October 31, 2025
-**Next Review:** November 4, 2025 (post-validation decision)  
+**Next Review:** Upon completion of ICP validation
 **Version Control:** Track major changes via Git commits
 
 ---
@@ -390,4 +419,5 @@
 - Update metrics: Every Sunday evening
 - Review roadmap: After each decision gate
 - Update action items: As completed or priorities change
-- Archive completed sprints: Monthly cleanup
+- Archive completed sprints: When moving to next phase
+- Mark tasks complete: Record actual completion dates for velocity tracking