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INDEX.md
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# Banatie Strategy Documentation Index # Banatie Strategy Documentation Index
**Last Updated:** January 9, 2026 **Last Updated:** January 2, 2026
**Total Documents:** 22 (numbered in strategy/execution) + research (prefixed) + content **Total Documents:** 20 (numbered in strategy/execution) + research (prefixed)
**Next Available Number:** 22 **Next Available Number:** 20
**Project Stage:** Pre-launch / MVP Development **Project Stage:** Pre-launch / MVP Development
--- ---
@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
- Deleted documents don't free up numbers - Deleted documents don't free up numbers
- **Exception:** `discussions/` uses date-based format (YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md) - **Exception:** `discussions/` uses date-based format (YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md)
- **Exception:** `research/` uses flat structure with prefixes (direction-, signals-, analysis-, seo-) - **Exception:** `research/` uses flat structure with prefixes (direction-, signals-, analysis-, seo-)
- **Exception:** `content/` uses descriptive names (CONTENT-TRACKS.md)
**Currently Used:** **Currently Used:**
- 01 - Market Positioning - 01 - Market Positioning
@ -36,10 +35,8 @@
- 18 - Production Infrastructure - 18 - Production Infrastructure
- 19 - Placeholder SEO Sprint - 19 - Placeholder SEO Sprint
- 20 - Template System
- 21 - Validation Approaches
**Next to assign:** 22 **Next to assign:** 20
--- ---
@ -62,8 +59,7 @@
- [Validation Plan](execution/08-validation-plan.md) - [Validation Plan](execution/08-validation-plan.md)
**For SEO & Content:** ⭐ ACTIVE **For SEO & Content:** ⭐ ACTIVE
- [Content Tracks](content/CONTENT-TRACKS.md) - SEO-First + Product-First strategy ⭐ NEW - [Placeholder SEO Sprint](execution/19-placeholder-seo-sprint.md) - Current sprint plan ⭐
- [Placeholder SEO Sprint](execution/19-placeholder-seo-sprint.md) - Current sprint plan
- [SEO Keyword Research: Placeholder Images](research/seo-keyword-research-placeholder-images.md) - Entry point cluster - [SEO Keyword Research: Placeholder Images](research/seo-keyword-research-placeholder-images.md) - Entry point cluster
- [Research Index](research/INDEX.md) - All research documentation - [Research Index](research/INDEX.md) - All research documentation
@ -148,39 +144,6 @@ Status: ✅ Validated - One product, multiple entry points
Key insight: Direction 1 (Agencies) + Direction 2 (AI Developers) = SAME product Key insight: Direction 1 (Agencies) + Direction 2 (AI Developers) = SAME product
Segments: A (Studios/Agencies), B (Power Users - PRIMARY), C (Freelancers), D (AI-Savvy Freelancers - SECONDARY) Segments: A (Studios/Agencies), B (Power Users - PRIMARY), C (Freelancers), D (AI-Savvy Freelancers - SECONDARY)
**[Positioning Updates Jan 2026](strategy/positioning-updates-jan-2026.md)** (Jan 9, 2026) ⭐ NEW
*Critical positioning changes summary*
Status: ✅ Reference document
Covers: MCP/SDK/CLI = table stakes, Template System reframe, 70/30 allocation, Validation approaches
---
## 📝 Content Strategy ⭐ NEW
**[CONTENT-TRACKS.md](content/CONTENT-TRACKS.md)** (Jan 9, 2026)
*Two parallel content strategies: SEO-First + Product-First*
Status: 🔄 Active
Source: Keyword research ($3.60 DataForSEO) + strategic discussion
**SEO-First Track:**
- Placeholder Images API (14,800 vol, KD 32) — 🔥 HIGH
- Midjourney Alternatives (1,300 vol, KD 3) — 🔥 URGENT
- Dark Mode Placeholders (4,400 vol, KD 2) — MEDIUM
- Advertising Images (1,600 vol, KD 4) — needs SERP validation
**Product-First Track:**
- Live URLs Guide — 🔥 HIGH (core feature)
- Claude Code + Banatie Workflow — 🔥 HIGH (ICP content)
- Cursor Image Generation — HIGH (blocked by MCP)
- MCP APIs Compared — MEDIUM
- Vibecoding Tutorial — MEDIUM (future SEO bet)
**Related files in banatie-content:**
- `0-inbox/placeholder-images-api.md`
- `0-inbox/midjourney-alternatives-developers.md`
- `0-inbox/claude-code-image-generation-mcp.md`
- `research/keywords/research-report-2026-01-09.md`
--- ---
## 🎯 Execution Documents ## 🎯 Execution Documents
@ -241,16 +204,6 @@ Status: 🔄 Active Sprint
Tracks: Landing page `/placeholder-images`, Docs `/docs/placeholders/`, Homepage quick wins Tracks: Landing page `/placeholder-images`, Docs `/docs/placeholders/`, Homepage quick wins
Target: Zero-KD keywords + 14,800 vol main keyword Target: Zero-KD keywords + 14,800 vol main keyword
**[20 - Template System](execution/20-template-system.md)** (Jan 9, 2026)
*Reframed "Prompt Enhancement" as Template System*
Status: ✅ Strategic decision documented
Key: Granular enhancement, default = Photorealistic, Custom Templates = Pro paid feature
**[21 - Validation Approaches](execution/21-validation-approaches.md)** (Jan 9, 2026)
*Catalog of 8 validation approaches with pros/cons*
Status: ✅ Reference document
Best balance: Discord AI Tools (⭐⭐⭐, 1-2 weeks)
### Technical Documentation ### Technical Documentation
**[12 - Current Tech State](execution/12-the-current-tech-state.md)** (v1.0, Nov 1) **[12 - Current Tech State](execution/12-the-current-tech-state.md)** (v1.0, Nov 1)
@ -276,12 +229,11 @@ Key: Platform mostly production-ready, gaps identified
- ✅ Reusable methodology documented - ✅ Reusable methodology documented
- ✅ ICP refined to A/B/C/D segments - ✅ ICP refined to A/B/C/D segments
**SEO Research Phase (Dec 26, 2025 - Jan 9, 2026):** ⭐ UPDATED **SEO Research Phase (Dec 26, 2025):** ⭐ NEW
- ✅ DataForSEO MCP Server integrated - ✅ DataForSEO MCP Server integrated
- ✅ Placeholder images cluster validated (14.8K vol, KD 32) - ✅ First keyword cluster researched ("placeholder images")
- ✅ AI coding keywords = 0 volume (problem-aware ≠ search behavior) - ✅ Content plan with 5 articles defined
- ✅ Two-track content strategy defined (SEO + Product) - ⏳ Additional clusters pending
- ✅ SERP analysis completed for top keywords
**Primary Finding:** Direction 2 (AI Coding Agents) = ⭐ 70-80% confidence **Primary Finding:** Direction 2 (AI Coding Agents) = ⭐ 70-80% confidence
- [direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md](research/direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md) - Complete research - [direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md](research/direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md) - Complete research
@ -362,9 +314,9 @@ ROADMAP.md → 02-reality-check.md → 14-icp-segmentation-unified.md → 17-wee
15-mvp-scope-v2-realistic.md → 16-product-features.md → 17-week-1-launch-checklist.md 15-mvp-scope-v2-realistic.md → 16-product-features.md → 17-week-1-launch-checklist.md
``` ```
### For SEO & Content (UPDATED): ### For SEO & Content (NEW):
``` ```
content/CONTENT-TRACKS.md → research/seo-keyword-research-*.md → banatie-content/0-inbox/ research/seo-keyword-research-*.md → ROADMAP.md (Content Sprint) → blog articles
``` ```
### Legacy path (archived): ### Legacy path (archived):
@ -402,13 +354,8 @@ content/CONTENT-TRACKS.md → research/seo-keyword-research-*.md → banatie-con
- Direction 1 + 2 = same product, different entry points - Direction 1 + 2 = same product, different entry points
- Prompt Enhancement as PRIMARY MOAT (3-6 months to replicate) - Prompt Enhancement as PRIMARY MOAT (3-6 months to replicate)
**Content Tracks (content/) drives:** ⭐ NEW **SEO Research (research/seo-*) drives:** ⭐ NEW
- SEO-First: Landing pages, docs, blog posts for traffic - Content Marketing Sprint (ROADMAP.md)
- Product-First: Core docs, tutorials for conversion
- Links to briefs in banatie-content/0-inbox/
**SEO Research (research/seo-*) informs:**
- Content Tracks (content/CONTENT-TRACKS.md)
- Landing page creation (website) - Landing page creation (website)
- Blog content strategy (dev.to, Hashnode) - Blog content strategy (dev.to, Hashnode)
@ -449,16 +396,11 @@ content/CONTENT-TRACKS.md → research/seo-keyword-research-*.md → banatie-con
- Marketing campaigns - Marketing campaigns
- Sales processes - Sales processes
**Content strategy** → `content/` ⭐ NEW
- Content tracks and priorities
- SEO vs Product content plans
- Editorial calendars
**Research findings** → `research/` (use prefixes) **Research findings** → `research/` (use prefixes)
- `direction-N-*.md` - Research directions - `direction-N-*.md` - Research directions
- `signals-*.md` - Strong signals found - `signals-*.md` - Strong signals found
- `analysis-*.md` - Strategic analysis - `analysis-*.md` - Strategic analysis
- `seo-keyword-research-*.md` - SEO keyword research - `seo-keyword-research-*.md` - SEO keyword research ⭐ NEW
- `methodology-*.md` - Research methods (if needed) - `methodology-*.md` - Research methods (if needed)
**Session summaries** → `discussions/` (date-based: YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md) **Session summaries** → `discussions/` (date-based: YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md)
@ -484,5 +426,5 @@ content/CONTENT-TRACKS.md → research/seo-keyword-research-*.md → banatie-con
--- ---
**Last maintained by:** @men **Last maintained by:** @men
**Version:** 4.5 (Content Tracks added Jan 9, 2026) **Version:** 4.3 (Placeholder SEO Sprint added Jan 2, 2026)
**Next review:** After content execution begins **Next review:** End of Placeholder SEO Sprint (mid-January 2026)

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# Content Tracks: SEO-First & Product-First
**Date Created:** January 9, 2026
**Purpose:** Two parallel content strategies for Banatie
**Status:** Active
**Source:** Keyword research ($3.60 DataForSEO) + strategic discussion
---
## Overview
Два параллельных трека контента:
| Track | Цель | Измерение успеха |
|-------|------|------------------|
| **SEO-First** | Трафик, domain authority, ранжирование | Позиции в Google, organic traffic |
| **Product-First** | Conversion, validation, brand positioning | User engagement, signups, feedback |
**Принцип:** SEO-first даёт трафик. Product-first конвертит и валидирует. Оба нужны параллельно.
---
## TRACK 1: SEO-FIRST
**Цель:** Low-hanging SEO fruits. Начать ранжироваться сейчас → результаты через 3-6 месяцев.
### Validated Opportunities
| # | Контент | Volume | KD | Тип | Приоритет | Brief |
|---|---------|--------|----|----|-----------|-------|
| 1 | **Placeholder Images API** | 14,800 | 32 | Landing + Guide | 🔥 HIGH | `0-inbox/placeholder-images-api.md` |
| 2 | **Midjourney Alternatives for Developers** | 1,300 | 3 | Listicle | 🔥 URGENT | `0-inbox/midjourney-alternatives-developers.md` |
| 3 | **Dark Mode Placeholder Images** | 4,400 | 2 | Docs section | MEDIUM | Data в `research/keywords/placeholder-niche-deep-dive-2026-01-02.md` |
| 4 | **Advertising Images Guide** | 1,600 | 4 | Guide | MEDIUM | `0-inbox/advertising-images-guide.md` — нужна SERP validation |
### Needs SERP Validation
| Keyword | Volume | KD | Риск |
|---------|--------|----|------|
| marketing images | 2,900 | 19 | Может быть stock photo intent |
| social media images | 1,900 | 14 | Может быть stock photo intent |
| blog images | 720 | 7 | Низкий риск |
### Include as Sections (не standalone)
| Keyword | Volume | KD | Где включить |
|---------|--------|----|--------------|
| test images | 6,600 | 9 | H2 в Placeholder guide |
| lorem picsum | 880 | 15 | Comparison в Placeholder |
| placeholder api | 880 | 28 | Placeholder guide |
### Skip (validated as wrong intent)
| Keyword | Volume | Причина |
|---------|--------|---------|
| banner images | 27,100 | Stock photo intent, dominated by Unsplash/Adobe |
---
### SEO Content Details
#### 1. Placeholder Images API (PRIMARY)
**Target:** `/placeholder-images` landing page
**Keywords cluster:**
- placeholder images (14,800)
- placeholder api (880)
- lorem picsum (880) — comparison
- dummy images (720)
- test images (6,600) — as section
**SERP Validation:** ✅
- "AI placeholder images" в related searches
- Competitors beatable (placehold.co, Lorem Picsum)
- 100% developer intent
**Differentiation:**
| Feature | placehold.co | Lorem Picsum | Banatie |
|---------|--------------|--------------|---------|
| Real images | ❌ | ✓ (random) | ✓ (contextual) |
| AI-generated | ❌ | ❌ | ✓ |
| Prompt-based | ❌ | ❌ | ✓ |
| Live URLs | ❌ | ❌ | ✓ |
**Content structure:**
1. What are placeholder images (answer base intent)
2. Best placeholder image services (comparison)
3. AI Placeholder Images: Next Generation (our pitch)
4. Getting started with Banatie Live URLs
5. Code examples (HTML, React, Next.js)
**Outreach opportunity:** loremipsum.io ranks with "15 Best Placeholder Generators" — get listed.
---
#### 2. Midjourney Alternatives for Developers (URGENT)
**Target:** Blog post (dev.to, cross-post)
**Why urgent:** Volume declining rapidly (8.1K → 1.3K). Window closing.
**Keywords:**
- midjourney alternative (1,300, KD 3)
- midjourney api (720, KD 35)
- ai image generator api (590, KD 32)
**Angle:** "5 Midjourney Alternatives with API Access for Developers"
**Include competitors:**
- Replicate
- fal.ai
- Runware
- DALL-E API
- Banatie (our positioning)
**Key message:** Midjourney = Discord-only, no API. Developers need programmatic access.
---
#### 3. Dark Mode Placeholder Images
**Target:** `/docs/placeholders/dark-mode`
**Keywords:**
- image placeholder dark (4,400, KD 2)
- placeholder image dark (1,300, KD 6)
**Why separate:** Combined 5.7K volume, ultra-low KD. Easy win.
**Content:** How to generate dark-mode-friendly placeholders with Live URLs.
---
#### 4. Advertising Images Guide
**Target:** Blog post or guide
**Keywords:**
- advertising images (1,600, KD 4)
- promotional images (880, KD 17)
**Status:** Needs SERP validation before writing. Could be stock photo intent like "banner images".
**Angle if validated:** "How developers can generate advertising images programmatically"
---
## TRACK 2: PRODUCT-FIRST
**Цель:** Core product positioning, conversion, validation. Нужно независимо от SEO volume.
### Core Content
| # | Контент | SEO Vol | Зачем нужен | Тип | Приоритет | Brief |
|---|---------|---------|-------------|-----|-----------|-------|
| 1 | **Live URLs Guide** | ~0 | Core feature documentation | Docs + Landing | 🔥 HIGH | Нет brief, core docs |
| 2 | **Claude Code + Banatie Workflow** | 10-20 | ICP контент, позиционирование | Tutorial | 🔥 HIGH | `0-inbox/claude-code-image-generation-mcp.md` |
| 3 | **Cursor Image Generation Workflow** | ~0-50 | ICP контент, workflow demo | Tutorial | HIGH | `0-inbox/cursor-image-generation-workflow.md` |
| 4 | **MCP Image APIs Compared** | ~0 | Competitive positioning | Comparison | MEDIUM | `0-inbox/mcp-image-apis-compared.md` |
| 5 | **Vibecoding Images Tutorial** | ~0 | Future SEO, trend positioning | Tutorial | MEDIUM | Нет brief |
### Blocked Content
| Контент | Блокер |
|---------|--------|
| MCP Integration Guide | MCP feature must ship first |
| Cursor Workflow (полный) | MCP feature must ship first |
---
### Product Content Details
#### 1. Live URLs Guide (CORE)
**Target:** `/docs/live-urls/` + `/live-urls` landing
**Why critical:**
- Core differentiator от всех конкурентов
- Без гайда пользователь не поймёт главную фичу
- Validation scenario для interviews
**Content structure:**
1. What are Live URLs
2. How they work (URL → generation → CDN)
3. Use cases (placeholders, prototypes, production)
4. Code examples (HTML, React, Next.js)
5. Prompt syntax and parameters
6. Best practices
---
#### 2. Claude Code + Banatie Workflow
**Target:** Tutorial (blog + docs)
**Keywords (low but exact ICP):**
- can claude code generate images (20 vol)
- claude code image generation (10 vol)
**Why important despite low volume:**
- Direct hit на наш ICP
- Показывает что мы понимаем workflow
- Может ранжироваться по unexpected queries
- Needed для validation interviews
**Content structure:**
1. The problem: broken images in Claude Code projects
2. Current solutions (copy stock photos manually)
3. Better way: Banatie integration
4. Step-by-step setup
5. Real examples with prompts
6. Before/after comparison
---
#### 3. Cursor Image Generation Workflow
**Target:** Full tutorial (blog + cross-post)
**Why important:**
- Cursor = massive user base
- AI-first developers = our ICP
- Detailed tutorial = conversion
- Competitors have docs, we need tutorial
**Content structure:**
1. The old way (context switching pain)
2. The new way (MCP integration)
3. Setup guide (step-by-step)
4. Real use cases with code
5. Comparison: Banatie vs other MCP servers
6. Advanced features (@name, project organization)
**Note:** Partially blocked until MCP ships. Can prepare outline and screenshots.
---
#### 4. MCP Image APIs Compared
**Target:** Comparison article (blog)
**Why important:**
- Shows we understand ecosystem
- Honest comparison = trust
- Competitive positioning
**Compare:**
- Replicate MCP
- Together AI MCP
- fal.ai MCP
- Banatie MCP
- Amazon Bedrock MCP
**Criteria:**
- Setup time
- Cost per image
- Project organization
- Developer experience
**Key message:** "You don't need cheapest. You need the one that fits your workflow."
---
#### 5. Vibecoding Images Tutorial
**Target:** Tutorial (blog)
**Why despite 0 volume:**
- Vibecoding = explosive trend (10 → 135K in 3 months)
- Search behavior not formed yet
- Early indexed content = advantage when demand comes
- Shows we understand the movement
**Content structure:**
1. What is vibecoding
2. The image problem in vibecoding
3. How Banatie solves it
4. Workflow examples
5. Live URLs for rapid prototyping
---
## Site Structure Plan
### Landing Pages (banatie.app)
```
/placeholder-images ← SEO landing (14.8K vol)
/live-urls ← Product feature landing
/integrations/cursor ← Workflow landing (when MCP ready)
/integrations/claude-code ← Workflow landing
```
### Documentation
```
/docs/
├── getting-started/
├── live-urls/ ← Core feature docs (Product-first)
├── placeholders/ ← SEO + utility
│ ├── dark-mode/ ← 4.4K vol, KD 2
│ ├── sizes/
│ └── profiles/
├── integrations/
│ ├── mcp/
│ ├── cursor/
│ └── claude-code/
└── api-reference/
```
### Blog (dev.to, cross-post)
- Midjourney Alternatives (URGENT, SEO)
- MCP Servers Compared (Product)
- Claude Code + Banatie Workflow (Product)
- Cursor Image Generation (Product, when MCP ready)
---
## Priority Summary
### TOP 5 (делать первыми)
1. **Placeholder Images Landing** — SEO foundation (14.8K vol) ✅ Brief ready
2. **Live URLs Documentation** — core product story
3. **Midjourney Alternatives** — URGENT, easy win (KD 3) ✅ Brief ready
4. **Claude Code Workflow Tutorial** — ICP content ✅ Brief ready
5. **Cursor Workflow Tutorial** — ICP content (blocked by MCP) ✅ Brief ready
### SECONDARY
6. Dark Mode Placeholders (docs section)
7. Advertising Images (needs SERP validation)
8. MCP Comparison Article
9. Vibecoding Tutorial (future SEO bet)
---
## Research Files Reference
**Keyword Research:**
- `banatie-content/research/keywords/research-report-2026-01-09.md` — final report
- `banatie-content/research/keywords/serp-analysis-2026-01-09.md` — SERP validation
- `banatie-content/research/keywords/placeholder-niche-deep-dive-2026-01-02.md` — placeholder deep dive
- `banatie-content/research/keywords/ai-web-dev-images-2026-01-09.md` — main research
**Content Briefs:**
- `banatie-content/0-inbox/placeholder-images-api.md`
- `banatie-content/0-inbox/midjourney-alternatives-developers.md`
- `banatie-content/0-inbox/advertising-images-guide.md`
- `banatie-content/0-inbox/claude-code-image-generation-mcp.md`
- `banatie-content/0-inbox/cursor-image-generation-workflow.md`
- `banatie-content/0-inbox/mcp-image-apis-compared.md`
---
## Key Insights from Research
1. **Solution keywords > Problem keywords**
- "placeholder images" (14.8K) vs "how to get images for vibe coding" (0)
- Target what people search, not what they need
2. **Generic > AI-prefixed**
- "placeholder images" (14.8K, KD 32) vs "ai image generator" (high KD)
- Position as "images for developers" not "AI image generator"
3. **Long-tail questions = ~0 volume**
- People don't google problems, they google solutions
- Don't target question keywords standalone
4. **SEO ≠ Market validation**
- SEO shows search behavior, not real pain
- Customer interviews still needed
---
**Document Owner:** @men + Oleg
**Last Updated:** January 9, 2026
**Related:** `BANATIE-CONTENT-INTEGRATION.md`

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@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
# Pricing Strategy: Banatie for AI Developers # Pricing Strategy: Banatie for AI Developers
**Date:** October 20, 2025 (Updated: January 9, 2026) **Date:** October 20, 2025
**Version:** 2.2 (Fixed encoding, Template System terminology) **Version:** 2.0 (Hybrid model - Credits + Subscription)
**Based on:** Oleg's personal feedback + Krea.ai model inspiration **Based on:** Oleg's personal feedback + Krea.ai model inspiration
**Status:** Draft for validation testing **Status:** Draft for validation testing
@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
## Pricing Philosophy ## Pricing Philosophy
**Core insight from ICP research:** **Core insight from ICP research:**
> "Дискомфорт подписки в том, что я не регулярно пользуюсь сервисами и жалко денег когда не пользуюсь" > "Дискомфорт подписки в том, что я не регулярно пользуюсь сервисами и жалко денег когда не пользуюсь"
**Problem with traditional SaaS subscriptions:** **Problem with traditional SaaS subscriptions:**
- Episodic usage patterns (site in a weekend, then 2 months idle) - Episodic usage patterns (site in a weekend, then 2 months idle)
@ -42,19 +42,19 @@
- Basic transformations only - Basic transformations only
**What's included:** **What's included:**
- ✅ REST API access - ✅ REST API access
- ✅ MCP integration - ✅ MCP integration
- ✅ Template System (built-in templates) - ✅ Prompt Enhancement
- ✅ CDN delivery - ✅ CDN delivery
- ✅ @name references - ✅ @name references
- ✅ Basic transformations (resize, format) - ✅ Basic transformations (resize, format)
- ✅ Generation history (30 days) - ✅ Generation history (30 days)
**What's NOT included:** **What's NOT included:**
- ❌ No watermark removal - ❌ No watermark removal
- ❌ Limited transformations (no custom presets) - ❌ Limited transformations (no custom presets)
- ❌ Priority queue (slower generation) - ❌ Priority queue (slower generation)
- ❌ Advanced features (when released) - ❌ Advanced features (when released)
**Revenue impact:** $0 (cost center) **Revenue impact:** $0 (cost center)
**Goal:** Convert 10-20% to paid within 30 days **Goal:** Convert 10-20% to paid within 30 days
@ -80,19 +80,19 @@
| 1,500 generations | | | | Bulk work | | 1,500 generations | | | | Bulk work |
**What's included:** **What's included:**
- ✅ All Free tier features - ✅ All Free tier features
- ✅ No watermark (production-ready) - ✅ No watermark (production-ready)
- ✅ All transformations - ✅ All transformations
- ✅ Extended history (1 year) - ✅ Extended history (1 year)
- ✅ Priority support (email, 48hr response) - ✅ Priority support (email, 48hr response)
**What's NOT included:** **What's NOT included:**
- ❌ Priority generation queue (Pro only) - ❌ Priority generation queue (Pro only)
- ❌ Advanced features (Pro only, when released) - ❌ Advanced features (Pro only, when released)
- ❌ Monthly recurring generations - ❌ Monthly recurring generations
**Why 90-day expiry:** **Why 90-day expiry:**
- Based on Oleg's Krea.ai feedback: "90 дней достаточно чтобы потом потратить остальное" - Based on Oleg's Krea.ai feedback: "90 дней достаточно чтобы потом потратить остальное"
- Long enough to not feel rushed - Long enough to not feel rushed
- Short enough to encourage purchase when needed - Short enough to encourage purchase when needed
- Industry standard (Krea.ai, similar services) - Industry standard (Krea.ai, similar services)
@ -117,17 +117,16 @@
- OR $470/year (save $118 = 20% discount) - OR $470/year (save $118 = 20% discount)
**What's included:** **What's included:**
- ✅ 500 generations per month (included) - ✅ 500 generations per month (included)
- ✅ All Credit Pack features - ✅ All Credit Pack features
- ✅ Priority generation queue (2x faster) - ✅ Priority generation queue (2x faster)
- ✅ Advanced features (exclusive): - ✅ Advanced features (exclusive):
- Flow-based generation (when released) - Flow-based generation (when released)
- **Custom Templates** (create your own enhancement templates)
- Namespaces / project organization - Namespaces / project organization
- On-demand URL generation - On-demand URL generation
- Custom style presets (future) - Custom style presets (future)
- ✅ Priority support (24hr response) - ✅ Priority support (24hr response)
- ✅ Overage pricing: $0.10/gen (same as Starter pack) - ✅ Overage pricing: $0.10/gen (same as Starter pack)
**Why $49:** **Why $49:**
- Below Cloudinary ($89/month) - Below Cloudinary ($89/month)
@ -155,13 +154,13 @@
|---------|------|---------|-----| |---------|------|---------|-----|
| **Generations/month** | 10 | As purchased | 500 included | | **Generations/month** | 10 | As purchased | 500 included |
| **Watermark** | Yes | No | No | | **Watermark** | Yes | No | No |
| **MCP Integration** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | **MCP Integration** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| **Template System** | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in + Custom | | **Prompt Enhancement** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| **@name References** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | **@name References** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| **CDN Delivery** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | **CDN Delivery** | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| **Transformations** | Basic | All | All | | **Transformations** | Basic | All | All |
| **Priority Queue** | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ 2x faster | | **Priority Queue** | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ 2x faster |
| **Advanced Features** | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Exclusive | | **Advanced Features** | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Exclusive |
| **Support** | Community | Email (48h) | Email (24h) | | **Support** | Community | Email (48h) | Email (24h) |
| **Price** | $0 | $20-100 | $49/mo | | **Price** | $0 | $20-100 | $49/mo |
| **Best For** | Testing | 1-4 projects | Regular use | | **Best For** | Testing | 1-4 projects | Regular use |
@ -178,7 +177,6 @@
**Prompt Enhancement (Gemini 2.0 Flash):** **Prompt Enhancement (Gemini 2.0 Flash):**
- ~$0.001 per prompt (negligible) - ~$0.001 per prompt (negligible)
- Note: This is the technical implementation powering Template System
**CDN Bandwidth (Cloudflare):** **CDN Bandwidth (Cloudflare):**
- Free tier: 100GB/month - Free tier: 100GB/month
@ -197,11 +195,11 @@
### Revenue Per Generation: ### Revenue Per Generation:
**Free Tier:** -$0.040 (loss per image) **Free Tier:** -$0.040 (loss per image)
**Starter Pack ($20 / 200):** $0.10 per gen → **$0.06 profit** **Starter Pack ($20 / 200):** $0.10 per gen → **$0.06 profit**
**Builder Pack ($50 / 600):** $0.083 per gen → **$0.043 profit** **Builder Pack ($50 / 600):** $0.083 per gen → **$0.043 profit**
**Creator Pack ($100 / 1500):** $0.067 per gen → **$0.027 profit** **Creator Pack ($100 / 1500):** $0.067 per gen → **$0.027 profit**
**Pro Subscription ($49 / 500):** $0.098 per gen → **$0.058 profit** **Pro Subscription ($49 / 500):** $0.098 per gen → **$0.058 profit**
**Pro Overage:** $0.10 per gen → **$0.06 profit** **Pro Overage:** $0.10 per gen → **$0.06 profit**
--- ---
@ -259,13 +257,13 @@
**3. Decision Simplification:** **3. Decision Simplification:**
- Only 3 paid options (not 6-7 like some competitors) - Only 3 paid options (not 6-7 like some competitors)
- Clear use case per tier (testing → projects → regular use) - Clear use case per tier (testing → projects → regular use)
- Easy to upgrade (credits → Pro seamless) - Easy to upgrade (credits → Pro seamless)
**4. Commitment Gradient:** **4. Commitment Gradient:**
- Free → try instantly (no credit card) - Free → try instantly (no credit card)
- Credits → low commitment (pay once, use when needed) - Credits → low commitment (pay once, use when needed)
- Pro → higher commitment (monthly, but cancel anytime) - Pro → higher commitment (monthly, but cancel anytime)
--- ---
@ -291,26 +289,25 @@
## MCP Access Strategy (Revised) ## MCP Access Strategy (Revised)
**Original plan:** MCP only for Pro tier **Original plan:** MCP only for Pro tier
**Oleg's feedback:** "MCP должно быть бесплатно, это маркетинговая фича" **Oleg's feedback:** "MCP должно быть бесплатно, это маркетинговая фича"
**New strategy: MCP on ALL tiers ✅** **New strategy: MCP on ALL tiers ✅**
**Why this is correct:** **Why this is correct:**
1. **Viral adoption:** Developers try MCP → share with others → network effect 1. **Viral adoption:** Developers try MCP → share with others → network effect
2. **Can't restrict:** If API is open, community will build MCP anyway 2. **Can't restrict:** If API is open, community will build MCP anyway
3. **Marketing asset:** "First AI image gen with native MCP support" 3. **Marketing asset:** "First AI image gen with native MCP support"
4. **Trust building:** No artificial feature paywalls (developer-friendly) 4. **Trust building:** No artificial feature paywalls (developer-friendly)
**How to monetize without MCP paywall:** **How to monetize without MCP paywall:**
- Free tier: Limited generations (10/month) → forces upgrade - Free tier: Limited generations (10/month) → forces upgrade
- Credits: Episodic users buy when needed → flexible revenue - Credits: Episodic users buy when needed → flexible revenue
- Pro: Heavy users subscribe → predictable MRR - Pro: Heavy users subscribe → predictable MRR
**Features exclusive to Pro (after launch):** **Features exclusive to Pro (after launch):**
- Priority queue (2x faster generation) - Priority queue (2x faster generation)
- Flow-based generation (complex workflows) - Flow-based generation (complex workflows)
- Custom Templates (create your own)
- Namespaces (project organization) - Namespaces (project organization)
- On-demand URL generation - On-demand URL generation
- Custom style presets - Custom style presets
@ -338,11 +335,11 @@ Perfect for testing and small demos
- 10 generations/month - 10 generations/month
- MCP + API + UI access - MCP + API + UI access
- Template System (built-in) - Prompt Enhancement
- CDN delivery - CDN delivery
- Watermark on images - Watermark on images
[Start Free →] [Start Free →]
--- ---
@ -359,7 +356,7 @@ Buy credits when you need them
- Valid for 90 days - Valid for 90 days
- No recurring charges - No recurring charges
[View Packs →] [View Packs →]
--- ---
@ -372,11 +369,11 @@ For regular builders and agencies
- 500 generations/month included - 500 generations/month included
- Priority generation queue (2x faster) - Priority generation queue (2x faster)
- Custom Templates + Exclusive features - Exclusive features (Flow, Namespaces)
- $0.10 per additional generation - $0.10 per additional generation
- Cancel anytime - Cancel anytime
[Start Pro Trial →] [Start Pro Trial →]
--- ---
@ -409,16 +406,13 @@ A: Yes, 90 days from purchase. You'll get email reminders at 30 days and 7 days
**Q: Is there an Enterprise plan?** **Q: Is there an Enterprise plan?**
A: Not yet. Contact us if you need >10K generations/month or custom features. A: Not yet. Contact us if you need >10K generations/month or custom features.
**Q: What's the difference between Template System tiers?**
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.
--- ---
## Pricing Experiments (Post-Launch) ## Pricing Experiments (Post-Launch)
### Month 1-2: Validation ### Month 1-2: Validation
- Test current structure - Test current structure
- Track conversion rates (Free → Credits, Free → Pro) - Track conversion rates (Free → Credits, Free → Pro)
- Identify most popular pack (likely Builder $50) - Identify most popular pack (likely Builder $50)
### Month 3: A/B Test ### Month 3: A/B Test
@ -446,7 +440,7 @@ A: All tiers get built-in templates (Photorealistic, Illustration, etc.). Pro ti
- After strong PMF signals (low churn, high NPS) - After strong PMF signals (low churn, high NPS)
**When to decrease prices:** **When to decrease prices:**
- If conversion rate <5% (Free → Paid) - If conversion rate <5% (Free → Paid)
- If competitor undercuts significantly - If competitor undercuts significantly
- If usage patterns show lower value perception - If usage patterns show lower value perception
@ -576,7 +570,7 @@ Metadata: { included_credits: 500, overage_rate: 0.10 }
## Pricing Strategy: Key Decisions ## Pricing Strategy: Key Decisions
### ✅ CONFIRMED: ### ✅ CONFIRMED:
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
@ -585,16 +579,15 @@ 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
### ⏳ TO VALIDATE: ### â³ 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?
### 🔮 FUTURE: ### ðŸ"® 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
@ -603,6 +596,8 @@ 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).

39
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@ -1,45 +1,30 @@
# Product Features Overview # Product Features Overview
**Date:** November 2, 2025 (Updated: January 9, 2026) **Date:** November 2, 2025
**Status:** 📝 Living document - feature roadmap **Status:** 📝 Living document - feature roadmap
**Version:** 1.1 (Template System = primary feature, Prompt Enhancement = technical implementation) **Version:** 1.0
--- ---
## Core Features (MVP) ## Core Features (MVP)
### 1. Template System ⭐ PRIMARY MOAT ### 1. Prompt Enhancement ⭐ PRIMARY MOAT
**What:** User-facing feature for professional quality output **What:** AI improves user prompts for professional quality
**Under the hood:** Prompt Enhancement (AI improves prompts) — technical implementation that powers templates
**How:** **How:**
- User selects template (Photorealistic default, or custom) - User provides generic prompt: "hero image for SaaS"
- System analyzes prompt for specified parameters (subject, style, lighting, etc.) - System enhances: "Professional SaaS hero image, modern gradient background, clean UI elements, high contrast, 4K quality, corporate aesthetic"
- Template applies **only** to missing details (granular enhancement) - Gemini generates with enhanced prompt
- Detailed prompts pass through unchanged
- User always sees before/after comparison
**Example - Short prompt:** **Status:** ✅ Working, always enabled
- 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 (3-6 months to replicate) - This is our main competitive advantage
- Justifies $0.10 vs $0.0006 commodity - Justifies $0.10 vs $0.0006 commodity
- Users control output via template choice, not generic "enhancement" - Users get professional quality without prompt engineering skills
- Intelligent analysis = unique, complex feature
**Custom Templates = Pro tier paid feature** **Cannot be disabled** - this is the value we sell
--- ---
@ -297,7 +282,7 @@ const features = await banatie.generate({
| Feature | Segment | Priority | Status | Days | | Feature | Segment | Priority | Status | Days |
|---------|---------|----------|--------|------| |---------|---------|----------|--------|------|
| Template System | All | 🔴 Critical | ✅ Done | - | | Prompt Enhancement | 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 |

212
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@ -1,212 +0,0 @@
# 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

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@ -1,271 +0,0 @@
# 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

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@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
# Market Positioning & Strategy # Market Positioning & Strategy
**Date:** October 20, 2025 (Updated: January 9, 2026) **Date:** October 20, 2025
**Version:** 3.1 (MCP/CLI repositioned as table stakes, Template System = primary feature) **Version:** 3.0 (Major update - expanded ICP, realistic TAM/SAM, competitive analysis)
**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 |
| **Template System** | ✅ Unique | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | | **Prompt Enhancement** | ✅ 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 |
@ -285,9 +285,7 @@ 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 | $1-3 (time) |
| **Setup Time** | 5 min | 10 min | 10 min | 15 min | 20-40 hours | | **Setup Time** | 5 min | 10 min | 10 min | 15 min | 20-40 hours |
**Our unique value:** Complete developer workflow (MCP + CLI + API + Prompt URLs) + intelligent Template System + production pipeline (CDN + transformations + optimization) **Our unique value:** ONLY solution with complete developer workflow integration (MCP + CLI + API + Prompt URLs) + production pipeline (CDN + transformations + optimization)
**Note (Jan 2026):** MCP/CLI are now table stakes for developer tools. All serious competitors will have them by mid-2026. Our defensible moats are: Template System (intelligent prompt analysis), @references (consistency), Prompt URLs (unique), and complete production pipeline.
--- ---
@ -300,7 +298,7 @@ We ARE competing in "Production Image Infrastructure for Agentic Development" ($
**What we BUILD:** **What we BUILD:**
### 1. **Complete Developer Experience (DX Suite)** ### 1. **Best Developer Experience (DX)**
- 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)
@ -309,24 +307,17 @@ 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**
**Template System (PRIMARY MOAT):** **Prompt Enhancement:**
- User selects template (Photorealistic default, or custom) - AI agent optimizes prompts automatically
- 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.

17
strategy/13-competitive-analysis.md
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@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
# Competitive Analysis # Competitive Analysis
**Date:** November 2, 2025 (Updated: January 9, 2026) **Date:** November 2, 2025
**Status:** ✅ Updated - Template System = primary feature (Prompt Enhancement = technical implementation), MCP/CLI = table stakes **Status:** ✅ Updated with Runware + ImageKit research
**Version:** 1.1 **Version:** 1.0
--- ---
@ -34,14 +34,11 @@
## Our Competitive Advantages ## Our Competitive Advantages
### 1. Template System (PRIMARY MOAT) ### 1. Prompt Enhancement (PRIMARY MOAT)
- Generic to Professional quality via intelligent templates - Generic → Professional quality
- 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
@ -54,14 +51,12 @@
- Transformations (with focal point detection) - Transformations (with focal point detection)
- Zero manual work - Zero manual work
### 4. Developer Experience (DX Suite) ### 4. Developer Experience
- 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

160
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@ -1,160 +0,0 @@
# 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