# 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.

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## 🎯 Current Status

**Phase:** Pre-launch / ICP Validation
**Version:** 1.1
**Next Milestone:** Complete ICP External Validation

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## ✅ Completed Sprint: Foundation (Oct 20 - Oct 30)

### ✅ COMPLETED
- [x] Market positioning clarified (Completed: Oct 25, 2025)
- [x] ICP hypothesis validated internally - founder IS the ICP (Completed: Oct 28, 2025)
- [x] Pricing strategy drafted - hybrid credits + subscription model (Completed: Oct 29, 2025)
- [x] MVP scope defined - MCP + core features (Completed: Oct 30, 2025)
- [x] Documentation framework established - filesystem MCP approach (Completed: Oct 30, 2025)

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## 🔄 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?"
- [ ] Conduct 10-15 text-based interviews via DM
- [ ] Fill validation scorecard after each interview
- [ ] Make GO/PIVOT/STOP decision based on results

### ⏸️ BLOCKED / WAITING
- [ ] MVP development (blocked by: need confirmed feature priorities from validation)
- [ ] Beta user outreach (blocked by: need validated messaging)
- [ ] Pricing finalization (blocked by: need ICP confirmation of willingness to pay)

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## 📅 Upcoming Milestones

### 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
- [ ] 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 (est. 1-2 weeks)
- [ ] Final GO/STOP decision

**IF STOP decision (<40% interest, no one willing to pay):**
- [ ] Document learnings (what didn't work, what insights gained)
- [ ] Thank all interviewees professionally
- [ ] Decide: tackle different problem OR shut down project
- [ ] Focus energy back on day job (reduce stress, reassess in 3-6 months)

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### MVP Development Phase (4-6 weeks)
*(Assuming GO decision)*

**Est. duration: 4-6 weeks total**

- **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 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 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 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 6:** Beta testing + iteration
  - Invite 5-10 validated users from research
  - High-touch onboarding (help with MCP setup)
  - Gather feedback, fix critical bugs
  - Iterate on UX pain points
  - **Deliverable:** Product-market fit signals or pivot triggers

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### Soft Launch & Growth Phase (Months 3-6 after validation)

**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 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 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
- Target MRR: $1-2K (Side Project Validation milestone)

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## 🎯 Long-term Goals (Relative Milestones)

### Month 6 Checkpoint: Side Project Validation
**Timeframe:** ~6 months after validation
**Success criteria:**
- MRR: $1-2K
- Customers: 10-20 paying
- Churn: <5% monthly
- Signal: Product-market fit OR clear pivot needed

**Decision:** Continue scaling OR reassess viability

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### Month 9 Checkpoint: Hybrid Mode Decision
**Timeframe:** ~9 months after validation
**Success criteria:**
- MRR: $3-5K
- Customers: 30-50 paying
- Usage: Predictable growth pattern

**Options:**
- Negotiate 4-day work week with employer (80% salary = $4.8K)
- OR: Stay full-time job, continue nights/weekends
- Combined income: $7-10K/month (meets family needs + buffer)

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### 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
- OR: MRR = $4-5K + spouse (Ekaterina) involved in admin with income

**Decision:** Go full-time on Banatie OR continue hybrid

**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

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## 🚦 Decision Gates

### 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)
- 40%+ willing to pay $20+ (4 out of 10)
- 30%+ want early access (3 out of 10)
- **KILLER USE CASE identified:** ONE specific, frequent, expensive pain mentioned by 60%+ respondents (not scattered generic needs)
- Budget confirmed (they pay for other tools)

**Possible outcomes:**
- ✅ **GO** → Build MVP for AI developers (strong signals)
- 🔄 **PIVOT** → Test different ICP (weak signals, add 1-2 weeks)
- 🛑 **STOP** → Shut down or fundamental rethink (no market fit)

**Review:** Upon completion with @men

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### 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)
- 5-10 beta users onboarded and generating images
- 50+ generations completed (usage validated)
- 2+ users purchase credits (monetization validated)
- No critical bugs blocking core workflow

**Possible outcomes:**
- ✅ **LAUNCH** → Soft launch to r/ClaudeAI, Indie Hackers
- 🔄 **ITERATE** → Add 1-2 weeks for bug fixes, UX improvements
- 🛑 **PIVOT** → Different approach needed (MCP too complex? Different features?)

**Review:** Upon completion

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### GATE 3: PMF Validation (Month 6 checkpoint)

**Timeframe:** ~6 months after Gate 1 GO decision

**Success criteria:**
- $1-2K MRR achieved
- <5% monthly churn (customers staying)
- "Can't live without" feedback from 3+ users
- Organic word-of-mouth starting (referrals, shares)
- Usage growing without marketing spend

**Possible outcomes:**
- ✅ **SCALE** → Invest in growth (content, partnerships, paid ads eventually)
- 🔄 **OPTIMIZE** → Refine product, improve conversion
- 🛑 **PIVOT/STOP** → No PMF achieved after 6 months, reassess fundamentally

**Review:** Upon reaching timeframe

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## ⚠️ Risk Mitigation Watch

### HIGH PRIORITY RISKS

**1. Burnout Risk (Severity: HIGH)**
- **Factors:** Full-time job + side project + newborn (Kirill, 2 weeks old) + family of 5
- **Current exposure:** Working 60+ hrs/week total (40 job + 20 Banatie)
- **Monitor:** Weekly health check-ins (Sundays)
- **Mitigation:** 
  - Strict time boundaries (no work after 10 PM)
  - One full day off per week (family only)
  - Use Agent Coding (Claude Code) to maximize efficiency
  - Cut scope ruthlessly (MVP, not full vision)
- **Red flags:** Physical health decline, family tension, day job performance suffering
- **Abort criteria:** If health/family at risk, pause Banatie (not worth it)

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**2. Financial Pressure Risk (Severity: HIGH)**
- **Factors:** Zero savings buffer, school tuition coming, single income ($6K/month)
- **Current exposure:** No emergency fund, Daniel's private school pending
- **Monitor:** Monthly expense tracking, runway calculation
- **Mitigation:**
  - Keep day job until Banatie ≥ $6K MRR (non-negotiable)
  - Negotiate hybrid work arrangement early (6-month mark if traction)
  - Bootstrap (no fundraising until PMF clear)
  - Minimize Banatie expenses (use family VPS, free tools)
- **Red flags:** Credit card debt accumulating, school tuition unpaid, family stress over money
- **Abort criteria:** If Banatie costs exceed $500/month without revenue

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**3. No PMF Risk (Severity: HIGHEST)**
- **Factors:** Unvalidated ICP, new category (convergence play), complex product
- **Current exposure:** Hypothesis not yet tested with external users
- **Monitor:** Interview feedback, churn rate, usage metrics, qualitative signals
- **Mitigation:**
  - Brutal ICP validation BEFORE building more (current sprint)
  - Launch ultra-MVP (not full platform)
  - 10-15 customer interviews BEFORE launch
  - Set clear pivot triggers (see Phase 1 decision point)
- **Red flags:** No one willing to pay, high churn (>10%), "cool idea, but..." feedback
- **Abort criteria:** After 6 months, if <$500 MRR and no PMF signals → shut down

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**4. Employer Discovery Risk (Severity: MEDIUM)**
- **Factors:** Building side project while employed, same industry (web dev, AI)
- **Current exposure:** Public presence needed for marketing (Twitter, LinkedIn, dev.to)
- **Monitor:** LinkedIn/social mentions, colleague conversations
- **Mitigation strategies:** (see `backlog/06-future-topics-backlog.md` - "свечение фейса")
  - Use separate brand identity (Banatie, not personal)
  - Delay LinkedIn posting until closer to launch
  - Focus on dev.to, Indie Hackers (less employer monitoring)
  - Check employment contract for IP clauses
- **Red flags:** Employer asks about side projects, colleagues mention seeing Banatie
- **Abort criteria:** If employer explicitly forbids, negotiate exit OR pause publicly

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## 📊 Key Metrics Dashboard

**Updated:** Weekly (every Sunday evening)

### 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 GO decision)
- MVP features completed: **- / 8**
- Beta users onboarded: **- / 10**
- Generations completed: **- / 50**
- Credit purchases: **- / 2**

### Business Metrics (Post-launch)
- **MRR:** $0
- **Paying customers:** 0
- **Churn rate:** N/A
- **Conversion rate (Free → Paid):** N/A
- **Usage per user (avg gens/month):** N/A

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## 🔮 Future Considerations (Not Currently Scheduled)

### Features (Post-PMF, after 50+ users)
- Flow-based chained generation (complex workflows)
- On-demand URL generation (programmatic HTML generation)
- Namespaces / project organization
- Team collaboration features (multi-user, agencies)
- Advanced style presets / fine-tuning

### Market Expansion (After PMF with AI developers)
- Agency tier ($149/mo for teams)
- E-commerce vertical (product image generation, Shopify integration)
- Enterprise tier (custom pricing, SLA, support)

### Operations (After $10K MRR)
- Hire VA for customer support
- Involve Ekaterina (wife) in admin/ops
- Consider part-time dev help for non-core features
- Explore partnership opportunities (integrations, resellers)

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## 📋 Action Items Summary

**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

**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

**After Validation - IF PIVOT:**
1. Select alternative ICP
2. Prepare new interview script
3. Begin second validation round (est. 1-2 weeks)

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## 🎯 Success Definitions by Stage

### Pre-launch Success (Current)
- ✅ ICP validated externally (60%+ interest, 40%+ willing to pay)
- ✅ MVP scope locked (based on validated needs)
- ✅ First 5 beta users identified from research

### Launch Success (Month 3-4)
- ✅ 5-10 beta users actively using product
- ✅ 50+ generations completed
- ✅ 2+ credit purchases (willingness to pay confirmed)
- ✅ No critical bugs blocking workflow

### Early Traction Success (Month 6)
- ✅ $1-2K MRR
- ✅ <5% monthly churn
- ✅ Product-market fit signals ("can't live without")
- ✅ Organic growth starting (word-of-mouth, referrals)

### Sustainability Success (Month 12)
- ✅ $6K+ MRR (salary replacement level)
- ✅ Predictable growth trajectory
- ✅ Hybrid or full-time transition viable
- ✅ Clear path to $10-15K MRR

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**Roadmap Owner:** @men + Oleg (joint ownership)
**Last Updated:** October 31, 2025
**Next Review:** Upon completion of ICP validation
**Version Control:** Track major changes via Git commits

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**Quick Reference Commands:**
- Update metrics: Every Sunday evening
- Review roadmap: After each decision gate
- Update action items: As completed or priorities change
- Archive completed sprints: When moving to next phase
- Mark tasks complete: Record actual completion dates for velocity tracking