448 lines
16 KiB
Markdown
448 lines
16 KiB
Markdown
# Banatie Strategy Documentation Index
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**Last Updated:** January 9, 2026
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**Total Documents:** 22 (numbered in strategy/execution) + research (prefixed)
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**Next Available Number:** 22
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**Project Stage:** Pre-launch / MVP Development
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---
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## 📊 Numbering System
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**Rule:** Sequential numbering for strategy/ and execution/ folders (01-99)
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- Each number is used only once
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- New document = next available number
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- Deleted documents don't free up numbers
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- **Exception:** `discussions/` uses date-based format (YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md)
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- **Exception:** `research/` uses flat structure with prefixes (direction-, signals-, analysis-, seo-)
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**Currently Used:**
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- 01 - Market Positioning
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- 02 - Reality Check
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- 03 - ICP Research Questions
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- 06 - Future Topics Backlog
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- 07 - Validated ICP (AI Developers)
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- 08 - Validation Plan
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- 09 - MVP Scope (Archived, superseded by 15)
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- 10 - Pricing Strategy
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- 11 - Technical Architecture
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- 12 - Current Tech State
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- 13 - Competitive Analysis
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- 14 - ICP Segmentation Unified
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- 15 - MVP Scope v2 Realistic
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- 16 - Product Features
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- 17 - Week 1 Launch Checklist
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- 18 - Production Infrastructure
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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:** 22
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---
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## 📖 Quick Links
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**For new sessions START HERE:**
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- [ROADMAP.md](ROADMAP.md) - Current priorities and status
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- [Reality Check](strategy/02-reality-check.md) - Founder constraints
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- [Research Methodology](research/passive-research-methodology.md) - Passive research guide (battle-tested)
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**For strategic decisions:**
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- [Market Positioning](strategy/01-market-positioning-and-segments.md)
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- [Validated ICP](strategy/07-validated-icp-ai-developers.md)
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**For execution:**
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- [Week 1 Launch Checklist](execution/17-week-1-launch-checklist.md)
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- [MVP Scope v2 Realistic](execution/15-mvp-scope-v2-realistic.md)
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- [Product Features](execution/16-product-features.md)
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- [Pricing Strategy](execution/10-pricing-strategy.md)
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- [Validation Plan](execution/08-validation-plan.md)
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**For SEO & Content:** ⭐ ACTIVE
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- [Placeholder SEO Sprint](execution/19-placeholder-seo-sprint.md) - Current sprint plan ⭐
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- [SEO Keyword Research: Placeholder Images](research/seo-keyword-research-placeholder-images.md) - Entry point cluster
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- [Research Index](research/INDEX.md) - All research documentation
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---
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## 📂 Core Documentation
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### Master Files
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**[CLAUDE.md](CLAUDE.md)**
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*AI assistant configuration, folder structure, commands*
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Status: 📝 Living document
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Purpose: Guide for @men on how to work with documentation
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**[INDEX.md](INDEX.md)** (this file)
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*Complete map of all documents*
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Status: 📝 Living document
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Purpose: Navigation and quick reference
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**[ROADMAP.md](ROADMAP.md)**
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*Current status, active sprint, milestones*
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Status: 📝 Living document
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Purpose: Track progress and priorities
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**[FRAMEWORK.md](FRAMEWORK.md)**
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*Discussion and documentation best practices*
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Status: 📝 Living document
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Purpose: Guide for strategic sessions with @men
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---
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## 🔗 Project Knowledge Files (Always in Context)
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These integration documents are stored in Claude Project Knowledge, not on disk.
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They provide @men with navigation maps to related repositories.
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**BANATIE-CONTENT-INTEGRATION.md** ⭐ NEW (Dec 29, 2025)
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*Navigation guide for banatie-content repository*
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Covers: Multi-agent content system (9 agents), author personas, research folders, content pipeline stages, DataForSEO tools, strategic input channels
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Purpose: Help @men leverage content system during strategy sessions
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**BANATIE-SERVICE-INTEGRATION.md** ⭐ NEW (Dec 30, 2025)
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*Navigation guide for banatie-service technical repository*
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Covers: Monorepo structure (apps/landing, apps/api-service, packages/database), API documentation paths, landing page components, production URLs, deployment commands, key technical differentiators
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Purpose: Help @men find authoritative information about product capabilities
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---
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## 📂 Strategy Documents
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### Core Strategic Foundation
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**[01 - Market Positioning](strategy/01-market-positioning-and-segments.md)** (v2.0, Oct 20)
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*Positioning, competitors, market size ($25B+ dev tools)*
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Status: ✅ Validated
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Key insight: We're in "Developer Tools for AI-Powered Development" ($25B+ subset)
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**[02 - Reality Check](strategy/02-reality-check.md)** (Oct 19)
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*Founder situation, financial goals, constraints*
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Status: 📝 Living document, review monthly
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Critical: Solo founder, family of 5, $6K/month sole income, 15-20 hrs/week available
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**[07 - Validated ICP](strategy/07-validated-icp-ai-developers.md)** (v1.0, Oct 20)
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*AI-powered developers as primary ICP*
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Confidence: HIGH (80%) - founder IS the ICP
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Target: Developers using Claude Code/Cursor who build web projects
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**[11 - Technical Architecture](strategy/11-technical-architecture.md)** (v1.0, Nov 1)
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*Platform architecture, tech stack, 6-stage pipeline*
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Status: ✅ Validated
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Stack: Express, Next.js, Gemini 2.5 Flash, MinIO, PostgreSQL, Cloudflare
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**[13 - Competitive Analysis](strategy/13-competitive-analysis.md)** (v1.0, Nov 2)
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*Competitive landscape, positioning, moats*
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Status: ✅ Updated with Runware + ImageKit research
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Key competitors: Runware ($0.0006), ImageKit ($0.10-0.25), positioning as DX premium
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Primary moat: Prompt Enhancement (3-6 months to replicate)
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**[14 - ICP Segmentation Unified](strategy/14-icp-segmentation-unified.md)** (v1.0, Nov 2)
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*Unified product approach, A/B/C/D segments*
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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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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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## 🎯 Execution Documents
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### Validation & Launch Planning
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**[03 - ICP Research Questions](execution/03-icp-research-questions.md)** (v2.0, Oct 20)
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*Interview script, validation framework*
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Status: 🔄 In use - validation in progress
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Goal: 10-15 interviews to validate willingness to pay
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**[08 - Validation Plan](execution/08-validation-plan.md)** (Oct 20)
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*2-week sprint plan, 10-15 interviews, stealth outreach*
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Timeline: Oct 20 - Nov 3, 2025
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Channels: Reddit, Indie Hackers, Discord
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**[09 - MVP Scope](execution/09-mvp-scope.md)** (Oct 20)
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*Must-have features, 4-6 week dev timeline*
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Status: 📚 Archived - Superseded by 15-mvp-scope-v2-realistic.md (Nov 2)
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Core: MCP integration, Prompt Enhancement, CDN, @references
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**[10 - Pricing Strategy](execution/10-pricing-strategy.md)** (v2.0, Oct 20)
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*Hybrid model: Credits + Subscription*
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Tiers:
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- Free: 10 gens/month (watermark)
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- Credits: $20-100 for 200-1500 gens
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- Pro: $49/month for 500 gens
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### MVP Development & Launch (Week 1)
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**[15 - MVP Scope v2 Realistic](execution/15-mvp-scope-v2-realistic.md)** (v2.0, Nov 2)
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*Realistic timeline for MVP development*
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Status: 🔄 Planning - Based on actual dev capacity
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Replaces: 09-mvp-scope.md
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Timeline: Week 1 (Prompt URLs), Week 2-3 (MCP/SDK/CLI), Week 4+ (Production features)
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Current blockers: DB schema update (2 days), endpoints alignment (2 days)
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**[16 - Product Features](execution/16-product-features.md)** (v1.0, Nov 2)
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*Complete feature inventory and roadmap*
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Status: 📝 Living document
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Core features: Prompt Enhancement (PRIMARY MOAT), 6 aspect ratios, Prompt URLs, MCP, SDK, CLI
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Priority matrix with timelines and status tracking
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**[17 - Week 1 Launch Checklist](execution/17-week-1-launch-checklist.md)** (Nov 2)
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*Step-by-step ultra-minimal launch guide*
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Status: Ready to execute
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Goal: 3-5 early adopters try it, 1 pays (any amount)
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Includes: Pre-launch checklist, launch day schedule, Reddit/Discord copy templates, success criteria
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**[18 - Production Infrastructure](execution/18-production-infrastructure.md)** (Dec 21)
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*Production deployment configuration and external services*
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Status: ✅ Live
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Includes: VPS setup, Cloudflare config, SEO, Analytics, Performance metrics
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**[19 - Placeholder SEO Sprint](execution/19-placeholder-seo-sprint.md)** (Jan 2, 2026) ⭐ ACTIVE
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*Capture 31K+ monthly placeholder image searches*
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Status: 🔄 Active Sprint
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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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**[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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**[12 - Current Tech State](execution/12-the-current-tech-state.md)** (v1.0, Nov 1)
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*Business-focused overview of platform capabilities*
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Status: 📝 Working Document
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Key: Platform mostly production-ready, gaps identified
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**[Appendix 1](execution/appendex1.md)** - SDK code examples
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**[Appendix 2](execution/appendex2.md)** - Use cases & conversion
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---
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## 🔬 Research Documents
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**📂 Complete Research Documentation:** [research/INDEX.md](research/INDEX.md)
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### Research Status Summary
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**Phase 1 Completed (Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2025):**
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- ✅ 3 directions researched with strong signals (Directions 1, 2, 6)
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- ✅ 10 research directions mapped (Directions 0-10)
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- ✅ 2 extensions scoped (Directions 11-12: E-commerce, NoCode)
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- ✅ Reusable methodology documented
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- ✅ ICP refined to A/B/C/D segments
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**SEO Research Phase (Dec 26, 2025):** ⭐ NEW
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- ✅ DataForSEO MCP Server integrated
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- ✅ First keyword cluster researched ("placeholder images")
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- ✅ Content plan with 5 articles defined
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- ⏳ Additional clusters pending
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**Primary Finding:** Direction 2 (AI Coding Agents) = ⭐ 70-80% confidence
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- [direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md](research/direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md) - Complete research
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- ICP match = excellent (founder IS the ICP)
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- Market size = huge (36K+ r/cursor members)
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- Willingness to pay = validated ($20-200/mo)
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- Technical fit = perfect (MCP + SDK)
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**SEO Finding:** Placeholder Images Cluster = ⭐ Entry Point ⭐ NEW
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- [seo-keyword-research-placeholder-images.md](research/seo-keyword-research-placeholder-images.md) - Keyword research
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- 14,800 searches/month for "placeholder images"
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- No AI competition in top-10 Google
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- 5 content pieces identified with targets
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**ICP Segmentation (A/B/C/D):**
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- **A:** Studios/Agencies (CEO decision, higher ACV) - Direction 1 focus
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- **B:** Power Users (Tech leads with Cursor/Claude Code) - ⭐ PRIMARY
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- **C:** Freelancers (Solo decision, price-sensitive) - Cross-direction
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- **D:** AI-savvy Freelancers (High volume, time=money) - ⭐ SECONDARY
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---
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## 💬 Discussion History
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**Note:** Discussions use date-based naming (YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md)
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**[2025-12-26 - DataForSEO Integration & Keyword Research](discussions/2025-12-26-dataforseo-integration-keyword-research.md)** ⭐ LATEST
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*DataForSEO setup + first keyword research*
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Outcomes:
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- DataForSEO MCP Server integrated
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- Research protocol for agents defined
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- "Placeholder images" cluster researched
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- 5 content pieces planned with SEO targets
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- Content-system expansion discussed
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**[2025-11-02 - Unified Product Strategy](discussions/2025-11-02-unified-product-strategy.md)**
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*Major strategic session - 3 hours with @men*
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Outcomes:
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- Unified product decision (Direction 1 + 2 = SAME product)
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- Week 1 launch plan created (ultra-minimal experiment)
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- Competitive analysis completed (Runware, ImageKit)
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- ICP segmentation refined (A/B/C/D segments)
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- 5 new documents created (13-17)
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**[2025-10-19 - Initial Strategic Session](discussions/2025-10-19-initial-strategic-session.md)**
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*First strategic session - 2 hours with @men*
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Outcomes:
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- ICP direction clarified (AI developers)
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- Pricing model validated (hybrid)
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- Documentation framework established
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---
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## 📋 Backlog & Future
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**[06 - Future Topics](backlog/06-future-topics-backlog.md)** (Oct 19)
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*Upcoming discussions prioritized by urgency*
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Current priorities:
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- Soon: MVP scope finalization, pre-launch strategy
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- Eventually: Social media, Google Ads, employer risk management
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---
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## 🔗 Document Dependencies
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### Critical path for new @men sessions:
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```
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ROADMAP.md → 02-reality-check.md → 14-icp-segmentation-unified.md → 17-week-1-launch-checklist.md
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```
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### For strategic pivots:
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```
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01-market-positioning.md → 13-competitive-analysis.md → 14-icp-segmentation-unified.md → research/INDEX.md
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```
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### For tactical execution (ACTIVE):
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```
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15-mvp-scope-v2-realistic.md → 16-product-features.md → 17-week-1-launch-checklist.md
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```
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### For SEO & Content (NEW):
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```
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research/seo-keyword-research-*.md → ROADMAP.md (Content Sprint) → blog articles
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```
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### Legacy path (archived):
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```
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08-validation-plan.md → 09-mvp-scope.md (superseded by 15) → 10-pricing-strategy.md
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```
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---
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## 📈 Document Status Legend
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- ✅ **Validated** - confirmed through research/data
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- 🔄 **In Progress** - actively being executed
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- ⏳ **Pending** - waiting for prerequisite
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- 🔮 **Future** - planned but not yet started
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- 📝 **Living** - continuously updated
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---
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## 🔍 Key Relationships
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**Market Positioning (01) + Competitive Analysis (13) inform:**
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- Validated ICP (07) + ICP Segmentation (14) - target audience selection
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- Pricing Strategy (10) - competitive benchmarking
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- MVP Scope v2 (15) - feature prioritization
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- Positioning: DX premium vs infrastructure play
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**Reality Check (02) constrains:**
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- MVP Scope v2 (15) - realistic timeline with blockers
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- Week 1 Launch (17) - ultra-minimal approach
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- Product Features (16) - priority matrix
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**Research (research/) + Competitive Analysis (13) validate:**
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- ICP Segmentation (14) - unified product approach
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- Direction 1 + 2 = same product, different entry points
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- Prompt Enhancement as PRIMARY MOAT (3-6 months to replicate)
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**SEO Research (research/seo-*) drives:** ⭐ NEW
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- Content Marketing Sprint (ROADMAP.md)
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- Landing page creation (website)
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- Blog content strategy (dev.to, Hashnode)
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**ICP Segmentation (14) drives:**
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- Product Features (16) - which interfaces to build (MCP vs Prompt URLs)
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- Week 1 Launch (17) - target segments B/D (developers first)
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- GTM strategy - sequential launch approach
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**MVP Scope v2 (15) → Product Features (16) → Week 1 Launch (17):**
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- Active execution path
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- 15 defines timeline and blockers
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- 16 details all features with priorities
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- 17 provides step-by-step launch guide
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**Technical Architecture (11) + Current Tech State (12) define:**
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- What platform can do (architecture + implementation status)
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- MVP Scope v2 (15) - what MUST be built vs already done
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- Product Features (16) - technical feasibility
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**Discussion Framework (FRAMEWORK.md) guides:**
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- All strategic sessions
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- Documentation creation process
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- Decision-making workflows
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---
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## 📝 Quick Reference: Where to Save New Documents
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**Strategic decisions & insights** → `strategy/`
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- Market analysis updates
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- ICP pivots or refinements
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- Positioning changes
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- Competitive intelligence
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**Plans & execution tasks** → `execution/`
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- Launch plans
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- Feature specifications
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- Marketing campaigns
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- Sales processes
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**Research findings** → `research/` (use prefixes)
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- `direction-N-*.md` - Research directions
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- `signals-*.md` - Strong signals found
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- `analysis-*.md` - Strategic analysis
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- `seo-keyword-research-*.md` - SEO keyword research ⭐ NEW
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- `methodology-*.md` - Research methods (if needed)
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**Session summaries** → `discussions/` (date-based: YYYY-MM-DD-topic.md)
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- Strategic planning sessions
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- Major decision meetings
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- Retrospectives
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**Ideas & parking lot** → `backlog/`
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- Future features
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- Potential experiments
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- Topics for later discussion
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---
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**Navigation tip:** Use Ctrl+F to search by topic, document name, or status emoji.
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**Maintenance:** Update this INDEX.md whenever:
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- New document created (assign number/prefix, add to section)
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- Document status changes (update emoji and notes)
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- New relationships identified (add to Dependencies)
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- Quarterly review (prune deprecated docs, reorganize)
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---
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**Last maintained by:** @men
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**Version:** 4.4 (Template System + Validation Approaches added Jan 9, 2026)
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**Next review:** After validation approach selected
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