How do I install the Yc New Way skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add dvcrn/yc-new-way in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

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Which AI agents work with Yc New Way?

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Is Yc New Way free to use?

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Who published Yc New Way?

dvcrn (@dvcrn) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Yc New Way by dvcrn — Agent Skill

Name: Yc New Way
Rating: 4.666666666666667 (3 reviews)
Author: dvcrn

Yc New Way

Apply Y Combinator’s “New Way to Build a Startup” playbook to ship fast, validate with real distribution, and iterate using data. Use when the user asks to follow “New Way”, design a 7-day startup sprint, pick a narrow wedge, build a lightweight MVP/SEO site/newsletter, set up experiments, or turn a vague idea into a testable plan with metrics, launch checklist, and weekly iteration loop.

dvcrn Updated Sep 8, 2026 32 repo stars

File contents

YC “New Way” (ship → distribute → learn)

Goal

Turn an idea into a running distribution loop fast (days, not weeks), using the smallest product that can measure real demand.

Workflow (default)

0) Clarify the bet (2 minutes)

Fill this sentence:

For [who] with [pain], we offer [promise] via [channel], and we’ll know it works when [metric] hits [threshold].

If missing, use references/experiment-brief.md.

1) Pick a narrow wedge

Prefer wedges that are:

High intent (people already searching/buying)
Clear objects (SKUs, listings, templates)
Easy to prove with evidence (links, screenshots, timestamps)

Output:

1 primary wedge + 1 backup wedge
3 user stories

2) Choose one distribution channel first

Pick exactly one:

SEO (content library + internal links)
Newsletter (weekly digest)
Community (Reddit/Discord/forums) where posting is allowed

Do not build more channels until one shows signal.

3) Ship the smallest MVP that measures

Default MVPs:

SEO site: 10 pages (2 money pages + 8 support pages)
Newsletter: 1 issue + signup + archive
Tool page: 1 calculator/checklist with email capture

Include:

Clear CTA
Analytics
Evidence links (avoid “AI says”)

Use references/landing-page-checklist.md and references/seo-10-page-plan.md.

4) Instrumentation & decision rules

Track only the fewest metrics:

Traffic → CTA CTR → Outbound clicks → (optional) purchases
Time to publish / pages per week (throughput)

Define stop/iterate rules:

If CTR is low → fix promise/copy
If CTR is high but no conversions → fix offer/price/trust
If no traffic after 7 days → distribution problem (not product)

Use references/weekly-loop.md.

5) Weekly iteration loop

Every week:

Double down on 1 thing that worked
Kill 1 thing that didn’t
Add 1 new experiment

Keep a changelog; avoid rebuilding.

Output templates (use these verbatim)

Experiment brief: references/experiment-brief.md
Landing page checklist: references/landing-page-checklist.md
SEO 10-page plan: references/seo-10-page-plan.md
Weekly loop: references/weekly-loop.md

Guardrails

Distribution before system: don’t over-automate until there’s signal.
Evidence-first: recommendations must cite sources.
Narrow first: one wedge, one channel, one metric.
Legal/ToS: prefer public sources / allowed APIs; avoid bypassing logins or CAPTCHAs.

---name: yc-new-waydescription: Apply Y Combinator’s “New Way to Build a Startup” playbook to ship fast, validate with real distribution, and iterate using data. Use when the user asks to follow “New Way”, design a 7-day startup sprint, pick a narrow wedge, build a lightweight MVP/SEO site/newsletter, set up experiments, or turn a vague idea into a testable plan with metrics, launch checklist, and weekly iteration loop.---# YC “New Way” (ship → distribute → learn)## GoalTurn an idea into **a running distribution loop** fast (days, not weeks), using the smallest product that can **measure real demand**.## Workflow (default)### 0) Clarify the bet (2 minutes)Fill this sentence:- **For [who]** with **[pain]**, we offer **[promise]** via **[channel]**, and we’ll know it works when **[metric]** hits **[threshold]**.If missing, use `references/experiment-brief.md`.### 1) Pick a narrow wedgePrefer wedges that are:- High intent (people already searching/buying)- Clear objects (SKUs, listings, templates)- Easy to prove with evidence (links, screenshots, timestamps)Output:- 1 primary wedge + 1 backup wedge- 3 user stories### 2) Choose one distribution channel firstPick exactly one:- **SEO** (content library + internal links)- **Newsletter** (weekly digest)- **Community** (Reddit/Discord/forums) where posting is allowedDo **not** build more channels until one shows signal.### 3) Ship the smallest MVP that measuresDefault MVPs:- SEO site: 10 pages (2 money pages + 8 support pages)- Newsletter: 1 issue + signup + archive- Tool page: 1 calculator/checklist with email captureInclude:- Clear CTA- Analytics- Evidence links (avoid “AI says”)Use `references/landing-page-checklist.md` and `references/seo-10-page-plan.md`.### 4) Instrumentation & decision rulesTrack only the fewest metrics:- **Traffic → CTA CTR → Outbound clicks → (optional) purchases**- Time to publish / pages per week (throughput)Define stop/iterate rules:- If CTR is low → fix promise/copy- If CTR is high but no conversions → fix offer/price/trust- If no traffic after 7 days → distribution problem (not product)Use `references/weekly-loop.md`.### 5) Weekly iteration loopEvery week:1) Double down on 1 thing that worked2) Kill 1 thing that didn’t3) Add 1 new experimentKeep a changelog; avoid rebuilding.## Output templates (use these verbatim)- Experiment brief: `references/experiment-brief.md`- Landing page checklist: `references/landing-page-checklist.md`- SEO 10-page plan: `references/seo-10-page-plan.md`- Weekly loop: `references/weekly-loop.md`## Guardrails- **Distribution before system**: don’t over-automate until there’s signal.- **Evidence-first**: recommendations must cite sources.- **Narrow first**: one wedge, one channel, one metric.- **Legal/ToS**: prefer public sources / allowed APIs; avoid bypassing logins or CAPTCHAs.

Frequently asked questions