# Client Onboard > Generate a complete client onboarding package from a project description. Creates project brief, tech stack, milestones, folder structure, CLAUDE.md, and a ready-to-send kickoff message. Run when closing a new freelance client. - Skill: `lord1egypt/client-onboard` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add lord1egypt/client-onboard` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/lord1egypt/client-onboard/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: Lord1Egypt (https://skillmd.com/u/lord1egypt) - Updated: 2026-09-08 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/lord1egypt/client-onboard --- # Client Onboard — Freelance Project Onboarding Generator ## Why This Exists Kevin closes a client → now needs to look professional and get the project moving within 24 hours. Manual onboarding prep = 2 hours of doc writing. This skill turns a project description into a full onboarding package in one shot. ## Trigger Use when: "onboard a new client", "I just got a project", "set up client files for", "new client [description]", or any time a new freelance project is starting. Invoked as: `/client-onboard [project description]` --- ## Process ### Step 1: Parse the Project From `$ARGUMENTS`, extract: - **Project type**: web app, API, automation, audit, mobile, data pipeline, etc. - **Client industry**: SaaS, ecommerce, healthcare, finance, creator economy, etc. - **Timeline hints**: "need this in 2 weeks", "no rush", "ASAP", specific dates mentioned - **Budget hints**: hourly rate mentioned, fixed price, "small budget", enterprise - **Tech constraints**: "must use React", "we're on AWS", "no vendor lock-in" - **Team context**: "solo founder", "we have a dev team", "replacing a contractor" **Default assumptions when not specified:** - Timeline: 4-6 weeks (reasonable for most web projects) - Budget: $75/hr or $2,000-5,000 fixed (Kevin's standard range) - Stack: Next.js + Supabase + Stripe + Python (Kevin's default) - Deployment: Vercel (frontend) + Railway or Supabase (backend) --- ### Step 2: Create the Output Directory Create `CLIENT_ONBOARD/` in the current directory. ```bash mkdir -p CLIENT_ONBOARD ``` If a client name is identifiable from `$ARGUMENTS`, use: `[ClientName]_ONBOARD/` instead. --- ### Step 3: Write PROJECT_BRIEF.md ```markdown # Project Brief — [Project Name] Client: [client name or "TBD"] Date: [today's date] Status: DRAFT — pending client confirmation --- ## Project Overview [2-3 sentences. What is being built, for whom, and why it matters to the client's business. Be specific — no "robust scalable solution" language.] ## Business Goal [What does the client actually need this to DO for their business? Revenue impact? Time savings? User growth?] ## Success Criteria - [ ] [Specific measurable outcome 1] - [ ] [Specific measurable outcome 2] - [ ] [Specific measurable outcome 3] - [ ] All features from this brief are delivered and tested - [ ] Client signs off on final deliverable ## Key Users - **Primary**: [who uses this most, what they need] - **Secondary**: [any other users] - **Admin**: [Kevin or client manages this] ## Core Features (In Scope) 1. [Feature 1 — brief description] 2. [Feature 2 — brief description] 3. [Feature 3 — brief description] [...continue for all core features...] ## Out of Scope (v1) - [Feature that sounds related but isn't included] — defer to v2 - [Feature] — available as add-on after launch - [Feature] — client can self-manage post-launch ## Known Risks - [Risk 1]: [mitigation] - [Risk 2]: [mitigation] ## Open Questions - [ ] [Question that needs client answer before starting] - [ ] [Question] --- *This brief is a living document. Changes require written agreement from both parties.* ``` --- ### Step 4: Write TECH_STACK.md ```markdown # Tech Stack — [Project Name] Decided: [today's date] --- ## Recommended Stack ### Frontend - **Framework**: Next.js 14+ (App Router) - *Why*: [specific reason for this project — e.g., "SEO required", "fast iteration", "familiar to Kevin"] - **UI**: Tailwind CSS + Shadcn/UI components - *Why*: Ships faster than custom CSS, consistent design system - **State**: Zustand (client state) + React Query (server state) - **TypeScript**: Yes — catches bugs before they reach the client ### Backend - **Database + Auth + Storage**: Supabase (Postgres) - *Why*: [specific reason — e.g., "handles auth out of the box", "real-time subscriptions needed", "generous free tier for MVP"] - **Edge Functions**: Supabase Edge Functions (Deno) - *Why*: Co-located with DB, no cold starts on Vercel hobby plan - **[If needed] Python API**: FastAPI - *Why*: [e.g., "AI/ML workloads", "batch processing", "heavier compute"] ### Payments (if applicable) - **Stripe**: Checkout, webhooks, Customer Portal - *Why*: Industry standard, great DX, handles PCI compliance ### Deployment - **Frontend**: Vercel (auto-deploy on git push) - **Backend**: Supabase managed (no ops) - **[If needed] Workers**: Railway (simple, cheap, no k8s) ### AI/Automation (if applicable) - **LLM**: Anthropic Claude API (claude-sonnet-4-6) - **Orchestration**: Custom Python agent or Claude Code skill --- ## Alternatives Considered | Option | Why Rejected | |--------|-------------| | [Alt 1] | [reason] | | [Alt 2] | [reason] | ## Stack Risks & Mitigations - **Supabase vendor lock-in**: Postgres is standard — can self-host if needed - **Vercel pricing at scale**: Set spending limits, switch to Railway if traffic spikes ``` Customize the stack to the project — if the client specifies AWS, remove Vercel; if they need mobile, add React Native; etc. --- ### Step 5: Write MILESTONES.md ```markdown # Milestones — [Project Name] Total estimated timeline: [X] weeks Start date: [today or TBD] Target completion: [date or TBD] --- ## Milestone 1: Foundation — Week 1-2 **Goal:** Project structure, auth, and core data models in place. Nothing works end-to-end yet, but the scaffolding is solid. **Deliverables:** - [ ] Repo setup with CI/CD (Vercel auto-deploy) - [ ] Supabase project + schema (tables, RLS policies) - [ ] Auth flow (login, signup, session management) - [ ] Basic navigation shell - [ ] CLAUDE.md updated with project conventions **Handoff criteria:** Kevin demos a working login → dashboard skeleton. Client confirms schema looks right. --- ## Milestone 2: Core Features — Week 2-4 **Goal:** The main thing the client paid for is built and working. **Deliverables:** - [ ] [Core feature 1] — built and tested - [ ] [Core feature 2] — built and tested - [ ] [Core feature 3] — built and tested - [ ] Error states and loading states implemented - [ ] Mobile responsive **Handoff criteria:** Client can use the app end-to-end for the primary use case. --- ## Milestone 3: Polish + Integrations — Week 4-5 **Goal:** Third-party integrations, edge cases handled, UI polished. **Deliverables:** - [ ] [Payment / email / analytics integration] - [ ] Edge cases from testing handled - [ ] Performance check (Lighthouse score > 85) - [ ] Security review (RLS policies, input validation, env vars) **Handoff criteria:** App is production-ready. No known bugs. --- ## Milestone 4: Launch + Handoff — Week 5-6 **Goal:** Live in production, client can operate it. **Deliverables:** - [ ] Production deployment (custom domain, SSL) - [ ] Monitoring set up (Sentry or basic error logging) - [ ] Client walkthrough recording (Loom) - [ ] Admin documentation (how to manage users, content, etc.) - [ ] Code repo access transferred **Handoff criteria:** Client signs off. Final invoice sent. --- ## Payment Schedule (suggested) - 25% upfront (project kickoff) - 25% Milestone 2 complete - 25% Milestone 3 complete - 25% final delivery + sign-off ``` Adjust milestone count and timeline to match project scope. Small projects (1-2 weeks): 2 milestones. Large projects (8+ weeks): 5-6 milestones. --- ### Step 6: Write FOLDER_STRUCTURE.md Generate a proposed directory layout tailored to the project. Standard Next.js + Supabase layout: ```markdown # Folder Structure — [Project Name] ``` [project-name]/ ├── src/ │ ├── app/ # Next.js App Router pages │ │ ├── (auth)/ # Auth-gated routes │ │ │ ├── dashboard/ │ │ │ └── settings/ │ │ ├── (public)/ # Public routes │ │ │ ├── page.tsx # Landing page │ │ │ └── pricing/ │ │ ├── api/ # API routes │ │ │ └── webhooks/ │ │ ├── layout.tsx │ │ └── globals.css │ ├── components/ │ │ ├── ui/ # Shadcn/UI base components │ │ └── [feature]/ # Feature-specific components │ ├── lib/ │ │ ├── supabase/ # DB client + type-safe helpers │ │ ├── stripe/ # Stripe client + webhook handlers │ │ └── utils.ts │ ├── hooks/ # Custom React hooks │ └── types/ # Shared TypeScript types ├── supabase/ │ ├── migrations/ # SQL migration files │ └── functions/ # Edge functions ├── scripts/ # One-off scripts + automation ├── docs/ # Client-facing documentation │ └── ADMIN_GUIDE.md ├── .env.local # Local env vars (not committed) ├── .env.example # Template for env vars ├── CLAUDE.md # Claude Code context for this project ├── SPEC.md # Project specification └── package.json ``` ``` Adjust to the actual stack. Python-only projects get a different layout. --- ### Step 7: Write CLAUDE.md (Project Starter) ```markdown # [Project Name] — Claude Code Context ## What This Is [1-2 sentences from PROJECT_BRIEF — what this project does] ## Stack - Frontend: Next.js 14 (App Router), TypeScript, Tailwind, Shadcn/UI - Backend: Supabase (Postgres + Auth + Edge Functions) - Payments: Stripe - Deployment: Vercel ## Key Paths - App pages: `src/app/` - Components: `src/components/` - DB helpers: `src/lib/supabase/` - DB schema: `supabase/migrations/` - Edge functions: `supabase/functions/` ## Dev Commands ```bash npm run dev # start local dev server (localhost:3000) npm run build # production build npm run lint # ESLint check supabase start # start local Supabase (Docker required) supabase db push # apply migrations to remote ``` ## Environment Variables See `.env.example` for required vars. Local values in `.env.local` (not committed). ## Conventions - TypeScript strict mode — no `any`, no unchecked nulls - Components: PascalCase, one component per file - DB types: generate from Supabase dashboard → TypeScript types - API routes: validate input with Zod before touching DB - RLS: every table has Row Level Security enabled ## Current Status [Today's date] — Project just started. Milestone 1 in progress. ## Known Gotchas - [Any project-specific things Claude should know] ``` --- ### Step 8: Write KICKOFF_MSG.md Write a message Kevin can send directly to the client — professional, warm, no fluff: ```markdown # Kickoff Message — Ready to Send --- Hey [Client Name], Great to officially be on board — excited to build [project name] with you. I've put together the initial project brief and milestone breakdown based on our conversation. Before I write a single line of code, I want to make sure we're aligned on scope and timeline. Quick asks: 1. **Review the scope**: Does the feature list match what you're expecting? Anything missing or that should be cut from v1? 2. **One open question**: [Most important open question from PROJECT_BRIEF.md] 3. **Kickoff call**: I'd like to do a 30-minute call this week to align on priorities and answer any questions you have. What does your schedule look like [Tuesday-Thursday]? I'm flexible between 10am-4pm ET. Once we're aligned, I'll kick off Milestone 1 and have a working foundation for you to see within [X] days. Let me know if you have any questions before then — happy to jump on a quick call or answer over message. — Kevin --- *[Attach: PROJECT_BRIEF.md or paste the scope section inline]* ``` --- ### Step 9: Print Summary ``` Client onboarding package created. Directory: ./CLIENT_ONBOARD/ (or ./[ClientName]_ONBOARD/) Files generated: ✓ PROJECT_BRIEF.md — scope, goals, out-of-scope ✓ TECH_STACK.md — recommended stack with rationale ✓ MILESTONES.md — [X] milestones, [Y]-week timeline ✓ FOLDER_STRUCTURE.md — proposed directory layout ✓ CLAUDE.md — project context for Claude Code ✓ KICKOFF_MSG.md — client message, ready to send Next steps: 1. Review PROJECT_BRIEF.md — confirm scope is accurate 2. Adjust MILESTONES.md timeline if needed 3. Send KICKOFF_MSG.md to client (customize [Client Name]) 4. Copy CLAUDE.md into the new project repo root 5. Invoice 25% upfront before starting work ``` --- ## Error Handling - **Very vague description** ("build me an app"): Generate with defaults + add 5 open questions to PROJECT_BRIEF.md under "Open Questions" — flag that client answers are required before kicking off - **Multiple possible stacks**: Choose Kevin's default stack, add "Alternatives Considered" section explaining why alternatives were skipped - **Unclear budget**: Leave payment schedule with placeholder percentages, note "confirm rate with client before sending" - **CLIENT_ONBOARD/ already exists**: Add timestamp suffix `CLIENT_ONBOARD_[YYYY-MM-DD]/` to avoid overwriting - **Missing tech details**: Generate best-guess and mark assumptions clearly with `[ASSUMED]` inline ## Kevin's Voice — Don't Forget - Direct, confident, no corporate fluff - "I'll build X using Y because Z" — not "I would suggest potentially leveraging..." - Milestones are concrete with clear handoff criteria, not vague "phase" labels - Kickoff message reads like a text from a capable contractor, not a formal business letter