Create Shape Up Pitch

Create Shape Up Pitch

Overview

Generate a pitch following the Shape Up methodology (Ryan Singer / Basecamp). A pitch defines the problem, sets a fixed time budget (appetite), sketches a solution at the right level of abstraction, identifies rabbit holes to avoid, and declares explicit no-gos. This gives teams enough direction to build without over-specifying the solution.

Workflow

1. Read product context -- Scan .chalk/docs/product/ for the product profile, related PRDs, and JTBD docs. Check .chalk/docs/engineering/ for architecture docs that inform feasibility. Understand the existing system before shaping new work.

2. Parse the feature -- Extract from $ARGUMENTS the problem or feature to pitch. If $ARGUMENTS describes a solution rather than a problem, dig back to the underlying need and reframe.

3. Determine the next file number -- Read filenames in .chalk/docs/product/ to find the highest numbered file. The next number is highest + 1.

4. Write the Problem section -- Describe the problem from the user's perspective. Include: who has this problem, when they encounter it, and what the current workaround is. Ground it in specific scenarios, not abstract statements.

5. Set the Appetite -- Define the fixed time budget (typically 2 or 6 weeks in Shape Up). The appetite is a constraint, not an estimate. State what the team should be willing to spend and why that budget is appropriate for the value delivered.

6. Sketch the Solution -- Describe the solution at fat-marker sketch level: broad strokes, key affordances, critical flows. Do not specify UI details, exact copy, or implementation. Show enough that a team can start building but has room to make design decisions.

7. Identify Rabbit Holes -- List specific risks, technical unknowns, or scope traps that could consume the entire appetite. For each, explain why it is a risk and suggest how to avoid or de-risk it.

8. Declare No-Gos -- Explicitly list what is NOT included in this pitch, even if someone might reasonably expect it. These are intentional scope cuts that keep the work within the appetite.

9. Write the file -- Save to .chalk/docs/product/<n>_pitch_<feature-slug>.md.

10. Confirm -- Share the file path and highlight the biggest rabbit hole that needs attention before betting on this pitch.

Output

• File: .chalk/docs/product/<n>_pitch_<feature-slug>.md
• Format: Plain markdown with Problem, Appetite, Solution, Rabbit Holes, and No-Gos sections
• First line: # Pitch: <Feature Name>

Anti-patterns

• Over-specified solution -- Wireframes, pixel-perfect mockups, and detailed specs defeat the purpose. The solution should be at fat-marker level -- broad strokes that leave room for the building team to make decisions.
• Appetite as estimate -- "We estimate this will take 4 weeks" is not an appetite. An appetite is a deliberate constraint: "This problem is worth at most 6 weeks. If we cannot solve it in 6 weeks, we will not do it."
• No rabbit holes section -- Every pitch has risks. If the rabbit holes section is empty, the pitch has not been shaped thoroughly enough. Revisit and think about what could go wrong.
• Problem described as absence of solution -- "We do not have feature X" is not a problem. "Users cannot accomplish Y, so they do Z workaround which costs them time" is a problem.
• No-gos that are obvious -- "We will not rewrite the entire backend" is not a useful no-go. No-gos should be things a reasonable person might expect to be included but that are intentionally cut.