# Idea Check

> Pre-build reality check. Scans GitHub, HN, npm, PyPI, and Stack Overflow for existing competitors before you build. Use when starting a new project, evaluating a side project idea, or doing a build-vs-buy decision.

- Skill: `mnemox-ai/idea-check` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add mnemox-ai/idea-check`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/mnemox-ai/idea-check/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: mnemox-ai (https://skillmd.com/u/mnemox-ai)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/mnemox-ai/idea-check

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# Idea Reality Check

## When to use
- Starting a new project or side project
- Evaluating whether to build or buy
- Researching competitors before a sprint
- Validating a feature idea before implementation

## Instructions
1. Ask the user for a natural-language description of their idea
2. Call the `idea_check` MCP tool with the idea text
3. Use `depth="quick"` for fast checks (GitHub + HN), `depth="deep"` for comprehensive analysis (all 5 sources)
4. Present the reality_signal score (0-100) and interpret it:
   - **0-30**: Low competition — green light to build
   - **31-60**: Moderate competition — differentiation needed
   - **61-80**: High competition — find a niche or pivot
   - **81-100**: Very high competition — consider contributing to existing projects instead
5. List the top 3 competitors with star counts and descriptions
6. Share the pivot_hints for actionable next steps