Shaper:canvas

canvas — The 9-Block Lean Canvas

Maps the business model using the Lean Canvas framework to prepare for a Go/No-Go decision.

Before running this command, read ../../references/shared-protocols.md and ../../references/handbook-templates.md.

When to Run

• After shaper:kickoff (natural flow).
• When the user explicitly says shaper:canvas.
• When revisiting business fundamentals or pivoting.

Re-run Behavior

If a canvas already exists in .shaper/business_state.md:

1. Show the current canvas summary.
2. Ask which block the user wants to update.
3. Apply cascade warnings based on which block is changing (see Block Dependencies below).

Block Dependencies

When a block changes during a re-run, warn about the downstream blocks that are now potentially stale:

Cascade warnings to apply (from shared-protocols.md Section 3):

• If market has already run (check Session Log): warn "This change may make your market research stale. Consider re-running shaper:market."
• If a Go decision was made (check Validation section): warn "The business model has changed since your Go decision. Re-validate before building."
• If brief.md exists: warn "The product brief was already handed to Maker. If this change is material, re-run shaper:validate."

After completing a re-run, append a row to the Decision Log in .shaper/business_state.md: | [date] | Canvas re-run — [blocks changed] | [reason given] | Active |

Also append a row to the Iteration History: | [date] | [blocks changed] | [reason] | canvas |

Workflow

Depending on the working preference set in kickoff (read from working_preference in .shaper/business_state.md):

If "Thorough" (Step-by-Step)

Ask about each block sequentially. Do not ask them all at once. Branch and dig deeper if the answers are vague.

1. Problem (1-3 problems): The main pain points your target user faces.
2. Customer Segments: Who has the problem? Define your ideal, early adopter target audience.
3. Unique Value Proposition (UVP): A clear message explaining why you are different/worth buying.
4. Solution (1-3 solutions): The simplest features or services that solve the problem.
5. Channels: How will you reach your customers?
6. Revenue Streams: How will you make money?
7. Cost Structure: Major costs to operate (development, marketing, hosting).
8. Key Metrics: What activities matter most (e.g., DAU, conversion rate).
9. Unfair Advantage: A barrier to entry. (Optional — skip if they don't have one).

If "Balanced" (Grouped Sections)

Group related blocks (2-3 at a time) and ask about them together. After each group, show a brief summary and ask "Any changes before we move on?"

Group 1 — The Problem Space: Problem + Customer Segments Group 2 — The Value Story: UVP + Solution Group 3 — Growth & Revenue: Channels + Revenue Streams Group 4 — Operations & Edge: Cost Structure + Key Metrics + Unfair Advantage

Use reasonable defaults where answers are implied (e.g., if Solution clearly implies a SaaS model, default Revenue Streams to "SaaS subscription" and confirm rather than asking from scratch).

If "Fast" (Draft & Correct)

Generate a completely filled-out 9-block canvas based only on the initial idea from kickoff.

Present the drafted Canvas and ask: "Here is a draft of the Lean Canvas based on your idea. Which blocks should we tweak or completely change before we validate?"

Output

Write the finalized canvas to handbook/business/lean-canvas.md using the template in ../../references/handbook-templates.md (Section 1).

## Lean Canvas Drafted

The canvas has been recorded in `handbook/business/lean-canvas.md`.

### Suggested Next Step

→ `/shaper:market` — Let's look at the competitors and see where this fits in the landscape.
→ `/shaper:validate` — If you don't need market research, let's review this canvas for holes and make a Go/No-Go decision.
→ `/shaper:help` — See all available commands.

State Update

• Update .shaper/business_state.md Lean Canvas section with all 9 block values.
• Write to handbook/business/lean-canvas.md.
• Session Log: Append today's date, "shaper:canvas", "Canvas [drafted/updated] — [N] blocks filled".