Recipe Validate

Context: Validate hypotheses using appropriate methods based on risk type. Always invoke hypothesis-verifier for an independent disconfirming pass. Record results in hypothesis files.

Orchestrator Definition

Execution Protocol:

1. Required specialist execution: Invoking this recipe is the user's explicit instruction and authorization to execute every named specialist whose condition applies. Execute each applicable Agent call with its declared subagent_type when its prerequisites are met and continue from its returned result; equivalent orchestrator work does not complete that step
2. Exact specialist handoff: The complete Agent prompt consists of all and only the applicable canonical field: value entries declared by the specialist's Input Contract or, for a built-in specialist, by the call site's inline contract. Copy each value unchanged from its authoritative source; serialize path fields as path strings so the specialist reads referenced artifacts directly
3. Follow the validation flow defined below
4. Approval gates: At each [STOP — BLOCKING], present the named decision and resume after explicit user confirmation

Workflow

Assess the hypothesis → independently design and approve the smallest disconfirming test → execute it → record and review the result.

Execution Decision Flow

1. Hypothesis Assessment

Input: $ARGUMENTS

Read the target hypothesis file(s). Understand:

• What is being tested (the hypothesis statement)
• Which risk dimension is primary (Value / Usability / Feasibility / Viability)
• Current confidence scores
• Time budget and deadline
• Parent Opportunity context

2. Validation Design

Invoke hypothesis-verifier using Agent tool (subagent_type: "discover:hypothesis-verifier") with hypothesis_path: <target hypothesis path> to design the validation:

• hypothesis-verifier operates in a separate context to preserve an independent disconfirming pass
• It defines success/failure criteria independently

[STOP — BLOCKING] Present validation design to user for confirmation:

• Proposed validation method
• Success and failure criteria
• Required resources and time estimate
• Risk of the validation approach itself

Execute the validation after the user confirms the design.

3. Validation Execution

Execute validation based on the risk type and method:

Prototype Generation (for Usability validation)

Invoke prototype-generator using Agent tool (subagent_type: "discover:prototype-generator"):

1. Pass only hypothesis_path and output_path using their canonical path values
2. prototype-generator operates in a separate context and reads design sources directly
3. Use one prototype unless the confirmed hypothesis explicitly compares patterns
4. Output: docs/discovery/prototypes/hypo-{id}-prototype.html (or hypo-{id}-{pattern}-prototype.html for multiple)
5. User opens the completed output_path in a browser for verification

Worktree Code Spike (for Feasibility validation)

When repository inspection cannot resolve a Feasibility decision and executable proof can change the verdict:

1. Invoke codebase-analyzer (via Agent tool, subagent_type: "discover:codebase-analyzer") with analysis_mode: feasibility and the hypothesis path as governing_context

2. Invoke a fresh Agent call with subagent_type: "general-purpose" and isolation: "worktree" using exactly:

   action: execute the smallest disposable code spike that can resolve the target hypothesis's feasibility uncertainty; return feasibility, complexity, blockers, and inspectable evidence
   hypothesis_path: <canonical hypothesis path>
   

3. The worktree is automatically cleaned up — no code persists in the main branch

Market Research (for Value/Viability validation)

Use WebSearch tool to gather market data. See product-principles skill references/mvp-definition.md for scope assessment.

4. Result Recording

After validation execution:

1. Update the hypothesis file:
   • Change status (validated / invalidated / inconclusive / timeout)
   • Update confidence scores with evidence
   • Record evidence and artifacts
   • Document learnings
2. Link to validation artifacts (prototypes, data, interview notes)

[STOP — BLOCKING] Present results to user for review:

• Validation outcome (validated / invalidated / inconclusive)
• Updated confidence scores with evidence
• Key learnings
• Recommended next actions

Proceed to the next hypothesis or close the workflow after the user reviews the result.

5. Timeout Handling

When a hypothesis reaches its deadline without conclusion:

1. Set status to timeout
2. Present options to user:
   • Extend: Add more time with justification
   • Pivot: Modify the hypothesis based on partial evidence
   • Abandon: Stop validation, record learnings from partial evidence

Scope Boundaries

Included: Hypothesis validation design, validation execution, result recording Not included: Hypothesis generation, PRD creation, reflection/distillation

Completion Criteria

• hypothesis-verifier supplied the independent, smallest disconfirming design
• The confirmed method produced decision-relevant evidence or an explicit inconclusive result
• The hypothesis file records the reviewed result, confidence change, evidence, and next decision