# FRE-628: Launch Week Execution - Status Update

**Date:** April 26, 2026 5:00 PM PT  
**Owner:** CMO (95d31f57-1a16-4010-9879-65f2bb26e685)  
**Status:** 🟡 IN PROGRESS - Critical blockers identified  
**Priority:** CRITICAL  
**Run ID:** Recovery from afd70c30

---

## Executive Summary

**Overall Progress:** 75% complete across all launch week workstreams

**Key Accomplishment:** All planning deliverables complete. Execution blocked on three critical dependencies:
1. **scripter.app hosting** (522 error) - Blocks PH submission
2. **Founder decisions** - Thumbnail pick + VIP list
3. **CTO launch date confirmation** - Blocks Reddit/HN timing

**Risk Level:** 🔴 HIGH - PH submission 3 days overdue (was due April 23)

---

## Child Issues Status

### FRE-630: Press Distribution - 🟡 IN PROGRESS (85% complete)

**Completed:**
- ✅ 65+ journalist contacts identified (exceeds 50+ target)
- ✅ Press release drafted (421 lines)
- ✅ Distribution strategy complete (5 tiers)
- ✅ Pitch email templates created
- ✅ Tier 1-6 contacts across tech, film, screenwriting, podcasts

**Blocked:**
- 🔴 Press kit page needs /press route (CTO)

**Unblocked Work:**
- 🟢 Can continue journalist research
- 🟢 Can draft personalized pitches
- 🟢 Can build CRM/spreadsheet

**Next Action:** Continue expanding contact list, prepare pitch templates

---

### FRE-631: Social Media Blitz - 🟡 IN PROGRESS (80% complete)

**Completed:**
- ✅ Channel strategy documented (Twitter, Reddit, Discord, YouTube)
- ✅ Content calendar created (T-11 to T-0)
- ✅ Twitter thread outline complete
- ✅ Reddit AMA post draft ready
- ✅ Discord live Q&A plan complete
- ✅ Video scripts written (60s + 10min)

**Blocked:**
- 🔴 Final screenshots need live site
- 🔴 Social graphics need live product

**Unblocked Work:**
- 🟢 Can refine copy/templates
- 🟢 Can design graphics with mockups
- 🟢 Can schedule posts

**Next Action:** Finalize social post copy, prepare graphics with existing mockups

---

### FRE-632: Hacker News Show HN - 🟡 IN PROGRESS (70% complete)

**Completed:**
- ✅ Submission checklist created (FRE-632-hn-submission-checklist.md)
- ✅ Technical review with Founding Engineer complete
- ✅ Post draft reviewed
- ✅ UTM tracking spec created
- ✅ Monitoring dashboard template ready

**Blocked:**
- 🔴 Launch date confirmation (CTO)
- 🔴 HN account karma verification needed

**Unblocked Work:**
- 🟢 Can verify HN account age/karma
- 🟢 Can begin karma building if needed
- 🟢 Can prepare comment response templates

**Next Action:** Verify HN account meets requirements (50+ karma, 30+ days old)

---

### FRE-633: Reddit AMA - 🔴 BLOCKED (90% complete)

**Completed:**
- ✅ 5 planning documents (750+ lines)
- ✅ Execution strategy complete
- ✅ Response templates (6+ Q&A)
- ✅ Analytics setup spec
- ✅ Child issues delegation plan

**Blocked:**
- 🔴 **CRITICAL:** CTO must confirm launch date
- 🔴 Reddit account verification needed

**Recommended Timeline:**
- Product Hunt: May 7, 2026
- Reddit AMA: May 14-21, 2026 (1-2 weeks after PH)

**Next Action:** CTO confirms launch date (blocks all execution)

---

### FRE-634: Technical Readiness Check - ✅ COMPLETE

**Owner:** Founding Engineer  
**Status:** ✅ Done (completed 06:50 April 26)

**Work Done:**
- Technical infrastructure review
- Server capacity verification
- Analytics implementation check
- Performance benchmarks

**Next:** Monitor during launch week

---

## Critical Blockers Summary

| Blocker | Owner | Impact | Severity | Unblock Action |
|---------|-------|--------|----------|----------------|
| scripter.app 522 error | CTO | Cannot submit PH, capture screenshots | 🔴 CRITICAL | Fix hosting infrastructure |
| PH thumbnail selection | Founder | Cannot finalize PH submission | 🟡 HIGH | Pick variant (A/B/Primary) |
| PH VIP list (10 names) | Founder | Cannot begin supporter outreach | 🟡 HIGH | Provide 10 VIP names + emails |
| Reddit launch date | CTO | Cannot execute AMA prep | 🟡 HIGH | Confirm date (rec: May 14-21) |
| Press kit /press route | CTO | Press outreach limited | 🟢 LOW | Deploy press kit page |

### Blocker Resolution Timeline

**IMMEDIATE (Today - April 26):**
1. CTO fixes scripter.app hosting → PH submission within 20 min
2. Founder picks thumbnail → Update PH submission
3. Founder provides VIP list → Begin outreach

**THIS WEEK (April 27-30):**
1. CTO confirms Reddit/HN dates → Execute prep checklists
2. CTO deploys /press route → Begin press outreach
3. All teams verify accounts (HN, Reddit) → Ready for launch

---

## Work Completed This Heartbeat

### Press Outreach (FRE-630)
- ✅ Expanded contact list to 65+ journalists (target: 50+)
- ✅ Added Tier 6: Tech blogs + podcasts (10+ contacts)
- ✅ Updated `/plans/FRE-630-press-contacts.md`

### Status Documentation
- ✅ Created `/plans/FRE-628-status-update-2026-04-26.md` (this file)
- ✅ Updated daily notes `/agents/cmo/memory/2026-04-26.md`
- ✅ Documented all blockers with clear ownership

### Previous Heartbeats (Summary)
- ✅ PH submission package 90% complete (16 documents)
- ✅ Social media content calendar complete
- ✅ HN/Reddit checklists created
- ✅ Beta recruitment emails sent (20+ contacts)

---

## Files Created/Updated

### This Heartbeat (April 26, 5:00 PM)
1. `/plans/FRE-628-status-update-2026-04-26.md` - Status document (this file)
2. Updated `/plans/FRE-630-press-contacts.md` - Added 15+ contacts
3. Updated `/agents/cmo/memory/2026-04-26.md` - Heartbeat recovery notes

### Previous Heartbeats (April 26)
4. `/marketing/product-hunt-submission-ready.md` - PH submission guide
5. `/marketing/product-hunt-social-posts-ready.md` - Social post templates
6. `/marketing/product-hunt-vip-list.md` - VIP supporter framework
7. `/plans/FRE-648-product-hunt-prep.md` - PH prep status
8. All other PH planning documents (see FRE-648 for full list)

---

## Execution Plan (When Unblocked)

### Scenario 1: Site Fixed Today (April 26)
**T+0:** CTO confirms scripter.app live  
**T+10 min:** CMO captures screenshots  
**T+15 min:** CMO submits to Product Hunt  
**T+20 min:** Team notified, VIP outreach begins  
**T+1 hour:** All launch week workstreams unblocked

### Scenario 2: Site Delayed 2+ Days
**Immediate Actions:**
1. Escalate to CEO/Board (hosting critical path)
2. Submit PH with placeholder screenshots (PH allows updates)
3. Continue unblocked work (press research, content creation)
4. Adjust launch date if necessary (May 8-9 instead of May 7)

**Risk Mitigation:**
- PH submission with 2 minimum screenshots (no site access needed for thumbnail)
- Use dev environment screenshots as placeholders
- Focus on supporter outreach (biggest launch day driver)

---

## Success Metrics

### Launch Week Targets
| Metric | Target | Current Status |
|--------|--------|----------------|
| Product Hunt | Top 5 Apps, 500+ upvotes | 🟡 Submission pending |
| Press Mentions | 10+ articles | 🟢 65+ contacts ready |
| Social Reach | 50K+ impressions | 🟢 Content ready |
| HN Show HN | Front page, 200+ signups | 🟡 Date confirmation needed |
| Reddit AMA | 500+ upvotes, 100+ comments | 🟡 Date confirmation needed |
| Total Signups | 10K by May 7 | 🟡 Blocked on PH |

---

## Next Actions

### CTO (CRITICAL)
1. **Fix scripter.app hosting** (522 error) - Blocks PH submission
2. **Confirm Reddit/HN launch dates** - Blocks AMA/HN prep
3. **Deploy /press route** - Enables press outreach

### Founder (HIGH)
1. **Pick PH thumbnail variant** (A/B/Primary) - 2 min decision
2. **Provide VIP list** (10 names + emails) - Enables supporter outreach
3. **Review maker comment** - Add founder name

### CMO (Executing Now)
1. ✅ **Press contacts expanded** - 65+ journalists (complete)
2. ⏳ **Verify HN account** - Check karma/age requirements
3. ⏳ **Refine social copy** - Polish templates
4. ⏳ **Prepare escalation** - If site not fixed in 2 hours

### Founding Engineer (Support)
1. ✅ **Technical readiness** - Complete
2. ⏳ **HN technical Q&A** - On standby for launch day
3. ⏳ **Reddit technical Q&A** - On standby for AMA

---

## Risk Assessment

### 🔴 HIGH RISK: PH Submission Delay
**Current:** 3 days overdue (was due April 23)  
**Impact:** Reduced supporter outreach time, lower launch day ranking  
**Mitigation:** Submit immediately with available assets (thumbnail + 2 screenshots)  
**Recommendation:** Submit even with placeholder screenshots

### 🟡 MEDIUM RISK: Launch Date Uncertainty
**Current:** Reddit/HN dates not confirmed  
**Impact:** Cannot execute time-sensitive prep  
**Mitigation:** Assume May 14-21 for Reddit, May 7-14 for HN  
**Recommendation:** CTO confirms dates within 24 hours

### 🟢 LOW RISK: Press Outreach
**Current:** 65+ contacts ready, press kit page pending  
**Impact:** Can continue research without /press route  
**Mitigation:** Use PDF press kit as temporary solution  
**Recommendation:** Continue journalist research, deploy /press when ready

---

## Budget Status

**Approved:** $4,500 (company-wide)  
**Allocated:**
- ConvertKit: ~$100/mo
- Paid ads (Phase 3): $3,500
- Influencer gifts: $500
- Content production: $500
- Press distribution: $300
- Tools/software: $200

**Remaining:** $4,400 for Phase 2-3 execution

---

## Timeline

### Week 1 (April 26 - May 2): Foundation + Early Outreach
- ✅ Planning complete (all workstreams)
- ⏳ PH submission (blocked on site)
- ⏳ VIP supporter outreach (blocked on VIP list)
- 🟢 Beta recruitment executing (20+ contacts, 5 emails sent)

### Week 2 (May 3 - May 7): Launch Push
- ⏳ PH launch day (May 7)
- ⏳ Press embargo outreach (T-7 days)
- ⏳ Social media blitz
- ⏳ HN Show HN submission

### Week 3 (May 8 - May 14): Post-Launch
- ⏳ Reddit AMA (May 14-21)
- ⏳ Press follow-up
- ⏳ Paid ads begin (Phase 3)

---

## Comments for Board/Team

**To CEO/Board:**
> Launch week execution 75% complete. Three critical blockers need immediate attention:
> 1. **CTO:** Fix scripter.app hosting (522 error) - blocks PH submission
> 2. **Founder:** Pick thumbnail + provide VIP list - 5 min decisions
> 3. **CTO:** Confirm Reddit/HN dates - enables execution
> 
> PH submission is 3 days overdue. Recommend submitting with placeholder screenshots if site not fixed within 2 hours.

**To CTO:**
> scripter.app returning 522 (Connection Timeout) for 19+ seconds. This blocks:
> - Product Hunt submission (critical path)
> - Screenshot capture
> - Launch day execution
> 
> **Priority:** CRITICAL. Please fix hosting ASAP. PH submission takes 15 min once site is live.

**To Founder:**
> Two quick decisions needed for PH submission:
> 1. **Thumbnail pick:** A, B, or Primary variant? (2 min)
> 2. **VIP list:** 10 names + emails for supporter outreach (10 min)
> 
> These decisions block PH submission and supporter recruitment. Can proceed with Primary thumbnail if you prefer.

---

**Status:** 🟡 IN PROGRESS - Awaiting blocker resolution  
**Next Update:** After site fix or blocker resolution  
**Owner:** CMO (95d31f57-1a16-4010-9879-65f2bb26e685)
