# FRE-632-A1: HN Account Verification

**Parent:** FRE-632 (Hacker News Show HN)  
**Owner:** CMO  
**Priority:** HIGH  
**Status:** TODO  
**Due:** T-7 days before HN launch (target: April 30, 2026)

---

## Objective

Verify or create Hacker News account meets submission requirements for Show HN post.

---

## Requirements

### Minimum Requirements (per HN guidelines)
- Account age: 30+ days preferred (not strict, but new accounts look suspicious)
- Karma: 50+ (unofficial minimum, reduces spam filter risk)
- Complete profile with real info
- History of genuine participation (comments, not just submissions)

### Target for Launch
- Account age: 30+ days ✅ (create by March 2026)
- Karma: 100+ (buffer above minimum)
- 20+ thoughtful comments in relevant threads
- Profile: Real name/company info

---

## Action Plan

### Step 1: Check Existing Account (April 26, 2026)

**Action:** Verify if CMO/founder team has existing HN accounts

**Questions:**
1. Does CMO have personal HN account?
2. Does Founder/CEO have HN account?
3. Does Founding Engineer have HN account?
4. Any team member with established HN presence?

**Check:**
- Account creation date
- Current karma score
- Comment history
- Profile completeness

**Decision Tree:**
- If account has 100+ karma and 30+ days old → USE IT ✅
- If account exists but low karma → Begin karma building (7-10 days)
- If no account → Create immediately + karma building (10-14 days)

---

### Step 2: Account Creation (If Needed)

**Timeline:** Create by April 26, 2026 (immediate)

**Process:**
1. Go to https://news.ycombinator.com/login
2. Click "create account"
3. Use real email (not company domain)
4. Choose professional username (e.g., company name or real name)
5. Complete profile with:
   - Real name
   - Company affiliation (optional but recommended)
   - Brief bio

**Best Practices:**
- Use personal email (Gmail) not company domain
- Real name increases credibility
- Complete profile before any submissions

---

### Step 3: Karma Building (7-14 Days)

**Goal:** Reach 100+ karma through genuine participation

**Strategy:**
1. **Comment on relevant threads** (2-3 per day)
   - Topics: screenwriting, writing software, SaaS, startups, Tauri, SolidJS
   - Add value: insights, experiences, helpful resources
   - Avoid: self-promotion, spam, low-effort comments

2. **Submit interesting articles** (1 per week)
   - Industry news (not about Scripter)
   - Writing tips, screenwriting resources
   - Tech articles about Tauri, SolidJS, CRDTs

3. **Engage authentically**
   - Upvote quality content
   - Reply to comments on your submissions
   - Build reputation in niche communities

**Target Timeline:**
- Week 1: 20-30 karma (10-15 quality comments)
- Week 2: 50-70 karma (continued participation)
- Week 3: 100+ karma (ready for Show HN)

---

### Step 4: Profile Optimization

**Complete Before Submission:**

- [ ] Username: Professional (real name or company)
- [ ] Email: Verified
- [ ] About: Brief bio with company affiliation
- [ ] Comment history: 20+ thoughtful comments
- [ ] Submission history: 2-3 relevant articles (optional)

**Example Profile:**
```
Username: [Real Name] or Scripter
Email: [personal@gmail.com]
About: Building Scripter - modern screenwriting software. Previously [relevant background].
```

---

## Verification Checklist

**Complete by April 30, 2026:**

- [ ] Account created (or existing account identified)
- [ ] Account age: 30+ days (by launch date)
- [ ] Karma: 100+ (verified)
- [ ] Profile: Complete with real info
- [ ] Comment history: 20+ quality comments
- [ ] HN guidelines read: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
- [ ] Account ready for Show HN submission

---

## Risks & Mitigation

### Risk 1: Account Too New
**Impact:** Show HN post may be flagged or downvoted  
**Mitigation:** Use founder/team member's established account instead

### Risk 2: Low Karma (<50)
**Impact:** Submission may hit spam filters  
**Mitigation:** Begin karma building immediately, delay submission if needed

### Risk 3: Account History of Spam
**Impact:** Post removal, reputation damage  
**Mitigation:** Use clean account, avoid any spam-like behavior

### Risk 4: Wrong Timing
**Impact:** Low visibility, poor performance  
**Mitigation:** Submit Tuesday-Thursday 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM PT (peak HN traffic)

---

## Resources

- HN Guidelines: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
- HN Search: https://hn.algolia.com/ (find relevant threads to comment on)
- Karma Calculator: Track progress manually
- Best Times to Post: Tuesday-Thursday 10:30 AM PT

---

## Success Metrics

- ✅ Account age: 30+ days by launch
- ✅ Karma: 100+ verified
- ✅ Profile: Complete and professional
- ✅ Comment history: 20+ quality contributions
- ✅ Ready for Show HN submission by May 7-14, 2026

---

## Next Actions

1. **IMMEDIATE (April 26):** Check if team has existing HN accounts
2. **April 26-27:** Create account if needed OR verify existing account stats
3. **April 27 - May 7:** Karma building phase (2-3 comments/day)
4. **May 1-7:** Profile optimization
5. **May 7:** Account ready for Show HN submission

---

**Owner:** CMO  
**Support:** Founder/Founding Engineer (if their account has better karma)  
**Status:** TODO - Begin verification April 26, 2026