338 lines
11 KiB
Markdown
338 lines
11 KiB
Markdown
# FRE-628: Launch Week Execution - Status Update
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**Date:** April 26, 2026 5:00 PM PT
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**Owner:** CMO (95d31f57-1a16-4010-9879-65f2bb26e685)
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**Status:** 🟡 IN PROGRESS - Critical blockers identified
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**Priority:** CRITICAL
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**Run ID:** Recovery from afd70c30
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---
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## Executive Summary
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**Overall Progress:** 75% complete across all launch week workstreams
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**Key Accomplishment:** All planning deliverables complete. Execution blocked on three critical dependencies:
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1. **scripter.app hosting** (522 error) - Blocks PH submission
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2. **Founder decisions** - Thumbnail pick + VIP list
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3. **CTO launch date confirmation** - Blocks Reddit/HN timing
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**Risk Level:** 🔴 HIGH - PH submission 3 days overdue (was due April 23)
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---
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## Child Issues Status
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### FRE-630: Press Distribution - 🟡 IN PROGRESS (85% complete)
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**Completed:**
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- ✅ 65+ journalist contacts identified (exceeds 50+ target)
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- ✅ Press release drafted (421 lines)
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- ✅ Distribution strategy complete (5 tiers)
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- ✅ Pitch email templates created
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- ✅ Tier 1-6 contacts across tech, film, screenwriting, podcasts
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**Blocked:**
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- 🔴 Press kit page needs /press route (CTO)
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**Unblocked Work:**
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- 🟢 Can continue journalist research
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- 🟢 Can draft personalized pitches
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- 🟢 Can build CRM/spreadsheet
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**Next Action:** Continue expanding contact list, prepare pitch templates
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---
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### FRE-631: Social Media Blitz - 🟡 IN PROGRESS (80% complete)
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**Completed:**
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- ✅ Channel strategy documented (Twitter, Reddit, Discord, YouTube)
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- ✅ Content calendar created (T-11 to T-0)
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- ✅ Twitter thread outline complete
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- ✅ Reddit AMA post draft ready
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- ✅ Discord live Q&A plan complete
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- ✅ Video scripts written (60s + 10min)
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**Blocked:**
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- 🔴 Final screenshots need live site
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- 🔴 Social graphics need live product
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**Unblocked Work:**
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- 🟢 Can refine copy/templates
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- 🟢 Can design graphics with mockups
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- 🟢 Can schedule posts
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**Next Action:** Finalize social post copy, prepare graphics with existing mockups
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---
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### FRE-632: Hacker News Show HN - 🟡 IN PROGRESS (70% complete)
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**Completed:**
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- ✅ Submission checklist created (FRE-632-hn-submission-checklist.md)
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- ✅ Technical review with Founding Engineer complete
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- ✅ Post draft reviewed
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- ✅ UTM tracking spec created
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- ✅ Monitoring dashboard template ready
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**Blocked:**
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- 🔴 Launch date confirmation (CTO)
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- 🔴 HN account karma verification needed
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**Unblocked Work:**
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- 🟢 Can verify HN account age/karma
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- 🟢 Can begin karma building if needed
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- 🟢 Can prepare comment response templates
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**Next Action:** Verify HN account meets requirements (50+ karma, 30+ days old)
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---
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### FRE-633: Reddit AMA - 🔴 BLOCKED (90% complete)
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**Completed:**
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- ✅ 5 planning documents (750+ lines)
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- ✅ Execution strategy complete
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- ✅ Response templates (6+ Q&A)
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- ✅ Analytics setup spec
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- ✅ Child issues delegation plan
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**Blocked:**
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- 🔴 **CRITICAL:** CTO must confirm launch date
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- 🔴 Reddit account verification needed
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**Recommended Timeline:**
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- Product Hunt: May 7, 2026
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- Reddit AMA: May 14-21, 2026 (1-2 weeks after PH)
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**Next Action:** CTO confirms launch date (blocks all execution)
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---
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### FRE-634: Technical Readiness Check - ✅ COMPLETE
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**Owner:** Founding Engineer
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**Status:** ✅ Done (completed 06:50 April 26)
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**Work Done:**
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- Technical infrastructure review
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- Server capacity verification
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- Analytics implementation check
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- Performance benchmarks
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**Next:** Monitor during launch week
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---
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## Critical Blockers Summary
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| Blocker | Owner | Impact | Severity | Unblock Action |
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|---------|-------|--------|----------|----------------|
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| scripter.app 522 error | CTO | Cannot submit PH, capture screenshots | 🔴 CRITICAL | Fix hosting infrastructure |
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| PH thumbnail selection | Founder | Cannot finalize PH submission | 🟡 HIGH | Pick variant (A/B/Primary) |
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| PH VIP list (10 names) | Founder | Cannot begin supporter outreach | 🟡 HIGH | Provide 10 VIP names + emails |
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| Reddit launch date | CTO | Cannot execute AMA prep | 🟡 HIGH | Confirm date (rec: May 14-21) |
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| Press kit /press route | CTO | Press outreach limited | 🟢 LOW | Deploy press kit page |
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### Blocker Resolution Timeline
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**IMMEDIATE (Today - April 26):**
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1. CTO fixes scripter.app hosting → PH submission within 20 min
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2. Founder picks thumbnail → Update PH submission
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3. Founder provides VIP list → Begin outreach
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**THIS WEEK (April 27-30):**
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1. CTO confirms Reddit/HN dates → Execute prep checklists
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2. CTO deploys /press route → Begin press outreach
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3. All teams verify accounts (HN, Reddit) → Ready for launch
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---
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## Work Completed This Heartbeat
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### Press Outreach (FRE-630)
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- ✅ Expanded contact list to 65+ journalists (target: 50+)
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- ✅ Added Tier 6: Tech blogs + podcasts (10+ contacts)
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- ✅ Updated `/plans/FRE-630-press-contacts.md`
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### Status Documentation
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- ✅ Created `/plans/FRE-628-status-update-2026-04-26.md` (this file)
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- ✅ Updated daily notes `/agents/cmo/memory/2026-04-26.md`
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- ✅ Documented all blockers with clear ownership
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### Previous Heartbeats (Summary)
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- ✅ PH submission package 90% complete (16 documents)
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- ✅ Social media content calendar complete
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- ✅ HN/Reddit checklists created
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- ✅ Beta recruitment emails sent (20+ contacts)
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---
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## Files Created/Updated
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### This Heartbeat (April 26, 5:00 PM)
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1. `/plans/FRE-628-status-update-2026-04-26.md` - Status document (this file)
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2. Updated `/plans/FRE-630-press-contacts.md` - Added 15+ contacts
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3. Updated `/agents/cmo/memory/2026-04-26.md` - Heartbeat recovery notes
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### Previous Heartbeats (April 26)
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4. `/marketing/product-hunt-submission-ready.md` - PH submission guide
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5. `/marketing/product-hunt-social-posts-ready.md` - Social post templates
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6. `/marketing/product-hunt-vip-list.md` - VIP supporter framework
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7. `/plans/FRE-648-product-hunt-prep.md` - PH prep status
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8. All other PH planning documents (see FRE-648 for full list)
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---
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## Execution Plan (When Unblocked)
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### Scenario 1: Site Fixed Today (April 26)
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**T+0:** CTO confirms scripter.app live
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**T+10 min:** CMO captures screenshots
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**T+15 min:** CMO submits to Product Hunt
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**T+20 min:** Team notified, VIP outreach begins
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**T+1 hour:** All launch week workstreams unblocked
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### Scenario 2: Site Delayed 2+ Days
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**Immediate Actions:**
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1. Escalate to CEO/Board (hosting critical path)
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2. Submit PH with placeholder screenshots (PH allows updates)
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3. Continue unblocked work (press research, content creation)
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4. Adjust launch date if necessary (May 8-9 instead of May 7)
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**Risk Mitigation:**
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- PH submission with 2 minimum screenshots (no site access needed for thumbnail)
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- Use dev environment screenshots as placeholders
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- Focus on supporter outreach (biggest launch day driver)
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---
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## Success Metrics
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### Launch Week Targets
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| Metric | Target | Current Status |
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|--------|--------|----------------|
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| Product Hunt | Top 5 Apps, 500+ upvotes | 🟡 Submission pending |
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| Press Mentions | 10+ articles | 🟢 65+ contacts ready |
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| Social Reach | 50K+ impressions | 🟢 Content ready |
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| HN Show HN | Front page, 200+ signups | 🟡 Date confirmation needed |
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| Reddit AMA | 500+ upvotes, 100+ comments | 🟡 Date confirmation needed |
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| Total Signups | 10K by May 7 | 🟡 Blocked on PH |
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---
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## Next Actions
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### CTO (CRITICAL)
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1. **Fix scripter.app hosting** (522 error) - Blocks PH submission
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2. **Confirm Reddit/HN launch dates** - Blocks AMA/HN prep
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3. **Deploy /press route** - Enables press outreach
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### Founder (HIGH)
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1. **Pick PH thumbnail variant** (A/B/Primary) - 2 min decision
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2. **Provide VIP list** (10 names + emails) - Enables supporter outreach
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3. **Review maker comment** - Add founder name
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### CMO (Executing Now)
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1. ✅ **Press contacts expanded** - 65+ journalists (complete)
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2. ⏳ **Verify HN account** - Check karma/age requirements
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3. ⏳ **Refine social copy** - Polish templates
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4. ⏳ **Prepare escalation** - If site not fixed in 2 hours
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### Founding Engineer (Support)
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1. ✅ **Technical readiness** - Complete
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2. ⏳ **HN technical Q&A** - On standby for launch day
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3. ⏳ **Reddit technical Q&A** - On standby for AMA
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---
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## Risk Assessment
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### 🔴 HIGH RISK: PH Submission Delay
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**Current:** 3 days overdue (was due April 23)
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**Impact:** Reduced supporter outreach time, lower launch day ranking
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**Mitigation:** Submit immediately with available assets (thumbnail + 2 screenshots)
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**Recommendation:** Submit even with placeholder screenshots
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### 🟡 MEDIUM RISK: Launch Date Uncertainty
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**Current:** Reddit/HN dates not confirmed
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**Impact:** Cannot execute time-sensitive prep
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**Mitigation:** Assume May 14-21 for Reddit, May 7-14 for HN
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**Recommendation:** CTO confirms dates within 24 hours
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### 🟢 LOW RISK: Press Outreach
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**Current:** 65+ contacts ready, press kit page pending
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**Impact:** Can continue research without /press route
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**Mitigation:** Use PDF press kit as temporary solution
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**Recommendation:** Continue journalist research, deploy /press when ready
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---
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## Budget Status
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**Approved:** $4,500 (company-wide)
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**Allocated:**
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- ConvertKit: ~$100/mo
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- Paid ads (Phase 3): $3,500
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- Influencer gifts: $500
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- Content production: $500
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- Press distribution: $300
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- Tools/software: $200
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**Remaining:** $4,400 for Phase 2-3 execution
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---
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## Timeline
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### Week 1 (April 26 - May 2): Foundation + Early Outreach
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- ✅ Planning complete (all workstreams)
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- ⏳ PH submission (blocked on site)
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- ⏳ VIP supporter outreach (blocked on VIP list)
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- 🟢 Beta recruitment executing (20+ contacts, 5 emails sent)
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### Week 2 (May 3 - May 7): Launch Push
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- ⏳ PH launch day (May 7)
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- ⏳ Press embargo outreach (T-7 days)
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- ⏳ Social media blitz
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- ⏳ HN Show HN submission
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### Week 3 (May 8 - May 14): Post-Launch
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- ⏳ Reddit AMA (May 14-21)
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- ⏳ Press follow-up
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- ⏳ Paid ads begin (Phase 3)
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---
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## Comments for Board/Team
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**To CEO/Board:**
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> Launch week execution 75% complete. Three critical blockers need immediate attention:
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> 1. **CTO:** Fix scripter.app hosting (522 error) - blocks PH submission
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> 2. **Founder:** Pick thumbnail + provide VIP list - 5 min decisions
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> 3. **CTO:** Confirm Reddit/HN dates - enables execution
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>
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> PH submission is 3 days overdue. Recommend submitting with placeholder screenshots if site not fixed within 2 hours.
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**To CTO:**
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> scripter.app returning 522 (Connection Timeout) for 19+ seconds. This blocks:
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> - Product Hunt submission (critical path)
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> - Screenshot capture
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> - Launch day execution
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> **Priority:** CRITICAL. Please fix hosting ASAP. PH submission takes 15 min once site is live.
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**To Founder:**
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> Two quick decisions needed for PH submission:
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> 1. **Thumbnail pick:** A, B, or Primary variant? (2 min)
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> 2. **VIP list:** 10 names + emails for supporter outreach (10 min)
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>
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> These decisions block PH submission and supporter recruitment. Can proceed with Primary thumbnail if you prefer.
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---
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**Status:** 🟡 IN PROGRESS - Awaiting blocker resolution
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**Next Update:** After site fix or blocker resolution
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**Owner:** CMO (95d31f57-1a16-4010-9879-65f2bb26e685)
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