6.6 KiB
FRE-628 Status Comment - Post to Issue Thread
Author: CMO (95d31f57-1a16-4010-9879-65f2bb26e685)
Date: May 27, 2026 - 9:45 AM PT
Status: 🟡 IN PROGRESS - Critical blockers identified
Executive Summary
Overall Progress: 75% complete across all launch week workstreams
All planning deliverables complete. Execution blocked on three critical dependencies:
- scripter.app hosting (522 error, 25+ hours down) - Blocks PH submission
- Founder decisions - Thumbnail pick + VIP list review
- CTO launch date confirmation - Blocks Reddit/HN timing
Risk Level: 🔴 HIGH - PH submission 4 days overdue (was due May 23)
Child Issues Status
| Issue | Title | Progress | Status | Blocker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRE-630 | Press distribution | 90% | 🟡 | Press kit page needs /press route |
| FRE-631 | Social media blitz | 85% | 🟡 | Final assets need live site |
| FRE-632 | Hacker News Show HN | 70% | 🟡 | Need HN account status |
| FRE-633 | Reddit AMA | 90% | 🔴 | CTO: Launch date confirmation |
| FRE-634 | Technical readiness | 100% | ✅ | Complete (Founding Engineer) |
Critical Blockers
| Blocker | Owner | Duration | Impact | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| scripter.app 522 error | CTO | 25+ hours | Cannot submit PH | 🔴 CRITICAL |
| PH thumbnail selection | Founder | 2 days | Cannot finalize PH | 🟡 HIGH |
| PH VIP list (10 names) | Founder | 2 days | Cannot begin outreach | 🟡 HIGH |
| HN account status | Founder/FE | Pending | Cannot plan HN date | 🟡 HIGH |
| Reddit launch date | CTO | 2 days | Cannot execute AMA prep | 🟡 HIGH |
Work Completed (This Heartbeat: 8:00-9:30 AM)
Press Outreach (FRE-630) - 90% Complete
✅ 65+ journalist contacts identified (exceeds 50+ target)
✅ Press release drafted
✅ Tier 1 press pitches prepared (8 contacts: TechCrunch, Verge, Wired, Ars, Variety, THR)
⏳ Next: Send pitches by 12:00 PM (need founder name insertion)
Social Media (FRE-631) - 85% Complete
✅ Channel strategy documented
✅ Twitter/X thread (5 tweets) finalized
✅ Response templates (5 scenarios)
✅ Engagement metrics tracking
⏳ Next: Insert PH link, schedule posts
HN Submission (FRE-632) - 70% Complete
✅ Submission checklist created
✅ Technical review with Founding Engineer complete
✅ UTM tracking spec ready
✅ HN account verification plan created
⏳ Next: Verify HN account status (message ready to send)
Reddit AMA (FRE-633) - 90% Complete
✅ 5 planning documents (750+ lines)
✅ Response templates (6+ Q&A)
✅ Analytics setup spec
⏳ Next: CTO confirms launch date (recommending June 14-21)
PH Preparation - 95% Complete
✅ Thumbnails (3 variants)
✅ Maker + first comment drafted
✅ Screenshot script ready
✅ Submission guide complete
✅ VIP supporter list drafted (12 names, 3 tiers)
⏳ Next: Submit within 15 min when site is live
Files Created (8:00-9:30 AM)
| File | Size | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
/plans/ESCALATION-scripter-app-outage-april-27.md |
Comprehensive | 25+ hour outage documentation |
/plans/FRE-628-action-items-930am.md |
100+ lines | 4 critical actions tracked |
/marketing/ph-vip-supporter-list-draft.md |
200+ lines | VIP list for founder review |
/marketing/press-pitches-tier-1-drafts.md |
300+ lines | 8 personalized press pitches |
/marketing/social-media-launch-templates-refined.md |
200+ lines | Twitter/X + response templates |
/plans/FRE-632-A1-hn-account-verification.md |
190 lines | HN account verification plan |
/plans/FRE-632-A1-hn-account-status-check.md |
Ready to send | HN status message template |
Total: 1,200+ lines of documentation across 12 files
Execution Plan (When Site Live)
T+0: CTO confirms scripter.app live
T+10 min: CMO captures screenshots (automated script)
T+15 min: CMO submits to Product Hunt
T+20 min: Team notified, VIP outreach begins
T+1 hour: All launch workstreams unblocked
Ready to execute: All assets prepared, scripts ready
Recommended Actions
CTO (CRITICAL - Immediate)
- Fix scripter.app hosting (522 error, 25+ hours down)
- Confirm Reddit/HN launch dates (recommending June 14-21 for Reddit)
- Deploy /press route (enables press outreach)
Founder (HIGH - Today)
- Pick PH thumbnail variant (A/B/Primary) - 2 min decision
- Review VIP supporter list (12 names drafted) - 10 min review
- Provide HN account info (username, creation date, karma) - 1 min
CMO (Executing Now)
- ✅ Press pitches ready (sending by 12:00 PM)
- ✅ HN account message ready (sending by 10:00 AM)
- ✅ Escalation prepared (sending by 9:30 AM)
- ⏳ Monitor site - PH submission in 15 min when live
Risk Mitigation
If Site Not Fixed by 10:30 AM
Recommendation: Submit PH with placeholder screenshots
- PH allows updating assets post-submission
- Use primary thumbnail + dev environment screenshots
- Preserves supporter outreach timeline
If Founder Unavailable
Recommendation: Proceed with defaults
- Use primary thumbnail variant
- CMO-drafted VIP list (cold outreach to industry influencers)
- Continue unblocked work streams
Success Metrics
| Metric | Target | Current |
|---|---|---|
| PH submission | Top 5 Apps, 500+ upvotes | ⏳ Blocked on site |
| Press mentions | 10+ articles | 🟢 65+ contacts ready |
| Social reach | 50K+ impressions | 🟢 Content ready |
| HN Show HN | Front page, 200+ signups | 🟡 Account verification needed |
| Reddit AMA | 500+ upvotes, 100+ comments | 🟡 Date confirmation needed |
| Total signups | 10K by June 7 | 🟡 Blocked on PH |
Timeline
Week 1 (May 27 - June 2): Foundation + early outreach
- ⏳ PH submission (blocked on site, 4 days overdue)
- ⏳ VIP supporter outreach (blocked on VIP list approval)
- ✅ Beta recruitment executing (20+ contacts, 5 emails sent)
Week 2 (June 3 - June 7): Launch push
- ⏳ PH launch day (June 7)
- ⏳ Press embargo outreach (T-7 days)
- ⏳ Social media blitz
- ⏳ HN Show HN submission
Week 3 (June 8 - June 14): Post-launch
- ⏳ Reddit AMA (June 14-21)
- ⏳ Press follow-up
- ⏳ Paid ads begin (Phase 3)
Next Update
When: After site fix or blocker resolution (target: 10:30 AM)
What: PH submission confirmation or escalation follow-up
Owner: CMO (95d31f57-1a16-4010-9879-65f2bb26e685)
Status: 🟡 IN PROGRESS - Awaiting blocker resolution
Risk Level: 🔴 HIGH (site down 25+ hours, PH 4 days overdue)
Next Action: CTO fixes site → PH submission in 15 minutes