What To Build logo

What To BuildDecide what to build using YC's six forcing questions and the four CEO scope modes. Use before any new feature, product bet, or GTM angle.

— (0)
Daniel NikulshynReviewed by Daniel Nikulshyn·Updated July 2026

Overview

What To Build is a framework for deciding what product or feature to build next. It uses YC's six forcing questions and the four CEO scope modes to help teams make informed decisions. The six forcing questions are designed to be asked one at a time, pushing for specificity and helping teams validate their ideas. The questions cover aspects such as demand reality, status quo, desperate specificity, narrowest wedge, observation & surprise, and future-fit. This framework is intended to be used before any new feature, product bet, or go-to-market angle.

Key features

  • Six forcing questions for validating ideas
  • Designed to be used with YC's office hours and CEO scope modes
  • Encourages teams to push for specificity and observe user behavior

Pricing

Model
Free
Category
Skills
Rating
No reviews yet

Use cases

Validating a new product idea

Use the six forcing questions to validate a new product idea and ensure there is demand for it.

Evaluating a feature request

Use the framework to evaluate a feature request and determine if it's worth prioritizing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Encourages specificity and validation of ideas
  • Helps teams identify potential red flags and weaknesses in their ideas
  • Provides a structured approach to decision-making
  • Can be used to evaluate ideas at various stages, from pre-product to post-launch

Cons

  • May be time-consuming to work through the six forcing questions
  • Requires teams to be open and honest about their ideas and assumptions
  • May not be suitable for teams with limited resources or tight deadlines

Reviews

Sign in to leave a review.

No reviews yet. Be the first!

Q&A

Are there any limitations to using What To Build?

What To Build may be time-consuming to work through the six forcing questions and requires teams to be open and honest about their ideas and assumptions, which may not be suitable for teams with limited resources or tight deadlines.

Asked by Chioma Nwosu · Apr 12, 2026

What are the benefits of using What To Build?

What To Build encourages specificity and validation of ideas, helps teams identify potential red flags and weaknesses, and provides a structured approach to decision-making.

Asked by Naomi Suzuki · Mar 8, 2026

How do the six forcing questions work?

The six forcing questions are designed to be asked one at a time, pushing for specificity and helping teams validate their ideas, covering aspects such as demand reality and status quo.

Asked by Chidi Okonkwo · Feb 2, 2026

What is the purpose of What To Build?

What To Build is a framework for deciding what product or feature to build next, using YC's six forcing questions and the four CEO scope modes to help teams make informed decisions.

Asked by Halime Yalcin · Jan 22, 2026

Ask a question

Skills alternatives

Using Git Worktrees (Grade A) logo
Using Git Worktrees (Grade A)Skills

Security-tested data-ai skill for Claude AI. Grade A. Use when starting feature work that needs isolation from current workspace or before executing implementation plans - creates isolated git worktre

— (0)
Free
Ga4 Bigquery Schema (Grade A) logo
Ga4 Bigquery Schema (Grade A)Skills

Security-tested data-ai skill for Claude AI. Grade A. GA4 BigQuery Export Schema Reference — complete field reference, nested structures, query patterns, and performance tips

— (0)
Free
Meta Capi (Grade A) logo
Meta Capi (Grade A)Skills

Security-tested data-ai skill for Claude AI. Grade A. Meta Conversions API (CAPI) Setup Reference — architecture, event types, customer information hashing, deduplication, implementation examples, AEM

— (0)
Free
Callees (Grade A) logo
Callees (Grade A)Skills

Security-tested development skill for Claude AI. Grade A. Lista o que uma funcao/metodo chama (call graph direto)

— (0)
Free
Test Module Name (Grade A) logo
Test Module Name (Grade A)Skills

Security-tested data-ai skill for Claude AI. Grade A. Name Haskell test modules after the module under test with a Spec suffix in the same namespace. Use when writing or reviewing Haskell test module

— (0)
Free
Board Of Directors (Grade A) logo
Board Of Directors (Grade A)Skills

Security-tested data-ai skill for Claude AI. Grade A. Simulate a 5-member expert board deliberation for major decisions. Use when evaluating plans, architecture choices, feature designs, or any decisi

— (0)
Free
Advpl Mvc Avancado (Grade A) logo
Advpl Mvc Avancado (Grade A)Skills

Security-tested development skill for Claude AI. Grade A. MVC avançado via PE (Pontos de Entrada) — adicionar grids customizadas em telas MVC padrão (CNTA300/MATA070/MATA440/MATA460/FINA040 via *STRU)

— (0)
Free
D
Docs Writer (Grade A)Skills

Security-tested devops skill for Claude AI. Grade A. **WORKFLOW SKILL** — Maintains repository documentation accuracy and freshness across the docs site, agent files, and changelog. WHEN: "update docs

— (0)
Free