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(Constraint-Driven Startup Design)

Purpose: Keep your product lean, focused, and testable. Ship clarity, not bloat.

Step 1 — Define the Core Job

Write down the one job your product must do.

• Example: "Generate static HTML pages with a shared header and footer." If it doesn’t serve this job, it’s not in v1.

Step 2 — Write the “Never-Do” List

Explicitly state what’s off-limits for now.

• No plugins or extensions
• No complex config files
• No multi-user accounts
• No WYSIWYG editors Boundaries protect you from feature creep.

Step 3 — Build the Minimum Testable Artifact (MTA)

Ask: "What can I build in a weekend that proves this job matters?"

• Landing page
• Script or manual process
• Mockup Your goal is evidence, not polish.