Playbooks

Playbooks are curated, step-by-step templates that break down complex goals into actionable phases and tasks. They provide structured workflows for common scenarios like launching a SaaS, growing a newsletter, or validating a product idea.

What is a Playbook?

A playbook is a reusable template containing:

• Phases — Logical groupings of related work (e.g., "Pre-Launch", "Launch Day", "Post-Launch")
• Tasks — Individual action items within each phase
• Guidance — Descriptions, time estimates, and resources for each step

When you apply a playbook to a project, it creates real tasks you can track and complete.

Playbook Structure

Each playbook follows a hierarchical structure:

Playbook (e.g., "Ship & Launch Your SaaS")
├── Phase 1: Pre-Launch
│   ├── Task: Define your core feature
│   ├── Task: Write landing page copy
│   └── Task: Set up waitlist
├── Phase 2: Launch Day
│   ├── Task: Post to Product Hunt
│   └── Task: Share on social media
└── Phase 3: Post-Launch
    ├── Task: Respond to feedback
    └── Task: Iterate based on data

Playbook Metadata

Task Details

Each task within a playbook includes:

• Title — What needs to be done
• Description — How to approach the task
• Time Estimate — Approximate duration
• Resources — Helpful links and references (optional)

Browsing Playbooks

The public playbooks directory at /playbooks lets you:

• Browse all playbooks in a grid layout
• Filter by category using the category chips
• View statistics like phase count, task count, and usage

Playbooks are available to everyone, including visitors who aren't signed in.

Using a Playbook

Applying to a Project

When you find a playbook you want to use:

1. Click "Use This Playbook" on the playbook detail page
2. Choose an existing project or create a new one
3. Select your execution mode
4. The playbook tasks are created in your project

Execution Modes

When applying a playbook, you can choose how to work through it:

AI Drafts mode uses your project's context (name, description, linked repositories) to generate relevant starting points for each task.

What Gets Created

When you apply a playbook:

• Tasks are created in your project's task board
• Each task includes the description and guidance from the playbook
• Tasks are organized by phase for easy tracking
• Source tracking links tasks back to the original playbook

Progress Tracking

After applying a playbook, you can track your progress:

• Completion percentage shows how far you've come
• Phase progress indicates which stage you're in
• Task status marks individual items as done

The playbook progress widget appears on your project dashboard, giving you a visual overview of where you stand.

Categories

Playbooks are organized into categories like:

• Product Launch — Launching new products or features
• SaaS — Building and growing SaaS businesses
• Marketing — Growth and promotion strategies
• Content — Content creation and distribution
• Validation — Testing ideas before building

Use category filters to find playbooks relevant to your current goals.

Pre-Built Playbooks

The platform includes curated playbooks created by experienced founders and makers:

• Ship & Launch Your SaaS — 2-3 week launch playbook
• Grow Your Newsletter — Subscriber acquisition strategies
• Validate Your Idea — Customer discovery process
• Build in Public — Community-driven building approach

These playbooks are battle-tested strategies that you can apply immediately.

Best Practices

1. Start with one playbook — Focus on completing one before starting another
2. Adapt to your context — Modify tasks as needed for your specific situation
3. Track progress regularly — Check off tasks as you complete them
4. Review at phase boundaries — Pause between phases to assess progress

Related Concepts

• Projects — Where playbook tasks are created
• Tasks & Notes — Managing individual tasks

Next Steps

• How to Browse Playbooks — Find the right playbook
• How to Use a Playbook — Apply a playbook to your project