Pol Probe

This is a documentation framework for running cheap, disposable experiments before you commit to real development. You pick one of five prototype types (feasibility check, task test, narrative prototype, synthetic simulation, or vibe-coded Frankensoft), define a falsifiable hypothesis, set harsh success criteria, and commit to a disposal date upfront. The template forces you to match validation method to learning goal and prevents prototype theater where you build polished demos that impress stakeholders but teach you nothing. Use it when you have a specific risk blocking your next decision and need truth in days, not weeks. Comes from Dean Peters at Productside, building on Marty Cagan's prototype work.

skills.sh installs: 2.5K
GitHub stars: 7.9K
last updated: Aug 21, 2026

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Install

$ npx -y skills add deanpeters/product-manager-skills --skill pol-probe --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

Files

Purpose

Define and document a Proof of Life (PoL) probe—a lightweight, disposable validation artifact designed to surface harsh truths before expensive development. Use this when you need to eliminate a specific risk or test a narrow hypothesis without building production-quality software. PoL probes are reconnaissance missions, not MVPs—they're meant to be deleted, not scaled.

This framework prevents prototype theater (expensive demos that impress stakeholders but teach nothing) and forces you to match validation method to actual learning goal.

Input

Works best with: The hypothesis or risk you need to test. Also useful: What evidence would change your mind, available time/resources, and what you've validated already.

Anything supplied with the invocation itself — text after the skill name, a pasted context dump, or an appended ARGUMENTS: line — counts as answers already given. Use it and skip whatever it covers; don't re-ask.

Arriving empty-handed? That works too. The skill asks for the hypothesis and the riskiest assumption inside it before designing the probe.

SKILL.md on GitHub