Agent skill · marketing growth · kostja94
cold-start-strategy
When the user wants to plan cold start, get first users, or launch a new product with zero traction. Also use when the user mentions "cold start," "cold start problem," "first users," "seed users," "finding users," "finding early users," "Fiverr Upwork," "comment outreach," "Twitter search users," "product launch strategy," "0 to 1 growth," "early-stage acquisition," "launch channels," "get first customers," "Product Hunt launch," "AppSumo," "LTD," "indie hacker," "bootstrapping," or "solo founder." For directory listing copy and submissions, use directory-submission. For Product Hunt day-of execution, use product-hunt-launch. For GTM motion design, use gtm-strategy.
Why this skill is useful
Provides specific strategies and channels for acquiring early users that the AI wouldn't reliably generate on its own.
What it needs
About 4k tokens when loaded. Last updated 2026-06-09. 860 stars on the source repository.
What this skill does
Strategies: Cold Start Guides cold start strategy for AI/SaaS products: getting first users and traction when you have zero. The cold start problem is overcoming the chicken-and-egg barrier; most startups fail due to poor distribution, not product quality. For indie hacker context (first 100 users, Build in Public, Pieter Levels tactics), see indie-hacker-strategy. When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output. Initial Assessment Check for project context first: If .claude/project-context.md or .cursor/project-context.md exists, read it for product, audience, and positioning. Identify: 1. Product type: AI tool, SaaS, app, B2B, B2C 2. Target audience: Where they spend time 3. Budget: Zero, minimal ($500–1K), or moderate 4. Timeline: Pre-launch, launch week, post-launch Cold Start Channels Channel Audience Use Notes --------- ---------- ----- ------- Product Hunt Indie makers, early adopters Launch-day buzz; community upvotes ~3% conversion; traffic spike; see product-hunt-launch AppSumo / LTD Deal seekers, early adopters Lifetime deal for fast revenue, validation Quick cash; price-sensitive users; see discount-marketing-strategy for LTD structure, trade-offs Reddit Subreddit-specific r/AlphaAndBetaUsers, r/roastmystartup, r/devops, r/SaaS 80/20 rule; 5+ months for traction; lead with story Indie Hackers Indie makers, founders Sustained engagement; authentic journey ~23% conversion; 4–6 months; see indie-hacker-strategy for tactics Hacker News Tech, startups Show HN launch Luck + timing; front page = traffic spike Directory submission AI tools, product launch Taaft, G2, niche directories Validate PMF; seed users; see directory-submission Founder-led outbound B2B, high ACV Cold email, LinkedIn; 10–15 personalized outreaches/day Pre-$5K MRR; only reliable path when ACV >$500/mo Community engagement …
How to use it
Reference it in AdaL, Claude Code, Cursor or any coding agent — nothing to install:
@skills kostja94/cold-start