Product Launch Checklist

Shipping software without guidance often means recreating the wheel or following generic launch frameworks that treat all products identically. This checklist addresses that gap by combining practical structure with the flexibility indie teams need.

The core insight is simple but powerful: launch guides traditionally overwhelm makers with exhaustive task lists, then fail to explain why each step matters or when it's safe to skip. By reversing this approach, the tool acknowledges that a browser extension follows a different path than a SaaS product, and what works for one creator's situation may waste another's time.

The product spans eight phases from the moment the core product functions through the first month post-launch, containing 43 items total. Rather than displaying all tasks regardless of context, users select their launch type (SaaS, mobile app, AI tool, browser extension, open source, or developer tool), and irrelevant items filter out automatically. Each checklist item includes reasoning about why it matters and explicit conditions for skipping it. This transparency lets makers make informed decisions instead of feeling obligated to complete every task.

The interface handles progress tracking directly in the browser without requiring authentication, email verification, or account creation. Users can export their work through multiple formats: shareable links, printable versions, markdown, or GitHub task integration. The product also includes integration points with major AI assistants, letting users ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Google AI for guidance specific to their launch.

Notably, the founder has extended the tool beyond the web interface. A free MCP server enables developers to integrate the checklist into their own workflows, and an agent skill allows users to progress through their launch one item at a time with AI assistance. This expansion positions the checklist as part of a broader ecosystem rather than a standalone tool.

The pricing model removes friction entirely. The complete checklist remains free indefinitely, with no account walls, email collection, or advertisements. This choice aligns with the maker community's preference for straightforward tools that respect their time and information.

What distinguishes this from generic launch templates is the deliberate rejection of one-size-fits-all thinking. By making skip conditions explicit and contextual, the tool respects that optimization sometimes means doing less, not more. For indie makers tired of consulting bloated launch guides, this targeted approach offers clarity without compromise.