FoundStep

FoundStep is an opinionated project management tool designed for solo developers and indie hackers who struggle with project abandonment. Unlike flexible task managers like Notion, Linear, or Trello, FoundStep enforces a strict five-stage lifecycle: capture, validate, lock scope, build, and ship. You cannot skip validation, cannot silently add features after scope lock, and every decision is permanently recorded. The platform forces idea validation before any code is written. AI researches your idea across six dimensions—Market Demand, Competition, Pricing, Reach, Founder Fit, and Buildability—and presents evidence. You must issue a written verdict: Build, Wait, or Kill. Only after validation does the build phase unlock. Scope locking is a core differentiator. Once features and todos are planned, you lock them. Adding a new item requires a written reason, timestamped forever in your Shame History and optionally surfaced on your public Ship Card. Cutting scope is encouraged; adding scope demands accountability. The system also auto-advances workspaces when all todos are complete, rewarding completion. FoundStep is currently a web application responsive on mobile, with a dedicated mobile app in development. It is single-user with no team collaboration. Pricing is simple: Starter ($12.99/mo, 10 workspaces) and Builder ($29.99/mo, unlimited workspaces), with all features included on both plans. A 7-day free trial gives full access. For solo builders needing external discipline to ship, FoundStep replaces flexibility with accountability—a different category than general-purpose PM tools.