Incubator

---
context: fork
model: haiku
---

# incubator

Manage the idea incubator - capture ideas quickly, add research, track lifecycle.

## Usage

```
incubator <title>                     # Create new idea (no prompts)
incubator <title> [domain]            # Create with domain(s)
incubator note <title> for <idea>     # Create research note
incubator list [filter]               # List ideas (active only)
incubator list all                    # List including archived
incubator status <idea> <status>      # Update status
incubator graduate <idea>             # Graduate to deliverable (→ archive)
incubator reject <idea>               # Reject idea (→ archive)
```

## Examples

```
incubator API versioning strategy
incubator Central logging platform architecture governance
incubator note SaaS comparison for Central Software
incubator list seed
incubator list architecture
incubator status Archiving exploring
incubator graduate Vault Archiving
incubator reject Outdated Approach
```

---

## Create Idea: `incubator <title> [domains]`

Fast capture with zero prompts. Domains are optional keywords at the end.

**Valid domains:** architecture, governance, tooling, security, data, documentation, process, ai, infrastructure

1. Parse title and any domain keywords
2. Generate filename: `Incubator - {{title}}.md`
3. Create in `+Incubator/`:

```markdown
---
type: Incubator
title: {{title}}
status: seed
domain: [{{detected domains or empty}}]
outcome: null
created: {{DATE}}
modified: {{DATE}}
tags:
  - incubator/idea
---

# {{title}}

## Problem Statement



## Context



## Initial Thoughts



## Questions to Answer

- [ ]

## Related

-

---

*See [[Incubator - MOC]] for all ideas*
```

4. Confirm with one line: `Created [[Incubator - {{title}}]] (seed)`

---

## Research Note: `incubator note <title> for <idea>`

1. Parse title and parent idea name
2. Fuzzy match parent idea in `+Incubator/`
3. Create `Incubator Note - {{title}}.md`:

```markdown
---
type: IncubatorNote
title: {{title}}
parent-ideas: ["[[Incubator - {{idea}}]]"]
created: {{DATE}}
modified: {{DATE}}
tags:
  - incubator/research
---

# {{title}}

## Summary



## Key Findings



## Evidence / Sources

-

## Implications



## Related

- [[Incubator - {{idea}}]]
```

4. Confirm: `Created research note linked to [[Incubator - {{idea}}]]`

---

## List Ideas: `incubator list [filter]`

Filter by status or domain. No filter = summary of active ideas.

**Statuses:** seed, exploring, validated (active) | accepted, rejected (archived)
**Domains:** architecture, governance, tooling, security, data, documentation, process, ai, infrastructure

1. Read `+Incubator/` files with `type: Incubator` (default: active only)
2. If `list all`: also read `+Archive/Incubator/`
3. Filter and display as table:

| Idea | Status | Domain | Modified |
|------|--------|--------|----------|

4. No filter = show count by status

**Archive location:** Graduated and rejected ideas live in `+Archive/Incubator/`

---

## Update Status: `incubator status <idea> <status>`

1. Fuzzy match idea name
2. Update `status` and `modified` in frontmatter
3. If `rejected`: ask for one-line reason, add to note
4. Confirm: `Updated [[Incubator - {{idea}}]] → {{status}}`

---

## Graduate: `incubator graduate <idea>`

1. Fuzzy match idea in `+Incubator/`
2. Ask: "What should this become? (Project / ADR / Page / Task)"
3. Create target note with context from idea

**Graduation Outcomes:**

| Type | When to Use |
|------|-------------|
| **Project** | Idea becomes formal initiative |
| **ADR** | Idea results in architecture decision |
| **Page** | Idea becomes documentation or guide |
| **Article** | Idea becomes communication (blog, video, podcast, etc.) |
| **Task** | Idea becomes a single actionable task |

**Article graduation tip:** Use `/article <title> from <idea>` to create the Article first, then graduate the idea.
4. Update idea frontmatter:
   - `status: accepted`
   - `outcome: "[[New Note]]"`
   - Add tag: `incubator/graduated`
5. Move idea to `+Archive/Incubator/`
6. Confirm: `Graduated to [[New Note]] and archived`

**Example graduation:**
```yaml
# After graduation
status: accepted
outcome: "[[Page - Architecture as Code]]"
tags:
  - incubator/idea
  - incubator/graduated
```

---

## Reject: `incubator reject <idea>`

1. Fuzzy match idea in `+Incubator/`
2. Ask for one-line rejection reason
3. Update idea frontmatter:
   - `status: rejected`
   - Add tag: `incubator/rejected`
4. Add rejection rationale to note body
5. Move idea to `+Archive/Incubator/`
6. Confirm: `Rejected and archived [[Incubator - {{idea}}]]`

---

## Domain Reference

| Domain | When to use |
|--------|-------------|
| architecture | Solution patterns, system design, integration |
| governance | Standards, processes, compliance |
| tooling | Software, platforms, dev experience |
| security | Cyber, access control, data protection |
| data | Data management, analytics, products |
| documentation | Knowledge management, templates |
| process | Ways of working, methodologies |
| ai | AI/ML, automation, assistants |
| infrastructure | Cloud, networking, DevOps |

---

## Reference

- [[+Incubator/README]]
- [[Incubator - MOC]]