The Mom Test
Customer conversations that reveal the truth
Have customer conversations that reveal the truth using Rob Fitzpatrick's Mom Test rules. This skill equips your AI agent with techniques for asking questions that even your mom can't lie about — focusing on past behavior and real commitments instead of hypothetical opinions.
What your agent learns
The Mom Test Rules
Talk about their life, not your idea. Ask about specifics in the past, not hypotheticals about the future. Talk less, listen more.
Avoiding Bad Data
Compliments, fluff, and hypotheticals are worthless. Seek specifics: "When did this last happen?" and "What did you do about it?"
Asking for Commitment
Advance conversations toward commitment — time, reputation, or money. If they won't commit, the problem isn't real enough.
Finding Conversations
Go where your customers are. Use cold outreach, warm intros, and serendipitous conversations. Keep it casual and short.
Processing & Sharing
Take notes immediately. Share learnings with your team. Update your beliefs based on patterns across conversations.
Try these with the skill installed
Write interview questions for validating our product idea that follow The Mom Test using mom-test skill
Customer discoveryReview these customer interview notes — which responses are fluff vs real signal? using mom-test skill
AnalysisDesign a commitment ladder to test if this problem is worth solving using mom-test skill
ValidationHelp me plan 10 customer conversations and create an outreach strategy using mom-test skill
Research planningInstall The Mom Test
Free, open-source, and ready in 30 seconds.
npx skills add wondelai/skills/mom-test MIT Licensed · Works with Claude Code, Cursor, Claude Cowork & OpenClaw · No account needed