Launch checklist for developer tools
What to have ready before Show HN, Product Hunt or an open source release. Tick things off as you go; your progress stays in this browser.
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Before any launch
The things every audience checks in the first ten seconds.
Show HN
For things people can try today. Read the Show HN rules on Hacker News first.
Product Hunt and launch boards
For a broad audience that judges from the gallery and the tagline.
Open source release
For a 1.0 or a first public release of a repository.
The week after
Most of the value of a launch arrives after launch day.
FAQ
Questions about launching
What should I do before launching on Product Hunt?
Have a gallery that explains the product without words, a plain tagline, a maker comment in your own voice, and a list of people who asked to hear about the launch. Block out the whole day to answer comments, and plan your other launch boards for the weeks after.
What do I need for a Show HN launch?
Something people can try right now without a signup wall, a plain title under 80 characters, a first comment explaining why you built it and what it does not do, and two hours at the keyboard after posting. Never ask anyone for upvotes.
Is my checklist saved?
Yes, in your browser only. Nothing is sent to us, and clearing your browser data or using a different device starts a fresh list.
Launching soon? List your tool on TeaserTrack
A free listing with your launch date, reviewed by a person, in front of developers looking for what is new.
Related guide: Places to launch your startup or developer tool