World 4 / Quest 16

Scope the Slice

One screen. One enemy. One goal. The smallest version that's still fun.

Badge: Finish the Small Thing

You’ll learn

• What a 'slice' is and why pros build one first
• The cut list: saying no to your own ideas (for now)
• Finish the Small Thing, level 2: planning to finish before you start

Briefing

Start prompt

Steps

1. 1

   Everything on the table

   Ask Coach to list every feature your concept card implies — every enemy, level, power-up, screen. It'll be a long list. That's the point: you need to see how big the idea is before you cut.

   Say this to Coach

   Read my CONCEPT.md and list every single feature it implies — every enemy, level, item, screen, and rule. Number them. Don't leave anything out.

   Copy
2. 2

   The slice rule

   Now apply the rule: one screen, one enemy or obstacle, one goal. Go through the list and mark each thing SLICE (needed for the one moment) or PARK (later). Be brutal. If you're not sure, park it.

   Say this to Coach

   Go through the list. Mark each item SLICE if it's needed for my one moment to be fun, or PARK if it can wait. Use the rule: one screen, one enemy or obstacle, one goal. If you're not sure, mark it PARK and tell me why.

   Copy
3. 3

   Argue about two of them

   Pick two things Coach parked that you really want. Make the case for each. Then ask Coach honestly: does adding this make the slice more fun, or just bigger? Keep one at most.

   Say this to Coach

   I want to un-park the boss fight and the second level. For each one, tell me honestly: does it make the slice more fun, or just bigger? I'll keep at most one.

   Copy
4. 4

   The 5-step build plan

   Coach writes a plan: 5 steps, each one a thing you can play-test. Step 1 should be playable in 15 minutes. Read it. Ask for options if a step looks too big.

   Say this to Coach

   Write a 5-step build plan for the slice in PLAN.md. Each step must end with something I can play. Step 1 should be playable in about 15 minutes. Tell me which Power-Ups I'll probably need on each step.

   Copy
5. 5

   Approve it

   Read the plan out loud. If you'd be happy with just Step 3 finished, it's a good plan. If Step 5 is still "and then add everything," the slice is too big — cut again. Then say the magic words: approved.

   Say this to Coach

   The plan is approved. Save PLAN.md and the parking lot in PARKING-LOT.md. Tomorrow we build.

   Copy

Side quests +10 XP each

Stuck?

• Can't cut anything? Ask: "If I could only build ONE thing from this list, which makes the moment fun?" Start there.
• The plan has 8 steps? Say: "Merge steps until it's 5, or park the extra ones."
• Slice sounds boring? Then the one moment is wrong, not the slice. Go back to the card and find a better moment.

More ways to get unstuck