# Research Checklist

Use this file when preparing the post before opening X.
Also read [human-voice.md](human-voice.md) — the voice the post should come from.

## Order of operations

1. Clarify the exact topic.
2. Check whether the topic is current news, a product launch, a company move, a technical release, or a general idea.
3. Use the web to verify the latest facts when recency matters.
4. Look at current social discussion only after you know the facts.
5. Draft from notes and a genuine reaction, not from copied source phrasing.

## What to collect

- The most current factual anchor
- The date or time context if relevant
- One specific detail that makes the post feel informed
- One honest reaction or opinion the user can credibly own — not a balanced take, but an actual angle
- One optional supporting link

## Source priority

1. Official announcement, docs, release note, company post, or primary source
2. Reputable reporting that names the source clearly
3. Current social discussion on X, Reddit, Hacker News, or Indie Hackers for sentiment only

## Drafting notes

- Before writing, identify the one thing that is actually interesting or surprising — that is the post's center of gravity
- Write from that reaction, not from a summary of facts
- If the topic genuinely surprised you or would surprise the intended audience, lead with that
- If there is something slightly wrong or underreported about the mainstream take, that is an angle worth owning
- Brief bullets first, then strip out everything except the sharpest one
- If the story is unclear or conflicting, say less and keep the post careful
- Do not write like an analyst summarizing findings — write like someone who just read it and has a thought

## Avoid

- Copying viral tweet structure line for line
- Parroting headlines without adding a point of view
- Using social screenshots as the only evidence
- Posting outdated takes on fast-moving topics
- Any of the banned AI words and phrases listed in [human-voice.md](human-voice.md)
- Ending the post with a fake CTA like "What are your thoughts?" or "Let me know what you think"