# Indie Terminal — Full Documentation

> https://indieterminal.com/docs

# Introduction

Indie Terminal is a **Founder OS** for indie hackers — one command center at `/command` where market intelligence, inline tools, workflows, and exports share the same startup context.

## What problem does it solve?

Founders lose hours switching between ChatGPT threads, Notion docs, pricing spreadsheets, and Twitter drafts. Indie Terminal replaces that with a single terminal: type a command, get a cited deliverable, chain the next step, approve when ready to ship.

## Who this is for

- Solo founders validating an idea before writing code
- Bootstrapped SaaS teams who need comp-backed pricing and positioning
- Build-in-public creators who want cited data points, not hot takes
- Operators wiring agents and automations against real market data

## Your first session

1. **Open** — Go to /command and connect your startup URL. Context persists across every run.
2. **Research** — Run `/research [niche]`. Output lists indie comps with MRR and positioning — each citation links to an index row.
3. **Price** — Run `/price` inline. See where you sit vs real competitors in the index.

## Key principle

**Indie-specific, not generic AI.** Research commands cite real startups from the indie index — MRR, growth, pricing — so you defend decisions with data, not vibes.

---

# Founder OS

Founder OS is the operating layer on top of the indie index. One terminal window — commands, tools, context, and approvals — instead of ten browser tabs and exported ChatGPT threads.

## Five layers

| Layer | Surface | What it does |
|-------|---------|--------------|
| Terminal | /command | Command bar, inline runner, context rail |
| Company brain | Onboarding + rail | Startup URL, category — persists across runs |
| Indie index | /research, /price, API | 10K+ startups with MRR, growth, pricing |
| Inline tools | /scan, /price, /comp… | Index-backed tools without tab hop |
| Approval queue | /command | Connector exports wait for sign-off |

## North star workflow

Morning brief → `/research` → `/asset` → `/post` → **Approve export**

Nothing ships to Slack, Notion, or X until you approve it in the queue.

## What makes it different

- **Context compounds** — /post reads your latest /research; company brain remembers your startup
- **Cited, not guessed** — /research pulls real indie comps from the index
- **Zero tab switching** — tools open inline in Terminal
- **Governed exports** — connector actions queue first; nothing posts without you

---

# Quick Start

Everything runs from /command unless noted.

## Step 1 — Set your company brain

Connect your startup at onboarding or in the context rail. Artifacts (research, audits, drafts) store against your company so `/post` can read what `/research` produced yesterday.

## Step 2 — Run cited research

`/research [your niche or competitor]` — output lists indie comps with MRR and positioning. Each citation links back to an index row.

## Commands vs inline tools

- **Commands** (`/research`, `/post`, `/asset`) — multi-step Founder OS flows with session context
- **Inline tools** (`/scan`, `/price`, `/comp`, `/intel`, `/radar`, `/value`) — index-backed panels in the same window

## Step 3 — Connect exports (optional)

Add API keys at /api-keys for Slack, Notion, HubSpot, Zapier, or Airtable. Nothing posts until you approve in the queue on /command.

---

# Commands

Type commands in the Terminal command bar at /command. Founder OS commands run inline with startup context.

## Founder OS commands

| Command | Status | What it does |
|---------|--------|--------------|
| /research | live | Deep competitor scan · cited indie index comps |
| /post | planned | Draft X post from your latest research |
| /asset | planned | Generate banner, logo, or thumbnail with startup context |
| /build | planned | Open Cursor with your company brain context |
| /doc | planned | Create, edit, export PDF — connected to workspace |
| /help | live | All founder OS commands |

## Inline tool commands

| Command | Tool | Description |
|---------|------|-------------|
| /scan | Opportunity Scanner | Scan markets for high-signal opportunities |
| /price | Pricing Audit | Comp-backed pricing bands and positioning |
| /comp | Competitor Map | Map competitors and track positioning |
| /intel | Market Intel | Deep niche and audience analysis |
| /radar | Market Radar | Category movers and market gaps |
| /value | Valuation | ARR, SDE, and blended valuation |

Deep UIs: sidebar Tools dropdown or /tools/* pages.

---

# Workflows

A workflow is a chain of commands where each step reads context from the last. Artifacts accumulate in your session — visible in the context rail on the right of the command runner.

## Default chain

`/research` → `/asset` → `/post` → **Approve**

1. /research — deep scan · cited indie comps · saved as artifact
2. /asset — generate banner/thumbnail using research context (planned)
3. /post — draft X thread from latest research (planned)
4. Approve — review in queue → export to Notion, Slack, or X

## Session context rail

Every Founder OS run appends an artifact. The rail shows lineage — click any prior artifact to re-read it, or chain a new command that inherits that context.

## When to chain vs standalone

- **Chain** when outputs feed the next step — research before a post, audit before a pricing change
- **Standalone** for one-off questions — /radar, /value, /intel don't need prior context
- **Clear session** when switching to a different startup or unrelated project

---

# Tools & Index

Indie Terminal combines a proprietary **indie startup index** (10K+ companies with MRR, growth, and pricing signals) with tools that read from it.

## Inline commands (at /command)

- **/scan** — Opportunity Scanner: high-signal market opportunities
- **/price** — Pricing Audit: comp-backed pricing bands
- **/comp** — Competitor Map: positioning and tracking
- **/intel** — Market Intel: deep niche analysis
- **/radar** — Market Radar: category movers and gaps
- **/value** — Valuation: ARR, SDE, blended valuation

## Deep-dive tool pages

| Tool | Path | What it delivers |
|------|------|------------------|
| BUILD / Scanner | /tools/scanner | Idea validation + GTM from index comps |
| Price Audit | /tools/pricing-audit | UNDERPRICED / FAIR / OVERPRICED verdict |
| Comp Map | /tools/competitor-map | 2D positioning map by niche and price |
| Intel | /tools/intel | Deep competitor profiles from index |
| Radar | /tools/radar | Growth signals and opportunity scoring |
| Valuation | /tools/valuation | ARR multiplier, SDE, DCF, revenue multiple |
| Agents | /command | Launch, Growth, Research agent pipelines |
| Daily Brief | /terminal | Auto-generated market briefing every 6h |

Every tool pulls from the same index that powers /research citations.

---

# Integrations

Connect tools at /api-keys. Indie Terminal never auto-posts — every connector action queues for approval on /command first.

## Export flow

Run → Queue → Review → Approve

1. Command or agent produces a deliverable with cited comps
2. Connector action appears in Approval Queue
3. You read the payload (Slack message, Notion page, CRM note)
4. Action executes after sign-off

## Supported connectors

| Integration | Category | On approval |
|-------------|----------|-------------|
| Slack | Notifications | Post pipeline updates and digests to channels |
| Notion | Export | Cited deliverables export as workspace pages |
| Zapier | Automation | Completed runs trigger webhooks |
| HubSpot | CRM | ICP insights and deal notes sync to CRM |
| Airtable | Export | Comps, plans, signal tables sync to bases |
| OpenAI | BYOK | Asset generation and extended pipelines |

Keys encrypted at rest. Scopes are minimal per connector.

---

# Indie Index

The indie index is Indie Terminal's proprietary dataset of bootstrapped and indie startups — MRR estimates, growth velocity, pricing tiers, categories, and acquisition signals.

## What's in the index

- **10K+ startups** — searchable by niche, category, MRR band
- **Pricing signals** — public tiers + community-reported bands
- **Category benchmarks** — median MRR, growth, market status
- **Market signals** — launches, trend spikes, niche movers

## How citations work

When /research names a competitor, it links to an index row — not a hallucinated company. Verify MRR, category peers, and pricing before acting.

**Never ship generic AI research.** If a deliverable lacks index citations, treat it as a draft.

## Access paths

- **Terminal** — /research, /price, /intel
- **API** — REST v1 search, categories, signals, compare
- **Tools** — Scanner, Radar, Intel, Valuation full UIs
- **Agents** — peer enrichment on research runs

---

# API Reference

REST API v1 exposes the indie startup index for programmatic access. Every response includes a `_meta` provenance block.

## Base URL

`https://indieterminal.com/api/v1`

## Authentication

`Authorization: Bearer it_live_…`

**Connector keys** (Slack, Notion, HubSpot, Zapier, Airtable, OpenAI BYOK) live at /api-keys — not for REST.

**REST index keys** (Pro Analyst+): while logged in, `POST /api/developer/keys` with optional label. Key shown once. Free Scout returns 403.

## Discovery

`GET /api/v1` — public, no auth. Returns endpoint list, rate limits, and schema.

## Rate limits

| Plan | Requests/day | Keys |
|------|--------------|------|
| Free Scout | No API access | 0 |
| Pro Analyst | 200 | 2 |
| Elite Operator | 2,000 | 5 |
| Growth Engine | 50,000 | 20 |

## Endpoints

- GET /api/v1 — public discovery (endpoints, rate limits, auth notes)
- GET /api/v1/startups/search — search by keyword, category, MRR range (`q` required, min 2 chars)
- GET /api/v1/startups/:slug — startup profile + category context
- GET /api/v1/categories — category benchmarks
- GET /api/v1/signals — market signals feed
- POST /api/v1/compare — deterministic comp aggregation (2–5 slugs)

## Errors

`MISSING_API_KEY` · `PLAN_UPGRADE_REQUIRED` · `RATE_LIMIT_EXCEEDED` · `QUERY_TOO_SHORT` (search q < 2 chars)

## Provenance

Every response includes `_meta` with api_version, as_of, live universe_size, methodology. MRR is estimated unless marked verified.

MCP adapter coming — same auth + schema as REST.

---

# GET /api/v1/startups/search

Search startups by keyword, category, or MRR range.

## Parameters

| Name | Type | Note |
|------|------|------|
| q | string* | Required · min 2 characters (name, niche, slug) |
| category | string | Filter by category |
| mrr_min | integer | Minimum MRR ($) |
| mrr_max | integer | Maximum MRR ($) |
| limit | integer | 1–50, default 20 |

## Example

```
GET /api/v1/startups/search?q=email+marketing&mrr_min=500&limit=10
Authorization: Bearer it_live_…
```

---

# GET /api/v1/startups/:slug

Resolve a startup by slug or numeric id. Includes category context (peers sampled, category median MRR, MRR vs median %).

## Parameters

| Name | Type | Note |
|------|------|------|
| slug | path* | Startup slug or numeric id |

## Example

```
GET /api/v1/startups/notion-clone
Authorization: Bearer it_live_…
```

---

# GET /api/v1/categories

Category benchmarks with median MRR, avg growth, market_status, and for-sale count.

## Parameters

| Name | Type | Note |
|------|------|------|
| q | string | Filter category name |
| sort | mrr\|count\|growth | Sort field, default mrr |
| limit | integer | 1–100, default 50 |

## Example

```
GET /api/v1/categories?q=ai&sort=growth&limit=20
Authorization: Bearer it_live_…
```

---

# GET /api/v1/signals

Market signals feed — source, type, content, and signal_value strength score.

## Parameters

| Name | Type | Note |
|------|------|------|
| category | string | Filter by slug substring |
| limit | integer | 1–50, default 20 |
| since | ISO date | Only signals after this date |

## Example

```
GET /api/v1/signals?limit=10&since=2026-04-01T00:00:00Z
Authorization: Bearer it_live_…
```

---

# POST /api/v1/compare

Deterministic comp aggregation for 2–5 startups. No AI inference — pure aggregate math. Returns deltas, leaders per metric, and category benchmark.

## Body

| Name | Type | Note |
|------|------|------|
| slugs | string[]* | 2–5 startup slugs or ids |

## Example

```
POST /api/v1/compare
Authorization: Bearer it_live_…

{ "slugs": ["notion-clone", "obsidian-alternative", "roam-competitor"] }
```

---

# Use Cases & Playbooks

Commands: /research (live) · /scan /price /comp (inline) · /tools/* (full UIs) · /post /asset (planned)

## Playbook: I have a startup idea

1. /scan [idea] at /command — fast validation + GTM
2. /research [niche] — cited teardown with MRR
3. /price — what the market pays
4. /tools/competitor-map — find empty quadrant
5. /tools/gtm — launch plan for your stage

**Outcome:** Find a real gap and build with confidence — or discover saturation and pivot early.

## Playbook: My product isn't selling

1. /price on your product — UNDERPRICED / FAIR / OVERPRICED
2. /research on top 3 competitors
3. /tools/competitor-map — wrong quadrant?
4. /tools/pricing-audit — tier-by-tier comparison
5. /tools/gtm — reposition messaging

## Playbook: I want startup ideas

1. /radar on categories you care about
2. /api/v1/signals (Pro+) or /tools/radar
3. /price per niche — confirm people pay
4. /comp per niche — crowded vs empty
5. /scan to validate top 2–3

## Playbook: Build in public

1. /research [niche] — 3 cited comps with MRR hooks
2. /price — median tier pricing post
3. /tools/gtm — one distribution insight
4. Screenshot /tools/competitor-map
5. Post with cited data

## Playbook: Pitching investors

1. /research [niche] — export cited comps
2. /price — anchor revenue model
3. Screenshot /tools/competitor-map
4. /tools/gtm — distribution bullets
5. /api/v1/signals or /tools/radar for "why now"

---

# Workflow Agents

Agents are not chat. Each runs a deterministic multi-step pipeline and returns a structured deliverable package.

## How a run works

Input → Scrape (optional URL) → Index enrichment → Pipeline → Deliverable → Approval queue (if export requested)

## Launch Agent

Landing page hero, CTA, FAQ, 8–12 tweet thread, waitlist copy, Product Hunt kit, launch checklist.

## Growth Agent

ICP deep-dive, lead sources (P0/P1/P2), email hooks, LinkedIn/X templates, 14-day content calendar, growth experiments.

## Research Agent

Executive summary, competitive landscape, SWOT, pricing narrative, tier ideas, tactical moves — enriched with index peers.

Every run returns structured JSON for copy/export.

---

# FAQ

## What is Indie Terminal?

A Founder OS for indie founders — one terminal at /command for cited market research, inline tools, workflows, and approval-gated exports. Not a ChatGPT wrapper.

## What works today vs. planned?

Live: /research, /help, inline tools (/scan, /price, /comp, /intel, /radar, /value), workflow agents, REST API v1. Planned: /post, /asset, /build, /doc.

## How is research different from ChatGPT?

/research cites real startups from the indie index (MRR, growth, pricing). Every comp should link to an index row you can verify.

## /api-keys vs REST API keys?

/api-keys = connector credentials (Slack, Notion, HubSpot, Zapier, Airtable, OpenAI BYOK). REST keys (it_live_…) are separate — mint via POST /api/developer/keys on Pro+.

## Do integrations auto-post?

No. Every connector action queues for approval on /command first.

## Where do I start?

1. Open /command
2. Connect your startup
3. Run /research on your niche
4. Run /price for comp-backed pricing

## API access?

REST v1 at /api/v1. Pro Analyst+: POST /api/developer/keys while logged in. GET /api/v1 is public discovery. MCP coming with same auth.

## Are MRR numbers accurate?

Estimated from public data unless marked verified. Use as directional comps — check _meta.methodology on every response.

## Full docs

Human UI: /docs · Agent manifest: /agent.md · LLM index: /llms.txt · Changelog: /docs/changelog.md

---

# Changelog

Track all Indie Terminal releases, new features, and platform updates.

Machine-readable: /llms.txt · Agent manifest: /agent.md · Full docs: /docs.md

## Version logs

| Version | Release Date | Highlights |
| --- | --- | --- |
| v0.4.0 | Jun 14, 2026 | llms.txt + per-section Markdown for LLMs, Copy page AI menu with indieterminal.com URLs, Founder OS docs rewrite, Dodo-style changelog layout |
| v0.3.0 | Jun 13, 2026 | /command as default surface, inline tools in sidebar, /research with cited comps, workflow context rail, approval queue |
| v0.2.0 | May 28, 2026 | Agent manifest at /agent.md, landing redesign with Founder OS positioning, Human/Agent dock and module showcase |
| v0.1.0 | Apr 2026 | Indie startup index (10K+), Scanner/Pricing/Comp tools, REST API v1, workflow agents, approval-gated connectors |

## Upcoming

- /post, /asset, /build, /doc Founder OS commands
- MCP server — same auth + schema as REST v1
- Signals Watch dashboard UI

---

# Pricing

Indie Terminal offers tiered plans for indie founders and teams.

## Plans (overview)

| Plan | API access | Best for |
|------|------------|----------|
| Free Scout | None | Explore terminal and daily brief |
| Pro Analyst | 200 req/day | Solo founders doing regular research |
| Elite Operator | 2,000 req/day | Active operators and agents |
| Growth Engine | 50,000 req/day | Teams and heavy API usage |

## What's included across plans

- Founder OS command center at /command
- Index-backed inline tools
- Workflow agents (tier-dependent)
- Connector setup at /api-keys
- Approval-gated exports

Full pricing: https://indieterminal.com/pricing