Most developers approach a new project by listing nouns: Authentication, Dashboard, Settings, Stripe Integration. We think in components. But users don't buy components; they buy the shortcut between a problem and a result.
The Noun Trap
When you focus on nouns, you end up with a project that is 80% boilerplate and 20% value. You spend your most energetic hours setting up a User Profile page that looks exactly like every other profile page ever built. By the time you get to the "magic" β the thing your app actually does β you're burnt out.
The Specd Shift: Verbs over Nouns
A high-quality PRD forces you to think in verbs. Instead of "Database," think "Store user input." Instead of "Auth," think "Identify the builder."
When you limit yourself to five features, you can't afford to waste a slot on a "Settings" page. You are forced to focus on the core workflow. If the workflow doesn't work, the settings don't matter.
The Cursor Synergy
The magic happens when you take a verb-heavy PRD and drop it into an AI-native editor like Cursor. When the instructions are "Build a workflow that takes X and produces Y," the AI isn't just generating code; itβs implementing a solution.
Don't build a platform. Build a path.
Next time you have an idea, don't ask what it is. Ask what it does. Better yet, let Specd strip away the nouns and give you the five verbs that actually matter.
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