The Only 3 Things Your V1 Actually Needs

Every product starts with a list of features. Usually, that list is way too long.

Here's a framework we use to cut it down to what actually matters for your first version.

The Core Three

Every V1 needs exactly three things:

1. The One Thing

What's the single core action your product enables? Not three actions. One.

• For a notes app: Create a note
• For a task manager: Add and complete a task
• For ItsMyWins: Log a win

Everything else is secondary. If this one thing doesn't work perfectly, nothing else matters.

2. The Happy Path

What's the smoothest possible journey from opening the app to completing that one thing?

Strip away everything that isn't on this path. Settings? Later. Customization? Later. Edge cases? Later.

Build the happy path and make it feel amazing.

3. The Hook

What makes someone come back tomorrow?

This could be:

• Data they've invested (their notes, their wins, their history)
• A habit trigger (daily reminder, streak counter)
• Value that grows over time (insights, patterns)

Without a hook, you've built a tool people use once and forget.

What to Cut

Everything else. Seriously.

Cut: User profiles (unless essential to the core action)

Cut: Social features (unless that IS the product)

Cut: Multiple ways to do the same thing

Cut: Customization options

Cut: Analytics dashboards (for users)

Cut: Import/export (for V1)

You can add all of this later. For V1, ruthlessly cut.

A Real Example: ItsMyWins

When we built ItsMyWins, here was our three:

1. The One Thing: Log a win with one tap

2. The Happy Path: Open app → Type win → Save

3. The Hook: Feel good. Come back for more.

That's it. No categories. No sharing. No detailed analytics. Just log wins, feel motivated.

The Test

Before you build, ask:

• Can I explain the product in one sentence?
• Can a new user succeed in under 30 seconds?
• Is there a reason to open it again tomorrow?

If yes to all three, you've found your V1.

*Need help finding your essential three? We can help.*