# PlanBeforeBuild

> Plan before you build. Ship faster, fail less.

PlanBeforeBuild is a structured planning framework called Blueprint that helps solo builders, product managers, and dev agencies create AI-agent-ready specifications before writing code. Most AI coding failures come from incomplete or ambiguous specifications. Blueprint eliminates this by guiding users through every critical decision before any code is written.

## The Problem Blueprint Solves

When builders jump straight into AI coding with vague prompts, they hit a predictable failure chain: idea becomes prompt chaos, prompt chaos leads to agent thrashing, agent thrashing causes cost overruns, and cost overruns lead to abandoned builds. Blueprint breaks this chain by creating a complete specification that AI coding agents can execute with minimal back-and-forth.

## How Blueprint Works

Blueprint follows four steps to turn an idea into an AI-agent-ready specification:

1. Describe: Tell Blueprint what you want to build, who it serves, and what constraints you have.
2. Decide: Walk through 10 structured phases covering architecture, security, data, compliance, and deployment.
3. Inspect: AI reviews your complete specification for gaps, contradictions, and missing decisions.
4. Export: Download your specification as markdown and hand it directly to Cursor, Claude, or any AI coding agent.

## The 10 Blueprint Phases

Blueprint uses a construction metaphor to make technical planning intuitive. Ten phases guide you from first idea to finished specification:

1. Project Brief (The Client Meeting) - Capture the vision, scope, and constraints at the highest level.
2. Site Survey (Examining the Terrain) - Understand the technical landscape the project will inhabit.
3. The Neighborhood (Studying the Street) - Reference implementations and competitive context for AI agent grounding.
4. Zoning & Permits (Regulatory Compliance) - Identify all regulatory, legal, and policy constraints before design.
5. Architecture (The Blueprint) - Define the high-level shape and structure of the system.
6. Engineering (Detailed Drawings) - Specify each system component in technical detail.
7. Bill of Materials (Shopping List) - Compile the complete technology stack with dependency analysis.
8. Construction Schedule (Project Plan) - Define build sequence, agent assignments, and the hand-off manifest.
9. Inspection (Building Inspector) - AI-powered comprehensive review of the complete specification.
10. Post-Construction (The Walk-Through) - After building, compare results to plan and capture lessons learned.

## Who Blueprint Is For

### Solo Builders
Stop wasting tokens on vague prompts. Blueprint creates the exact specification your AI agent needs to build it right the first time.

### Product Managers
Generate structured specs that AI agents can execute. Bridge the gap between your product vision and technical implementation.

### Dev Agencies
Standardize project scoping before quoting. Deliver accurate estimates by knowing exactly what needs to be built.

No coding experience is required. Blueprint guides you through technical decisions with explanations and recommendations. The output specification is what you give to an AI coding agent like Cursor or Claude to do the actual building.

## Pricing

All prices in EUR. Payments processed by Paddle (Merchant of Record) with automatic VAT handling across all EU member states.

### Explorer (Free Trial)
- Price: Free for 3 days
- Phases 1-5 (idea to solution scope)
- AI credits included to get started
- Export your progress as markdown
- Resume your work after subscribing
- No credit card required

### Build Pass (Most Popular)
- Price: EUR 19/week or EUR 49/month (save 33%)
- All 10 Blueprint phases
- AI Readiness Inspector (7 cycles)
- Full specification export + agent package
- Use your own Claude API key
- 24-hour planning sessions

### Teams / Agency
- Price: EUR 89/week or EUR 229/month (save 33%)
- Everything in Build Pass
- Up to 10 team members
- Invite members by email
- Concurrent planning sessions (10)
- Inspector (15 cycles per seat)
- Shared team API key

### Enterprise / Lifetime
- Custom pricing - contact sales
- Unlimited seats
- Custom billing and invoicing
- Dedicated support
- SLA and priority processing
- Lifetime access option

### API Credit Packs (one-time purchases)
For users who prefer not to bring their own API key:
- Starter: EUR 10 (~50,000 tokens) - Good for a quick planning session
- Builder: EUR 25 (~150,000 tokens) - Enough for a full project spec
- Power: EUR 50 (~350,000 tokens) - Multiple projects or deep iteration

## Technical Details

- Output format: Standard markdown files that users download and own completely, with no vendor lock-in.
- API key security: User API keys are encrypted in the browser using AES-256-GCM before being sent anywhere. Plaintext keys never touch the servers. Keys are automatically cleared from memory when sessions end.
- Session duration: 24-hour planning sessions for paid tiers.
- Session retention: Session history is retained for 90 days after cancellation.
- Billing model: Weekly and monthly subscriptions designed for burst usage. Most users complete planning in 1-3 days, then build in Cursor or Claude.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Blueprint?
Blueprint is a planning framework that guides you through decision points to create a comprehensive, AI-agent-ready markdown specification. Instead of jumping straight into coding with vague prompts, Blueprint ensures your AI coding agent has everything it needs to build correctly the first time.

### How does Blueprint reduce failed AI builds?
Most AI coding failures come from incomplete or ambiguous specifications. Blueprint walks you through every critical decision - architecture, data models, authentication, deployment - before any code is written. The result is a specification that AI agents can execute with minimal back-and-forth.

### Is there a free trial?
Yes. The Explorer plan gives you free access for 3 days to Phases 1 through 5, enough to scope your idea, define your solution, and see how Blueprint works. It includes API credits so you can try the AI features immediately. No credit card required.

### What is the difference between Build Pass and Teams?
Build Pass is for solo builders. One seat, full access to all 10 phases, and full specification export with agent packages. Teams / Agency supports up to 10 members, with concurrent planning sessions and higher inspector limits. Both plans work with your own Claude API key, or you can buy credit packs instead.

### Do I need my own API key?
You have two options: (1) Use your own Anthropic Claude API key. You pay Anthropic directly for usage and get full control. (2) Buy API credit packs (EUR 10, EUR 25, or EUR 50) and the API is handled for you. You can switch between the two at any time from your dashboard.

### Why offer both weekly and monthly billing?
Blueprint is designed for burst usage. Most users complete their planning in 1-3 days, then build in Cursor or Claude. Weekly billing (from EUR 19/week) means you only pay for the time you actually use. Monthly billing saves you 33% if you prefer a longer commitment.

### Can I cancel anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time from your dashboard. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period. All specifications you have exported are yours to keep. See the refund policy for details on refunds.

### Can I get a refund?
Yes. You can request a full refund within 14 days of your initial subscription purchase. Refunds are processed by Paddle. Contact support@planbeforebuild.com with your purchase details.

### What is the Teams plan?
The Teams / Agency plan supports up to 10 team members who share the same email domain (e.g. @yourcompany.com). Each member gets their own seat with concurrent planning sessions. It includes higher inspector cycle limits and all Build Pass features. Teams can set a shared API key for all members, or each member can use their own.

### What happens to my specifications after I cancel?
All exported markdown files are yours permanently. They are standard markdown files stored on your device, with no vendor lock-in. Your session history is retained for 90 days after cancellation.

### Do I need coding experience to use Blueprint?
No. Blueprint is designed for anyone with a software idea. The framework guides you through technical decisions with explanations and recommendations. The output specification is what you give to an AI coding agent like Cursor or Claude to do the actual building.

### How is my API key protected?
Your API key is encrypted in your browser before being sent anywhere. AES-256-GCM encryption is used, and your plaintext key never touches the servers. Keys are automatically cleared from memory when your session ends.

## Key URLs

- Homepage: https://planbeforebuild.com
- Pricing: https://planbeforebuild.com/pricing
- Sign up: https://planbeforebuild.com/sign-up
- Privacy Policy: https://planbeforebuild.com/privacy
- Terms of Service: https://planbeforebuild.com/terms
- Cookie Policy: https://planbeforebuild.com/cookie-policy
- Refund Policy: https://planbeforebuild.com/refund-policy

## Company

PlanBeforeBuild is a service of Dyggur ehf., registered in Iceland.
Company website: https://dyggur.com

## Contact

- General support: support@planbeforebuild.com
- Enterprise and sales: sales@planbeforebuild.com
- Privacy and GDPR requests: privacy@planbeforebuild.com