yc-default-alive-calculator
Installation
SKILL.md
Default Alive / Default Dead Calculator
A startup is "default alive" if its current revenue trajectory will reach profitability before it runs out of cash — without additional funding. It is "default dead" if it will run out of money first. This is the single most important financial diagnostic Paul Graham developed at Y Combinator.
This is not a fundraising model. It's a reality check. The answer determines whether fundraising is optional or existential.
When to Load
| Trigger | Example |
|---|---|
| "Am I default alive?" | Founder asking about runway |
| "How much runway do I have?" | Financial planning |
| "Should I raise money?" | Strategic decision |
| "What's my burn multiple?" | Investor-ready metrics |
| "How long until we break even?" | Trajectory check |
| "Default alive/dead analysis" | Explicit framework request |