How HewnTree works
From rough idea to structured brief — here's exactly what happens at each stage.
See a live demo →Describe your idea in plain language
Type a rough description — messy and incomplete is fine. HewnTree doesn't need polish. It needs raw material to work with. The more honest you are about what you're trying to build, the better the questions you'll get back.
One description. One idea. That's all it takes to start.
Answer targeted AI question batches
Our AI analyses your idea and generates a batch of targeted questions — probing your target market, value proposition, technical requirements, monetisation, and more. You choose batch size: Small (10 questions), Medium (20), or Large (30).
Each batch focuses on different weak spots in your current definition.
Your idea tree grows with each commit
When you commit a batch, HewnTree processes your answers and updates your idea tree — adding, refining, or revising nodes. Each node is a concrete piece of your idea: a confirmed fact, a decision, a constraint, or a gap that still needs work.
The tree is always a live reflection of what you know and what you still need to define.
Leave comments to refine any node
Found a node that's wrong? Outdated? Needs more nuance? Leave a comment. The AI processes your feedback and updates the node — or creates a new one. Every change is tracked in version history.
Comments are processed by the same AI model that built the tree. Nothing is lost.
Track your readiness score in real time
Every required node in every category contributes to a readiness score. The score updates after each batch commit or accepted suggestion. You set the target threshold (default 80%). When every category meets the threshold, your idea reaches Ready status.
Red means gaps. Amber means in progress. Green means ready.
Export your brief as a structured PDF
When your idea is Ready, click Export PDF. You get a clean, structured document covering the full tree — suitable for developers, investors, or co-founders. You can also force-export at any stage for a current-state snapshot without changing your idea's status.
The PDF filename includes your idea title and export date.
Common questions
What if my idea changes as I answer questions?
That's exactly what's supposed to happen. HewnTree is designed to help you discover what your idea actually is — not lock in something premature. The tree updates with each batch, and you can leave comments to correct anything the AI gets wrong.
How many batches do I need?
It varies by idea complexity. Most ideas reach a solid definition in 3–5 medium batches. The readiness score tells you when you're done — not a fixed number of batches.
Can I have multiple ideas?
Free accounts can create up to 3 ideas. An Idea Pass adds one more per purchase. The Pro plan supports unlimited ideas, each with their own tree, batches, and nudge settings.
What happens after I export?
Your idea status changes to Exported. You can continue working on it, generate more batches, and export again. Nothing is locked.
Want the full list of what HewnTree does? See the release notes.
Ready to try it?
Start free — no credit card, no setup.