From 0e15647a0a52fda542d3f32524e50e27afd1d890 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Dina Berry <diberry@microsoft.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2026 14:20:05 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] Closes #285

Add validation steps to Quick Start section in README

After each command in the Quick Start (lines 20-61), added a
validation step so users can confirm the command succeeded. This
gives users confidence at each step and reduces abandonment when
they're unsure if installation worked.

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 README.md | 8 ++++++++
 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d8c62eb1..cd39c66e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -26,6 +26,8 @@ mkdir my-project && cd my-project
 git init
 ```
 
+**✓ Validate:** Run `git status` — you should see "No commits yet".
+
 ### 2. Install Squad
 
 ```bash
@@ -33,6 +35,8 @@ npm install --save-dev @bradygaster/squad-cli
 npx squad init
 ```
 
+**✓ Validate:** Check that `.squad/team.md` was created in your project.
+
 **Or use npx (no install):** `npx @bradygaster/squad-cli` — see [Migration Guide](docs/get-started/migration.md) if upgrading from an older version.
 
 ### 3. Authenticate with GitHub (for Issues, PRs, and Ralph)
@@ -41,6 +45,8 @@ npx squad init
 gh auth login
 ```
 
+**✓ Validate:** Run `gh auth status` — you should see "Logged in to github.com".
+
 ### 4. Open Copilot and go
 
 ```
@@ -57,6 +63,8 @@ I'm starting a new project. Set up the team.
 Here's what I'm building: a recipe sharing app with React and Node.
 ```
 
+**✓ Validate:** Squad responds with team member proposals. Type `yes` to confirm — they're ready to work.
+
 Squad proposes a team — each member named from a persistent thematic cast. You say **yes**. They're ready.
 
 ---