Growth Engineering Skill
Infrastructure and patterns for product-led growth, experimentation, and conversion optimization.
Feature Flag Systems
Implementation Pattern
// lib/feature-flags.ts
import { PostHog } from 'posthog-node';
const posthog = new PostHog(process.env.POSTHOG_API_KEY!);
interface FeatureFlags {
'new-onboarding-flow': boolean;
'pricing-experiment': 'control' | 'variant-a' | 'variant-b';
'ai-suggestions': boolean;
}
export async function getFlag<K extends keyof FeatureFlags>(
key: K,
userId: string,
): Promise<FeatureFlags[K]> {
const value = await posthog.getFeatureFlag(key, userId);
return value as FeatureFlags[K];
}
// Usage in component
const showNewOnboarding = await getFlag('new-onboarding-flow', user.id);
Feature Flag Best Practices
- Short-lived flags: Remove after experiment concludes (< 2 weeks)
- Long-lived flags: Ops toggles for gradual rollouts, kill switches
- Never nest feature flags (creates exponential complexity)
- Clean up stale flags monthly
- Log flag evaluations for debugging
A/B Testing Infrastructure
Experiment Design
// lib/experiments.ts
interface Experiment {
id: string;
name: string;
variants: {
id: string;
weight: number; // 0-100, must sum to 100
}[];
targetAudience: {
percentage: number; // % of users included
filters?: Record<string, unknown>;
};
primaryMetric: string;
secondaryMetrics: string[];
minimumSampleSize: number;
startDate: Date;
endDate?: Date;
}
// Track experiment exposure
function trackExposure(experimentId: string, variantId: string, userId: string) {
analytics.capture({
event: '$experiment_started',
distinctId: userId,
properties: {
$experiment_id: experimentId,
$variant_id: variantId,
},
});
}
Statistical Significance
- Minimum sample size: Calculate before starting (use Evan Miller calculator)
- Don't peek: Set duration upfront, don't stop early on promising results
- Sequential testing: Use if you must check early (adjusts p-values)
- Minimum detectable effect: Define what improvement matters (e.g., 5% lift)
Product-Led Growth Patterns
Activation Metrics
| Stage | Metric | Example |
|---|
| Sign up | Registration complete | User creates account |
| Setup | Profile complete | Fills required fields |
| Aha moment | Core value experienced | Creates first project |
| Habit | Repeated engagement | 3 sessions in first week |
| Revenue | Conversion to paid | Subscribes to plan |
Viral Loops
// Referral system pattern
interface Referral {
referrerId: string;
referredEmail: string;
status: 'pending' | 'signed_up' | 'activated' | 'converted';
rewardGranted: boolean;
}
// Track referral funnel
function trackReferralStep(referralId: string, step: Referral['status']) {
analytics.capture({
event: 'referral_step',
properties: { referralId, step },
});
}
Conversion Optimization
- Reduce friction: Minimize form fields, enable social login
- Social proof: Show user counts, testimonials, logos
- Urgency: Trial countdown, limited-time offers (use sparingly)
- Value demonstration: Interactive demos, free tier with clear upgrade path
- Personalization: Onboarding flow based on use case selection
Growth Metrics
| Metric | Formula | Target |
|---|
| Activation rate | Activated / Signed up | > 40% |
| Trial-to-paid | Paid / Trial started | > 15% |
| Net revenue retention | (Start MRR + Expansion - Contraction - Churn) / Start MRR | > 110% |
| Viral coefficient | Invites sent * Conversion rate | > 0.5 |
| Time to value | Median time from signup to aha moment | < 5 min |
| DAU/MAU ratio | Daily active / Monthly active | > 20% |
Experimentation Platforms
| Platform | Type | Best For |
|---|
| PostHog | Self-hosted/cloud | Full-stack, open source |
| LaunchDarkly | Cloud | Feature flags at scale |
| Statsig | Cloud | Auto-stats, warehouse-native |
| Growthbook | Self-hosted/cloud | Open source, Bayesian stats |
| Optimizely | Cloud | Enterprise, multi-channel |
Related Resources
~/.claude/skills/product-analytics/SKILL.md - Analytics and tracking
~/.claude/agents/product-analytics-specialist.md - Analytics agent
~/.claude/skills/authentication-patterns/SKILL.md - Auth for PLG
Measure everything. Experiment constantly. Remove what doesn't work.