Intl Expansion
Score and plan entry into new countries—market selection, entry mode, localization, and regional GTM—for a product considering global growth.
Overview
intl-expansion is an agent skill most often used in Idea (also Validate scope, Grow lifecycle) that guides international market selection, entry modes, localization, and regional go-to-market.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/alirezarezvani/claude-skills --skill intl-expansionWhat is this skill?
- Decision sequence: market selection → entry mode → regulatory → localization → GTM → team → launch
- Weighted market selection matrix (market size, competition, regulation, culture, traction, ops)
- Entry mode comparison framework for cross-border go-to-market
- Localization and regional team structure guidance
- Keyword-rich playbook for GTM and compliance-by-region planning
- Market selection matrix uses six weighted factors (25% market size through 10% operational complexity)
- Documented decision sequence of seven stages ending at launch
Adoption & trust: 524 installs on skills.sh; 17.5k GitHub stars; 2/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You want revenue in new countries but lack a structured way to compare markets, entry paths, and localization or compliance cost.
Who is it for?
Solo SaaS or ecommerce builders evaluating one to three target regions before committing engineering or legal spend.
Skip if: Purely domestic products with no cross-border intent, or enterprises needing certified legal advice substituted for strategy chat.
When should I use this skill?
Expanding to new countries, evaluating international markets, planning localization, or building regional teams.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You leave with a scored market shortlist, entry-mode recommendation, and ordered expansion plan from selection through regional launch.
- Scored market shortlist with rationale
- Entry mode and regulatory assessment summary
- Localization and regional GTM plan outline
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Idea/research is the canonical shelf because the skill starts with market selection and regulatory assessment before build or launch commits. Research fits evaluating international markets, competitive intensity, and cultural distance before you validate scope or ship localized product.
Where it fits
Score EU vs LATAM on regulation and willingness to pay before picking a first export market.
Define MVP localization and compliance scope for the winning country only.
Plan regional support hours and payment methods for retained users in a new locale.
Align regional launch sequencing with entry mode (partner vs direct).
How it compares
Strategy and GTM framework—not a translation CLI or automated compliance filing tool.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is intl-expansion for?
Founders and indie product leads expanding beyond a home market who need market scoring, entry modes, and localization planning in one workflow.
When should I use intl-expansion?
In Idea when researching new countries; in Validate when scoping localization and compliance; in Grow when planning regional lifecycle and team structure.
Is intl-expansion safe to install?
It is advisory content; confirm legal and tax requirements with professionals and review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page before installing the pack.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Intl Expansion
# International Expansion Frameworks for expanding into new markets: selection, entry, localization, and execution. ## Keywords international expansion, market entry, localization, go-to-market, GTM, regional strategy, international markets, market selection, cross-border, global expansion ## Quick Start **Decision sequence:** Market selection → Entry mode → Regulatory assessment → Localization plan → GTM strategy → Team structure → Launch. ## Market Selection Framework ### Scoring Matrix | Factor | Weight | How to Assess | |--------|--------|---------------| | Market size (addressable) | 25% | TAM in target segment, willingness to pay | | Competitive intensity | 20% | Incumbent strength, market gaps | | Regulatory complexity | 20% | Barriers to entry, compliance cost, timeline | | Cultural distance | 15% | Language, business practices, buying behavior | | Existing traction | 10% | Inbound demand, existing customers, partnerships | | Operational complexity | 10% | Time zones, infrastructure, payment systems | ### Entry Modes | Mode | Investment | Control | Risk | Best For | |------|-----------|---------|------|----------| | **Export** (sell remotely) | Low | Low | Low | Testing demand | | **Partnership** (reseller/distributor) | Medium | Medium | Medium | Markets with strong local requirements | | **Local team** (hire in-market) | High | High | High | Strategic markets with proven demand | | **Entity** (full subsidiary) | Very high | Full | High | Major markets, regulatory requirement | | **Acquisition** | Highest | Full | Highest | Fast market entry with existing base | **Default path:** Export → Partnership → Local team → Entity (graduate as revenue justifies). ## Localization Checklist ### Product - [ ] Language (UI, documentation, support content) - [ ] Currency and pricing (local pricing, not just conversion) - [ ] Payment methods (varies wildly by market) - [ ] Date/time/number formats - [ ] Legal requirements (data residency, privacy) - [ ] Cultural adaptation (not just translation) ### Go-to-Market - [ ] Messaging adaptation (what resonates locally) - [ ] Channel strategy (channels differ by market) - [ ] Local case studies and social proof - [ ] Local partnerships and integrations - [ ] Event/conference presence - [ ] Local SEO and content ### Operations - [ ] Legal entity (if required) - [ ] Tax compliance - [ ] Employment law (if hiring locally) - [ ] Customer support (hours, language) - [ ] Banking and payments ## Key Questions - "Is there pull from the market, or are we pushing?" - "What's the cost of entry vs the 3-year revenue opportunity?" - "Can we serve this market from HQ, or do we need boots on the ground?" - "What's the regulatory timeline? Can we launch before the paperwork is done?" - "Who's winning in this market and what would it take to displace them?" ## Common Mistakes | Mistake | Why It Happens | Prevention | |---------|---------------|------------| | Entering too many markets at once | FOMO, board pressure | Max 1-2 new markets per year | | Copy-paste GTM from home market | Assuming buyers are the same | Research local buying behavior | | Underestimating regulatory cost | "We'll figure it out" | Regulatory assessment BEFORE committing | | Hiring too early | Optimism | Prove demand before hiring local team | | Wrong pricing (just converting) | Laziness | Research willingness to pay locally | ## Integration with C-Suite Roles | Role | Contribution | |------|-------------| | CEO | Market selection, strategic commitment | | CFO | Investment sizi