Distribution Channels
Plan where solo builders list plugins, extensions, and SaaS on marketplaces and app stores instead of selling only from their own site.
Overview
Distribution Channels is an agent skill most often used in Launch (also Validate, Grow) that plans product distribution via third-party marketplaces and app stores.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/kostja94/marketing-skills --skill distribution-channelsWhat is this skill?
- Separates direct sales (own site) from indirect distribution via marketplaces and resellers
- Maps channel types with examples: Figma plugin, Chrome Web Store, AWS/Azure/GCP marketplaces, Shopify apps, GPT store
- Positions hyperscaler marketplaces as high-trust spend paths with consolidated billing
- Explicitly distinct from directory-submission skills (Product Hunt, Taaft-style lists)
- Points to integrated-marketing when the user needs full channel mix, not marketplace-only planning
- Hyperscaler marketplaces (AWS, Azure, GCP) projected $85B+ in software sales by 2028
Adoption & trust: 747 installs on skills.sh; 586 GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You know how to build the product but not which storefronts—plugin marketplaces, app stores, or cloud marketplaces—actually reach buyers with budget and trust.
Who is it for?
Indie SaaS, extensions, plugins, and integrations ready to list on platform marketplaces with different review and billing models.
Skip if: Pure SEO-only growth, single-page directory blitzes without a storefront listing, or teams that only sell DTC on their own domain with no third-party channel intent.
When should I use this skill?
User wants distribution via marketplaces or app stores, or mentions distribution channels, marketplace listing, Figma plugin, Chrome extension marketplace, AWS Marketplace, Shopify app, GPTs store, or third-party marketp
What do I get? / Deliverables
You leave with a clear direct-versus-indirect channel map and marketplace-oriented listing direction; use integrated-marketing when you need the full channel mix beyond storefronts.
- Channel-type map (direct vs indirect)
- Marketplace-oriented distribution plan aligned to product shape
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Launch is the canonical shelf because the skill centers on third-party storefront discovery, listings, and indirect sales channels—not on building the product itself. Distribution subphase matches marketplace and app-store listing strategy, which is distinct from directory submissions and curated launch sites covered elsewhere in the stack.
Where it fits
Decide whether the MVP must be a Shopify app or a standalone SaaS before committing build scope.
Choose AWS Marketplace versus own checkout when enterprise buyers expect consolidated cloud billing.
How it compares
Use for marketplace and app-store storefront strategy—not the same job as directory-submission skills for curated launch lists.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is distribution-channels for?
Solo and indie builders shipping SaaS, browser extensions, Figma plugins, cloud listings, or platform apps who need a structured view of indirect distribution options.
When should I use distribution-channels?
Use it in Launch when planning marketplace listings; in Validate when pricing and scope assume a store channel; and in Grow when expanding from one storefront to hyperscaler or vertical marketplaces.
Is distribution-channels safe to install?
It is planning guidance from the marketing-skills bundle; review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page before enabling the skill in your agent environment.
Workflow Chain
Then invoke: integrated marketing
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Distribution Channels
# Channels: Distribution Channels Guides product distribution via third-party marketplaces and app stores. Distinct from **directory-submission** (curated lists, Product Hunt, Taaft)—marketplaces are storefronts where customers discover and purchase apps, plugins, or integrations. Hyperscaler marketplaces (AWS, Azure, GCP) alone are projected to process $85B+ in software sales by 2028. **When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output. ## Channel Types | Type | Definition | Examples | |------|------------|----------| | **Direct** | Company sells via own assets | Website, eCommerce, sales team | | **Indirect** | Third parties sell on your behalf | Marketplaces, app stores, resellers | **Marketplaces** = Digital storefronts where customers discover and buy; often pre-approved budgets (cloud spend), consolidated billing, faster procurement. ## Marketplace Categories | Category | Platforms | Product fit | |----------|-----------|-------------| | **Design & collaboration** | Figma Community, Canva Apps, Adobe Exchange | Design tools, templates | | **Browser extensions** | Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons | Extensions, dev tools | | **Cloud & enterprise** | AWS Marketplace, Google Cloud Marketplace, Azure Marketplace | SaaS, data, infra | | **Mobile** | App Store, Google Play, Microsoft Store | Mobile apps, cross-platform | | **Vertical** | Shopify App Store, Slack App Directory, Salesforce AppExchange, Zoom Marketplace | E-commerce, collaboration, CRM | | **Developer** | GitHub Marketplace, WordPress Plugins | Dev tools, integrations | | **AI** | GPTs (OpenAI), emerging AI app stores | AI apps, agents | | **Social commerce** | Pinterest Product Pins | E-commerce, design tools, templates; Product Schema or Pinterest Catalog | **Pinterest Product Pins**: Configure product links; shopping tags; link to site. Requires Product Schema or Pinterest Catalog. See **pinterest-posts**. ## Listing Optimization | Practice | Guideline | |----------|-----------| | **Reduce procurement friction** | Vendor Insights, standard contracts; streamline enterprise buying | | **Pricing models** | Free trials, pay-as-you-go, private offers for enterprise | | **Trust signals** | Verified reviews, partner badges, clear taxonomy | | **Discoverability** | Optimize for marketplace search; clear descriptions, tags | | **Co-sell** | Partner with platform field teams when available | **Listing as asset**: Your marketplace page is both storefront and onboarding tool; prospects validate, customers discover integrations. ## Platform Selection by Product Type | Product type | Prioritize | |--------------|------------| | Design / collaboration | Figma, Canva, Adobe | | Browser extension | Chrome, Firefox | | Cloud / enterprise SaaS | AWS, GCP, Azure | | Mobile app | App Store, Google Play, Microsoft Store | | E-commerce | Shopify | | Collaboration | Slack, Zoom | | Developer tools | GitHub, WordPress | | AI application | GPTs, emerging AI stores | | E-commerce / templates | Pinterest Product Pins | ## Related Skills - **directory-submission**: Curated lists (Taaft, Product Hunt, G2)—different from marketplaces; both are distribution - **integrations-page-generator**: Integrations page content; marketplace listing drives discovery - **cold-start-strategy**: Distribution as cold-start channel - **localization-stra