The 5-Question Filter

Before you build any AI agent, run the task through these five questions. One page, printable, and it takes about five minutes per candidate. This is the same filter I use before I build anything — and the one from the free 13-minute lesson.

1 · Frequent?Does it come back constantly? Rule of thumb: weekly or more often = Yes.

2 · Cost of error low?Small blast radius = more autonomy allowed. A No here means add a guardrail before you build — whatever the total.

3 · Verifiable?Can you write down what “correct” looks like — before it runs?

4 · Well-specified?The stranger test: could a stranger do this and know when they’re done?

5 · Middle substantial?Is there real work between the trigger and the outcome — or is it a one-step lookup?

5/5Build it now — start with the narrowest version.

3–4Fix the weak question first: guardrail, sharper spec, or human review.

≤ 2Cross it off — that’s a win. It’s a script, a workflow, or a job for you.

Get the worksheet

Enter your email and the download unlocks immediately — the worksheet is one print-friendly A4 page with all five questions, a scorecard and blast-radius notes. You’ll also join the fortnightly AI briefings: one email, no spam, unsubscribe in one click. Double opt-in — you confirm by email first.

→ Download the worksheet (PDF, 1 page)

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The free lesson that walks through this filter is on YouTube — link in the description there. New here? See what KeemAI builds.