# Install the VC Customer Diligence Skill for Claude Code


**LLM summary:** Run `npx skills add Ask-Ditto/ditto-vc-diligence` to install Ditto's VC customer diligence skill. Thesis-first workflow, over-recruit & curate, non-leading questions, magic wand divergence detection.


Validate startup opportunities with neutral customer research. Thesis-first workflow, over-recruit & curate, magic wand divergence detection. Designed for VCs, angel investors, accelerators, and founders validating startup opportunities.



### One-command install


```
npx skills add Ask-Ditto/ditto-vc-diligence
```

   **Choose the right skill:** See all available skills at the [Claude Code Docs Hub](https://askditto.io/claude-code).

## Quick Install


### Manual install (personal - all your projects)


```
git clone https://github.com/Ask-Ditto/ditto-vc-diligence.git
cp -r ditto-vc-diligence ~/.claude/skills/
```



### Manual install (project-level - shared with team)


```
git clone https://github.com/Ask-Ditto/ditto-vc-diligence.git
cp -r ditto-vc-diligence /path/to/your/project/.claude/skills/
```



Project-level installation means the skill is committed to version control and shared with your team automatically.



## API Key Setup


Get a free Ditto API key (no credit card, no sales call):



```
curl -sL https://app.askditto.io/scripts/free-tier-auth.sh | bash
```



Or visit: [https://app.askditto.io/docs/free-tier-oauth](https://app.askditto.io/docs/free-tier-oauth)



Set it as an environment variable:



```
export DITTO_API_KEY="rk_free_YOUR_KEY_HERE"
```



Free keys (`rk_free_`): ~12 shared personas, no custom demographic filters. Paid keys (`rk_live_`): 300,000+ personas, full demographic filtering, unlimited studies.



## How It Works


Just ask Claude Code to do research. The skill activates automatically:



```
"Run customer diligence on this auto parts inventory startup: motorminds.ca"

"Validate whether restaurant owners actually need an AI scheduling tool. Over-recruit 15 and curate to the best 10."

"I'm evaluating a pet prosthetics startup for our fund. Run a thesis-first diligence study."
```



Or invoke directly:



```
/ditto-vc-diligence "your research brief here"
```



## Troubleshooting


### Skill not activating


Check it's in the right directory:


- Personal: `~/.claude/skills/ditto-vc-diligence/SKILL.md`

- Project: `.claude/skills/ditto-vc-diligence/SKILL.md`


Verify with: `ls ~/.claude/skills/ditto-vc-diligence/SKILL.md`



You can also invoke manually: `/ditto-vc-diligence`



### API key not found


Ensure your key is set: `echo $DITTO_API_KEY`



If using a .env file, make sure Claude Code can read it.



### State filter returning 0 personas


Use 2-letter codes: `MI` not `Michigan`, `TX` not `Texas`.



### Questions failing


Questions must be asked one at a time. Poll one `job_id` until `finished` before asking the next question (all jobs from the same question complete simultaneously, so polling one is sufficient). Wait 45-50 seconds before the first poll.



## Links



- GitHub: [https://github.com/Ask-Ditto/ditto-vc-diligence](https://github.com/Ask-Ditto/ditto-vc-diligence)

- All Skills: [https://askditto.io/claude-code](https://askditto.io/claude-code)

- Full API Reference: [https://askditto.io/claude-code-guide](https://askditto.io/claude-code-guide)

- Case Studies: [https://askditto.io/case-studies](https://askditto.io/case-studies)




## Related Guides



- [Claude Code Docs Index](https://askditto.io/claude-code)

- [Why Ditto for Claude Code agents](https://askditto.io/claude-code/why-ditto)

- [Install the Product Research Skill](https://askditto.io/claude-code/installing-ditto-skill)

- [Install the Product Marketing Skill](https://askditto.io/claude-code/installing-product-marketing-skill)




**Ditto** - Synthetic market research with 300,000+ AI personas. [askditto.io](https://askditto.io) | [API Docs](https://app.askditto.io/docs/api)