# jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas architecture

> Architecture diagram of the GitHub repository jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas, generated by GitDiagram from its file tree, README and a sample of source files (last updated 2026-06-16). It is an AI-made overview: check details against the source.

- Interactive diagram: https://gitdiagram.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas
- Repository: https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas

## Overview

This repository is not an application runtime; it is a GitBook-style documentation source for a SaaS business handbook. The “architecture” is primarily editorial and navigational: Markdown chapters, grouped into a hierarchical table of contents, with a small asset bundle for images and a few external links.

1. Core structure  
The repo is organized as a book with topical sections such as validation, build process, pricing, acquisition, activation, and retention/attrition. Each top-level folder is a major chapter cluster, and each `.md` file is a page in the book.

2. Navigation layer  
`SUMMARY.md` is the main navigation index for the whole book. Nested `README.md` files inside chapter folders act as section entry points and likely control how GitBook renders the chapter hierarchy.

3. Content domains  
The content is split into the SaaS lifecycle:
- idea validation and market testing
- planning and costing
- product build process
- pricing and monetization
- acquisition and growth
- activation/onboarding
- support/community/retention
- business fundamentals and miscellaneous notes  
This gives the repo a clear funnel-like structure from pre-build to post-launch growth.

4. Build-process subsystem  
`saas-build-process/` is the largest subsystem and is itself subdivided into planning, development steps, tooling, team roles, and “things to know.” This section reads like the operational backbone of the book, covering how a SaaS product is planned, estimated, built, tested, and launched.

5. Validation and pricing subsystems  
`validating-you-saas/` focuses on deciding whether the idea should exist and how to test it commercially. `appraisement-pricing-your-saas/` focuses on pricing strategy, metrics, and customer segmentation. Together these sections define the commercial viability boundary before and after product build.

6. Growth and retention subsystems  
`acquisition-gaining-saas-users/`, `activiation/`, and `attrition-supporting-your-community-and-growing-your-business/` cover the customer lifecycle after launch: getting users, onboarding them, and keeping them engaged. These are the post-build growth and retention chapters, organized as separate operational stages rather than mixed into one section.

7. Supporting content and notes  
`the-business-of-saas/`, `who-and-how.md`, `forward.md`, and `notes/` provide framing, commentary, and side observations. These pages function as connective tissue between the major lifecycle sections rather than standalone subsystems.

8. Asset and media boundary  
`.gitbook/assets/` holds the static media used by the book, likely images or diagrams embedded in Markdown pages. There is no sign of dynamic media processing; assets are referenced directly from the documentation source.

9. External dependency boundary  
The repo links out to Google Forms, contact pages, YouTube videos, LinkedIn, and several company websites. These are reference or conversion touchpoints, not integrated backend services. They matter only as outbound destinations from the book.

10. Technology profile  
The repository is Markdown-first and GitBook-oriented. There is no application code, no database schema, and no server-side runtime in this tree. The effective “system” is a static knowledge base whose output is a navigable book about how to build and grow a SaaS company.

Main entry points: [`SUMMARY.md`](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/SUMMARY.md) (SUMMARY), [`saas-build-process/saas-build-process.md`](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/saas-build-process.md) (Build Process), [`acquisition-gaining-saas-users/acquisition-getting-saas-users.md`](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/acquisition-gaining-saas-users/acquisition-getting-saas-users.md) (Acquisition), [`README.md`](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/README.md) (Home)

## Diagram (Mermaid)

```mermaid
flowchart TD

subgraph group_nav["Navigation"]
  node_summary["SUMMARY<br/>toc index<br/>[SUMMARY.md]"]
  node_root_readme["Home<br/>book entry<br/>[README.md]"]
end

subgraph group_validation["Validation"]
  node_validation_main["Validation<br/>chapter"]
  node_validation_sales["Sales Validation<br/>section<br/>[README.md]"]
  node_validation_outcome["Validation Result<br/>chapter"]
end

subgraph group_build["Build"]
  node_build_main["Build Process<br/>chapter"]
  node_build_planning["Planning<br/>section<br/>[README.md]"]
  node_build_steps["Build Steps<br/>section<br/>[README.md]"]
  node_build_tools["Tools<br/>section<br/>[README.md]"]
  node_build_team["Build Team<br/>section<br/>[README.md]"]
end

subgraph group_pricing["Pricing"]
  node_pricing_main["Pricing<br/>chapter"]
  node_pricing_page["Pricing Page<br/>section<br/>[README.md]"]
end

subgraph group_acquisition["Acquisition"]
  node_acquisition_main["Acquisition<br/>chapter"]
  node_acq_automation["Automation<br/>section<br/>[README.md]"]
  node_acq_search["Search Marketing<br/>section<br/>[README.md]"]
  node_acq_social["Social Media<br/>section<br/>[README.md]"]
end

subgraph group_activation["Activation"]
  node_activation_main["Activation<br/>chapter<br/>[activation.md]"]
  node_activation_onboarding["Onboarding<br/>section<br/>[onboarding.md]"]
end

subgraph group_retention["Retention"]
  node_retention_main["Support<br/>chapter"]
end

subgraph group_fundamentals["Fundamentals"]
  node_business_main["Business Basics<br/>chapter"]
  node_notes_main["Notes<br/>[notes-1.md]"]
  node_who_how["Who and How<br/>editorial note<br/>[who-and-how.md]"]
  node_forward["Forward<br/>editorial note<br/>[forward.md]"]
end

subgraph group_assets["Assets"]
  node_assets_bundle[("Assets<br/>media bundle<br/>[assets]")]
end

node_summary -->|"starts at"| node_root_readme
node_summary -->|"links"| node_validation_main
node_summary -->|"links"| node_build_main
node_summary -->|"links"| node_pricing_main
node_summary -->|"links"| node_acquisition_main
node_summary -->|"links"| node_activation_main
node_summary -->|"links"| node_retention_main
node_summary -->|"links"| node_business_main
node_root_readme -->|"introduces"| node_forward
node_root_readme -->|"frames"| node_who_how
node_validation_main -->|"branches to"| node_validation_sales
node_validation_main -->|"concludes with"| node_validation_outcome
node_build_main -->|"organizes"| node_build_planning
node_build_main -->|"organizes"| node_build_steps
node_build_main -->|"supports"| node_build_tools
node_build_main -->|"staffed by"| node_build_team
node_build_steps -.->|"depends on"| node_build_planning
node_pricing_main -->|"focuses on"| node_pricing_page
node_acquisition_main -->|"includes"| node_acq_automation
node_acquisition_main -->|"includes"| node_acq_search
node_acquisition_main -->|"includes"| node_acq_social
node_activation_main -->|"extends into"| node_activation_onboarding
node_retention_main -.->|"references"| node_assets_bundle
node_business_main -->|"connected by"| node_notes_main
node_business_main -.->|"introduced by"| node_forward

click node_summary "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/SUMMARY.md"
click node_root_readme "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/README.md"
click node_validation_main "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/validating-you-saas/validating-your-saas.md"
click node_validation_sales "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/validating-you-saas/marketing-based-sales-saas/README.md"
click node_validation_outcome "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/validating-you-saas/validation-success.md"
click node_build_main "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/saas-build-process.md"
click node_build_planning "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/planning/README.md"
click node_build_steps "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/steps-to-developing-a-saas/README.md"
click node_build_tools "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/tools/README.md"
click node_build_team "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/your-build-team-explained/README.md"
click node_pricing_main "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/appraisement-pricing-your-saas/appraisement-saas-pricing.md"
click node_pricing_page "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/appraisement-pricing-your-saas/your-most-valuable-page/README.md"
click node_acquisition_main "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/acquisition-gaining-saas-users/acquisition-getting-saas-users.md"
click node_acq_automation "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/acquisition-gaining-saas-users/marketing-automation-in-saas/README.md"
click node_acq_search "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/acquisition-gaining-saas-users/organic-search-marketing/README.md"
click node_acq_social "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/acquisition-gaining-saas-users/social-media-marketing/README.md"
click node_activation_main "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/activiation/activation.md"
click node_activation_onboarding "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/activiation/onboarding.md"
click node_retention_main "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/attrition-supporting-your-community-and-growing-your-business/supporting-your-saas-customers.md"
click node_business_main "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/the-business-of-saas/the-business-of-saas.md"
click node_notes_main "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/notes/notes-1.md"
click node_who_how "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/who-and-how.md"
click node_forward "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/forward.md"
click node_assets_bundle "https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/.gitbook/assets"

classDef toneNeutral fill:#f8fafc,stroke:#334155,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#0f172a
classDef toneBlue fill:#dbeafe,stroke:#2563eb,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#172554
classDef toneAmber fill:#fef3c7,stroke:#d97706,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#78350f
classDef toneMint fill:#dcfce7,stroke:#16a34a,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#14532d
classDef toneRose fill:#ffe4e6,stroke:#e11d48,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#881337
classDef toneIndigo fill:#e0e7ff,stroke:#4f46e5,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#312e81
classDef toneTeal fill:#ccfbf1,stroke:#0f766e,stroke-width:1.5px,color:#134e4a
class node_summary,node_root_readme,node_retention_main toneBlue
class node_validation_main,node_validation_sales,node_validation_outcome,node_business_main,node_notes_main,node_who_how,node_forward toneAmber
class node_build_main,node_build_planning,node_build_steps,node_build_tools,node_build_team,node_assets_bundle toneMint
class node_pricing_main,node_pricing_page toneRose
class node_acquisition_main,node_acq_automation,node_acq_search,node_acq_social toneIndigo
class node_activation_main,node_activation_onboarding toneTeal
```

## Components

### Navigation

Book-level entry points and editorial glue.

- [SUMMARY](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/SUMMARY.md): toc index · Primary table of contents for the handbook. · `SUMMARY.md`
- [Home](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/README.md): book entry · Top-level landing page for the repository book. · `README.md`

### Validation

Idea testing and go/no-go chapters.

- [Validation](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/validating-you-saas/validating-your-saas.md): chapter · Main validation chapter for deciding whether the SaaS idea should exist. · `validating-you-saas/validating-your-saas.md`
- [Sales Validation](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/validating-you-saas/marketing-based-sales-saas/README.md): section · Validation via marketing-based and direct-sales style testing. · `validating-you-saas/marketing-based-sales-saas/README.md`
- [Validation Result](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/validating-you-saas/validation-success.md): chapter · What success and failure look like after validation. · `validating-you-saas/validation-success.md`

### Build

Planning, development, tooling, and team setup.

- [Build Process](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/saas-build-process.md): chapter · Overview of the SaaS build lifecycle. · `saas-build-process/saas-build-process.md`
- [Planning](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/planning/README.md): section · Scope, costing, documents, and build estimation. · `saas-build-process/planning/README.md`
- [Build Steps](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/steps-to-developing-a-saas/README.md): section · Core development stages from concept through launch. · `saas-build-process/steps-to-developing-a-saas/README.md`
- [Tools](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/tools/README.md): section · Development and project tooling used during the build. · `saas-build-process/tools/README.md`
- [Build Team](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/saas-build-process/your-build-team-explained/README.md): section · Roles and responsibilities for the SaaS delivery team. · `saas-build-process/your-build-team-explained/README.md`

### Pricing

Monetization strategy and customer value framing.

- [Pricing](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/appraisement-pricing-your-saas/appraisement-saas-pricing.md): chapter · Pricing strategy and monetization chapter. · `appraisement-pricing-your-saas/appraisement-saas-pricing.md`
- [Pricing Page](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/appraisement-pricing-your-saas/your-most-valuable-page/README.md): section · The pricing page as the key commercial conversion surface. · `appraisement-pricing-your-saas/your-most-valuable-page/README.md`

### Acquisition

Lead generation and user growth chapters.

- [Acquisition](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/acquisition-gaining-saas-users/acquisition-getting-saas-users.md): chapter · User acquisition and growth chapter. · `acquisition-gaining-saas-users/acquisition-getting-saas-users.md`
- [Automation](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/acquisition-gaining-saas-users/marketing-automation-in-saas/README.md): section · Marketing automation systems and lead handling. · `acquisition-gaining-saas-users/marketing-automation-in-saas/README.md`
- [Search Marketing](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/acquisition-gaining-saas-users/organic-search-marketing/README.md): section · Organic search and content-led acquisition. · `acquisition-gaining-saas-users/organic-search-marketing/README.md`
- [Social Media](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/acquisition-gaining-saas-users/social-media-marketing/README.md): section · Paid and organic social acquisition experiments. · `acquisition-gaining-saas-users/social-media-marketing/README.md`

### Activation

Onboarding and first-use experience.

- [Activation](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/activiation/activation.md): chapter · Activation and onboarding experience. · `activiation/activation.md`
- [Onboarding](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/activiation/onboarding.md): section · New-user setup and first-use guidance. · `activiation/onboarding.md`

### Retention

Support and community retention chapters.

- [Support](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/attrition-supporting-your-community-and-growing-your-business/supporting-your-saas-customers.md): chapter · Customer support and community retention chapter. · `attrition-supporting-your-community-and-growing-your-business/supporting-your-saas-customers.md`

### Fundamentals

Business framing and connective commentary.

- [Business Basics](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/the-business-of-saas/the-business-of-saas.md): chapter · Foundational SaaS business concepts and process framing. · `the-business-of-saas/the-business-of-saas.md`
- [Notes](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/notes/notes-1.md): notes · Side observations and supporting commentary. · `notes/notes-1.md`
- [Who and How](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/who-and-how.md): editorial note · Framing page for audience and approach. · `who-and-how.md`
- [Forward](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/forward.md): editorial note · Introductory framing and orientation. · `forward.md`

### Assets

Static media referenced by the book.

- [Assets](https://github.com/jh-media-group/how-to-kick-saas/blob/master/.gitbook/assets): media bundle · Static images and diagrams embedded in the handbook. · `.gitbook/assets`

## Connections

- SUMMARY → Home: starts at · The table of contents anchors the book home.
- SUMMARY → Validation: links · Navigation entry for validation chapters.
- SUMMARY → Build Process: links · Navigation entry for build chapters.
- SUMMARY → Pricing: links · Navigation entry for pricing chapters.
- SUMMARY → Acquisition: links · Navigation entry for acquisition chapters.
- SUMMARY → Activation: links · Navigation entry for activation chapters.
- SUMMARY → Support: links · Navigation entry for retention chapters.
- SUMMARY → Business Basics: links · Navigation entry for fundamentals.
- Home → Forward: introduces · Front matter and orientation pages support the home page.
- Home → Who and How: frames · Audience and method framing.
- Validation → Sales Validation: branches to · Validation splits into sales-based testing.
- Validation → Validation Result: concludes with · Validation leads to success or failure outcomes.
- Build Process → Planning: organizes · Build begins with planning and costing.
- Build Process → Build Steps: organizes · Core development stages follow planning.
- Build Process → Tools: supports · Tooling underpins the build workflow.
- Build Process → Build Team: staffed by · Team roles explain who performs the work.
- Build Steps → Planning: depends on · Development is scoped and costed up front.
- Pricing → Pricing Page: focuses on · Pricing strategy centers on the pricing page.
- Acquisition → Automation: includes · Acquisition covers automation systems.
- Acquisition → Search Marketing: includes · Acquisition covers organic search.
- Acquisition → Social Media: includes · Acquisition covers social media marketing.
- Activation → Onboarding: extends into · Activation is operationalized through onboarding.
- Support → Assets: references · Retention chapters may embed static media and diagrams.
- Business Basics → Notes: connected by · Fundamentals are supplemented by notes and commentary.
- Business Basics → Forward: introduced by · Introductory framing precedes business fundamentals.