Scope Creep Detector
Catch "one more thing" before it eats your margin
Clients always slip in extra pages, features, and revisions that weren't in the original scope. This recipe monitors your project communication and flags scope-expanding requests the moment they appear — with a draft change order ready to send.
INGREDIENTS
PROMPT
Create a skill called "Scope Creep Detector". I'm a freelance web designer. I'll give you my project scope document (proposal or SOW). Learn what was agreed to — pages, features, revision rounds, deliverables. Then monitor my email and Slack for client messages. When a client request falls outside the original scope (new pages, additional features, extra revision rounds, new integrations), alert me immediately. For each flagged request, generate a draft change order that references the original scope, describes the new request, estimates additional hours, and calculates the cost at my rate of [your rate]. Keep a running log of all scope additions with their status (pending, approved, declined).
How It Works
Give your Claw the original project scope document (proposal, SOW, or
contract). It learns what was agreed to. Then, as client messages come in
via email or Slack, it watches for requests that fall outside scope —
new pages, additional features, "can you also..." requests — and alerts
you immediately with a draft change order.
What You Get
- Automatic detection of scope-expanding client requests
- A draft change order with estimated additional hours and cost
- A running log of all scope additions (approved and pending)
- Reference back to the original scope for each flagged item
- A polite, professional email template ready to send to the client
Setup Steps
- Upload or paste your project scope document (proposal, SOW, contract)
- Connect the communication channels your client uses (email, Slack)
- Your Claw monitors incoming messages for scope-expanding language
- When detected, it sends you an alert with a draft change order
- Review, adjust if needed, and forward to the client
Tips
- Works best when the original scope is detailed — vague scopes make detection harder
- The change order template includes your hourly rate or a flat fee you can configure
- Keeps a running total of approved change orders so you see project cost drift
- Pairs well with a contract that includes a clause about out-of-scope work