# How to Generate Customer Interview Scripts Using JTBD Probing Questions > Generate customer interview scripts with JTBD probing questions using the phuryn/pm-skills repository. Get structured interview guides and master product discovery with this powerful CLI tool. - Repository: [Pawel Huryn/pm-skills](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-06-26 --- **The `interview-script` skill in the phuryn/pm-skills repository generates complete customer interview guides by combining Jobs-to-Be-Done (JTBD) probing questions with The Mom Test principles, outputting structured scripts via the `pm-product-discovery:interview-script` CLI command.** The phuryn/pm-skills repository provides product managers with a declarative framework for conducting discovery research. This open-source toolkit enables teams to **generate customer interview scripts using JTBD probing questions** that uncover customer motivations without introducing bias, leveraging a Markdown-front-matter format that integrates directly into the PM-Skills CLI. ## Understanding the JTBD Interview Structure The `interview-script` skill produces a complete interview guide organized into three distinct sections as defined in [`pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md). ### Warm-Up Section The skill creates a **neutral opening block** designed to put interviewees at ease. These non-leading questions avoid any mention of your product or solution, adhering strictly to The Mom Test principles by focusing on the interviewee's life and responsibilities rather than your ideas. ### Core Exploration Block The central component uses **JTBD-style probing questions** following the format: "When I [situation], I want to [motivation], so I can [outcome]." These probes surface past behavior, functional desires, and emotional drivers rather than hypothetical future actions. The skill templates in [`pm-product-discovery/commands/interview.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/pm-product-discovery/commands/interview.md) ensure questions remain focused on the customer's job-to-be-done. ### Wrap-Up Protocol Each script concludes with a concise recap and next-step request, maintaining JTBD language to keep the focus on the interviewee's desired outcomes rather than product features. ## Locating the Skill Definition The interview generation capability is distributed across the repository's Product Discovery suite: - [`pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md) — Defines the declarative skill parameters and JTBD template structure. - [`pm-product-discovery/commands/interview.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/pm-product-discovery/commands/interview.md) — Provides the CLI wrapper that invokes the skill via the generic skill execution engine. - [`pm-product-discovery/README.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/pm-product-discovery/README.md) — Documents the Product Discovery suite capabilities. - [`README.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/README.md) — Lists the `interview-script` as a top-level entry point for the repository. ## Generating Scripts from the Command Line The skill executes through the **PM-Skills CLI** using the `pm-product-discovery:interview-script` command. Generate a basic script by specifying your target audience: ```bash pm-product-discovery:interview-script \ --target "HR managers in mid-size SaaS firms" \ --output interview.md ``` This outputs a complete markdown file containing the three-section structure, ready for use in customer conversations. ## Customizing JTBD Probing Questions The skill accepts optional parameters to tailor the interview framework to specific research needs while maintaining the JTBD structure. ### Modifying Warm-Up Prompts Override the default opening questions using the `warmup` parameter: ```bash pm-product-discovery:interview-script \ --warmup "Tell me a little about your day-to-day responsibilities." \ --output custom_interview.md ``` ### Configuring Core JTBD Templates Replace the standard JTBD prompt template with the `jtbd_prompt` parameter: ```bash pm-product-discovery:interview-script \ --jtbd_prompt "When you need to ___, what do you try to achieve?" \ --output custom_interview.md ``` Both parameters combine to create highly targeted scripts while maintaining the non-leading, Mom Test-compliant approach. ## Integrating with Post-Interview Workflows The `interview-script` skill connects directly to the `summarize-interview` utility for end-to-end research pipelines. Pipe the generated script through your workflow to analyze transcripts against the original questioning framework: ```bash pm-product-discovery:interview-script > script.md # ... conduct interview, capture transcript as transcript.txt ... pm-product-discovery:summarize-interview \ --transcript transcript.txt \ --script script.md \ --output summary.md ``` This integration ensures consistency between your JTBD probing questions and the subsequent analysis of customer responses. ## Summary - The `interview-script` skill in **phuryn/pm-skills** generates structured interview guides using JTBD probing questions and The Mom Test principles. - Scripts are organized into three sections: warm-up, core exploration using "When I... I want to... so I can..." formats, and wrap-up. - Execute the skill via `pm-product-discovery:interview-script` with optional `warmup` and `jtbd_prompt` parameters for customization. - Skill definitions reside in [`pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md) and [`pm-product-discovery/commands/interview.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/pm-product-discovery/commands/interview.md). - Chain outputs to the `pm-product-discovery:summarize-interview` command to maintain JTBD alignment from script generation through transcript analysis. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What file defines the JTBD interview template structure? The [`pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md) file defines the complete interview template structure, including the warm-up section, core JTBD probing questions, and wrap-up protocol. This declarative skill file specifies how the framework incorporates The Mom Test principles to avoid leading questions. ### How do I customize the JTBD probing questions in the generated script? Use the `--jtbd_prompt` parameter when invoking `pm-product-discovery:interview-script` to override the default template. For example, pass `--jtbd_prompt "When you need to ___, what do you try to achieve?"` to modify the core exploration block while maintaining the JTBD format. ### Can I integrate the interview script with transcript analysis? Yes. The skill is designed to work with the `summarize-interview` command. Save your generated script, conduct the interview, then run `pm-product-discovery:summarize-interview` with `--script` pointing to your generated file and `--transcript` pointing to your interview text. This ensures the analysis maps back to your original JTBD probing framework. ### What are The Mom Test principles referenced in the skill? The Mom Test principles, as implemented in [`pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/phuryn/pm-skills/blob/main/pm-product-discovery/skills/interview-script/SKILL.md), require that questions focus on the interviewee's actual past behavior rather than hypothetical future actions. The skill enforces no leading questions, no pitching, and strict focus on the customer's job-to-be-done rather than your product solution.