Should we build dark mode?
Last updated: February 15, 2026
Quick Overview
Your team is considering building push notifications. How would you evaluate this decision?
SpaceX
February 15, 20262
4
2,554 solved
Your team is considering building push notifications. How would you evaluate this decision?
SpaceX asks this during the Onsite to assess your product sense and structured thinking. They want to see how you define the problem, identify the target user, prioritize features, and measure success.
What the Interviewer Expects
- Apply a structured framework for product thinking (user, problem, solution, metrics)
- Segment users and identify differentiated needs
- Prioritize features using a clear framework (RICE, ICE, impact vs effort)
- Define comprehensive success metrics across the user funnel
- Consider competitive dynamics and market positioning
Key Topics to Cover
How to Approach This
- Start with the user. Who are they, what problem do they have, and what is their current workaround?
- Use a prioritization framework: impact vs effort, RICE scoring, or ICE scoring.
- Define success metrics using the AARRR framework: Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Revenue, Referral.
- Consider second-order effects. A feature might boost short-term engagement but hurt long-term retention.
Possible Follow-up Questions
- How would you decide to kill this feature if it's not working?
- How would you validate this idea before committing engineering resources?
- What would you do if usage data contradicts user feedback?
Sharpen Your Skills on Codemia
Practice similar problems with our interactive workspace, get AI feedback, and track your progress.
Browse Product QuestionsSample Answer
Problem Framing
To evaluate the decision of whether SpaceX should build dark mode for its user-facing applications, we first need to frame the problem by defining the key objectives. Dark mode is not just a design ch...
User & Market Context
The primary users of SpaceX's applications are tech enthusiasts, engineers, and space industry professionals who value real-time data and insights. These users typically spend significant time on our ...