---
id: "prereq-thin-wrappers"
type: "prereq"
source_timestamps: ["03:08:00"]
tags: ["industry-jargon", "business-models"]
related: ["concept-thin-wrappers"]
reason: "Necessary to understand why the build layer is collapsing and why these businesses have no moat."
sources: ["s28-5-safe-places"]
sourceVaultSlug: "s28-5-safe-places"
originDay: 28
---
# Understanding 'Thin Wrappers'

## Why You Need This

Necessary to understand why the build layer is collapsing and why these businesses have no moat.

## What to Know

A **'thin wrapper'** is a software product that is essentially just a user interface built on top of an API call to a foundation model (OpenAI's GPT, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini). The product adds packaging — a UI, prompt templates, maybe minor workflow logic — but no underlying intelligence of its own.

## Why This Matters Here

The entire diagnosis of [[concept-build-layer-collapse]] depends on accepting that thin wrappers cannot defend themselves. If you don't recognize a wrapper when you see one, you cannot apply the [[framework-strategic-litmus-test|Strategic Litmus Test]] meaningfully.

## Full Concept

[[concept-thin-wrappers]]