# CLAUDE.md -- Book [N]: "[Working Title]"

> **STATUS: IN PROGRESS / FINALIZED.** Update this line as the book progresses.

This file contains Book [N]-specific instructions. The series-level CLAUDE.md at the project root governs voice, world, characters, formatting, and continuity rules.

---

## Chapter Development Workflow

Each chapter follows the `/chapter-workflow` skill pipeline:

1. **Seed** -- Author fills `chXX-input.md` (copied from `../chapter-input-template.md`)
2. **Scene Breakdown** -- Claude proposes scene plan, author approves
3. **Draft** -- Full chapter drafted into `chXX-draft.md`
4. **Review** -- Author edits, then Claude reviews clarity/grammar/flow
5. **Continuity Update** -- Update world/character files with new canon

---

## Premise

<!-- One paragraph: who is Phelan at the start of this book, what's the central problem, why does he take the case? -->

## Opening Situation

<!-- Bullet points: where Phelan lives, financial state, relationship status, what changed since last book -->

## The Case

<!-- The central mystery/problem. Include:
- Who the client is and how the case arrives
- What the antagonist is doing and why
- Phelan's solution approach (methods, team contributions)
- Execution order / key turning points
-->

## Themes

<!-- 3-5 bullet points: what this book is really about underneath the plot -->

## Milestone Beats

<!-- Numbered list of major plot beats, roughly corresponding to chapter groups.
Expand details in `/outline/book[N]-outline.md` -->

1. Opening -- establish new status quo
2. Case introduction -- stakes established
3. ...
4. ...
5. Climax
6. Resolution + personal beat + series seeds

## Key Callbacks

<!-- Table of threads from prior books that pay off or advance in this one -->

| Prior Thread | This Book's Connection |
|---|---|

## Character Arcs

<!-- For each major character in this book: what changes, what's tested, what's revealed -->

## Open Questions

<!-- Unresolved design decisions that need answering before or during drafting -->