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repetition-cleanup/SKILL.md

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+---
+name: repetition-cleanup
+description: Use when a manuscript chapter draft needs repeated language cleaned up - finds and fixes repeated words, phrases, constructions, and clusters within a single chapter file. Invoke with the file path, e.g. /repetition-cleanup chapters/book2/ch16-draft.md
+---
+
+# Repetition Cleanup
+
+Single-chapter cleanup skill. Reads a draft, catalogs repeated language, presents findings, then applies fixes directly.
+
+## On Invoke
+
+Parse args for file path. If missing, ask. Read the full file before anything else.
+
+## Process
+
+```dot
+digraph cleanup {
+    rankdir=TB;
+    node [shape=box];
+
+    read [label="Read full chapter"];
+    scan [label="Scan for repetition\n(all 5 categories)"];
+    present [label="Present findings\nwith counts + line refs"];
+    wait [label="Wait for author\napproval" shape=diamond];
+    fix [label="Apply fixes via Edit tool\npreserve voice + meaning"];
+    done [label="Report changes made"];
+
+    read -> scan -> present -> wait;
+    wait -> fix [label="approved"];
+    wait -> present [label="adjust"];
+    fix -> done;
+}
+```
+
+## Scan Categories
+
+Search for these in order of severity:
+
+| Category | What to find | Example |
+|----------|-------------|---------|
+| **Exact phrase repeats** | Same 3+ word phrase used twice or more | "the quality of" x2, "same era, same design philosophy" x2 |
+| **Word clustering** | Same word 3+ times in a single paragraph or consecutive paragraphs | "bracelet" x3 in one paragraph, "the cot" x7 across chapter |
+| **Near-duplicate sentences** | Different words, same idea restated | "Three parts, three people to contact" then "Three parts, three contacts" |
+| **Structural repetition** | Same sentence construction repeated | Multiple "Not X. Not Y. Z." patterns; multiple "She didn't [verb]" openings |
+| **Overused connectors/beats** | Transitions or action beats leaned on too heavily | "pencil" as a character beat 6 times; "grey light" as atmosphere 4 times |
+
+### What to ignore
+
+- **Intentional voice patterns**: Phelan's established mannerisms per CLAUDE.md (dry observations, noise parentheticals, precise cataloguing)
+- **Character-defining beats**: A word repeated because it IS the character detail (e.g., Devod's "hands" as his tell)
+- **Deliberate callbacks**: Phrases echoed for thematic resonance
+- **Necessary technical terms**: "bracelet," "crystal," "Flaw Sight" when context requires them — flag only unnecessary clustering
+
+## Presenting Findings
+
+Format as a categorized list with counts:
+
+```
+**Major repetitions:**
+1. **"exact phrase"** - X times (lines A, B, C)
+2. **"word"** - clusters of X in paragraph Y
+...
+```
+
+Lead with the worst offenders. Include enough context that the author can judge which to fix.
+
+## Applying Fixes
+
+For each fix, choose the lightest touch that works:
+
+| Problem | Fix |
+|---------|-----|
+| Exact phrase repeated | Reword the second (or least impactful) instance |
+| Word clustering | Replace some instances with pronouns, synonyms, or restructure to eliminate |
+| Near-duplicate sentences | Remove one, or merge the best parts of both |
+| Structural repetition | Vary sentence construction on the weaker instance |
+| Overused beats | Cut some entirely; replace others with different character action |
+
+### Rules
+
+- **Preserve voice.** Every replacement must still sound like Phelan.
+- **Preserve meaning.** Don't lose information or change what happened.
+- **Prefer cutting over rewording.** If removing a repeated instance doesn't lose anything, remove it.
+- **Don't over-fix.** Some repetition is natural. Two uses of "the cot" in a chapter is fine. Seven is not.
+- **Use the Edit tool.** Targeted replacements, not full rewrites.
+- **Report what changed.** After all edits, list what was changed and why.