---
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.