147 lines
6.9 KiB
Markdown
147 lines
6.9 KiB
Markdown
---
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name: chapter-workflow
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description: Use when starting a new chapter, resuming chapter drafting, or moving to the next stage of chapter development for The Shade Series. Invoke with a chapter number argument, e.g. /chapter-workflow 3
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---
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# Chapter Workflow
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5-stage pipeline for developing chapters. Invoke with chapter number: `/chapter-workflow 3`
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## Stage Flow
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```dot
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digraph chapter_flow {
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rankdir=TB;
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node [shape=box];
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detect [label="Detect book + stage\nfrom existing files" shape=diamond];
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seed [label="Stage 1: Seed\nConfirm chXX-input.md exists\nand has content"];
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breakdown [label="Stage 2: Scene Breakdown\nRead input + summary + outline\nPropose scene plan"];
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draft [label="Stage 3: Draft\nWrite full chapter\ninto chXX-draft.md"];
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revision [label="Stage 4: Review\nAuthor edits, then Claude reviews\nclarity/grammar/flow"];
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continuity [label="Stage 5: Continuity\nUpdate world/character files\n+ story summary + timeline"];
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detect -> seed [label="no input file"];
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detect -> breakdown [label="input exists, no draft"];
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detect -> draft [label="draft in progress"];
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detect -> revision [label="draft complete"];
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detect -> continuity [label="final exists"];
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seed -> breakdown;
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breakdown -> draft;
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draft -> revision;
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revision -> continuity;
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}
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```
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## On Invoke
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Parse chapter number from args (default: ask). Set `XX` = zero-padded number.
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### Detect Book Number
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Determine which book we're working on by checking the chapter directory path:
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- Look for `chapters/book{N}/chXX-input.md` — the `{N}` is the book number
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- If the user has a `chXX-input.md` open in the IDE, derive the book number from its path
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- If ambiguous, check which `chapters/book{N}/` directories exist and ask the user
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- Set `BOOK` = detected book number (e.g., `1`, `2`, `3`)
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All subsequent file references use `book{BOOK}` instead of hardcoded `book1`.
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### Key Context Files (per book)
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These files provide continuity context. **Read the story summary and timeline instead of re-reading prior chapter drafts:**
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| File | Purpose |
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|------|---------|
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| `world/story-summary-book{BOOK}.md` | Running summary of all prior chapters — characters, events, plot threads, financial state. **Primary context source.** |
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| `world/timeline-book{BOOK}.md` | Bell/time references, day-of-week tracking, elapsed time. **Check before writing any time reference.** |
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| `chapters/book{BOOK}/CLAUDE.md` | Book-specific premise, themes, milestone beats |
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| `outline/book{BOOK}-outline.md` | Chapter-by-chapter outline |
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| `world/magic/exploits-log.md` | All exploits used (cross-book) |
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### Detect Stage
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Check which files exist in `chapters/book{BOOK}/`:
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| Files Present | Stage |
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|---------------|-------|
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| No `chXX-input.md` | Create from template, ask author to fill it |
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| `chXX-input.md` only | Stage 2: Scene Breakdown |
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| `chXX-input.md` + partial `chXX-draft.md` | Stage 3: Resume/complete draft |
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| `chXX-input.md` + complete `chXX-draft.md` | Stage 4: Author edits, then review |
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| `chXX-final.md` exists | Stage 5: Continuity update |
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## Stage 1: Seed
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If `chXX-input.md` doesn't exist, create it from `chapters/book{BOOK}/chapter-input-template.md` with the chapter number filled in. Tell the author to fill in their notes and re-invoke.
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If `chXX-input.md` exists but sections are empty (only HTML comments), tell the author it needs content before proceeding.
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## Stage 2: Scene Breakdown
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Read these files for context:
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- `chapters/book{BOOK}/chXX-input.md` — author's notes for this chapter
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- `world/story-summary-book{BOOK}.md` — **prior chapter context (DO NOT re-read full chapter drafts)**
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- `world/timeline-book{BOOK}.md` — timeline and time references
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- `outline/book{BOOK}-outline.md` — chapter outline
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- `chapters/book{BOOK}/CLAUDE.md` — book-specific instructions
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- `world/magic/exploits-log.md` — exploits used so far
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- Relevant character files from `characters/` (check story summary for which characters are active)
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Propose a scene-by-scene plan:
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- Number of scenes with estimated word counts
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- What each scene accomplishes
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- Where input dialog and character moments slot in
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- Opening hook and closing beat
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- Timeline placement (what day, what bells) — cross-reference with `timeline-book{BOOK}.md`
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**Wait for author approval before proceeding to Stage 3.**
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## Stage 3: Draft
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Write the full chapter in one pass based on the approved scene plan. Save to `chXX-draft.md`.
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**Before drafting:** Re-read the story summary and timeline to ensure continuity. Do NOT re-read full prior chapter drafts — the summary contains everything needed.
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**Process:**
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1. Write all scenes sequentially into a single complete chapter draft
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2. Save the entire draft to `chXX-draft.md`
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3. Tell the author the draft is ready for their editing
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**Rules during drafting:**
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- First-person, past tense, Phelan's voice (dry wit, ADD tangents, precise observations)
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- KDP formatting from first draft (em dashes `—`, smart quotes, `* * *` scene breaks)
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- Flag continuity concerns: `[CONTINUITY FLAG: note]`
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- Target 3,000–5,000 words total
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- End with resolved beat or micro-hook
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- All time references (bells, days, day-of-week) must match `timeline-book{BOOK}.md`
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**After saving:** Tell the author the draft is in `chXX-draft.md` and to edit it directly. When they're satisfied with their edits, they should re-invoke `/chapter-workflow XX` for the final review.
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## Stage 4: Review
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The author has edited `chXX-draft.md`. Now perform a final review focused on:
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1. **Clarity** — are descriptions, actions, and dialog clear and unambiguous?
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2. **Grammar** — correct spelling, punctuation, tense consistency, subject-verb agreement
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3. **Chapter flow** — does the chapter read smoothly from opening to close? Are transitions between scenes natural?
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4. **Sentence flow** — varied sentence length, no awkward constructions, rhythm feels right for each scene type (clipped in action, discursive in investigation, slower in quiet moments)
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5. **Voice consistency** — every paragraph sounds like Phelan
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6. **Continuity** — cross-check against `world/story-summary-book{BOOK}.md` and `world/timeline-book{BOOK}.md` for conflicts with established canon
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7. **KDP formatting** — em dashes, smart quotes, scene breaks, structure
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**Output format:** Present findings organized by category. For each issue, quote the relevant text and suggest a fix. After author approval of any changes, **rename** `chXX-draft.md` to `chXX-final.md` using `mv` — do NOT rewrite the file contents.
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## Stage 5: Continuity Update
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Update project files with new canon from the chapter:
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- `world/story-summary-book{BOOK}.md` — **add chapter summary, update character tracker, plot threads, financial ledger, and world facts**
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- `world/timeline-book{BOOK}.md` — **add timeline entries for new chapter (bells, days, elapsed time)**
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- `world/magic/exploits-log.md` — new exploits
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- `characters/` — new or changed characters
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- `world/locations/` — new locations
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- `world/` — new world facts
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Report what was updated.
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