3.7 KiB
3.7 KiB
name, description
| name | description |
|---|---|
| repetition-cleanup | 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
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.