# book-ideation

Develop a nonfiction book idea into a structured concept, clarifying its reader, central claim, and promise. Use it before validating the idea or planning the book.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · ★ 132
- Author: robertguss
- License: LicenseRef-Proprietary · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit/tree/HEAD/skills/non-fiction-book-factory/book-ideation/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-09-16
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/book-ideation

## What it does

The skill guides a conversation about the book’s reader, the change the reader should experience, the author’s reason for writing it, and the main claim. It also helps shape the stakes, supporting ideas, opposing position, and reader-facing promise. The result is a Book Concept Document for later validation and book planning.

Start from a rough idea, notes, or a partly developed concept. The process can span multiple sessions: each one sets a goal, explores selected elements, and ends with a new document version. A shorter capture mode covers the reader, transformation, thesis, and promise. This is for nonfiction; its framework is not meant for fiction projects.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-ideation -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/book-ideation/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/book-ideation/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-ideation -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/book-ideation/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-ideation -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/book-ideation/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install robertguss/claude-code-toolkit book-ideation
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/book-ideation/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-ideation -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --path skills/non-fiction-book-factory/book-ideation
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/book-ideation/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill book-ideation -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit/tree/HEAD/skills/non-fiction-book-factory/book-ideation/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- turn a rough idea into a book concept
- define the reader’s starting point and desired change
- state a defensible central claim
- prioritize ideas that support the thesis
- prepare a concept for validation and market research

## Example prompts
- Help me develop this rough idea into a nonfiction book concept.
- Review these notes and clarify the intended reader and central claim.
- Continue from this Book Concept Document and create the next version.

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From the same set: [robertguss/claude-code-toolkit](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit.md) — 20 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md