# build-clusters

Designs topical authority clusters using a pillar-spoke architecture. Maps internal linking, finds subtopics, and audits existing pages against search intent.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 2100 installs · ★ 21
- Author: calm-north
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/calm-north/seojuice-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/build-clusters/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-02-27
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/build-clusters

## What it does

The skill structures a broad topic into a 2,000 to 4,000-word overview hub and 8 to 20 spoke articles. It pulls subtopics from search suggestions, competitor topics, and four stages of search intent ranging from initial awareness to error handling.

It generates an internal linking matrix and rates existing content quality on a 1-to-5 scale. A cluster needs 100% two-way link health between the pillar and spokes, over 70% topic coverage, and at least 80% content quality to compete effectively on search results pages.

This skill organizes site architecture but will not write copy or mine keywords; its workflow explicitly delegates keyword discovery to `find-keywords` and individual drafting to `brief`.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add calm-north/seojuice-skills --skill build-clusters -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add calm-north/seojuice-skills --skill build-clusters -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add calm-north/seojuice-skills --skill build-clusters -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install calm-north/seojuice-skills build-clusters
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add calm-north/seojuice-skills --skill build-clusters -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/calm-north/seojuice-skills --path skills/build-clusters
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add calm-north/seojuice-skills --skill build-clusters -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/calm-north/seojuice-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/build-clusters/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- structure a pillar-and-spoke content architecture from a seed keyword
- audit existing site pages to identify topic gaps and thin content
- generate an interlinking matrix between pillar pages and subtopics
- sequence content production based on opportunity scores

## Example prompts
- Build a topic cluster around 'b2b email marketing' with pillar and spoke pages.
- Map out internal links and subtopics for our pillar page on 'database migration'.
- Score our site coverage on 'cloud cost optimization' and list missing subtopics.

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 7a1fcc198d0c1e26.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 7a1fcc198d0c1e26
````text
---
name: build-clusters
description: >
  Build a topical authority cluster from a seed keyword or topic. Use when the
  user asks about topic clusters, content silos, pillar pages, topical authority,
  content architecture, or how to structure content around a theme. For finding
  the right keywords, see find-keywords. For writing individual pieces, see
  brief.
metadata:
  version: 1.0.0
---

# Build Clusters

Build a topical authority cluster from a seed keyword using pillar-spoke
structure, coverage scoring, and interlinking plans.

## What is a Topic Cluster?

A topic cluster is a group of interlinked pages that collectively cover a subject
area. Google evaluates topical authority at the cluster level — ranking a single
page is harder if the site has no supporting content around the topic.

**Structure:**
- **Pillar page** — comprehensive overview of the broad topic (targets head term)
- **Spoke pages** — focused articles covering subtopics (target body/long-tail terms)
- **Internal links** — every spoke links to the pillar, pillar links to all spokes, spokes cross-link to siblings

## Before You Start

Gather this context (ask if not provided):

1. **Seed topic.** The broad subject area to build authority around.
2. **Existing content.** Does the site already have pages on this topic? List them.
3. **Business relevance.** How does this topic connect to the product or service?
4. **Content capacity.** How many pieces can the team produce per month?

## Step 1: Subtopic Discovery

From the seed topic, generate subtopics using these methods:

**Search-derived:**
- People Also Ask questions for the seed keyword
- Related searches at the bottom of SERPs
- Autocomplete suggestions (seed + a, b, c...)
- Competitor content analysis — what subtopics do top-ranking sites cover?

**Intent-derived:**
- Awareness: "what is [topic]", "why [topic] matters"
- Consideration: "best [topic] tools", "[topic] vs [alternative]"
- Implementation: "how to [topic]", "[topic] tutorial"
- Troubleshooting: "[topic] not working", "common [topic] mistakes"

**Audience-derived:**
- Beginner questions about the topic
- Advanced practitioner concerns
- Decision-maker evaluation criteria

Aim for 8-20 subtopics per cluster.

## Step 2: Cluster Map

Organize subtopics into a structured cluster:

```
Pillar: [Broad Topic] (head term)
│
├── Spoke: [Subtopic 1] (body term)
│   └── Intent: informational
│
├── Spoke: [Subtopic 2] (body term)
│   └── Intent: commercial investigation
│
├── Spoke: [Subtopic 3] (long-tail)
│   └── Intent: transactional
│
├── Spoke: [Subtopic 4] (long-tail)
│   └── Intent: informational
│
└── ... (8-15 more spokes)
```

## Step 3: Coverage Scoring

Score how well the existing site covers the cluster:

| Subtopic | Existing Page? | Quality (1-5) | Traffic | Gap? |
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 7a1fcc198d0c1e26

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