# project-setup

One-time setup wizard for fiction projects. It interviews you, collects writing samples, and creates AGENTS.md with project conventions.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 544 installs · ★ 541
- Author: haowjy
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/haowjy/creative-writing-skills/tree/HEAD/cw/skills/project-setup/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-25
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/haowjy-project-setup

## What it does

The skill asks what you are writing (novel, short story collection, serial), how far along you are, whether the POV is single or multiple, and whether the timeline is linear. It also asks for writing samples: finished chapters, scenes, or drafts from other projects that capture the voice you want.

Samples go to `kb/samples/` for later style analysis. Based on project complexity, the skill proposes a `kb/` structure. A short story needs `characters/`, `canon/`, `styles/`, and a root `vocab.md`. A series gets `world/`, `issues/`, and domain vocab files such as `world/vocab.md`.

Once you approve the draft, it writes `AGENTS.md`, creates the `kb/` directories and a `work/` tree with outline/, drafts/, critique-reports/, brainstorm/. If there are enough samples, it offers style analysis and initial files in `kb/styles/`. Existing `AGENTS.md` conventions are read first and updated, not overwritten.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add haowjy/creative-writing-skills --skill project-setup -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add haowjy/creative-writing-skills --skill project-setup -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add haowjy/creative-writing-skills --skill project-setup -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install haowjy/creative-writing-skills project-setup
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add haowjy/creative-writing-skills --skill project-setup -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/haowjy/creative-writing-skills --path cw/skills/project-setup
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add haowjy/creative-writing-skills --skill project-setup -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/haowjy/creative-writing-skills/tree/HEAD/cw/skills/project-setup/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- collect project conventions into one AGENTS.md
- build a kb/ structure that matches novel complexity
- save writing samples for future style analysis
- create work/ folders for drafts and critique reports
- record voice goals when no samples exist yet

## Example prompts
- run project-setup, I have a novel with three POVs and a non-linear timeline
- help me set up the project, here are two drafts of chapter one
- read my AGENTS.md and suggest updates for a short story series

## Source text · SKILL.md · Apache-2.0

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: 581fe98afa1d11ca.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 581fe98afa1d11ca
```text
---
name: project-setup
description: >
  One-time project setup for creative writing. Interviews you about your project, collects writing samples, proposes kb structure, and creates AGENTS.md with project conventions.
---

# Project Setup

Guide the author through setting up their creative writing project. The goal
is a working `AGENTS.md` and directory structure that all agents read for
project-specific conventions, plus initial style files if writing samples are
available.

## Learn About the Project

Ask about:

- What kind of project: novel, short story collection, serial?
- How far along: starting fresh, or existing chapters and worldbuilding?
- Single POV or multiple? Linear or non-linear timeline? How much worldbuilding?
- Where do they keep their writing? What's the existing layout?

## Writing Samples and Style

Ask about writing samples: these are the foundation for style analysis:

- Do they have sample chapters or scenes already written?
- Do they have writing from other projects that captures the voice they want?
- Are there published works they want to draw style inspiration from?
- Voice goals: close third, omniscient, first person? Formal, colloquial?

Collect whatever they have. Save samples to `kb/samples/` so they're available
for future style analysis. If they have enough material, offer to analyze
their style using the `/creative-writing-craft` methodology: read the samples,
identify the voice dimensions, and produce initial style files in `kb/styles/`.

If they're starting fresh with no samples, capture their voice goals in
AGENTS.md so style files can be created from early drafts.

## Propose and Iterate

Based on what you learn, draft a `AGENTS.md` section and show it to the
author. Cover:

- **Project overview**: what the project is, one paragraph
- **Author's space**: where the author keeps their writing and how it's
  organized
- **KB structure**: what subdirectories exist under `kb/` and what they're
  for. Suggest based on project complexity:
  - Simple (short story, single POV): `characters/`, `canon/`, `styles/`, root `vocab.md`
  - Medium (novel, few POVs): add `timeline/`
  - Complex (series, large world): add `world/`, `issues/`, and domain vocab files such as `world/vocab.md`
- **Voice and style**: what style files exist, what samples they're derived
  from, voice goals not yet captured
- **Conventions**: anything project-specific: naming patterns, chapter
  numbering, POV tagging, spoiler handling
- **Shared vocabulary**: early canonical terms, aliases, invented words,
  genre terms with project-specific meanings, and terms the author wants
  agents to avoid or distinguish

Present the draft and let the author adjust. Iterate until they're satisfied.

## Create the Files

Once approved:
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 581fe98afa1d11ca

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First 2772 of 3452 bytes. © haowjy · Apache-2.0 · https://github.com/haowjy/creative-writing-skills/tree/HEAD/cw/skills/project-setup/SKILL.md

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---
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