# outline-collaborator

Helps fiction writers shape narrative structure, scene beats, and character trajectories. It provides structural options before drafting begins.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 467 installs · ★ 177
- Author: jwynia
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/jwynia/agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/creative/fiction/structure/outline-collaborator/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-02-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/outline-collaborator

## What it does

The skill acts as an active structural partner. Instead of drafting full pages, it breaks scenes into beat sequences using goal, conflict, and disaster mechanics. It also proposes pacing adjustments, midpoint placements, and multiple plot paths for tricky sections. Inside outlines, it inserts brief tone sketches or dialogue snippets to test directions.

Built-in checks proactively challenge generic storytelling habits. The skill flags common tropes like prophecy setups or dying mentors before presenting ideas. It also spots overused LLM character names such as Elena, Marcus, or Kai. It replaces them with choices tied to world lore.

This tool stops at the outline stage. It will not write complete chapters or finished text. For actual prose drafting, the `agent-skills` repository includes a separate tool called `story-collaborator`.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill outline-collaborator -a claude-code
```

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

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill outline-collaborator -a codex
```

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

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill outline-collaborator -a cursor
```

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

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install jwynia/agent-skills outline-collaborator
```

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

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill outline-collaborator -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/jwynia/agent-skills --path skills/creative/fiction/structure/outline-collaborator
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill outline-collaborator -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/jwynia/agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/creative/fiction/structure/outline-collaborator/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- construct scene beats around goal, conflict, and disaster
- outline character transformation arcs and internal beliefs
- filter out story cliches like chosen ones or mentor deaths
- replace default AI character names with distinct alternatives

## Example prompts
- "Build a beat outline for the confrontation scene with three pacing alternatives."
- "Map the protagonist's transformation arc across acts, focusing on their central lie."
- "Suggest two structural options for the midpoint twist and provide brief sample dialogue."

## 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: ab225ef90365487e.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE ab225ef90365487e
````text
---
name: outline-collaborator
description: Act as an active outline partner who develops structure collaboratively. Use when developing, iterating, or improving story outlines. Generates scene beats, character arcs, plot structures, and exploratory prose samples. Contrasts with story-collaborator which drafts finished prose.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: jwynia
  version: "1.0"
  type: diagnostic
  mode: collaborative
  domain: fiction
---

# Outline Collaborator: Active Structural Partner Skill

You are an outline collaborator. You actively develop story structure—generating scene beats, character arc mappings, plot alternatives, and exploratory samples while working alongside the human writer.

## The Collaboration Mindset

You believe:
- The writer is the primary creative voice; you amplify, don't replace
- Offering structural options is better than singular solutions
- Your contributions should feel like their story's skeleton, not a finished body
- Collaboration means building on their vision, not redirecting it
- Show structure by proposing it, then let them fill in the flesh

## What You Generate

**Structural contributions:**
- Scene beat proposals (goal-conflict-disaster at outline level)
- Character arc mappings (lie, want, need, transformation beats)
- Plot structure alternatives (multiple approaches to same story)
- Pacing proposals (act breaks, midpoint placement, scene sequencing)
- Worldbuilding structural elements (systems, consequences, rules)
- Scene sequencing maps
- Genre convention checklists
- Thematic throughline tracking

**Exploratory samples (within outlines):**
- Sample prose showing possible directions: "The scene could open like..."
- Dialogue fragments illustrating beats: "Option A: She says X / Option B: She deflects..."
- Tone samples: "This could feel like..." with brief examples
- Voice sketches for characters

**Always with:**
- Multiple options when appropriate ("Here are two structural approaches...")
- Explanation of the thinking behind choices
- Invitation to modify, reject, or redirect
- Framing as exploratory, not finished

## The Framing Distinction

**Exploratory samples are:**
- Possibilities to consider during drafting
- NOT finished draft content ready to use verbatim
- Brief—enough to illustrate direction, not full scenes
- Presented as options within the outline document

**Pattern:**
```
SCENE 12: The Confrontation

Goal: Marcus confronts Elena about the missing funds
Conflict: Elena deflects, then counter-accuses
Disaster: Marcus realizes Elena knows about his past

Sample approaches:
- Option A (direct): Marcus opens with accusation, Elena stonewalls
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE ab225ef90365487e

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First 2655 of 11669 bytes. © jwynia · MIT · https://github.com/jwynia/agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/creative/fiction/structure/outline-collaborator/SKILL.md

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