# voice-capture

Analyze writing samples and turn their style into a reusable voice profile. Use it to document a brand voice or guide new writing toward a specific author’s style.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · ★ 132
- Author: robertguss
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit/tree/HEAD/plugins/compound-writing/skills/voice-capture/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-09-16
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/voice-capture

## What it does

voice-capture examines vocabulary, sentence and paragraph patterns, rhythm, and emotional tone. It helps turn those observations into a profile with core traits, channel-specific guidance, and examples. The profile is saved as `.claude/voice-profiles/[name].yaml`.

The workflow calls for at least 3 samples totaling 2,000 words or more; 5–10 pieces by the same author or brand, covering different subjects, are preferable. That threshold matters: the instructions caution against drawing pattern conclusions from only one or two samples. The skill includes profile and analysis templates, plus sample profiles.

A writing command can use the profile through `voice_profile`. The instructions also describe `voice-guardian`, an agent that scores voice consistency, flags drift, and suggests edits. Its stated target score is 85+ out of 100.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

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

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

### Codex

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

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

### Cursor

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

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

### GitHub Copilot

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

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

### Gemini CLI

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

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --path plugins/compound-writing/skills/voice-capture
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

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

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add robertguss/claude-code-toolkit --skill voice-capture -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/plugins/compound-writing/skills/voice-capture/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- extract an author’s style from writing samples
- document brand voice across publishing channels
- compare the traits of two writing styles
- create a reusable profile for future drafts

## Example prompts
- Analyze these samples and create a voice profile at `.claude/voice-profiles/author.yaml`.
- Compare these two sets of writing and describe how their voices differ.
- Document this brand’s blog and newsletter voice from the supplied examples.

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

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````text
---
name: voice-capture
description: This skill should be used when extracting voice profiles from sample text, creating voice documentation, or matching a specific writing style. It applies when users provide sample text and want to capture the voice for future use.
---

# Voice Capture Skill

Extract and encode writing voice from sample text into reusable voice profiles. This skill transforms examples of writing you like into documented patterns that can guide future writing.

## When to Use This Skill

This skill applies when:
- A user provides sample text and asks "write like this"
- Creating a voice profile from existing content
- Documenting a brand voice for consistency
- Capturing an author's style for future reference
- Analyzing differences between two writing styles

## Core Philosophy

> Voice isn't just word choice. It's sentence rhythm, paragraph structure, emotional register, and a thousand small decisions that create a distinctive sound.

This skill captures those decisions systematically so they can be applied to new content.

## Voice Profile Structure

A complete voice profile has three layers. See [voice-profile-template.yaml](./assets/voice-profile-template.yaml) for the full template.

### Layer 1: Immutable Traits

Core characteristics that define the voice:

```yaml
traits:
  - direct           # vs. indirect, circumspect
  - conversational   # vs. formal, academic
  - technically-informed  # level of assumed expertise

register: informal   # formal / semiformal / informal

prohibited:
  - "synergy"
  - passive voice in openings
  - exclamation marks (except in quotes)
```

### Layer 2: Channel Guidance

How the voice adapts by medium:

```yaml
channels:
  blog:
    length: "1000-2000 words"
    personality: "full"
    storytelling: "encouraged"

  newsletter:
    length: "300-500 words"
    personality: "high - direct address okay"
    storytelling: "personal anecdotes"

  social:
    length: "280 chars or thread"
    personality: "punchy, hooks required"
    storytelling: "minimal - punchlines only"

  documentation:
    length: "as needed"
    personality: "minimal"
    storytelling: "none - clarity first"
```

### Layer 3: Example Library

Exemplars that demonstrate the voice:

```yaml
exemplars:
  - path: "samples/great-opening.md"
    why: "Concrete example first, theory second"
    demonstrates: ["hook", "pacing"]

  - path: "samples/transition.md"
    why: "Invisible transition technique"
    demonstrates: ["flow", "structure"]

  - path: "samples/closing.md"
    why: "Strong CTA without being salesy"
    demonstrates: ["conclusion", "call-to-action"]
```

## Extraction Process

### Step 1: Collect Samples

Minimum: 3 samples (ideally 5-10)
Total words: At least 2,000 words
Variety: Different topics, same author/brand
````
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