--- name: crucible-planner # prettier-ignore description: Interactive planning system for epic fantasy novels using the Crucible Structure—a 36-beat narrative framework with three interwoven story strands (Quest, Fire, Constellation), five Forge Points, and a Mercy Engine. Use when user wants to plan a fantasy novel, provides a story premise/synopsis, asks to "plan my fantasy book," wants to create planning documents for an epic fantasy, or mentions the Crucible Structure. Guides users through multi-choice questions to generate 7 planning document categories (14 files total) from a simple premise. --- # Crucible Planner Interactive planning system for epic fantasy novels using the Crucible Structure. ## Overview Starting from a simple premise, guide users through multi-choice questions to build seven interconnected planning document categories (14 files total): 1. **Crucible Thesis** — philosophical core 2. **Strand Maps** — Quest, Fire, Constellation (3 separate maps) 3. **Forge Point Blueprints** — five convergence crises 4. **Dark Mirror Profile** — antagonist design 5. **Constellation Bible** — character relationships 6. **Mercy Ledger** — mercy/payoff tracking 7. **World Forge** — world-building ## Before Starting **Always read these references:** - `references/crucible-structure.md` (the 36-beat structure) - `references/question-sequences.md` (complete question flows) ## Workflow ``` Phase 1: INTAKE → Accept premise, initialize state, confirm scope Phase 2: QUESTIONING → 9 document cycles with multi-choice questions Phase 3: COMPILATION → Generate documents, present package ``` ## Phase 1: Intake ### Accept Premise Extract from user input: - Core concept (1-2 sentences) - Protagonist sketch - Central conflict hint **If premise too vague, use AskUserQuestion:** ```json { "questions": [ { "header": "Protagonist", "question": "Who is your protagonist?", "options": [ {"label": "Reluctant chosen one", "description": "A chosen one who doesn't want the role"}, {"label": "Ordinary hero", "description": "An ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances"}, {"label": "Fallen power", "description": "A powerful figure who's lost everything"}, {"label": "Seeking redemption", "description": "A morally gray character seeking redemption"} ], "multiSelect": false } ] } ``` ### Initialize State ```bash python scripts/init_project.py "./crucible-project" "Title" "Premise" ``` ### Confirm Scope Use AskUserQuestion to confirm scope: ```json { "questions": [ { "header": "Novel Length", "question": "What is your target novel length?", "options": [ {"label": "Standard", "description": "100-150K words, ~20-25 chapters"}, {"label": "Epic", "description": "150-250K words, ~25-35 chapters"}, {"label": "Extended/Series", "description": "250K+ words or multi-book series, 35+ chapters"} ], "multiSelect": false }, { "header": "Complexity", "question": "What is your narrative complexity?", "options": [ {"label": "Single POV", "description": "Single protagonist focus"}, {"label": "Dual POV", "description": "Two protagonists sharing the story"}, {"label": "Ensemble", "description": "Multiple POVs (3-5 characters)"} ], "multiSelect": false } ] } ``` ## Phase 2: Document Generation ### Questioning Rules 1. **ALWAYS use AskUserQuestion tool** for all questions (provides interactive UI) 2. **Max 4 options per question** (tool limit) + "Other" is automatic 3. **Max 4 questions per AskUserQuestion call** 4. **Reference previous answers** to build coherence 5. **Save state IMMEDIATELY after EACH answer** (see Answer Persistence below) 6. **Verify before moving to next document** ### Answer Persistence Workflow **CRITICAL: Save every answer immediately after receiving it with FULL CONTEXT.** This ensures progress is preserved if the session fails and answers can be understood later. #### Save Command Format Each answer is saved with the question text, selected answer, and description: ```bash python scripts/save_state.py "" --answer "" "" "" "" "" ``` **Parameters:** 1. `document` - The document key (e.g., "doc1_crucible_thesis") 2. `state_key` - The field name (e.g., "burden_type") 3. `question_text` - The full question that was asked 4. `answer` - The selected option label 5. `description` - The description of the selected option #### Step-by-Step Workflow 1. **Ask the question using AskUserQuestion:** ```json { "questions": [{ "header": "Burden", "question": "What form does the external burden take in your story?", "options": [ {"label": "Physical object", "description": "An artifact that must be destroyed or protected"}, {"label": "Person to save", "description": "Someone who must be rescued or kept alive"} ], "multiSelect": false }] } ``` 2. **User selects:** "Physical object" 3. **IMMEDIATELY save with full context:** ```bash python scripts/save_state.py "./crucible-project" --answer "doc1_crucible_thesis" "burden_type" "What form does the external burden take in your story?" "Physical object" "An artifact that must be destroyed or protected" ``` 4. **Verify save succeeded** (output shows question and answer) 5. **Ask next question** #### What Gets Saved Each answer is stored as: ```json { "question": "What form does the external burden take in your story?", "answer": "Physical object", "description": "An artifact that must be destroyed or protected" } ``` This provides full context when resuming or reviewing progress. #### Example Save Commands **Document 1 (Crucible Thesis):** ```bash python scripts/save_state.py "./project" --answer "doc1_crucible_thesis" "burden_type" "What form does the burden take?" "Physical object" "An artifact to destroy or protect" python scripts/save_state.py "./project" --answer "doc1_crucible_thesis" "fire_type" "What is the Fire's nature?" "Magical ability" "A power that corrupts with use" ``` **Nested Documents (Forge Points, Mercies):** ```bash python scripts/save_state.py "./project" --answer "doc5_forge_points.fp0_ignition" "quest_crisis" "What Quest crisis emerges?" "Artifact stolen" "Enemy takes the burden" python scripts/save_state.py "./project" --answer "doc8_mercy_ledger.mercy_1" "recipient" "Who receives mercy?" "Enemy soldier" "A combatant who surrendered" ``` #### On Document Completion After the verification question is confirmed: ```bash python scripts/save_state.py "./crucible-project" --complete ``` This marks the document complete and advances progress to the next document. #### Error Handling If a save fails: 1. Retry once 2. If still failing, inform the user but continue (answer is in context) 3. User can manually recover using `/crucible-continue` ### Question Format **CRITICAL: Use the AskUserQuestion tool, NOT plain text options.** Example AskUserQuestion call: ```json { "questions": [ { "header": "Burden", "question": "What form does the external burden take in your story?", "options": [ {"label": "Physical object", "description": "An artifact that must be destroyed or protected"}, {"label": "Person to save", "description": "Someone who must be rescued or kept alive"}, {"label": "Knowledge/truth", "description": "Information that must be revealed or protected"}, {"label": "Mission/quest", "description": "A task that must be completed"} ], "multiSelect": false } ] } ``` **Header examples** (max 12 chars): "Burden", "Fire Type", "Bond", "Antagonist", "Theme", "Sacrifice" **For verification questions**, use multiSelect: true to allow checking multiple items. ### Document Sequence See `references/question-sequences.md` for complete question banks. **Document 1: Crucible Thesis (10 questions)** - The Burden (external mission) - The Fire (internal power/curse) - Core Constellation Bond - Dark Mirror Connection - Forging Question - Antagonist's Truth - The Surrender - Theme - Blade's Purpose - Verification **Document 2: Quest Strand Map (7 questions)** - Burden's Origin - Why This Protagonist - Antagonist's Stake - Quest Escalation - Impossible Requirement - Resolution Method - Verification **Document 3: Fire Strand Map (7 questions)** - Fire Manifestation - The Danger - Cost of Use - Mastery Path - Hardening Phase - Mastery Moment - Verification **Document 4: Constellation Strand Map (7 questions)** - Faithful Companion - The Sacrifice - Betrayal Source - Expansion - Bond That Saves - Constellation Fate - Verification **Document 5: Forge Point Blueprints (5 × 4 questions)** For each Forge Point (Ignition, First, Second, Third, Apex): - Quest Crisis - Fire Crisis - Constellation Crisis - What is Sacrificed **Document 6: Dark Mirror Profile (9 questions)** - Origin Parallel - The Divergence - Antagonist's Want - Compelling Offer - Why Tempting - Hidden Cost - Defeat Method - Antagonist's End - Verification **Document 7: Constellation Bible (12 questions)** - Protagonist Profile - Faithful Companion details - Core Bond Character details - Mentor/Catalyst - Sacrifice Character - Additional cast - Verification **Document 8: Mercy Ledger (4 × 4 questions)** For each of 4 mercies: - Recipient - Merciful Act - Immediate Cost - Later Payoff **Document 9: World Forge (9 questions)** - World's Wound - Power System Source - Power Limitations - Previous Wielders - Key Locations - World-Protagonist Mirror - Magic Rules - Timeline Framework - Verification --- ### Phase 2 Complete After completing Document 9 verification, Phase 2 is complete. All foundational planning documents have been created. **Proceed to Phase 3** to compile the documents into the final planning structure by running compile_documents.py. --- ## Phase 3: Compilation ### Generate Documents ```bash python scripts/compile_documents.py "./crucible-project" ``` Creates: ``` planning/ ├── crucible-thesis.md ├── strand-maps/ │ ├── quest-strand.md │ ├── fire-strand.md │ └── constellation-strand.md ├── forge-points/ │ ├── fp0-ignition.md │ ├── fp1-first-crucible.md │ ├── fp2-second-crucible.md │ ├── fp3-third-crucible.md │ └── apex-willed-surrender.md ├── dark-mirror-profile.md ├── constellation-bible.md ├── mercy-ledger.md ├── world-forge.md └── crucible-summary.md ``` ### Present to User ``` ✅ **Crucible Planning Complete!** 📄 [View Crucible Thesis](computer:///path/planning/crucible-thesis.md) 📄 [View Strand Maps](computer:///path/planning/strand-maps/) 📄 [View Forge Points](computer:///path/planning/forge-points/) 📄 [View Dark Mirror Profile](computer:///path/planning/dark-mirror-profile.md) 📄 [View Constellation Bible](computer:///path/planning/constellation-bible.md) 📄 [View Mercy Ledger](computer:///path/planning/mercy-ledger.md) 📄 [View World Forge](computer:///path/planning/world-forge.md) 📋 [View Quick Reference](computer:///path/planning/crucible-summary.md) After presenting the document links, use AskUserQuestion for next steps: ```json { "questions": [ { "header": "Next Steps", "question": "What would you like to do next?", "options": [ {"label": "Review documents", "description": "Review and adjust any planning document"}, {"label": "Begin outline", "description": "Start creating chapter outlines from your plan"}, {"label": "Start drafting", "description": "Jump straight into writing prose"} ], "multiSelect": false } ] } ``` ## State Management Save after every question cluster: ```bash python scripts/save_state.py "./crucible-project" ``` Resume interrupted session: ```bash python scripts/load_state.py "./crucible-project" ``` ## Bundled Resources ### references/ - `crucible-structure.md` — Complete 36-beat structure - `question-sequences.md` — Full question bank by document - `forge-point-rules.md` — Strand convergence mechanics - `dark-mirror-guide.md` — Antagonist design - `mercy-engine-guide.md` — Mercy/payoff mechanics ### assets/templates/ - Document templates for generation ### scripts/ - `init_project.py` — Initialize project - `save_state.py` — Save progress - `load_state.py` — Load progress - `compile_documents.py` — Generate all documents --- Source attribution: forsonny Original project: https://github.com/forsonny/The-Crucible-Writing-System-For-Claude/blob/0d82e733536d70358259f93d66cc40708077898e/skills/crucible-planner/SKILL.md License: MIT License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Mega AI Hub. ## Upstream license notice MIT License Copyright (c) 2024 Crucible Writing System Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software. 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