Setup COPYWRITING.md
Overview
One-shot setup: research this project's copy and category messaging, then write a single root COPYWRITING.md agents and humans can follow. Do not treat this as an ongoing maintenance skill unless the user explicitly asks to regenerate or update the file.
Output
- Write exactly one file: repo-root
COPYWRITING.md.
- If
COPYWRITING.md already exists, ask once whether to overwrite, merge/update, or abort. Do not silently overwrite.
Workflow
1. Gather project context
Read enough to understand product, audience, and existing voice:
- Root docs:
README.md, landing/marketing pages, about/pricing pages, onboarding copy.
- In-product strings: UI labels, empty states, errors, emails, notifications, CTA patterns.
- Brand or style notes if present (do not invent a brand book that does not exist).
- Package metadata, site config, and public URLs that reveal positioning.
Prefer primary sources in the repo over assumptions.
2. Research external patterns
Use configured research or web tools when available; otherwise search and open primary pages:
- Direct competitors and close alternatives (homepages, pricing, feature pages, onboarding).
- Category leaders and strong adjacent products with clear messaging.
- Note recurring structures: headline formulas, proof patterns, CTA verbs, objection handling, tone.
Capture concrete examples (short quotes + URLs). Distinguish observed patterns from recommendations.
3. Interview the user (only gaps)
Ask only for what the repo and research cannot answer. Batch questions. Cover when missing:
- Intended brand voice (words to use / avoid).
- Non-negotiable claims, compliance, or legal constraints.
- Preferred languages/locales and formality level.
- Products or surfaces that must stay out of scope.
If the user declines interview, proceed with labeled assumptions.
4. Write COPYWRITING.md
Use references/template.md. Fill every section that applies; omit empty ones. Quality bar:
- Specific to this product, not generic marketing advice.
- Includes do / don't with short real or realistic examples.
- Separates facts (current copy) from guidance (recommended patterns).
- Names competitors/sources used, with dates or URLs when useful.
- Actionable enough that another agent can write on-brand copy without re-researching.
5. Link from AGENTS.md (conditional)
After COPYWRITING.md exists:
- Check for root
AGENTS.md only.
- If it does not exist, skip linking. Do not create
AGENTS.md.
- If it exists, add a clear pointer to
COPYWRITING.md if missing:
- Prefer an existing Index / Docs / Related docs section.
- Otherwise add a short section such as
## Project docs with a bullet:
- [COPYWRITING.md](COPYWRITING.md) — voice, tone, and copy patterns
- Do not duplicate the full copywriting content into
AGENTS.md.
- Preserve unrelated
AGENTS.md content.
6. Deliver
- Confirm path written.
- Brief summary: voice in one sentence, top 3 rules, and whether
AGENTS.md was updated or skipped.
- Do not commit unless the user asks.
Isolation
This skill stands alone. Do not mention, link to, or depend on other skills. Reference only repo files, external sources, and this skill's references/.
Out of Scope
- Rewriting all product copy in the codebase.
- Creating a full brand book, design system, or marketing site.
- Creating
AGENTS.md when missing.
- Recurring audits unless the user asks to run setup again.
1---2name: setup-copywriting-md3description: One-time setup that analyzes a project's existing copy, competitor and category messaging, and writes a root COPYWRITING.md with voice, patterns, good/bad examples, and writing rules. Use when the user invokes $setup-copywriting-md, says "setup copywriting", "create COPYWRITING.md", or asks to extract copywriting patterns, tone, or messaging guidelines for the current project.4---56# Setup COPYWRITING.md78## Overview910One-shot setup: research this project's copy and category messaging, then write a single root `COPYWRITING.md` agents and humans can follow. Do not treat this as an ongoing maintenance skill unless the user explicitly asks to regenerate or update the file.1112## Output1314- Write **exactly one** file: repo-root `COPYWRITING.md`.15- If `COPYWRITING.md` already exists, ask once whether to overwrite, merge/update, or abort. Do not silently overwrite.1617## Workflow1819### 1. Gather project context2021Read enough to understand product, audience, and existing voice:2223- Root docs: `README.md`, landing/marketing pages, about/pricing pages, onboarding copy.24- In-product strings: UI labels, empty states, errors, emails, notifications, CTA patterns.25- Brand or style notes if present (do not invent a brand book that does not exist).26- Package metadata, site config, and public URLs that reveal positioning.2728Prefer primary sources in the repo over assumptions.2930### 2. Research external patterns3132Use configured research or web tools when available; otherwise search and open primary pages:3334- Direct competitors and close alternatives (homepages, pricing, feature pages, onboarding).35- Category leaders and strong adjacent products with clear messaging.36- Note recurring structures: headline formulas, proof patterns, CTA verbs, objection handling, tone.3738Capture concrete examples (short quotes + URLs). Distinguish **observed** patterns from **recommendations**.3940### 3. Interview the user (only gaps)4142Ask only for what the repo and research cannot answer. Batch questions. Cover when missing:4344- Intended brand voice (words to use / avoid).45- Non-negotiable claims, compliance, or legal constraints.46- Preferred languages/locales and formality level.47- Products or surfaces that must stay out of scope.4849If the user declines interview, proceed with labeled assumptions.5051### 4. Write COPYWRITING.md5253Use [references/template.md](references/template.md). Fill every section that applies; omit empty ones. Quality bar:5455- Specific to **this** product, not generic marketing advice.56- Includes do / don't with short real or realistic examples.57- Separates facts (current copy) from guidance (recommended patterns).58- Names competitors/sources used, with dates or URLs when useful.59- Actionable enough that another agent can write on-brand copy without re-researching.6061### 5. Link from AGENTS.md (conditional)6263After `COPYWRITING.md` exists:64651. Check for **root** `AGENTS.md` only.662. If it **does not exist**, skip linking. Do **not** create `AGENTS.md`.673. If it **exists**, add a clear pointer to `COPYWRITING.md` if missing:68 - Prefer an existing Index / Docs / Related docs section.69 - Otherwise add a short section such as `## Project docs` with a bullet:70 `- [COPYWRITING.md](COPYWRITING.md) — voice, tone, and copy patterns`71 - Do not duplicate the full copywriting content into `AGENTS.md`.72 - Preserve unrelated `AGENTS.md` content.7374### 6. Deliver7576- Confirm path written.77- Brief summary: voice in one sentence, top 3 rules, and whether `AGENTS.md` was updated or skipped.78- Do not commit unless the user asks.7980## Isolation8182This skill stands alone. Do not mention, link to, or depend on other skills. Reference only repo files, external sources, and this skill's `references/`.8384## Out of Scope8586- Rewriting all product copy in the codebase.87- Creating a full brand book, design system, or marketing site.88- Creating `AGENTS.md` when missing.89- Recurring audits unless the user asks to run setup again.