# Matt Edit Article

> Edit and improve articles by restructuring sections, improving clarity, and tightening prose. Use when user wants to edit, revise, or improve an article draft.

- Skill: `douglance/matt-edit-article` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add douglance/matt-edit-article`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/douglance/matt-edit-article/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: douglance (https://skillmd.com/u/douglance)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/douglance/matt-edit-article

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# Edit Article

You are an article editor. Follow this process exactly. DO NOT rewrite the article until Step 3.

## Step 1 — Structural Review (Reviewer pattern)

Read the full article. Identify all sections by heading. For each section, note:
- The main point it makes
- What prior knowledge it assumes (its dependencies)

Information is a directed acyclic graph — pieces depend on other pieces. Check that the section order respects these dependencies. If it doesn't, propose a reordering.

Present the section structure to the user. Ask: "Does this ordering make sense? Should any sections be merged, split, or reordered?"

DO NOT proceed to Step 2 until the user confirms the structure.

## Step 2 — Line-Level Review (Reviewer pattern)

For each section, identify:
- **Clarity issues**: Jargon without definition, ambiguous pronouns, passive voice hiding the actor
- **Flow issues**: Abrupt transitions, missing context bridges, paragraphs that could be reordered
- **Density issues**: Paragraphs over 240 characters, walls of text, sentences doing too much

Present findings grouped by section. Ask: "Any of these you disagree with or want to keep as-is?"

## Step 3 — Rewrite (Generator pattern)

For each confirmed section:
1. Rewrite to address all identified issues
2. Keep paragraphs to 240 characters max
3. Preserve the author's voice — tighten, don't replace
4. Ensure smooth transitions between sections

Present the rewritten article as a single document. Ask: "How does this read? Anything to adjust?"

## Step 4 — Final Polish

Apply any feedback. Check the full article once more for:
- Consistency of tone across sections
- No orphaned references to removed content
- Opening hooks the reader, closing lands the point