# Outline First

> Create and confirm article outlines before any drafting in the AI 实践记录 workflow.

- Skill: `feixeyes/outline-first` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add feixeyes/outline-first`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/feixeyes/outline-first/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: feixeyes (https://skillmd.com/u/feixeyes)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/feixeyes/outline-first

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# outline-first

This skill enforces **outline-first writing** for the **AI 实践记录 / Real World AI Log** project.

It ensures the human reviews and selects a clear outline **before any drafting** begins.

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## When to Use

Use this skill when:

- A topic or idea has been selected
- You need to propose structure before writing
- The human wants options and tradeoffs

Do NOT use this skill for:

- Draft writing
- Style polishing
- Publishing tasks

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## Required Workflow

### 1. Context Intake (Mandatory)

Before proposing outlines, the agent MUST:

1. Read `README.md`
2. Read `AGENTS.md`
3. Read `NAMING_CONVENTIONS.md`
4. Scan the latest 2–3 files in `content/published/` (if any)
5. Identify:
   - Target audience
   - Related column/series (if any)
   - Tone constraints and boundaries
   - File naming requirements (all English, lowercase, hyphen-separated)

Summarize understanding in **5–7 bullet points**.

STOP and wait for confirmation if understanding is unclear.

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### 2. Outline Proposal (Mandatory)

Propose **2–3 outline options**, each with:

- Central question / problem statement
- Intended reader takeaway
- High-level section list
- Tradeoffs (why choose / not choose this outline)

The agent MUST ask the human to **choose one option**.

Do not proceed until a choice is confirmed.

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### 3. Outline Creation & User Confirmation (Mandatory)

After an outline is selected, the agent MUST:

1. **Propose an English filename** following `NAMING_CONVENTIONS.md`:
   - Extract core keywords from the article topic
   - Translate to English if necessary
   - Use lowercase with hyphens
   - Explain the filename logic
   - Format: `content/outlines/<english-slug>.md`

2. **Wait for filename confirmation** before creating the file

3. Create the outline file in `content/outlines/<english-slug>.md`

4. Wait for the human to:
   - Confirm the outline is ready, OR
   - Manually edit/revise the outline

5. Only after explicit user confirmation/approval, proceed to next step

6. Clarify scope limits (what the article will NOT cover)

7. Confirm the next task (typically draft writing)

**CRITICAL**: The agent MUST NOT proceed to draft writing until the human explicitly confirms the outline is finalized (either original or after manual edits).

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## Writing Constraints

- Practice-first, not theory-first
- No authoritative tone
- Short to medium paragraphs
- No exaggerated AI claims
- Avoid tutorial-style imperatives

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## Guardrails (Hard Rules)

- ❌ Do not draft without an approved outline
- ❌ Do not invent facts or experiences
- ❌ Do not skip confirmation steps
- ❌ Do not create files with Chinese characters in filenames
- ❌ Do not create files without proposing and confirming English filenames first

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## Success Criteria

This skill is successful when:

- The human quickly selects an outline
- The scope is explicit and reviewable
- The workflow reduces decision fatigue before drafting