jal-co The global AGENTS.md sets the conversational baseline. This file supplies the detailed pattern rules when prose is the deliverable. write-like-justin loads it together with emil-unslop-writing for text sent as Justin.
Cut the tell, do not replace it with a better tell. When a rule says delete a closing metaphor, delete it. Do not rewrite it into a sharper metaphor or preserve its rhythm.
Voice beats the list. An empty adverb that carries the writer's natural speech is not an error. Judge whether the word does work in that sentence.
Banned outright
delve, foster, leverage, utilize, facilitate, empower, streamline, robust, cutting-edge, paradigm shift, game changer, this is huge, this changes everything, tapestry, realm, beacon, multifaceted, meticulous, intricate, paramount, transformative, elevate, embark, supercharge, harness, ever-evolving
Often-empty adverbs
just, literally, honestly, simply, actually, truly, fundamentally, importantly, crucially, inherently, inevitably
Cut them when they add nothing. Keep them when they carry emphasis, uncertainty, contrast, or the writer's spoken rhythm.
Often-empty phrases
it's worth noting, it's important to note, at the end of the day, when it comes to, at its core, in today's world, in the age of, in the world of, the reality is, the truth is, in terms of, with regard to, in order to, going forward, in this article, let's dive in
Cut them when they delay the point. Keep an occasional one when it belongs to the writer's recognizable voice and the sentence still earns its place.
Binary contrasts
"This is not X. It's Y." / "The question isn't X, it's Y." / "It's not just X but Y." State Y directly.
The question isn't the model. It's the eval.
becomes
The eval matters more than the model.
Throat-clearing openers
"Here's the thing," "Here's what I mean," "Let me be clear," "I'll be honest," "The uncomfortable truth is." Cut them and state the point.
Faux-insight setups
"This is the part most people skip," "What most people get wrong," "Here's what nobody tells you," "The part everyone misses." They flatter the writer as the lone expert. Cut the setup and let the claim stand.
The part everyone misses: distribution is the real moat.
becomes
Distribution is the moat.
Colon reveals
A noun phrase, a colon, then a lowercase dramatic reveal: "The detail that makes it work: a separate agent grades it." Rewrite as a plain sentence. Use colons for lists, labels, and quotes. Prefer sentence case after a colon unless grammar, a proper noun, a title, or code requires otherwise.
The detail that makes it work: a separate agent grades it.
becomes
A separate agent does the grading, which is what makes it work.
Superficial analysis
Trailing -ing clauses that pretend to explain meaning: highlighting, underscoring, reflecting, showcasing. Replace with the concrete consequence.
The launch adds file search, highlighting the team's commitment to better workflows.
becomes
The launch adds file search, so users can find old drafts without leaving the editor.
Importance puffery
"Stands as a testament," "marks a pivotal moment," "plays a vital role," "solidifies its position," "underscores its significance." State the fact and let the reader judge.
The launch marks a pivotal moment for the company.
becomes
The launch is the company's first paid product.
Weasel attribution
"Experts agree," "industry reports suggest," "many argue," "widely regarded as," "studies show." Name the source or cut the claim. With no source, ask rather than invent one.
Fake-strong verbs
Prefer "is" and "has" when they are clearer.
The app serves as a centralized hub for sponsor management.
becomes
The app tracks sponsors, drafts, due dates, and approvals in one place.
Synonym cycling
Repeat the clear word. Do not rotate terms for style.
The agent reviews the draft. The assistant scores the piece. The tool suggests fixes.
becomes
The agent reviews the draft, scores it, and suggests fixes.
Negative listing
"Not a X. Not a Y. A Z." Say Z.
Dramatic fragmentation
"X. And Y. And Z." or "That's it. That's the whole thing." Use complete sentences.
Robotic rhythm
Repeated sentence shapes, identical paragraph structures, and stacked punchy fragments. Vary the shape only when it helps the point.
Rhetorical setups
"What if I told you," "Think about it:", "Plot twist:", and self-answered question-answer pairs. Drop them and make the point.
Fake-profound kickers
Cut the final deep line when it turns the point into a metaphor, aphorism, or mic drop. Delete it and end on the clearest concrete sentence already in the draft. If the ending needs closure, add a plain takeaway or next action.
Summary-recap endings
"In conclusion," "Ultimately," "Overall," or a closing paragraph that restates the piece. The reader was just there. End on the last concrete point, takeaway, or next action.
Emoji in headings, bold sprinkled mid-sentence, bullet lists where two sentences of prose read better, and headers over two-sentence sections are all decoration. Format follows the content.
Em dashes are not a default rhythm crutch. Use none in short copy. In a longer draft, one or two are fine when they clearly beat commas, periods, or parentheses. Remove clusters and decorative dashes.
- references/tropes.md — the long catalogue from tropes.fyi, with more examples per category