Hooks

Hooks Database Builder

Purpose

Build a personal database of high-performing hooks from Instagram reels. Every time Marc drops a link with /hooks, the reel gets transcribed and the opening hook gets saved to a local database. The /script skill reads this database for inspiration when writing new scripts.

Hooks Database Location

All hooks are saved to:

/Users/marc/Documents/Claude/hooks/hooks-database.md

This file lives OUTSIDE the skill repo so it never gets overwritten by git updates.

Trigger

User types /hooks [instagram_reel_url]

Example: /hooks https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVh5BtIiS_L/

Workflow

Step 1 — Download the reel

/Users/marc/Library/Python/3.9/bin/yt-dlp "[URL]" -o /tmp/hook_reel.mp4 --merge-output-format mp4 -q

If download fails (private reel, deleted, etc.) — tell Marc and stop.

Step 2 — Transcribe

/Users/marc/Library/Python/3.9/bin/whisper /tmp/hook_reel.mp4 --model base --output_format txt --output_dir /tmp/ --fp16 False

Read the output from /tmp/hook_reel.txt.

Step 3 — Extract the hook

The hook is the opening 1–3 sentences — everything said in roughly the first 5–10 seconds. This is what stops the scroll. Extract it precisely from the transcript.

Then identify:

• Hook type — pick the closest match:

  • Bold Claim — makes a strong, surprising statement
  • Curiosity Gap — withholds info to create pull ("here's what nobody tells you")
  • Contrarian — challenges a widely held belief
  • Tool Discovery — "X is insane / I can't live without X"
  • Result Lead — opens with an outcome or number
  • Pain Agitation — names a frustration the viewer has
  • Identity Call-out — speaks directly to a specific person

• Why it works — 1 sentence explanation of the psychological mechanism

Step 4 — Save to database

Check if /Users/marc/Documents/Claude/hooks/hooks-database.md exists. If not, create it with the header below.

Append the new entry in this format:

---

## Hook #[N]
**Source:** [full URL]
**Date:** [YYYY-MM-DD]
**Type:** [hook type]

**Hook:**
> "[Exact opening lines from transcript]"

**Why it works:** [1-sentence explanation]

**Full opening (first ~10 seconds):**
"[First 3–5 sentences of transcript for more context]"

Increment N based on how many hooks are already in the file.

Step 5 — Confirm

Tell Marc:

• What the hook was
• What type it is
• That it's saved (hook #N in the database)
• Total hooks in database so far

Do NOT show the full transcript unless Marc asks. Just the hook + confirmation.

Database Header (first time only)

# Hooks Database
> Marc's personal swipe file of high-performing hooks from Instagram reels.
> Used by the /script skill for inspiration when writing new scripts.
> Built with /hooks [url]

Integration with /script

When writing scripts using the /script skill, always read this database first:

/Users/marc/Documents/Claude/hooks/hooks-database.md

Use it for inspiration — study the hook types and mechanisms. Never copy hooks word for word. Use the patterns.

Tool Paths (confirmed working)

• yt-dlp: /Users/marc/Library/Python/3.9/bin/yt-dlp
• whisper: /Users/marc/Library/Python/3.9/bin/whisper
• ffmpeg: /opt/homebrew/bin/ffmpeg