skills.rest
leanpub
leanpubCOMMUNITY
Explore all skills by this author →
WebsiteGitHub

ghost-outline

Guide authors through a stepwise chapter outline workflow with reader interrogation.

12|Updated Apr 17, 2026
Search Tags:#outline#skeleton#story-arc#book-structure#chapter-planning#developmental-editing#reader-interrogation
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/leanpub/ghostai --skill ghost-outline
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ghost-outline
Source: https://github.com/leanpub/ghostai/tree/main/ghost-outline
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/leanpub/ghostai --skill ghost-outline

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Structured outline work that challenges the author's assumptions about structure, audience, and scope, helping authors push every chapter to earn its place.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Guided, step-by-step outline process including preamble, starting point analysis, reader interrogation, skeleton building, chapter planning, and final validation.
  • Interactive prompts (AskUserQuestion) that surface insights about reader goals, transformations, and the hard parts to ensure the outline supports the reader's journey.
  • Skeleton-to-chapter planning that yields a complete outline ready for saving or scaffolding into draft chapters.

Quick Start

Start by launching /ghost-outline with your manuscript to generate the skeleton outline.

Frequently Asked Questions about ghost-outline

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I build a chapter outline for a long-form book?▼

To build a chapter outline, this skill uses a stepwise workflow that takes your manuscript from a starting point through reader interrogation to generate a complete, structured skeleton and chapter plan.

What is reader interrogation in developmental editing?▼

Reader interrogation in developmental editing is an interactive process that surfaces reader goals, expected transformations, and structural challenges to ensure every chapter earns its place.

Can I use an existing outline to generate a book structure?▼

Yes, you can generate a book structure from scratch or from an existing outline, using interactive prompts to course-correct and validate your chapter planning.

How do I ensure my story arc supports a clear reader transformation?▼

You ensure a clear reader transformation by validating your story arc through interactive prompts that challenge author assumptions about audience, scope, and chapter purpose.

What is the best way to plan chapter structure for a manuscript?▼

The best way to plan chapter structure is using a modular process that builds a skeleton first, then develops individual chapters, and finally validates the complete outline against reader goals.

Why does my book outline include chapters that do not advance the story arc?▼

Chapters may not advance the story arc if author assumptions about scope go unchallenged; this skill interrogates reader goals to push every chapter to earn its place.

Related Skills

Explore More Content & Communication Skills→
howellshowells
14

outline

Generate chapter purposes, POV assignments, scene beats, and word targets from story architecture.

Community
Intermediate
mahg-esmahg-es
3

technical-book

Convert technical book outlines into structured chapter manuscripts with exercises.

Official
Advanced
djacobsmeyerdjacobsmeyer
1

Outlining books

Translate book ideas into a structured outline file with a Git commit.

Community
Intermediate
design1onlinedesign1online
2

create-book

Guide authors through iterative questioning to create structured story bible files.

Community
Advanced