reverse-outliner

Reverse-engineer published books into structured scene-by-scene outlines.

Updated Feb 28, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/tunnckoCore/agent-skills --skill reverse-outliner
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: reverse-outliner
Source: https://github.com/tunnckoCore/agent-skills/tree/main/skills/creative-fiction-writing/structure/reverse-outliner
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/tunnckoCore/agent-skills --skill reverse-outliner

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you understand the underlying structure of published books by reverse-engineering them into detailed scene-by-scene outlines.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Structural Analysis: Breaks down books into chapters and scenes, analyzing each for Goal, Conflict, and Disaster elements.
  • Genre Mapping: Detects the primary genre and maps key story moments according to genre conventions.
  • Character Arc Tracking: Identifies the protagonist and major characters, tracing their arcs through the narrative.
  • Use Case: A writer wants to study how a master author structured their novel. They can use this Skill to generate a detailed outline that reveals the plot points, character development, and pacing.

Quick Start

Use the reverse-outliner skill to generate a detailed outline for the book located at /path/to/my-novel.txt.

Frequently Asked Questions about reverse-outliner

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I reverse-engineer a book into a scene-by-scene outline?

To reverse-engineer a book into a scene-by-scene outline, you provide a text file of the novel. The Skill dissects the prose into actionable components, analyzing each scene for Goal, Conflict, and Disaster elements.

How does narrative analysis map story structure to genre conventions?

Narrative analysis maps story structure to genre conventions by detecting the primary genre and identifying key story moments. This process traces character arcs and highlights how a master author paced their plot.

What is reverse outlining and how does it help with studying writing craft?

Reverse outlining is the process of breaking down published books into structured outlines. It helps with studying writing craft by revealing the underlying narrative structure, plot points, and character development for analysis.

Do I need Deno to analyze character arcs and story structure from a text file?

Yes, you need the Deno runtime to analyze character arcs and story structure. The Skill utilizes a pipeline of scripts for segmentation, scene analysis, genre detection, character tracking, and outline generation.

Can I track character arcs for any published novel using a reverse outliner?

You can track character arcs by reverse-outlining published books provided as text files. The Skill identifies the protagonist and major characters, tracing their development through the narrative pipeline.

What are the limitations of using scripts for scene-by-scene narrative analysis?

The limitations of using scripts for narrative analysis include the need for a Deno runtime and a properly segmented text file input. The analysis relies on automated detection of genre conventions and character arcs from the provided prose.