Character management
📚 Streamline story writing using markdown and AI agents to manage characters, plots, and chapters with structured YAML files.
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This skill should be used when the user asks to "create a character", "update a character", "add a character", "build a family tree", "character relationships", "character timeline", "character arc", "character profile", or needs to manage characters in a story project.
SKILL.md
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Character Management
Overview
Create and manage rich character profiles for a story project. Each character is a markdown file with YAML frontmatter in the characters/ directory. Characters are cross-referenced with other story elements through kebab-case identifiers.
Prerequisites
A story project must already exist (created via the story-init skill). Verify by checking for story.md in the project root.
Creating a Character
- Read
story.mdfor genre, themes, and tone context - Read
characters/_index.mdfor existing characters - Ask for the character's name and role (protagonist, antagonist, supporting, minor)
- Build the profile through conversation, exploring:
- Appearance and distinguishing features
- Personality, traits, and quirks
- Backstory and formative events
- Motivations (external wants vs internal needs)
- Voice and speech patterns (ask for example dialogue)
- Character arc (starting state, turning points, ending state)
- Key life events for the timeline
- Write the character file using the template in
references/character-template.md - Save to
characters/{name-kebab}.md - Update
characters/_index.mdregistry table - If relationships reference existing characters, update those character files too
Updating a Character
- Read the existing character file
- Read
characters/_index.mdfor context on other characters - Make the requested changes
- If relationships changed, update the other character's file (bidirectional)
- Update
characters/_index.mdif role or status changed
Managing Relationships
Reference references/relationship-types.md for the full list of relationship types and inverse pairs.
When adding a relationship:
- Add the relationship entry to the character's frontmatter
- Add the inverse relationship to the other character's frontmatter
- Update the Relationship Map section in
characters/_index.md
Family Trees
Family trees are maintained in the characters/_index.md under the "Family Trees" section. Format:
## Family Trees
### {Family Name}
- **{Character Name}** ({status}) - [{name-kebab}.md]
- **{Child Name}** - [{name-kebab}.md]
- **{Child Name}** - [{name-kebab}.md]
Indent children under parents. Note marriages/partnerships inline.
Cross-Referencing
- When a character is referenced in worldbuilding (e.g., a location's
notable-characters), ensure the link exists both ways - When a character appears in a plot arc, ensure they're listed in the arc's
charactersfrontmatter - Character tags should be consistent across the project (e.g., if
magic-useris used, always use that exact tag)
Reference Files
references/character-template.md- Full blank template for character profilesreferences/relationship-types.md- Complete relationship type reference with inverse pairs