Outline Generator

If inputs are sparse, ask the user to provide more before proceeding. Don't generate from thin air.

Workflow

Step 1: X Research (if topic warrants it)

Run 3-5 targeted queries via the x-search skill to find cutting-edge discussions, real practitioner techniques, and accounts worth citing. This adds genuine value that {{USER_NAME}} can't get from their own knowledge alone.

# Broad mode first to map the landscape
.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/outline-generator/x_search_research.py broad -q "What are the most discussed [TOPIC] techniques on X right now? Include specific accounts and posts."

# Then deep mode for actual tweets with citations
.venv/bin/python .claude/skills/outline-generator/x_search_research.py deep -q "[TOPIC] advanced techniques OR strategies" --from-date [30 days ago]

Compile the best findings — real techniques people are using, accounts to credit, novel approaches {{USER_NAME}} hasn't covered yet.

Step 2: Generate the Outline

Combine all inputs (user's idea, packaging, raw research, X research) into a structured outline. The outline MUST follow this exact structure:

Header

# [Course Title]: [Subtitle]

Google Doc: (left blank — filled after export)

Title Options

Exactly 3 title options. Each must:

• Include the primary keyword naturally
• Include "(Full Course)" or "(Full Course 2026)" for search
• Be under 65 characters
• Be formatted for YouTube SEO (keyword-first when possible)

## Title Options

- [Keyword]: [Value Prop] (Full Course 2026)
- [Keyword]: [Angle] (Full Course)
- [Keyword] Full Course: [Hook]

Hook (scripted)

A fully scripted 60-90 second intro {{USER_NAME}} reads verbatim. Structure:

1. Opening line — what this video is about (1 sentence)
2. Credibility — why {{USER_NAME}} is qualified (business results, student count, real usage)
3. Positioning — what level this is, what prerequisites exist
4. Wow moment tease — "First, I'll show you something cool in under two minutes..." + describe the wow moment
5. Section preview — rapid-fire list of every major technique/section (1 sentence each, make them sound compelling)
6. Transition — "Let's not waste any time, here we go."

The hook must name-drop specific, concrete things (not vague promises). Each technique preview should make the viewer think "I need to know how to do that."

## Hook (scripted)

[Full scripted text here — {{USER_NAME}} reads this verbatim on camera]

Section 0: The Wow Moment

Something visually impressive that happens in the first 2-3 minutes. Must be:

• Visually striking — multiple things happening at once, or a dramatic before/after
• Fast — complete in under 2 minutes of screen time
• Real — actually works, not faked or simulated
• Relevant — uses techniques from the course (demonstrates the ceiling)

# 0. The wow moment — [short description]

[2-3 sentences describing what the viewer sees]

[1 sentence on why this matters / what it demonstrates]

Demo setup: [Exact steps to reproduce this demo. What to pre-configure, what tools are needed, what can go wrong.]

Links:
- [Relevant tool/doc]: [URL]

Numbered Sections (the course body)

Each section follows this template. Aim for 8-14 sections total depending on course depth.

# [N]. [Section type]: [Title]

[1-2 sentence summary of what this section covers and why it matters]

**How it works:** [Detailed explanation. Be specific — include code snippets, configuration examples, or step-by-step breakdowns where relevant. This is {{USER_NAME}}'s reference for what to say on camera.]

**Demo:** [Exactly what to show on screen. What to set up beforehand, what the viewer sees step by step, what the expected result is. Be specific enough that {{USER_NAME}} can reproduce this without thinking.]

**Show the prompt:** [If applicable — the exact prompt, CLAUDE.md block, or configuration. Walk through why each piece is worded the way it is.]

**When to use it:** [1-2 sentences on when this technique is valuable and when it's overkill.]

Sources: [X accounts, blog posts, original discoverers — credit where due]

Links:
- [Resource name]: [URL]

Not every section needs all fields. Use judgment:

• Tutorial/technique sections: all fields
• Comparison sections: use a table format instead of demo/prompt
• Strategy/business sections: skip "show the prompt", focus on real numbers and examples
• Intro/context sections: keep short (2-3 min of recording time), skip demo

Closing Section: What to Build Next

5 project ideas ranked by difficulty, each referencing techniques from the course. Point to {{COMMUNITY_NAME}}.

# [N]. What to build next

[5 numbered project ideas, each with:]
1. **[Project name]** (Techniques [X] + [Y]) — [1-2 sentence description]

Point viewers to {{COMMUNITY_NAME}} for guided builds and community support.

Links:
- {{COMMUNITY_NAME}}: https://www.skool.com/{{COMMUNITY_SLUG}}
- [Other relevant links]

Step 3: Present to User

Output the full outline in a single markdown block. Tell the user:

• Estimated recording time based on section count (~8-12 min per technique section, ~3-5 min for intro/closing sections)
• Which sections need the most demo prep
• Any gaps or sections that need more research

Step 4: User Adjustments

The user reviews and makes changes. Incorporate feedback, add/remove sections, adjust depth.

Step 5: Diagram Generation (separate step, after outline is finalized)

After the outline is locked, generate 1-2 diagrams per section using the diagram-generator skill. Diagrams should:

• Visualize the core concept of each section (architecture, flow, comparison)
• Use the hand-drawn whiteboard aesthetic
• Be 16:9 aspect ratio for YouTube

python3 .claude/skills/outline-generator/generate_diagram.py "[description]" --aspect 16:9

Step 6: Google Doc Export (separate step)

Compile the final outline + diagrams into a Google Doc for recording reference:

python3 .claude/skills/outline-generator/md_to_gdoc.py "active/youtube-strategy/outlines/OUTLINE.md" --title "Course Title — Outline"

Uses gws CLI under the hood (no Python Google API dependencies needed).

Quality Checks

Before presenting the outline:

• Every section has a clear demo that {{USER_NAME}} can actually execute
• Links are real and current (not hallucinated)
• Sources credit real people / accounts (verify via X research)
• Hook previews every major section (nothing left out)
• Title options include the primary keyword
• Wow moment is genuinely impressive and takes < 2 minutes
• Total section count supports 2-3 hours of content (~10-14 sections)
• No section is too vague to record from — {{USER_NAME}} should be able to sit down and talk through each one without additional research

Output Location

Save outlines to: active/youtube-strategy/outlines/[slug].md

Cost

• X research: ~$0.10-0.30 (3-5 queries across broad + deep)
• Diagrams: ~$0.02-0.05 each (generated separately in Step 5)
• Total per outline: ~$0.30-0.80