Album Ideas

Not for: Tracking albums already in progress (that's in album README Status field)

For: Capturing ideas BEFORE album creation, organizing the backlog

File Location

Config-Based Path

1. Call get_config() — returns config including paths.ideas_file
2. If ideas_file not set, default: {content_root}/IDEAS.md
3. If file doesn't exist, create it with template
4. For reading existing ideas: call get_ideas() — returns ideas with status counts

Template for new IDEAS.md:

# Album Ideas

Backlog of album concepts. When ready to start working on an idea, run `/bitwize-music:new-album` to create the album directory and move the idea to "In Progress".

---

## Pending

<!-- Album ideas not yet started -->

## In Progress

<!-- Albums currently being created -->

## Complete

<!-- Finished albums (released or ready to release) -->

File Format

Each album idea uses this structure:

### [Album Title]
- **Genre**: [genre] (primary category: hip-hop, electronic, country, folk, rock)
- **Type**: [Documentary/Narrative/Thematic/Character Study/Collection/Original Soundtrack (OST)]
- **Concept**: [1-3 sentence description]
- **Notes**: [any additional notes, references, inspiration]
- **Added**: [YYYY-MM-DD]
- **Status**: [Pending/In Progress/Complete]

Example:

### The Great Molasses Flood
- **Genre**: folk
- **Type**: Documentary
- **Concept**: True story of the 1919 Boston molasses disaster. Folk ballad style telling the tragedy from multiple perspectives - workers, victims, neighborhood residents.
- **Notes**: Check USIA archives for primary sources. Consider Pete Seeger style for vocal approach.
- **Added**: 2025-12-15
- **Status**: Pending

Commands

list - Show All Ideas

Display all album ideas organized by status.

Output format:

═══════════════════════════════════════════
ALBUM IDEAS
═══════════════════════════════════════════

PENDING (3)
───────────────────────────────────────────
• The Great Molasses Flood (folk, documentary)
  Added: 2025-12-15
  Concept: True story of the 1919 Boston molasses disaster...

• Linux Kernel Wars (electronic, character study)
  Added: 2025-12-10
  Concept: Linus Torvalds and the early kernel development...

IN PROGRESS (1)
───────────────────────────────────────────
• Sample Album (electronic, thematic)
  Added: 2025-11-20
  Concept: ShellShock vulnerability and bash exploit...

COMPLETE (2)
───────────────────────────────────────────
• First Album Title (genre, type)
• Second Album Title (genre, type)

═══════════════════════════════════════════
Total: 6 ideas (3 pending, 1 in progress, 2 complete)

add [title] - Add New Idea

Add a new album idea with interactive prompts.

Steps:

1. Get title from argument (or prompt if not provided)
2. Prompt for genre (with validation against primary categories)
3. Prompt for type (Documentary/Narrative/Thematic/Character Study/Collection/Original Soundtrack (OST))
4. Prompt for concept (1-3 sentences)
5. Prompt for notes (optional)
6. Add current date
7. Set status: Pending
8. Write to IDEAS.md under "Pending" section

Prompts:

Genre (hip-hop, electronic, country, folk, rock):
Type (Documentary/Narrative/Thematic/Character Study/Collection/Original Soundtrack (OST)):
Concept (1-3 sentences):
Notes (optional, press Enter to skip):

After adding:

✓ Added "Album Title" to IDEAS.md (Pending)

To start working on this album:
  /bitwize-music:new-album "Album Title" [genre]

remove [title] - Remove Idea

Remove an album idea from the file.

Steps:

1. Find album by title (case-insensitive match)
2. Confirm with user: "Remove '[Title]'? This cannot be undone. (y/n)"
3. If confirmed, remove entire album section
4. Report: "✓ Removed '[Title]' from IDEAS.md"

status [title] [status] - Update Status

Move an album between status sections.

Valid statuses: pending, in-progress, complete

Steps:

1. Find album by title
2. Move to correct section
3. Update Status field
4. Report: "✓ Moved '[Title]' to [Status]"

Special case - In Progress: When moving to "In Progress", check if album directory exists:

• Call find_album(album_title) to check if album directory exists
• If NOT found, suggest: "Run /bitwize-music:new-album to create the album structure"

show [title] - Show Details

Display full details for a specific album idea.

Output format:

═══════════════════════════════════════════
ALBUM: [Title]
═══════════════════════════════════════════

Genre:      [genre]
Type:       [type]
Status:     [status]
Added:      [date]

Concept:
[concept text]

Notes:
[notes text]

───────────────────────────────────────────
To start working on this album:
  /bitwize-music:new-album "[title]" [genre]

edit [title] - Edit Idea

Edit an existing album idea interactively.

Steps:

1. Find album by title
2. Show current values
3. Prompt for each field (press Enter to keep current value)
4. Update the entry
5. Report: "✓ Updated '[Title]'"

Integration with Workflow

Session Start

CLAUDE.md already mentions checking IDEAS.md at session start. When Claude checks ideas:

1. Read IDEAS.md
2. Count ideas by status
3. Report: "X pending ideas, Y in progress, Z complete"
4. List pending ideas (title and brief concept)
5. Ask user what to work on

Creating New Albums

When user says "let's work on [idea from IDEAS.md]":

1. Run /bitwize-music:new-album [title] [genre]
2. After album created, update idea status to "In Progress"
3. Tell user: "Album structure created. Updated IDEAS.md status."

Completing Albums

When album status changes to "Released" in album README:

1. Update idea status in IDEAS.md to "Complete"
2. Add release date if available
3. This can be manual or automated (user decides)

File Management

Creating New File

If IDEAS.md doesn't exist:

1. Create with template structure
2. Add welcome comment explaining usage
3. Report: "Created IDEAS.md at [path]"

Backup Before Modify

Before any destructive operation (remove, edit), the file is backed up by git (if in repo) or user should have config backups.

Merge Conflicts

If user has IDEAS.md in git and experiences conflicts:

• Manual resolution required
• File format is human-readable markdown
• Each idea is independent section

Best Practices

When to Add Ideas

• Random inspiration strikes
• User mentions "I want to make an album about X"
• Brainstorming multiple concepts
• Before fully committing to album creation

When to Move to In Progress

• User runs /bitwize-music:new-album
• Album directory structure created
• Starting the 7 planning phases

When to Mark Complete

• Album released (Status: Released in album README)
• Or manually when user considers it done

Keeping Ideas Fresh

Periodically review pending ideas:

• Are they still interesting?
• Any new inspiration or sources discovered?
• Ready to start working on any?

Remember

1. Read config first - Call get_config() for IDEAS file path, or get_ideas() for existing ideas
2. Create if missing - Initialize with template if file doesn't exist
3. Status tracking - Pending → In Progress → Complete
4. Integration point - Session start checks this file
5. Not for active albums - Once album has directory, track status in album README
6. Capture liberally - Better to write down ideas than forget them
7. Review regularly - Help user revisit and prioritize backlog

Your deliverable: Organized, tracked album ideas that flow smoothly into album creation workflow.