Series Planner Skill
Plan multi-part content series: assess viability, select structure, produce plan with cross-linking and cadence. Three phases with strict gates.
Deep References
| Signal | Load | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Publishing frequency, delay handling | references/cadence-guidelines.md | Schedule selection criteria |
| Navigation links, Hugo implementation | references/cross-linking.md | Prev/next nav, shortcodes, landing pages |
| Plan output format | references/output-format.md | Complete plan template |
| Series types, selection matrix | references/series-types.md | Three type templates with examples |
Usage
/series [topic] /series --type=progressive [topic] # Force type /series --parts=5 [topic] # Target count /series --with-landing [topic] # Include landing page /series --minimal [topic] # Titles and scope only
Phase 1: ASSESS
Determine viability and natural divisions.
- Analyze topic: scope (narrow/medium/broad), natural divisions, audience progression.
- Check viability: minimum 3 distinct subtopics, each stands alone, logical progression exists, no filler.
- Detect series type:
| Signal | Type |
|---|---|
| learn, master, deep dive | Progressive Depth |
| build, create, project | Chronological Build |
| why we chose, migration, debugging | Problem Exploration |
Gate: 3+ natural divisions identified. If fewer, recommend single post or scope adjustment.
Phase 2: DECIDE
Select type, part count (strict 3-7 bounds), and structure.
- Select type and justify. Define part count and word estimate.
- Draft breakdown per part: title, scope (1 sentence), standalone value, adjacent links.
- Validate standalone value for every part:
- Reader learns something complete and actionable from this part alone
- Working code/config/output possible without other parts
- No critical info deferred to other parts
- Search landing on this part alone yields value
Red flags (reject): "read Part 1 first" dependency, mid-implementation endings, concepts only in earlier parts.
- Select cadence (see
references/cadence-guidelines.md). Default: weekly.
Gate: All parts pass standalone test. Part count 3-7. Type justified.
Phase 3: GENERATE
Produce the complete plan.
- Build plan: series header, per-part breakdown, cross-linking (see
references/cross-linking.md), publication dates, Hugo frontmatter. - Final validation checklist:
- Every part has standalone value
- Word counts 800-1500/part, within 20% variance
- Cross-linking complete (prev/next for all)
- No cliff-hangers, no filler
- Part count within bounds
- Output using
references/output-format.mdformat.
Gate: All checks pass. Plan complete.
Series Types
| Type | Structure | Reader flexibility |
|---|---|---|
| Progressive Depth | Shallow to deep mastery | Beginners stop at Part 1; advanced skip ahead |
| Chronological Build | Step-by-step creation | Each part produces working output |
| Problem Exploration | Problem to solution journey | Even failed approaches are instructive |
Error Handling
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Topic too narrow | Fewer than 3 natural divisions | Recommend single post or scope expansion |
| Topic too broad | Would need 8+ parts | Split into multiple series; narrow scope |
| No logical progression | Parts are loosely related, not building | Consider standalone posts instead of series |
| Standalone value missing | Parts depend on each other | Merge dependent parts or add context inline |
