character-management

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

1. Read story.md for genre, themes, and tone context
2. Read characters/_index.md for existing characters
3. Ask for the character's name and role (protagonist, antagonist, supporting, minor)
4. 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
5. Write the character file using the template in references/character-template.md
6. Save to characters/{name-kebab}.md, or use story add character "{Name}" --role "{role}" when the CLI is available
7. Update characters/_index.md registry table
8. If relationships reference existing characters, update those character files too
9. When CLI access is available, run the maintenance pass in the story root:

story reindex .
story links .
story validate .

Updating a Character

1. Read the existing character file
2. Read characters/_index.md for context on other characters
3. Make the requested changes
4. If relationships changed, update the other character's file (bidirectional)
5. Update characters/_index.md if role or status changed
6. When CLI access is available, run story reindex ., story links ., and story validate .

Managing Relationships

Reference references/relationship-types.md for the full list of relationship types and inverse pairs.