viral-hook-creator

SKILL.md

Viral Hook Creator

Purpose

Generate 3-5 viral hook options using proven psychological patterns that create curiosity, provide value, and drive engagement. Hooks are optimized for social platforms (X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok).

Execution Logic

Check $ARGUMENTS first to determine execution mode:

If $ARGUMENTS is empty or not provided:

Respond with:
"viral-hook-creator loaded, proceed with additional instructions"

Then wait for the user to provide their requirements in the next message.

If $ARGUMENTS contains content:

Proceed immediately to Task Execution (skip the "loaded" message).

Task Execution

When user requirements are available (either from initial $ARGUMENTS or follow-up message):

1. MANDATORY: Read Reference Files FIRST

BLOCKING REQUIREMENT - DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP

Before doing ANYTHING else, you MUST use the Read tool to read BOTH reference files. This is non-negotiable:

Read: ./references/hook-patterns.md
Read: ./references/trigger_words.md

What you will find:

hook-patterns.md: 18 proven hook patterns with templates, psychology explanations, and the Pattern Selection Matrix

trigger_words.md: Four categories of viral trigger words (Insider, Helper, Thinker, Amplifiers)

DO NOT PROCEED to step 2 until you have read both files and have the patterns and trigger words loaded in context.

2. Check for Business Context (Optional)

Check if FOUNDER_CONTEXT.md exists in the project root.

If it exists: Read it and use the business context to personalize your output (industry terminology, audience pain points, brand voice, authority metrics).

If it doesn't exist: Proceed using defaults from the "Defaults & Assumptions" section.

3. Analyze Input

From the user's requirements, extract:

Content topic/theme

Target platform (X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, general)

Goal (awareness, education, engagement, conversion)

Target audience demographics and psychographics

Available social proof (stats, achievements, research)

For any missing information, apply defaults from the "Defaults & Assumptions" section.

4. Generate Viral Hooks

Using the patterns and trigger words you read in Step 1, create hooks:

Select patterns from hook-patterns.md using the Pattern Selection Matrix (match user's goal + platform)

Draft each hook using the pattern template as your starting point

Integrate 1-2 trigger words from trigger_words.md into each hook as you write:

Insider words (secretly, revealed, hidden, uncovered, etc.) → exclusivity patterns

Helper words (losing, wasting, bleeding, stealing, etc.) → problem/urgency patterns

Thinker words (backwards, myth, counterintuitive, paradox, etc.) → contrarian patterns

Amplifiers (literally, every, zero, completely, etc.) → any pattern for intensity

Follow all Writing Rules (Core Rules, Pattern-Specific Rules, Platform-Specific Adaptations)

Ensure differentiation - each hook must use a unique pattern

Verify natural integration - trigger words should enhance, not distract

5. Format and Verify

Structure output according to Output Format section

Complete Quality Checklist self-verification

Verify each hook contains trigger words from the reference file

Writing Rules

Hard constraints. No interpretation.

Core Rules

Maximum 120 characters for X/Twitter hooks.

Maximum 1-2 lines (40-60 characters) for video hooks.

Lead with the most interesting element.

Create a curiosity gap (promise value but withhold details).

Use specific numbers when possible (not "many" but "17").

Avoid clickbait that doesn't deliver.

Use power words: steal, secret, mistake, never, proven, blueprint.

No emojis unless platform-specific (Instagram/TikTok OK, LinkedIn/X avoid).

No fluff or filler words.

Active voice only.

Present tense preferred.

Pattern-Specific Rules

For authority hooks: Lead with credible metric.

For list hooks: Use odd numbers (7 > 6, 5 > 4).

For story hooks: Start with unexpected outcome.

For data hooks: Lead with surprising stat.

For cautionary hooks: Lead with mistake/lesson.

Platform-Specific Adaptations

X/Twitter: Punchy, contrarian, data-driven, 120 char max.

LinkedIn: Professional, achievement-oriented, thought leadership, 40-60 char first line.

Instagram: Visual promise, lifestyle-oriented, aspirational, 125 char before "more" cutoff.

TikTok: Fast-paced, relatable, trend-aware, 20-30 char on-screen text.

General: Versatile, platform-agnostic.

Output Format

Clean and simple. Just hooks with their pattern type as a headline.

### [Pattern Name]
[Hook text]

### [Pattern Name]
[Hook text]

### [Pattern Name]
[Hook text]

Example:

### Authority Credibility
I run a 23-person software agency. Here are 5 things I would never do again.

### Data-Driven Insight
I analyzed 1,000 LinkedIn posts. Here are the top 5 patterns that drove engagement.

### Contrarian
Everyone tells you to post daily. I posted 3x per week and got 10x more engagement.

Defaults & Assumptions

Use these unless overridden.

Number of hooks: 3

Platform: X/Twitter (most restrictive character limit).

Goal: Maximize engagement (likes, comments, shares).

Audience: General business/entrepreneurship audience.

Tone: Professional but conversational (matches most founders).

Emotion: Curiosity (safest default for viral content).

Format: Thread/post opener (not video hook).

References

These files MUST be read using the Read tool before generating any hooks (see Step 1 of Task Execution):

File
Purpose

./references/hook-patterns.md
18 proven hook patterns with templates, psychology, and Pattern Selection Matrix

./references/trigger_words.md
Viral trigger word categories (Insider, Helper, Thinker, Amplifiers)

Why both matter: Hook patterns provide psychological structure. Trigger words amplify emotional impact. Patterns alone = good hook. Patterns + trigger words = viral hook (~10x more engagement).

Quality Checklist (Self-Verification)

Before finalizing, verify ALL of the following:

Pre-Generation Check

 I read ./references/hook-patterns.md before generating hooks

 I read ./references/trigger_words.md before generating hooks

 I have the 18 patterns and 4 trigger word categories in context

Pattern & Structure Verification

 Each hook uses a proven pattern from hook-patterns.md (not made-up patterns)

 Each hook uses a DIFFERENT pattern (no repetition)

 Pattern templates were adapted to user context

 Hooks create genuine curiosity without being misleading

Trigger Word Integration Verification

 Each hook contains 1-2 trigger words FROM THE FILE I READ

 Trigger words match pattern types appropriately

 Trigger words are integrated naturally (not forced)

 Trigger words enhance emotional impact

Writing Rules Compliance

 Character limits respected for platform

 Specific numbers used (not "many" or "some")

 Active voice throughout

 No fluff or overused phrases

Final Check

If ANY hook is missing trigger words from the reference file or uses patterns not from hook-patterns.md → revise before presenting.