---
slug: "phantom-scribe"
source_type: "readme"
source_url: "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/barnstorm/phantom_scribe@main/README.md"
repo: "https://github.com/barnstorm/phantom_scribe"
source_file: "README.md"
branch: "main"
---
# Phantom Scribe

Templates + agents for kicking off and maintaining fast-paced fiction projects (Harmon Story Circle + “Crouch-style” chapter momentum), plus canon/timeline guardrails for high-concept worlds.

## Quick Start

### macOS / Linux
Install the Codex skill (and optionally project-local Claude agents):
- `./phantom_scribe/install.sh`
- `./phantom_scribe/install.sh --claude`
- `./phantom_scribe/install.sh --force --claude`

Restart Codex after installing.

### Windows (PowerShell)
- `.\phantom_scribe\install.ps1`
- `.\phantom_scribe\install.ps1 -Claude`
- `.\phantom_scribe\install.ps1 -Force -Claude`

Restart Codex after installing.

## Codex CLI Usage

- After install + restart, ask something like: “Help me write a story from this thumbnail…” to trigger the `phantom-scribe` Skill.
- Create a workspace with `~/.codex/skills/phantom-scribe/scripts/new_project.sh stories/my_story 24 --with-agents` (or run the repo script below).

## Claude Code

For Claude Code (project-local agents), run the installer with `--claude` and then restart/reload Claude Code:
- macOS/Linux: `./phantom_scribe/install.sh --claude`
- Windows: `.\phantom_scribe\install.ps1 -Claude`

This installs:
- `.claude/agents/` (agents)
- `.claude/skills/phantom-scribe/` (project Skill)

Then ask “Help me write a story…” to trigger the Skill, or start explicitly with `story-orchestrator`. See `phantom_scribe/CLAUDE.md`.

## Claude Desktop

For the Claude Desktop app, create a Project and paste the custom instructions:
- See [`CLAUDE_DESKTOP_SETUP.md`](https://github.com/barnstorm/phantom_scribe/blob/HEAD/CLAUDE_DESKTOP_SETUP.md) for full instructions
- Copy the provided prompt into your Project's custom instructions
- Upload templates to the Project's document library

## Claude Code Plugin

This repo also includes a Claude Code plugin (namespaced slash commands like `/phantom-scribe:kickoff`).

Install from git:
```bash
claude plugin install github:barnstorm/phantom_scribe --subdir phantom_scribe/claude_plugin/phantom-scribe
```

Or clone and install locally:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/barnstorm/phantom_scribe.git
claude plugin install ./phantom_scribe/claude_plugin/phantom-scribe
```

Test without installing:
```bash
claude --plugin-dir ./phantom_scribe/claude_plugin/phantom-scribe
```

See `phantom_scribe/claude_plugin/phantom-scribe/README.md`.

## Creating a New Story Workspace

From this repo:
- `phantom_scribe/scripts/new_project.sh stories/my_story 24 --with-agents`

From the installed Codex skill (after install):
- `~/.codex/skills/phantom-scribe/scripts/new_project.sh stories/my_story 24 --with-agents`

This creates:
- `START_HERE.md`, beat/pacing sheets, trackers, logs
- `chapters/chapter_01.md` … stubs
- Optional `.claude/agents/` and `.claude/skills/phantom-scribe/` copied in (for Claude Code–style discovery + Skill triggering)
 - `WORKSPACE_LAYOUT.md` + optional `world/CLUE_LEDGER.md`

## What’s Included

### Templates
- `BEAT_SHEET_TEMPLATE.md`, `HARMON_STORY_CIRCLE_TEMPLATE.md`
- `CROUCH_PACING_SHEET_TEMPLATE.md`, `HARMON_CROUCH_CHAPTER_GRIDS.md`
- `REVERSAL_LADDER_TEMPLATE.md` (scene-level thriller reversals + cliff buttons)
- `DREAD_LADDER_TEMPLATE.md` (horror escalation: rules/costs tighten, options collapse)
- `BEAT_TRACKING_TEMPLATE.md`, `TODO_INDEX_TEMPLATE.md`
- `CONTINUITY_REPORT_TEMPLATE.md`, `STRUCTURAL_AUDIT_TEMPLATE.md`
- `PASS_LOG_TEMPLATES.md`, `IMPROVEMENTS_LOG_TEMPLATE.md`
- `CHAPTER_DONE_CHECKLIST.md`, `END_OF_SESSION_CHECKLIST.md` (rinse/repeat guardrails)
- `WORLD_BIBLE_SYNC_CHECKLIST.md`, `OPEN_QUESTIONS_TEMPLATE.md` (canon sync + parked decisions)
- `WORKSPACE_LAYOUT.md`, `CLUE_LEDGER_TEMPLATE.md` (workspace map + clue economy)
- `REVERSE_ENGINEERING_CHECKLIST.md` (turn an existing draft into a synopsis + canon updates)

### Agents (Claude-style prompts)
Located in `phantom_scribe/.claude/agents/` and mirrored into the Codex skill assets:
- `story-orchestrator` (thumbnail → full plan)
- `character-sketcher` (write-safe sketch + labeled headcanon hooks)
- `worldbible-builder`, `canon-keeper`, `timeline-keeper`
- `constraint-designer`, `retcon-manager`
- `character-profiler`, `character-roleplay`, `dialogue-editor`

See `phantom_scribe/AGENTS_USAGE.md` for when/how to use each.