character-management

Original：🇺🇸 English

Translated

This skill should be used when the user asks to "create a character", "update a character", "add a character", "build a family tree", "character relationships", "character timeline", "character arc", "character profile", or needs to manage characters in a story project.

2installs

Sourcedanjdewhurst/story-skills

Added on2026-04-03

NPX Install

npx skill4agent add danjdewhurst/story-skills character-management

SKILL.md Content

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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

Read
```
story.md
```
for genre, themes, and tone context
Read
```
characters/_index.md
```
for existing characters
Ask for the character's name and role (protagonist, antagonist, supporting, minor)
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
Write the character file using the template in
```
references/character-template.md
```
Save to
```
characters/{name-kebab}.md
```
Update
```
characters/_index.md
```
registry table
If relationships reference existing characters, update those character files too

Updating a Character

Read the existing character file
Read
```
characters/_index.md
```
for context on other characters
Make the requested changes
If relationships changed, update the other character's file (bidirectional)
Update
```
characters/_index.md
```
if role or status changed

Managing Relationships

Reference

references/relationship-types.md

for the full list of relationship types and inverse pairs.

When adding a relationship:

Add the relationship entry to the character's frontmatter
Add the inverse relationship to the other character's frontmatter
Update the Relationship Map section in
```
characters/_index.md
```

Family Trees

Family trees are maintained in the

characters/_index.md

under the "Family Trees" section. Format:

markdown

## Family Trees

### {Family Name}
- **{Character Name}** ({status}) - [{name-kebab}.md]
  - **{Child Name}** - [{name-kebab}.md]
  - **{Child Name}** - [{name-kebab}.md]

Indent children under parents. Note marriages/partnerships inline.

Cross-Referencing

When a character is referenced in worldbuilding (e.g., a location's
```
notable-characters
```
), ensure the link exists both ways
When a character appears in a plot arc, ensure they're listed in the arc's
```
characters
```
frontmatter
Character tags should be consistent across the project (e.g., if
```
magic-user
```
is used, always use that exact tag)

Reference Files

references/character-template.md
- Full blank template for character profiles
references/relationship-types.md
- Complete relationship type reference with inverse pairs