| name | talk-stage1-extract |
| description | Extracts and structures source material (articles, transcripts, notes) into a talk summary with narrative arc, themes, metrics, and gaps. Auto-detects REX vs Concept type. Use when starting a new talk from any source material or auditing existing material before committing to a talk. |
| allowed-tools | Write Read AskUserQuestion |
| effort | medium |
Talk Stage 1: Extract
Transforms raw material (article, transcript, notes, or a mix) into a structured summary ready for the pipeline's downstream stages. Auto-detects source type.
When to Use This Skill
- Starting a new talk from any source material
- First step of the talk pipeline (always run before other stages)
- Auditing existing source material before committing to a talk
What This Skill Does
- Collects metadata by asking for slug, event, date, duration, audience, mode if not provided
- Reads the source and loads the source file or inline content
- Detects source type (REX with real-world proof vs Concept with ideas/thesis) based on content signals
- Extracts the narrative arc (chronological for REX, thematic for Concept)
- Extracts metrics with every measurable number and its source
- Identifies main themes (3-7 themes)
- Flags gaps: what's missing for a complete talk
- Writes
{slug}-summary.md
Input
Required:
- Source file path or inline content (article
.mdx, transcript .md, notes)
- Metadata:
slug, event, date, duration, audience, type (--rex or --concept)
If metadata is missing -> AskUserQuestion before proceeding.
Output
talks/{YYYY}-{slug}-summary.md
Source Type Detection
| REX signals | Concept signals |
|---|
| Specific dates | Theses, arguments |
| Measured metrics | General observations |
| Project/tool names | Trend observations |
| Commits, releases, PRs | Analogies, metaphors |
| "I shipped", "We built" | "I think", "In my opinion" |
If hybrid -> note both components in the summary.
Output Format
# Talk Summary: {Provisional Title}
**Slug** : {slug}
**Event** : {event}
**Date** : {date}
**Duration** : {duration} min
**Audience** : {audience description}
**Type detected** : REX | Concept | Hybrid
**Source** : {source file path}
---
## Narrative Arc
{Arc description: 3-5 sentences. Chronological if REX, thematic if Concept.}
## Main Themes
| # | Theme | Short description | Weight |
|---|-------|------------------|--------|
| 1 | {theme} | {description} | High/Medium/Low |
...
## Key Metrics Extracted
{All measurable numbers found in the source}
Format: `{value}`: {context} (Source: {section/page/git})
Examples:
- `1,200 commits` over 7 months (Source: "acceleration" section)
- `-97% traffic` after SSE migration (Source: CHANGELOG v1.1.0)
If none -> "No verifiable metrics found (Concept mode)"
## Narrative Potential
{3-5 sentences on the strengths and possible narrative angles.
What makes this talk potentially strong. What might be missing.}
## Gaps Identified
- [ ] {gap 1}: {how to fill it}
- [ ] {gap 2}: {how to fill it}
If no obvious gaps -> "No major gaps identified."
## Recommendations for next stages
- **Research**: {recommended / not applicable (Concept mode)}: {why}
- **Concepts**: {priority themes to explore}
- **Position**: {angles already visible from the source material}
---
*Generated by talk-stage1-extract: {date}*
*Source: {source path}*
Metric Extraction Rules
- Do not round without indicating it
- Always include the metric's source
- If two sources contradict, flag both without picking one
- No invented metrics to fill gaps
- Use
{before} -> {after} format for evolutions
Anti-patterns
- Vague summary ("This text is about AI...")
- Omitting metrics, even approximate ones with their source
- Hiding gaps (naming them is better than pretending they don't exist)
- Changing the detected type without justification
- Inventing a narrative arc not present in the source
Validation Checklist
Tips
- Run this before the orchestrator if you want to verify the source material is usable
- The summary is the foundation: every downstream stage reads it
- Hybrid sources (part REX, part Concept) are fine, name both components clearly
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