| name | viral-hooks |
| description | Generate 3 scroll-stopping hook variants for short-form video scripts (Reels, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, X). Use when the user is writing a script for short-form video, asks for hook ideas, needs an opening line for a Reel/post, or pastes a script and wants alternative hooks. Pulls from a library of 100 hook formulas across 10 psychology triggers (curiosity, contrarian, authority, emotional, listicle, question, story, negation, specificity, confession). |
Viral Hooks — 100 formulas, 10 psychology triggers
A library of battle-tested hook structures for short-form video and social posts.
When this skill activates
Activate this skill when the user:
- Pastes a script for a Reel / TikTok / YouTube short / LinkedIn post and wants a hook
- Asks "give me hooks for [topic]" or "write opening lines about [topic]"
- Is brainstorming short-form content and needs scroll-stoppers
- Says
/hooks <topic> or /viral-hooks <topic>
Workflow
-
Read the script or topic. If the user only gave a topic (no script), ask one short question about the audience or angle, then proceed.
-
Identify the emotional beat the script naturally fits — curiosity, contrarian, authority, emotional, listicle, question, story, negation, specificity, or confession.
-
Pick 3 candidate hooks from hooks-database.md. Best practice: mix one stop-scroll category (negation / specificity / question) with one retention category (story / confession / emotional). The third is free pick.
-
Fill the brackets with the script's specific topic, number, pain point, or audience. Keep filled hooks under 12 words. Make them native to the target platform:
- TikTok / IG → casual, conversational
- LinkedIn → punchy, declarative
- YouTube → title-style, search-friendly
- X → short, contrarian
-
Return all 3 with category labels and a one-line "best for" note so the user can A/B test or pick the strongest fit.
Output format
HOOK 1 — Cat XX [Category Name] · best for [reason]
"<filled-in hook>"
HOOK 2 — Cat XX [Category Name] · best for [reason]
"<filled-in hook>"
HOOK 3 — Cat XX [Category Name] · best for [reason]
"<filled-in hook>"
After the 3 hooks, give a one-sentence recommendation on which to lead with and why.
Resources
hooks-database.md — the 100 hook formulas, organized by category, with examples and best-platform tags. Always read this when the skill activates.preview.html — a styled HTML reference users can open in a browser or send to writers.
Workflow tip
The two best hooks per video are usually from different categories. Mix one stop-scroll hook (negation, specificity, question) with one retention hook (story, confession, emotional). The first stops the thumb; the second keeps them watching past 3 seconds.
