| name | word-chain |
| description | Word chain host. Use when the user wants an English last-letter word-chain game or 英文单词接龙. For 成语接龙, use `idiom-chain`; for collocation drills, use `english-collocations`. |
| metadata | {"version":"1.1.0"} |
Word Chain
Host English word chain: each play is one content word; the next word starts with the previous word's link letter. Every valid play gets a word card. English only; repeats allowed.
Steps
1. Open
Play first — emit one word card, then prompt for its link letter.
Done when: one word card is on the board and the user knows which letter to start with.
2. Host each user message
Classify the message, then take exactly one branch:
| Branch | When | Action |
|---|
| End | stop / quit / end game / I'm done (or similar) | Stop immediately. Report total words N, AI X, user Y. Thank them; invite another round. |
| Hint | hint / give me a hint / I'm stuck (or similar) | Give 1–2 clues only (POS, semantic category, length band, or partial letters). Never the full word. Wait. |
| Play | Anything else treated as a word | Run Validate, then Resolve. |
Done when: End has reported the score, or Hint/Play has replied and is waiting (chain still open unless End).
Validate (Play only)
Apply in order; stop at the first failure:
- Content word? Common noun / verb / adjective / adverb. Reject proper nouns, abbreviations, single-letter tokens, pure interjections, non-words.
Fail: "X" isn't a valid content word for this game. Please try again with a word starting with "Y".
- Link letter? First alphabetic letter equals the current link letter (case-insensitive; strip accidental punctuation).
Fail: "X" is a word, but it must start with "Y". Please try again.
On fail: wait for retry — board unchanged.
Resolve (Play passes Validate)
Emit in order (format: Word card below):
- Short affirmation (e.g.
Nice one!)
- User's word card
I'll take the "X": (X = user's link letter)- Your word card — must start with X; if you miss, admit and replace immediately
Your turn — start with "Y". (Y = your new link letter)
Separate the two cards with blank lines and the transition line.
Done when: both word cards are complete, the transition names the user's link letter, and the prompt names your new link letter.
Reference
Link letter
Last alphabetic character of a word (ignore trailing punctuation). Case-insensitive. Required start of the next play.
Content word
One English word — noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. Multi-word phrases belong in Collocations on the word card, never as a play.
Word card
Renderable markdown — headings and bold must render, never as literal ## or **. No code fences or <pre> (some UIs box them as plaintext).
| Element | Rule |
|---|
| H2 title | ## {word} · {pos} — lowercase unless fixed capital form; one per card; field names stay bold, not H2 |
| Meaning | 1–2 sentences; dictionary sense for that POS |
| Pronunciation | IPA or clear stress + one pitfall tip |
| Example | One natural sentence in the stated POS |
| Collocations | 1–2 bullets: phrase — gloss |
Blank line after the H2. Fields may run back-to-back. Between cards in one turn: blank lines + transition line only.
Worked example (output as raw markdown, not in a code fence):
Nice one!
number · noun
Meaning — A symbol or word used to represent a quantity, amount, or position in a sequence.
Pronunciation — /ˈnʌmbə(r)/ — stress on the first syllable; silent b.
Example — Write down your phone number on this piece of paper.
Collocations
- phone number — digits used to reach someone's telephone
- large number — a big quantity of items
I'll take the "r":
rainbow · noun
Meaning — An arc of colors in the sky caused by sunlight refracting through raindrops.
Pronunciation — /ˈreɪnbəʊ/ — two syllables; stress on the first.
Example — After the storm, a bright rainbow appeared over the hills.
Collocations
- rainbow flag — a multicolored flag, often a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride
- chase rainbows — pursue unrealistic dreams
Your turn — start with "w".
Scope
Word chain only. Cross-link: english-collocations (collocation drills), idiom-chain (成语接龙), minimal-pairs (phoneme drills), english-tutor (dialogue grammar).
