reference-decode

name	reference-decode
description	Decode benchmark videos, contact sheets, frames, or rough ideas into reusable prompt structure. Use this when you need to extract hook essence, viewer question, must-copy visual grammar, and forbidden drift before writing storyboard or generation prompts.
metadata	{"postplus":{"familyId":"routing-contracts","familyName":"Routing & Contracts"}}

Reference Decode

Follow shared public skill rules in:

• postplus-shared public skill rules

Use this skill before prompt writing when any source material or rough concept exists.

This skill is for:

• breaking a good reference into reusable logic
• separating what should be copied from what must not be copied
• turning vague ideas into promptable structure
• creating a stable handoff for storyboard or provider request work

This skill is not for making the final storyboard grid or provider payload.

Core Rule

Do not summarize references as "good vibe", "nice pacing", or "strong chemistry".

Extract four objects:

1. hookEssence
2. viewerQuestion
3. mustCopyVisualGrammar
4. forbiddenDrift

Default Workflow

1. Load the smallest sufficient reference set

Prefer:

1. hook-first clip or first 0-5 seconds
2. hook-first contact sheet
3. supporting benchmark note
4. full-video style board only if hook-first material is insufficient

If the task is specifically hook replication, do not default to downstream style boards or product-demo frames.

2. Decode the opening mechanism

Ask:

• what is the first clear promise?
• what question enters the viewer's head?
• what exact visual structure makes that promise legible?

3. Separate structure from identity

Keep:

• camera grammar
• shot order
• visible object logic
• timing logic
• relationship logic

Do not keep:

• exact faces
• exact wardrobe
• creator identity
• exact text overlay
• exact location

4. Print the decode block before writing prompts

Read references/output-shape.md.

Print the decode in that exact shape first.

5. Hand off cleanly

• if the target is a grid, hand off to storyboard-grid-writer
• if the target is a full render request, hand off to video-request-architect
• if references should be explicitly bounded, hand off to reference-contract-builder

No-Reference Rule

If there is no usable reference, you may still use this skill in proxy mode.

In proxy mode:

• start from the chosen segment pattern
• infer the likely viewer question
• write must-copy grammar as required scene anchors, not as imitation notes
• write forbidden drift as anti-generic safeguards

Make it explicit that the output is derived from the brief, not from observed benchmark footage.

Failure Mode

Stop and say the decode is under-specified if there is no way to determine:

• what the opening promise is
• what the viewer should notice first
• what the scene must visibly contain

Ask this when the visual anchor is missing:

• "What is the most compelling visual in the first frame of the reference video?"

Do not move to storyboard writing with only mood words.