influence-manage

name	influence-manage
description	Manage the influences library database (influences_library.csv) for genetic algorithm mutations. Use when user wants to add influences, search for mutation ideas, track what's been used, or explore new sonic territory for prompt generation.
allowed-tools	Bash, Read, Write

Influence Management Skill

This skill manages the influences library database containing 46 musical influences used for the genetic algorithm's mutation strategy (the 20% new DNA).

What it does

• Lists all influences (with optional filtering by category, status)
• Searches influences by text (name, elements, adaptation notes)
• Shows detailed information for a specific influence
• Adds new influences to the library
• Updates influences (marks as used, changes status)
• Shows statistics (count by category, by status)
• Helps track the evolution from Unexplored → Tested → Proven/Avoid

When to use

• User wants to add a new musical influence
• User asks "what mutation ideas do we have?"
• User wants to find influences by category (e.g., "show me acoustic instruments")
• User asks "what influences haven't we used yet?"
• User wants to mark an influence as used in a prompt
• User wants to track which influences are proven vs should be avoided
• User is generating new prompts and needs mutation inspiration

Influence Lifecycle

Influences progress through these states:

1. Unexplored (initial state) - Not yet tried in any prompt
2. Tested - Used in at least one generated prompt, awaiting user feedback
3. Proven - User rated a prompt using this influence as excellent/very good
4. Avoid - User feedback suggests this influence doesn't work well

Categories

The library organizes influences into these categories:

• Acoustic Instruments (14) - Dulcimer, harp, autoharp, celesta, steel pan, marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, mandolin, bouzouki, oud, sitar, lap steel, EBow guitar
• Electronic Effects (9) - Dub delay, tape echo, reverb plates, analog synth arpeggios, Mellotron, granular synthesis, ambient drones, vinyl crackle, tape saturation
• Rhythmic Elements (6) - Swing quantization, shuffle grooves, polyrhythmic layers, odd time signatures, clave patterns, gamelan rhythms
• Textures (7) - Field recordings (rain/forest/ocean), harmonic drones, sustained tones, melodic percussion, tuned drums
• Genre Influences (10) - Surf rock, krautrock, fourth world, Balearic beat, minimalism, space music, ambient dub, lo-fi hip hop, exotica, kosmische musik

Usage examples

cd .claude/skills/influence-manage/scripts
source ../../venv/bin/activate

# List all influences
python manage_influences.py --list

# List by category
python manage_influences.py --list --category "Acoustic Instruments"

# List by status
python manage_influences.py --list --status "Unexplored"

# Search for specific influence ideas
python manage_influences.py --search "saxophone"
python manage_influences.py --search "delay"
python manage_influences.py --search "gamelan"

# Show detailed information for an influence
python manage_influences.py --show 1
python manage_influences.py --show 12  # Sitar

# Add new influence
python manage_influences.py --add \
  --category "Acoustic Instruments" \
  --name "Hang Drum" \
  --elements "Meditative metallic tones, melodic percussion, harmonic overtones" \
  --avoid "Busy melodic patterns, aggressive playing" \
  --notes "Perfect for theta states, use gentle patterns for ambient texture"

# Mark influence as used in a prompt
python manage_influences.py --mark-used 12 --prompt-ids "45,46"

# Update status
python manage_influences.py --update-status 12 --status "Proven"

# Show statistics
python manage_influences.py --stats

Integration with Genetic Algorithm Workflow

When generating new prompts (using prompt-generate skill), this skill helps with the 20% Mutation strategy:

Finding Mutation Ideas

1. Random exploration: List unexplored influences by category

   python manage_influences.py --list --status "Unexplored" --category "Electronic Effects"
   

2. Thematic search: Search for influences matching the time block mood

   # For theta-inducing morning warmup
   python manage_influences.py --search "theta"
   python manage_influences.py --search "gentle"
   
   # For focus-enhancing deep work
   python manage_influences.py --search "focus"
   python manage_influences.py --search "harmonic"
   

3. Proven winners: Find influences that worked well before

   python manage_influences.py --list --status "Proven"
   

After Generating & Testing Prompts

1. Mark as used: Track which influences were applied

   python manage_influences.py --mark-used 7 --prompt-ids "51,52,53"
   

2. Update status based on ratings:

   • If user rates prompt as excellent/very good → mark influence as "Proven"
   • If user rates prompt poorly → mark influence as "Avoid"
   • Otherwise → mark as "Tested"

   python manage_influences.py --update-status 7 --status "Proven"
   

Key Principles

✅ DO:

• Use influences to inject diversity into prompt generation
• Track which influences work well vs should be avoided
• Mark influences as used to see what's fresh vs overused
• Search the library before adding duplicates
• Use adaptation notes to guide how to apply the influence

❌ DON'T:

• Add influences without clear "Elements_To_Use" and "Elements_To_Avoid"
• Forget to update status after testing prompts
• Use influences marked as "Avoid"
• Apply influences that don't fit the time block's purpose (e.g., aggressive sounds in theta-inducing morning warmup)

Example: Using Influences for Midday Refresh

Goal: Generate 6 prompts for Midday Refresh time block (20% mutations = ~1-2 prompts)

Step 1: Find suitable mutation candidates

# Search for energizing but not aggressive influences
python manage_influences.py --search "refresh"
python manage_influences.py --search "alert"
python manage_influences.py --list --category "Rhythmic Elements"

Step 2: Review candidates (Influence #8 - Glockenspiel)

• Elements to use: "Bright metallic sparkle, gentle high tones, crystalline clarity"
• Elements to avoid: "Dominant melodies, march-like patterns"
• Adaptation notes: "Subtle high-frequency accents for alertness during afternoon slump"
• Status: Unexplored

Step 3: Generate prompt using this influence

• Add glockenspiel as subtle accent in an electronic/acoustic hybrid
• Keep it as texture, not melody
• Target gentle alertness, not harsh stimulation

Step 4: After testing in Suno

# Mark as used
python manage_influences.py --mark-used 8 --prompt-ids "41"

# Update status based on user feedback
python manage_influences.py --update-status 8 --status "Proven"  # If excellent rating

Files used

• scripts/manage_influences.py - Main management script (embedded in this skill)
• scripts/csv_utils.py - CSV utilities for influences_library.csv (embedded in this skill)
• ../../../../influences_library.csv - Influences database (project root)

Related skills

• Use with prompt-generate to apply the 20% mutation strategy
• Use with prompt-rate to track which influences led to excellent prompts
• Use with prompt-show to see which influences were used in a prompt

Current Library Status

As of 2025-11-07:

• Total influences: 46
• Status: All "Unexplored" (virgin territory!)
• Categories: Acoustic (14), Electronic (9), Rhythmic (6), Textures (7), Genre (10)

The library is a fresh canvas waiting to inject new sonic DNA into the prompt library.