Generates recording-ready outlines — hook, structured body with talking points, visual-aid callouts, source citations, time budgets, competitive differentiation, and production notes. Default target length is 12–18 minutes.
Triggers: "outline this video", "write an outline for…", "structure this video", "create a video outline".
Step 1 — Pick the video format
| Format | Structure |
|---|---|
| Concept / Educational | Hook → Concept 1 → … → Big Picture Closer. Per concept: core idea → explanation → analogy → source |
| Level-Based | Hook → Level 1 → … → Master Level. Per level: what it is → the shift → narrative arc → demos → key mantra → transition |
| Tool / Product Demo | Hook → Problem/Context → Tool Intro → Demo → Honest Limitations → CTA (heavy screen recording) |
| Contrarian / Opinion | Hook (contrarian claim) → Evidence → Counter-arguments → Resolution → Implications |
| Case Study | Hook (result reveal) → Context → Process → Results → Lessons → CTA |
| Listicle | Hook → Item 1 → … → Best/Most Important Last. Per item: what → why it matters → demo moment → who it's for |
| Head-to-Head | Hook → Contender A → Contender B → Direct Comparison → Verdict (fair, clear recommendation) |
Step 2 — Outline template
# [Video Title] — Video Outline
- **Date / Target publish / Format / Target length / Related**
## Hook (~30-90 seconds)
desire mapping · spoken hook · visual hook · text overlay
## [Section 1 Title] (~X minutes)
**The core idea:** [one sentence]
**Talking points:** • … • … • [transition]
**Visual aid:** → [diagram or screen recording]
**Demo:** [what to show]
**Source:** [citation + URL]
## Outro / CTA (~30-60 seconds)
**Recap** (one line per section) · **CTA**
## Production Notes
Competitive Landscape · Title Ideas (3) · Thumbnail Moments · Honest Limitations · Total Estimated LengthStep 3 — Narrative principles (Kallaway dopamine ladder)
- Stimulation — the hook (visual stun gun, first 1–2 s)
- Captivation — plant the core curiosity question early
- Anticipation — build toward the key reveal
- Validation — deliver a non-obvious payoff
- Affection — honest limitations, personal experience
- Revelation — big-picture closer that reframes everything
Each section opens a mini curiosity loop and closes it. Front-load the most surprising facts (shock 70+); broadest context first; most perspective-shifting insight last. Fifth-grade reading level for spoken content.
Step 4 — Time budget
| Segment | Budget |
|---|---|
| Hook | 30–90 seconds (never longer) |
| Individual section | 2–4 minutes |
| Demo segments | 3–7 minutes |
| Outro | 30–60 seconds |
Total must match the target length. If it runs long, cut the weakest section rather than rushing everything.
Steps 5–6 — Competitive check & save
Optionally add 2–3 competitors (angle, performance, how yours differs) to Production Notes (needs the separate yt-search helper), then save to YOUR_VAULT_PATH/projects/YYYY-MM-DD-<slug>-video.md with wiki-links to research and idea briefs.
Key principles
- Outlines are for speaking, not reading — no academic language.
- Every section earns its spot (advances understanding or opens/closes a curiosity loop).
- Visual aids aren't optional — no talking head longer than 60 seconds without a visual change.
- Specific sources build credibility; at least one honest "here's where this breaks down" per video.