forsonny/the-crucible-writing-system-for-claude/crucible-planner

Crucible Planner

Interactive planning system for epic fantasy novels using the Crucible Structure.

Overview

Starting from a simple premise, guide users through multi-choice questions to build seven interconnected planning document categories (14 files total):

1. Crucible Thesis — philosophical core
2. Strand Maps — Quest, Fire, Constellation (3 separate maps)
3. Forge Point Blueprints — five convergence crises
4. Dark Mirror Profile — antagonist design
5. Constellation Bible — character relationships
6. Mercy Ledger — mercy/payoff tracking
7. World Forge — world-building

Before Starting

Always read these references:

• references/crucible-structure.md (the 36-beat structure)
• references/question-sequences.md (complete question flows)

Workflow

Phase 1: INTAKE → Accept premise, initialize state, confirm scope
Phase 2: QUESTIONING → 9 document cycles with multi-choice questions
Phase 3: COMPILATION → Generate documents, present package

Phase 1: Intake

Accept Premise

Extract from user input:

• Core concept (1-2 sentences)
• Protagonist sketch
• Central conflict hint

If premise too vague, use AskUserQuestion:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Protagonist",
      "question": "Who is your protagonist?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Reluctant chosen one", "description": "A chosen one who doesn't want the role"},
        {"label": "Ordinary hero", "description": "An ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances"},
        {"label": "Fallen power", "description": "A powerful figure who's lost everything"},
        {"label": "Seeking redemption", "description": "A morally gray character seeking redemption"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

Initialize State

python scripts/init_project.py "./crucible-project" "Title" "Premise"

Confirm Scope

Use AskUserQuestion to confirm scope:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Novel Length",
      "question": "What is your target novel length?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Standard", "description": "100-150K words, ~20-25 chapters"},
        {"label": "Epic", "description": "150-250K words, ~25-35 chapters"},
        {"label": "Extended/Series", "description": "250K+ words or multi-book series, 35+ chapters"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    },
    {
      "header": "Complexity",
      "question": "What is your narrative complexity?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Single POV", "description": "Single protagonist focus"},
        {"label": "Dual POV", "description": "Two protagonists sharing the story"},
        {"label": "Ensemble", "description": "Multiple POVs (3-5 characters)"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

Phase 2: Document Generation

Questioning Rules

1. ALWAYS use AskUserQuestion tool for all questions (provides interactive UI)
2. Max 4 options per question (tool limit) + "Other" is automatic
3. Max 4 questions per AskUserQuestion call
4. Reference previous answers to build coherence
5. Save state IMMEDIATELY after EACH answer (see Answer Persistence below)
6. Verify before moving to next document

Answer Persistence Workflow

CRITICAL: Save every answer immediately after receiving it with FULL CONTEXT. This ensures progress is preserved if the session fails and answers can be understood later.

Save Command Format

Each answer is saved with the question text, selected answer, and description:

python scripts/save_state.py "<project_path>" --answer "<document>" "<state_key>" "<question_text>" "<answer>" "<description>"

Parameters:

1. document - The document key (e.g., "doc1_crucible_thesis")
2. state_key - The field name (e.g., "burden_type")
3. question_text - The full question that was asked
4. answer - The selected option label
5. description - The description of the selected option

Step-by-Step Workflow

1. Ask the question using AskUserQuestion:

``json { "questions": [{ "header": "Burden", "question": "What form does the external burden take in your story?", "options": [ {"label": "Physical object", "description": "An artifact that must be destroyed or protected"}, {"label": "Person to save", "description": "Someone who must be rescued or kept alive"} ], "multiSelect": false }] } ``

1. User selects: "Physical object"

1. IMMEDIATELY save with full context:

``bash python scripts/save_state.py "./crucible-project" --answer "doc1_crucible_thesis" "burden_type" "What form does the external burden take in your story?" "Physical object" "An artifact that must be destroyed or protected" ``

1. Verify save succeeded (output shows question and answer)

1. Ask next question

What Gets Saved

Each answer is stored as:

{
  "question": "What form does the external burden take in your story?",
  "answer": "Physical object",
  "description": "An artifact that must be destroyed or protected"
}

This provides full context when resuming or reviewing progress.

Example Save Commands

Document 1 (Crucible Thesis):

python scripts/save_state.py "./project" --answer "doc1_crucible_thesis" "burden_type" "What form does the burden take?" "Physical object" "An artifact to destroy or protect"
python scripts/save_state.py "./project" --answer "doc1_crucible_thesis" "fire_type" "What is the Fire's nature?" "Magical ability" "A power that corrupts with use"

Nested Documents (Forge Points, Mercies):

python scripts/save_state.py "./project" --answer "doc5_forge_points.fp0_ignition" "quest_crisis" "What Quest crisis emerges?" "Artifact stolen" "Enemy takes the burden"
python scripts/save_state.py "./project" --answer "doc8_mercy_ledger.mercy_1" "recipient" "Who receives mercy?" "Enemy soldier" "A combatant who surrendered"

On Document Completion

After the verification question is confirmed:

python scripts/save_state.py "./crucible-project" --complete <doc_num>

This marks the document complete and advances progress to the next document.

Error Handling

If a save fails:

1. Retry once
2. If still failing, inform the user but continue (answer is in context)
3. User can manually recover using /crucible-continue

Question Format

CRITICAL: Use the AskUserQuestion tool, NOT plain text options.

Example AskUserQuestion call:

{
  "questions": [
    {
      "header": "Burden",
      "question": "What form does the external burden take in your story?",
      "options": [
        {"label": "Physical object", "description": "An artifact that must be destroyed or protected"},
        {"label": "Person to save", "description": "Someone who must be rescued or kept alive"},
        {"label": "Knowledge/truth", "description": "Information that must be revealed or protected"},
        {"label": "Mission/quest", "description": "A task that must be completed"}
      ],
      "multiSelect": false
    }
  ]
}

Header examples (max 12 chars): "Burden", "Fire Type", "Bond", "Antagonist", "Theme", "Sacrifice"

For verification questions, use multiSelect: true to allow checking multiple items.

Document Sequence

See references/question-sequences.md for complete question banks.

Document 1: Crucible Thesis (10 questions)

• The Burden (external mission)
• The Fire (internal power/curse)
• Core Constellation Bond
• Dark Mirror Connection
• Forging Question
• Antagonist's Truth
• The Surrender
• Theme
• Blade's Purpose
• Verification

Document 2: Quest Strand Map (7 questions)

• Burden's Origin
• Why This Protagonist
• Antagonist's Stake
• Quest Escalation
• Impossible Requirement
• Resolution Method
• Verification

Document 3: Fire Strand Map (7 questions)

• Fire Manifestation
• The Danger
• Cost of Use
• Mastery Path
• Hardening Phase
• Mastery Moment
• Verification

Document 4: Constellation Strand Map (7 questions)

• Faithful Companion
• The Sacrifice
• Betrayal Source
• Expansion
• Bond That Saves
• Constellation Fate
• Verification

Document 5: Forge Point Blueprints (5 × 4 questions) For each Forge Point (Ignition, First, Second, Third, Apex):

• Quest Crisis
• Fire Crisis
• Constellation Crisis
• What is Sacrificed

Document 6: Dark Mirror Profile (9 questions)

• Origin Parallel
• The Divergence
• Antagonist's Want
• Compelling Offer
• Why Tempting
• Hidden Cost
• Defeat Method
• Antagonist's End
• Verification

Document 7: Constellation Bible (12 questions)

• Protagonist Profile
• Faithful Companion details
• Core Bond Character details
• Mentor/Catalyst
• Sacrifice Character
• Additional cast
• Verification

Document 8: Mercy Ledger (4 × 4 questions) For each of 4 mercies:

• Recipient
• Merciful Act
• Immediate Cost
• Later Payoff

Document 9: World Forge (9 questions)

• World's Wound
• Power System Source
• Power Limitations
• Previous Wielders
• Key Locations
• World-Protagonist Mirror
• Magic Rules
• Timeline Framework
• Verification

Phase 2 Complete

After completing Document 9 verification, Phase 2 is complete. All foundational planning documents have been created.

Proceed to Phase 3 to compile the documents into the final planning structure by running compile_documents.py.

Phase 3: Compilation

Generate Documents

python scripts/compile_documents.py "./crucible-project"

Creates:

planning/
├── crucible-thesis.md
├── strand-maps/
│   ├── quest-strand.md
│   ├── fire-strand.md
│   └── constellation-strand.md
├── forge-points/
│   ├── fp0-ignition.md
│   ├── fp1-first-crucible.md
│   ├── fp2-second-crucible.md
│   ├── fp3-third-crucible.md
│   └── apex-willed-surrender.md
├── dark-mirror-profile.md
├── constellation-bible.md
├── mercy-ledger.md
├── world-forge.md
└── crucible-summary.md

Present to User

✅ **Crucible Planning Complete!**
 
📄 [View Crucible Thesis](computer:///path/planning/crucible-thesis.md)
📄 [View Strand Maps](computer:///path/planning/strand-maps/)
📄 [View Forge Points](computer:///path/planning/forge-points/)
📄 [View Dark Mirror Profile](computer:///path/planning/dark-mirror-profile.md)
📄 [View Constellation Bible](computer:///path/planning/constellation-bible.md)
📄 [View Mercy Ledger](computer:///path/planning/mercy-ledger.md)
📄 [View World Forge](computer:///path/planning/world-forge.md)
📋 [View Quick Reference](computer:///path/planning/crucible-summary.md)
 
After presenting the document links, use AskUserQuestion for next steps:

{ "questions": [ { "header": "Next Steps", "question": "What would you like to do next?", "options": [ {"label": "Review documents", "description": "Review and adjust any planning document"}, {"label": "Begin outline", "description": "Start creating chapter outlines from your plan"}, {"label": "Start drafting", "description": "Jump straight into writing prose"} ], "multiSelect": false } ] }

 
## State Management
 
Save after every question cluster:

python scripts/save_state.py "./crucible-project"

 
Resume interrupted session:

python scripts/load_state.py "./crucible-project"

 
## Bundled Resources
 
### references/
- `crucible-structure.md` — Complete 36-beat structure
- `question-sequences.md` — Full question bank by document
- `forge-point-rules.md` — Strand convergence mechanics
- `dark-mirror-guide.md` — Antagonist design
- `mercy-engine-guide.md` — Mercy/payoff mechanics
 
### assets/templates/
- Document templates for generation
 
### scripts/
- `init_project.py` — Initialize project
- `save_state.py` — Save progress
- `load_state.py` — Load progress
- `compile_documents.py` — Generate all documents