Novel Writer English — Open-Source AI Novel Writing Assistant

A free, open-source AI novel writing system that helps authors plan, draft, edit, review, and complete novels using a structured eight-step workflow.

Works with Claude Code, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Codex CLI, ChatGPT, and any AI chat assistant.

What is Novel Writer English?

Novel Writer English is an AI-powered novel writing assistant for authors who want more structure than a single prompt can provide. Instead of asking AI to generate an entire book at once, it guides you through a complete fiction-writing workflow: creative principles, story specification, clarification, chapter planning, task management, drafting, chapter editing, and broad review.

This project is designed for writers using AI tools such as Claude Code, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Codex CLI, ChatGPT, or any copy-paste AI assistant. It helps maintain story consistency, character depth, pacing, worldbuilding, and prose quality across long-form fiction projects.

Novel Writer English is completely free, open-source, platform-agnostic, and based on an eight-step methodology adapted from the original novel-writer-skills project by wordflowlab.

Key Features

• Eight-step AI novel writing workflow from concept to completed manuscript
• AI-assisted chapter drafting with a 13-item pre-write checklist
• Loose draft jumpstart utility for chapter ideas, arcs, idea dumps, and draft revisions
• Built-in editor workflow for one-chapter line fixes, approval tracking, and controlled revisions
• Built-in reviewer workflow for broad consistency, tracking, story health, and final readiness
• Bonus comics prompt workflow for manga, manhwa, manhua, webtoon page plans, page prompts, and visual reference sheets
• Anti-God-File split mode for specification, creative plan, and task files that would exceed about 500 lines
• Character, plot, timeline, and relationship tracking
• Genre-specific writing knowledge for fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, sci-fi, and thriller
• Works with Claude Code, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Codex CLI, ChatGPT, and any AI chat tool
• Free, open-source, and platform-agnostic

Quick Install

Run this in your novel project root:

npx novel-writer-english

The interactive installer will ask which AI tools you use and set up commands, skills, and templates automatically.

AI Novel Writing Workflow

flowchart TD
    subgraph GUIDE["/guide-me — Main Orchestrator"]
        direction LR
        GLEFT[" "] ~~~ GTEXT["Detects project state, guides you through every step"] ~~~ GRIGHT[" "]
    end

    B["/constitution"] --> C["/specify"]
    C --> D["/clarify"]
    D --> E["/planner"]
    E --> F["/task-manager"]
    F --> WC

    subgraph WC["Writing Cycle"]
        direction TB
        W1["/writer"] --> E1{"/editor"}
        E1 -->|"approved edits applied"| R1{"/reviewer"}
        R1 -->|"needs chapter fixes"| E1
        R1 -->|"approved"| W2["/writer"]
        W2 --> E2{"/editor"}
        E2 -->|"approved edits applied"| R2{"/reviewer"}
        R2 -->|"needs chapter fixes"| E2
    end

    R2 -->|"approved"| DONE(("🎉 Done!"))

    WC -.->|"add new chapters?"| E
    DONE -.->|"comic adaptation bonus"| CP["/comics-planner"]
    CP --> CT["/comics-task"]
    CT --> CPP["/comics-chapter-pages-prompt"]
    CPP --> CRP["/comics-revise-prompt"]

    style GUIDE fill:#4f46e5,color:#fff,stroke-width:2px
    style GLEFT fill:#4f46e5,stroke:#4f46e5,color:#4f46e5
    style GRIGHT fill:#4f46e5,stroke:#4f46e5,color:#4f46e5
    style GTEXT fill:#4f46e5,stroke:#4f46e5,color:#fff

    style B fill:#6366f1,color:#fff
    style C fill:#6366f1,color:#fff
    style D fill:#6366f1,color:#fff
    style E fill:#6366f1,color:#fff
    style F fill:#6366f1,color:#fff
    style WC fill:#1e1b4b,color:#fff,stroke:#818cf8
    style DONE fill:#22c55e,color:#fff

Step-by-Step Workflow

| # | Command | Purpose | |---|---------|---------| | 0 | /guide-me | Main orchestrator — start here. Detects your project state and guides you through every step. | | 1 | /constitution | Define core creative principles, pacing strategy, and character depth approach. | | 2 | /specify | Build a lean story specification and map details into knowledge files. | | 3 | /clarify | Resolve ambiguities in the spec with targeted questions. | | 4 | /planner | Create chapter structure, pacing, foreshadowing plan, and character arc mapping. | | 5 | /task-manager | Break the plan into prioritized, dependency-tracked writing tasks. | | 6 | /writer | Write chapters with a 13-item pre-write checklist to maintain consistency. | | 7 | /editor | Check one chapter, propose line-level fixes, track approvals, and apply approved edits only after confirmation. | | 8 | /reviewer | Run broad QA for project health, cross-chapter consistency, tracking accuracy, and final readiness. |

The writing cycle, steps 6–8, repeats for each chapter or chapter batch. You can loop back to /planner or /task-manager at any time to add new chapters or restructure your novel.

For long projects, /specify, /planner, and /task-manager can switch large files into split mode: the root .md becomes a short index, _main.md maps read order, and saga/arc/batch/chapter details live in focused shard files.

All AI Novel Writing Commands

Core Workflow

| Command | Description | |---------|-------------| | /guide-me | Main orchestrator. Walks you through the eight-step AI novel writing methodology from concept to completed manuscript. | | /constitution | Step 1 — Creates or updates the creative constitution, including core values, quality baseline, style principles, pacing, and character depth. | | /specify | Step 2 — Builds a lean story specification and initializes detailed knowledge files. | | /clarify | Step 3 — Reviews the spec, identifies up to five ambiguities, and asks targeted questions. | | /planner | Step 4 — Creates chapter structure, pacing, foreshadowing plan, and character arc mapping. | | /task-manager | Step 5 — Breaks the creative plan into prioritized, dependency-tracked writing tasks. | | /writer | Step 6 — Provides AI-assisted writing with Write Mode, Draft Detection, and a 13-item pre-write checklist. | | /editor | Step 7 — Reviews one chapter, proposes line-specific edits, tracks approval status, and applies approved changes only after confirmation. | | /reviewer | Step 8 — Performs broad QA for framework consistency, cross-chapter continuity, tracking accuracy, and final readiness. |

Bonus Comics Prompt Workflow

| Command | Description | |---------|-------------| | /comics-planner | Adapts written novel chapters into manga, manhwa, manhua, or webtoon chapter/page plans saved to comics-plan.md. | | /comics-task | Converts comics-plan.md into short page and sheet checklist tasks saved to comics-task.md. | | /comics-chapter-pages-prompt | Generates clean AI image prompt files for comic pages under comic/chapter_0001/. | | /comics-revise-prompt | Revises comic page or sheet prompt files after feedback or generated image review. | | /utility-character-sheets-prompt | Generates character model sheet prompts under sheets/characters/. | | /utility-settings-sheets-prompt | Generates setting/place reference sheet prompts under sheets/place/. | | /utility-object-sheets-prompt | Generates object, prop, weapon, artifact, tool, or vehicle sheet prompts under sheets/object/. | | /utility-npc-sheets-prompt | Generates NPC, race, monster, bestiary, crowd, guard, or general archetype sheet prompts under sheets/npc/. |

Utilities

| Command | Description | |---------|-------------| | /utility-drafter | Creates, extends, redoes, or lightly revises loose draft files from user ideas. | | /meta | Records novel metadata, including title, author, genre, Royal Road-style tags, work type, status, and publication dates, to meta.json. | | /checklist | Runs a quality checklist against the current context or chapter. | | /expert | Activates expert mode for deep, specialized analysis, such as editor, sensitivity reader, or logic checker. | | /track-init | Initializes the JSON tracking system for a new novel. | | /track | Updates or queries the comprehensive tracking system. | | /timeline | Manages the story timeline and verifies chronological consistency. | | /relations | Manages and analyzes character relationships. | | /authenticity-audit | Audits text for AI-generated stylistic patterns and clichés. | | /authentic-voice | Rewrites a passage to remove AI clichés and enforce authentic human voice. | | /utility-command-cross-check | Compares a project file created by a command against the current workflow format and suggests revision when stale. |

Auto-Activating AI Writing Skills

Skills are passive knowledge files that the AI loads automatically when your prompt matches their domain. No manual invocation is needed.

Writing Techniques

| Skill | Description | |-------|-------------| | character-depth | Ensures deep psychological backstory, Wound/Ghost, internal contradictions, defense mechanisms, and vulnerability triggers. | | comedic-banter-rhythm | Shapes witty banter, comedic escalation, argument-driven exposition, and humor under pressure. | | comics-prompting | Converts novel chapters into comic plans, page prompts, revision prompts, and visual reference sheet prompts for manga, manhwa, manhua, and webtoon workflows. | | dialogue-techniques | Makes dialogue subtext-heavy, distinctive, and character-driven. | | emotional-interiority | Ensures internal reactions, sensory-emotional responses, and prevents report-style narration. | | namecraft | Suggests names for characters, factions, places, titles, abilities, systems, artifacts, arcs, and concepts using genre, faction, symbolism, humor, and source links. | | pacing-rhythm | Enforces chosen pacing archetypes, manages sentence-level rhythm, and detects fragment overuse. | | punctuation-emotional-effect | Uses punctuation deliberately for emotion, rhythm, hesitation, interruption, silence, and intensity. | | scene-structure | Ensures scenes follow strong structural principles: Goal, Conflict, Disaster, Reaction, Dilemma, and Decision. | | strategic-reversal | Designs contests, tactics, bluffs, hidden rules, clever wins, and fair-but-surprising reversals. |

Quality Assurance

| Skill | Description | |-------|-------------| | consistency-checker | Checks for plot holes, character inconsistencies, timeline errors, and constitution violations. | | forgotten-elements | Identifies dropped plot threads and forgotten characters or items. | | getting-started | Helps overcome blank page syndrome by generating prompts and initial hooks. | | pre-write-checklist | Ensures the AI loads constitution, specification, plan, and context before drafting a chapter. | | requirement-detector | Detects and enforces specific plot or content requirements, such as fast-paced or high-emotion scenes. | | setting-detector | Detects the genre setting and loads the appropriate knowledge base. | | workflow-guide | Orchestrates the eight-step methodology and coordinates sub-skills. |

Genre Knowledge

| Skill | Description | |-------|-------------| | genre-knowledge/fantasy | Fantasy tropes, magic systems, worldbuilding, and narrative structures. | | genre-knowledge/horror | Dread, atmosphere, psychological tension, fear escalation, and horror pacing. | | genre-knowledge/mystery | Mystery plotting, clue dropping, red herrings, reveal timing, and tension escalation. | | genre-knowledge/romance | Romance arcs, emotional intimacy, romantic tension, and genre-standard tropes. | | genre-knowledge/scifi | Science fiction worldbuilding, technology, speculative themes, and future societies. | | genre-knowledge/thriller | High-stakes pacing, suspense, ticking clocks, escalation, and tension. |

Specialized Skills

| Skill | Description | |-------|-------------| | novel-cover-art-creation | Crafts detailed AI image generation prompts for novel cover art using ChatGPT Image, Midjourney, DALL-E, or similar tools. | | chapter-illustration-prompter | Generates chapter illustration prompt files with scene-specific prompts and technical notes. | | novel-uploader-guidelines-r2 | Provides guidelines for formatting novel content for Cloudflare R2 upload and web novel viewer apps. |

Knowledge and Tracking Files

These files are created automatically from templates during the workflow and updated as you write.

Memory Files

| File | Purpose | |------|---------| | memory/constitution.md | Stores your creative principles, non-negotiables, and quality baseline. | | memory/personal-voice.md | Stores your unique writing voice preferences and stylistic patterns. |

Knowledge Files

| File | Purpose | |------|---------| | stories/[name]/knowledge/character-profiles.md | Stores detailed character profiles with psychological depth. | | stories/[name]/knowledge/character-voices.md | Tracks speech patterns, banter roles, exposition roles, humor style, pressure response, and status behavior. | | stories/[name]/knowledge/locations.md | Stores setting descriptions, sensory details, and spatial relationships. | | stories/[name]/knowledge/world-setting.md | Tracks worldbuilding rules, magic systems, technology, and cultural details. | | stories/[name]/knowledge/glossary.md | Stores terms, titles, factions, items, magic/technology names, and in-world vocabulary. | | stories/[name]/knowledge/strategic-reversals.md | Tracks contest rules, tactics, opponent assumptions, hidden levers, and clever reversal setups. |

Tracking Files

| File | Purpose | |------|---------| | stories/[name]/tracking/character-state.json | Tracks character arcs, emotional states, and physical conditions per chapter. | | stories/[name]/tracking/plot-tracker.json | Tracks plot threads, subplots, and resolution status. | | stories/[name]/tracking/relationships.json | Tracks character relationship dynamics and how they evolve. | | stories/[name]/tracking/timeline.json | Tracks chronological story events for consistency checking. | | stories/[name]/tracking/validation-rules.json | Stores custom validation rules derived from your constitution. |

Project File Structure

After running npx novel-writer-english and starting your workflow, your project root looks like this:

my-novel/
├── .claude/                    # Claude Code commands and skills, if selected
│   ├── commands/
│   └── skills/
├── .gemini/                    # Gemini CLI commands and skills, if selected
│   ├── commands/novel/
│   └── skills/
├── .opencode/                  # OpenCode commands and skills, if selected
│   ├── commands/novel/
│   └── skills/
├── .agents/                    # Codex CLI skills, if selected
│   └── skills/
├── memory/                     # Created by /constitution
│   ├── constitution.md
│   └── personal-voice.md
├── stories/                    # Created by /specify
│   └── [your-novel-name]/
│       ├── specification.md
│       ├── creative-plan.md
│       ├── tasks.md
│       ├── comics-plan.md
│       ├── comics-task.md
│       ├── meta.json
│       ├── knowledge/          # Created by /specify
│       │   ├── character-profiles.md
│       │   ├── character-voices.md
│       │   ├── glossary.md
│       │   ├── locations.md
│       │   ├── strategic-reversals.md
│       │   └── world-setting.md
│       ├── tracking/           # Created by /planner or /track-init
│       │   ├── character-state.json
│       │   ├── plot-tracker.json
│       │   ├── relationships.json
│       │   ├── timeline.json
│       │   └── validation-rules.json
│       ├── content/
│       │   ├── chapter-01.md
│       │   ├── chapter-02.md
│       │   └── ...
│       ├── comic/              # Created by bonus comics prompt workflow
│       │   └── chapter_0001/
│       │       ├── ch_0001_page_001.md
│       │       └── ch_0001_page_002.md
│       └── sheets/             # Created by visual reference sheet utilities
│           ├── characters/
│           ├── place/
│           ├── object/
│           └── npc/

Large Document Split Mode

When specification.md, creative-plan.md, or tasks.md would grow beyond about 500 lines, the workflow may split it into a folder instead of making one huge file.

| Compact File | Split Folder | Main Map | Example Shards | |--------------|--------------|----------|----------------| | specification.md | specification/ | specification/_main.md | core.md, cast.md, world.md, plot.md | | creative-plan.md | creative-plan/ | creative-plan/_main.md | saga_0001.md, saga_0001_arc_0001.md, ch_00001-00005.md | | tasks.md | tasks/ | tasks/_main.md | saga_0001_arc_0001.md, ch_00001-00005.md, review-editing-log.md |

Root .md files become index/dashboard files in split mode. Read _main.md first, then only relevant shard(s). Keep every active file or shard below about 500 lines; split again by saga, arc, batch, or chapter range when needed.

Note: You only need to create the project folder and run the installer. Everything else, including memory/, stories/[name]/knowledge/, stories/[name]/tracking/, and all generated .md and .json files, is created automatically by the commands as you work through the eight-step workflow.

Supported AI Writing Platforms

| Platform | Commands | Skills | Installer Target | |----------|----------|--------|-----------------| | Claude Code | .claude/commands/*.md | .claude/skills/ | ./claude/ | | Gemini CLI | .gemini/commands/novel/*.toml | .gemini/skills/ | ./gemini/ | | OpenCode | .opencode/commands/novel/*.md | .opencode/skills/ | ./opencode/ | | Codex CLI | .agents/skills/commands/*/SKILL.md | .agents/skills/ | ./agents/ | | Any AI Assistant | Copy-paste from src/commands/ | — | Manual |

Who Is This For?

Novel Writer English is built for fiction writers, indie authors, web novel creators, and AI-assisted writing workflows. It is especially useful if you want to:

• Plan a novel before drafting
• Keep characters, plot threads, and timelines consistent
• Use AI without losing control of your creative direction
• Write long-form fiction with Claude Code, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Codex CLI, ChatGPT, or another AI assistant
• Build repeatable workflows for novels, series, or web fiction projects

Use Cases

Novel Writer English can help with:

• AI-assisted novel planning
• Chapter-by-chapter fiction drafting
• Long-form story consistency tracking
• Character arc management
• Worldbuilding organization
• Web novel production workflows
• AI-assisted editing and review
• Genre-aware fiction writing
• Maintaining author voice while using AI

Keywords

AI novel writing assistant, open-source novel writing tool, AI fiction writing workflow, Claude Code novel writing, Gemini CLI writing assistant, OpenCode writing workflow, Codex CLI writing assistant, AI story planner, AI chapter writer, novel planning tool, fiction writing system, AI-assisted writing, web novel writing tool, long-form fiction AI workflow.

Attribution

This project is a translation and re-architecture of the original work by wordflowlab. The original novel-writer-skills repository provided the foundational methodology, skill architecture, and command templates that this project builds upon.

License

MIT