authors-build-relationship

/authors-build-relationship

Build a relationship entry between two existing characters.

When to use

• Two characters in your project have a significant relationship and you want it documented in both files.
• You're noticing that a relationship is driving multiple scenes and deserves craft-level attention.
• Before drafting a scene featuring both characters, so the draft respects their established dynamic.

Not for: creating new characters (use /authors-build-character); drafting a scene between them (use /authors-channel <author> or /authors-draft).

Instructions for Claude

1. Parse arguments: both character names required. Lowercase, hyphenated (matching the character file names).

2. Verify both character files exist:

   • .great-authors/characters/<character-a>.md
   • .great-authors/characters/<character-b>.md

   If either is missing, tell the user and offer to run /authors-build-character for the missing one first. Do not proceed until both exist.

3. Verify characters are different. If <character-a> and <character-b> are the same, ask the user to pick a different second character.

4. Check for existing connection between them in either file's ## Connections section. If found, ask: extend / replace / cancel. Default extend.

5. Dispatch relationship-builder via Agent tool:

   • subagent_type: relationship-builder
   • Prompt: Mode: interactive, Character A: <name>, Character B: <name>, Working directory: <cwd>.

6. Relay the interview. Six questions, one at a time.

7. Confirm update:

   Updated .great-authors/characters/<character-a>.md and .great-authors/characters/<character-b>.md
   
   Type: <type>
   Live tension: <one-line>
   
   Next: run /authors-channel <author> to draft a scene between them, or /authors-build-relationship for another pair.
   

Notes

• This skill modifies TWO files. Both updates happen or neither does.
• If the user says "cancel" mid-interview, stop and confirm no files were written.
• The reciprocal entries are deliberately asymmetric — each character has their own POV on the relationship.