# Plot Structure > This skill should be used when the user asks to "create a plot arc", "story structure", "add a plot point", "story timeline", "track foreshadowing", "pacing", "act structure", "story arc", "plot outline", or wants to plan and manage the narrative structure of a story. - **Type:** Skill - **Install:** `agentstack add skill-danjdewhurst-story-skills-plot-structure` - **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior - **Seller:** [danjdewhurst](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/danjdewhurst) - **Installs:** 0 - **Category:** [Content & Media](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/content-and-media) - **Latest version:** 0.1.0 - **License:** MIT - **Upstream author:** [danjdewhurst](https://github.com/danjdewhurst) - **Source:** https://github.com/danjdewhurst/story-skills/tree/main/skills/plot-structure ## Install ```sh agentstack add skill-danjdewhurst-story-skills-plot-structure ``` Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent. ## About # Plot Structure ## Overview Plan and manage story arcs, plot points, foreshadowing, and narrative timeline. Each arc is a markdown file in `plot/arcs/` with a chronological timeline maintained in `plot/timeline.md`. The plot index tracks all arcs, their status, and theme coverage. ## Prerequisites A story project must already exist (created via the story-init skill). Verify by checking for `story.md` in the project root. ## Choosing a Story Structure 1. Read `story.md` for genre and themes 2. Consult `references/structure-models.md` for available structures 3. Recommend a structure based on genre (default to three-act if unclear) 4. Update `plot/_index.md` frontmatter `structure` field 5. Populate the story structure section with the beat sheet 6. When CLI access is available, run `story validate .` ## Creating an Arc 1. Read `story.md` for themes 2. Read `plot/_index.md` for existing arcs 3. Read `characters/_index.md` to understand available characters 4. Ask for: - Arc name - Type (main, subplot, character, thematic) - Which characters are involved - Which themes it serves 5. Build the arc through conversation: setup, escalations, climax, resolution 6. Write the file using `references/arc-template.md` 7. Save to `plot/arcs/{arc-name-kebab}.md` 8. Update `plot/_index.md` arcs table 9. Update theme tracking in `plot/_index.md` 10. If characters are referenced, verify they exist in `characters/` 11. When CLI access is available, run `story reindex .`, `story links .`, and `story validate .` ## Managing Plot Points Plot points live within arc files in the "Plot Points" table. When adding a plot point: 1. Read the relevant arc file 2. Add the plot point to the table with chapter reference (if known) 3. Add the event to `plot/timeline.md` in chronological order 4. If the plot point involves foreshadowing, add it to the arc's foreshadowing table 5. If the plot point creates a reader promise or mystery, create or update a record in `continuity/promises/` or `continuity/questions/` 6. When CLI access is available, run `story validate .` ## Timeline Management The timeline at `plot/timeline.md` is a chronological master list of all story events across all arcs. When adding events: - Insert in chronological order - Link to the relevant arc and chapter - Keep entries concise (one line per event) When reviewing the timeline: - Check for chronological consistency - Identify pacing issues (too many events clustered, long gaps) - Flag arcs that haven't progressed ## Foreshadowing Tracking Each arc tracks its own foreshadowing in the "Foreshadowing" table: - **Planted:** What hint or setup is placed - **Payoff:** What the payoff will be - **Chapter Planted / Chapter Payoff:** Where each occurs - **Status:** `planned`, `planted`, or `paid-off` During chapter writing, flag any `planted` items that haven't been paid off as reminders. For durable cross-arc setup/payoff tracking, also maintain `continuity/promises/{promise-kebab}.md` with `status`, `planted`, `payoff`, `arcs`, and `characters`. For mystery or open-continuity tracking, maintain `continuity/questions/{question-kebab}.md`. ## Cross-Referencing - Arcs reference characters via frontmatter `characters` field - Arcs reference themes via frontmatter `themes` field - Plot points reference chapters - Timeline entries link arcs and chapters - Theme tracking in `plot/_index.md` maps themes to arcs and chapters - Promises and questions reference chapters, arcs, and characters where relevant ## CLI Maintenance Use the Story CLI when it is available. If `story` is not installed but the `story-maintenance` skill is present, use `node ../story-maintenance/scripts/story.js` with the same arguments, resolving the path relative to this skill folder. If no CLI is available, perform the registry and backlink checks manually. ## Reference Files - **`references/arc-template.md`** - Template for arc files with frontmatter and sections - **`references/question-template.md`** - Template for continuity questions and mysteries - **`references/promise-template.md`** - Template for setup/payoff tracking - **`references/structure-models.md`** - Story structure models (three-act, hero's journey, save the cat, kishotenketsu, five-act) with beat sheets ## Source & license This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code. - **Author:** [danjdewhurst](https://github.com/danjdewhurst) - **Source:** [danjdewhurst/story-skills](https://github.com/danjdewhurst/story-skills) - **License:** MIT Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above. ## Pricing - **Free** — Free ## Security capabilities Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access: - **Network access:** no - **Filesystem access:** no - **Shell / process execution:** no - **Environment & secrets:** no - **Dynamic code execution:** no *"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.* ## Versions - **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source. ## Links - Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-danjdewhurst-story-skills-plot-structure - Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/danjdewhurst - Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse --- Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.