From c3c0d2628b35459392d51f5699fcfb376d52fa22 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: John Lamb Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:18:09 -0600 Subject: [PATCH] voice updates --- bun.lock | 1 + plugins/compound-engineering/.claude-plugin/plugin.json | 4 ++-- plugins/compound-engineering/skills/john-voice/SKILL.md | 2 +- .../skills/john-voice/references/core-voice.md | 8 +++++++- 4 files changed, 11 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/bun.lock b/bun.lock index 26361fc..3a07728 100644 --- a/bun.lock +++ b/bun.lock @@ -1,5 +1,6 @@ { "lockfileVersion": 1, + "configVersion": 0, "workspaces": { "": { "name": "compound-plugin", diff --git a/plugins/compound-engineering/.claude-plugin/plugin.json b/plugins/compound-engineering/.claude-plugin/plugin.json index 8807af8..ce58371 100644 --- a/plugins/compound-engineering/.claude-plugin/plugin.json +++ b/plugins/compound-engineering/.claude-plugin/plugin.json @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ { "name": "compound-engineering", - "version": "2.35.1", - "description": "AI-powered development tools. 25 agents, 23 commands, 19 skills, 1 MCP server for code review, research, design, and workflow automation.", + "version": "2.36.0", + "description": "AI-powered development tools. 25 agents, 23 commands, 20 skills, 1 MCP server for code review, research, design, and workflow automation.", "author": { "name": "Kieran Klaassen", "email": "kieran@every.to", diff --git a/plugins/compound-engineering/skills/john-voice/SKILL.md b/plugins/compound-engineering/skills/john-voice/SKILL.md index a8a7eea..8b5fe55 100644 --- a/plugins/compound-engineering/skills/john-voice/SKILL.md +++ b/plugins/compound-engineering/skills/john-voice/SKILL.md @@ -22,4 +22,4 @@ This skill captures John Lamb's authentic writing voice for use across all writt ## Key Principle -John prizes simplicity and clarity above all else. He writes to convey meaning, not to sound smart. If the output uses words John wouldn't say aloud to a friend, it's wrong. If it obscures meaning behind fancy language, it's wrong. If it sounds like a corporate press release or a ChatGPT default, it's catastrophically wrong. +John prizes simplicity and clarity above all else. He writes to convey meaning, not to sound smart. If the output uses words John wouldn't say aloud to a friend, it's wrong. If it obscures meaning behind fancy language, it's wrong. If it sounds like a corporate press release or a ChatGPT default (NO emdashes!), it's catastrophically wrong. diff --git a/plugins/compound-engineering/skills/john-voice/references/core-voice.md b/plugins/compound-engineering/skills/john-voice/references/core-voice.md index 7c2e363..cc07866 100644 --- a/plugins/compound-engineering/skills/john-voice/references/core-voice.md +++ b/plugins/compound-engineering/skills/john-voice/references/core-voice.md @@ -72,13 +72,19 @@ John writes in first person almost exclusively. He uses "I" freely and without a He addresses the reader directly: "You'd be forgiven for thinking...", "You can see if there are any other cars near the spot", "Don't overthink it!" +## Diagrams Over Walls of Text + +John believes a good diagram communicates faster and more clearly than paragraphs of explanation. When a concept involves relationships between components, flows, or architecture, default to including a diagram. A three-box flowchart with labeled arrows will land in seconds where three paragraphs of prose might lose the reader. + +When the `excalidraw-png-export` skill is available, use it to generate hand-drawn style diagrams and export them as PNG files. This applies to technical explanations, architecture overviews, process flows, and anywhere a visual would reduce the reader's cognitive load. If the output is going somewhere that supports images (docs, PRs, Slack threads, emails), a diagram should be the first instinct, not an afterthought. + ## Structure John's writing follows a consistent arc: 1. **Hook** — A concrete story, observation, or scenario (never an abstract thesis) 2. **Context** — Background the reader needs, delivered conversationally 3. **Core argument** — The insight, always grounded in the concrete example -4. **Evidence/exploration** — More examples, data, or personal experience +4. **Evidence/exploration** — More examples, data, or personal experience (diagrams where visual clarity helps) 5. **Gentle landing** — A question, invitation, or understated conclusion (never a lecture) He almost never ends with a declarative thesis statement. He prefers to leave the reader with a question or a quiet observation.