Blog Post Writer

Overview

This skill produces publishable technical blog posts that readers actually finish: a hook that earns the first scroll, a spine of clear sections, runnable examples, and a takeaway the reader can act on. Keywords: blog post, technical article, dev blog, tutorial, write-up, engineering blog, Medium, dev.to, Hashnode, announcement, essay, headline, hook, SEO.

Use it for tutorials, deep dives, "how we built X" stories, opinion/architecture pieces, release announcements, and concept explainers.

When To Use

• "Write a blog post about <topic>."
• "Turn these notes / this PR / this RFC into an article."
• "I need a catchy intro and outline for a post on <topic>."
• "Edit / tighten this draft."

Process

Follow these steps in order. Do not skip step 1 — most weak posts fail on audience and angle, not prose.

1. Clarify the brief. Establish (ask only if unknown): topic, target reader and their skill level, the single takeaway, desired length, tone, and platform. If the user gave a draft or notes, infer these and confirm the angle in one line.
2. Find the angle. Pick ONE controlling idea (the "so what"). Reject topics that are really 3 posts; split them. Write a one-sentence thesis you can defend.
3. Outline. Produce a section skeleton (H2s) before prose. Use templates/outline.md. Aim for 4-7 sections plus intro and conclusion.
4. Write the hook. Draft the opening using a pattern from references/hooks.md. The first two sentences must create tension or promise a payoff. No "In today's fast-paced world."
5. Draft body. One idea per section. Lead each section with its point, then support with example/code/data. Keep paragraphs 2-4 sentences.
6. Add examples. Every abstract claim gets a concrete instance: code, a command, a number, a before/after, or a short scenario. Code must be minimal, correct, and runnable.
7. Write the takeaway. End with what the reader should now do or believe — a checklist, next step, or crisp summary. Never end on "In conclusion."
8. Title + meta. Generate 3-5 headline options (see references/headlines.md) and a 150-160 char meta description.
9. Edit. Run the pass in references/editing-checklist.md. Then run scripts/readability.py on the draft for objective metrics. Cut 10%.

Structure Template

Title (benefit-driven, specific)
Hook (2-4 sentences: tension/promise)
Context (why this matters now, who it's for) — keep short
Body section 1..N (point → example → implication)
Takeaway (action/summary)
CTA (optional: comment, follow, try the repo)

Decision Framework: Post Type

• Tutorial / how-to → numbered steps, prerequisites block, copy-paste code, end state screenshot/output. Reader goal: do it.
• Deep dive / "how we built" → problem → constraints → approach → tradeoffs → result with metrics. Reader goal: understand decisions.
• Opinion / architecture → thesis → evidence → counterargument → recommendation. Reader goal: be persuaded.
• Concept explainer → analogy → precise definition → example → common misconceptions. Reader goal: get it.
• Announcement → what's new in one line → why it matters → key features → migration/getting started. Reader goal: should I adopt this.

See references/post-types.md for full structures and worked skeletons.

Hook Heuristics (quick)

Lead with one of: a sharp question the reader is already asking, a surprising fact/number, a relatable failure, a bold claim you'll prove, or a tiny story. Promise the payoff explicitly within the first paragraph. See references/hooks.md.

Best Practices

• One takeaway per post. If you can't state it in a sentence, the post isn't ready.
• Show, don't assert: replace adjectives ("blazing fast") with numbers ("p99 dropped from 800ms to 90ms").
• Front-load value — readers skim; make each H2 a self-contained mini-point.
• Use "you" and active voice. Write like you'd explain it to a smart colleague.
• Code blocks: minimal, labeled language, tested, with expected output shown.
• Vary sentence length; short sentences land points.
• Add internal signposts ("First… Next… The catch…") for scannability.

Common Pitfalls

• Burying the lede under throat-clearing intro paragraphs.
• Trying to cover everything — scope creep kills focus.
• Abstract advice with no example.
• Untested or pseudo-code presented as runnable.
• Walls of text; no headers, no whitespace.
• Generic title ("Thoughts on X") that wins no clicks.
• Ending with a weak "Hope this helps!" instead of a real takeaway.

Supporting Files

• references/hooks.md — hook patterns with examples and anti-patterns.
• references/headlines.md — headline formulas, SEO and length rules.
• references/post-types.md — full per-type structures and skeletons.
• references/editing-checklist.md — line-by-line self-edit pass.
• templates/outline.md — fill-in outline to start any post.
• examples/sample-post.md — a complete worked post from brief to draft.
• scripts/readability.py — stdlib readability + filler-word metrics for a draft.