IF Load Context

Overview

Use this skill to load the current workspace as an Ink interactive fiction project. It should validate story.yaml, identify the current IF workflow stage, and summarize the reliable design, state, and source files that downstream IF skills should use.

When To Use

Use this skill when:

• the current directory is expected to contain an Ink IF project;
• story.yaml or IF design files may be incomplete;
• another IF skill needs grounded context before making changes;
• the user asks for project readiness, status, or next step.

Files To Read

Always read story.yaml and README.md when present.

Read these when present and relevant:

• 00_meta/*
• 01_style/*
• 02_story/*
• 03_characters/*
• 04_design/map.md
• 04_design/locations.yaml
• 04_design/dialogue_matrix.md
• 04_design/progression.yaml
• 04_design/state_model.md
• 04_design/story_beats.md
• 04_design/critical_path.md
• 05_ink/main.ink
• 05_ink/locations/*
• 05_ink/dialogues/*
• 05_ink/systems/*
• 06_playtest/*
• 07_continuity/*

Metadata Contract

Treat story.yaml as the source of truth. For IF projects, preserve or normalize these fields when enough evidence exists:

project:
  format: "interactive_fiction_ink"
interactive:
  engine: "ink"
  entrypoint: "05_ink/main.ink"
  navigation_model: "free_2d_map"
  conversation_model: "free_order_dialogues"
workflow:
  next_skill: ""

Language Rules

• Skill instructions and canonical filenames stay in English.
• YAML keys stay in English.
• Human-readable project content must be written in story.language.
• If story.language is missing, treat it as blocking for content-writing skills.

Procedure

1. Confirm whether the workspace is initialized as an IF Ink project.
2. Validate shared metadata, especially project.format, interactive.engine, story.language, and workflow.next_skill.
3. Identify which IF artifacts exist and which are still missing.
4. Cross-check obvious consistency between design files and Ink source files.
5. Report the reliable context, missing blockers, and recommended next IF skill.

Output

Provide:

• project validity and workflow stage;
• selected story language;
• current map, dialogue, progression, and Ink source status;
• missing or inconsistent files;
• recommended next skill.

Restrictions

• Do not rewrite creative content just to tidy context.
• Do not invent missing design facts.
• Do not treat optional incomplete files as blockers unless a downstream skill needs them.