strong-edit

This skill is for critical evaluation of $ARGUMENTS - not polish (review-steps) or generation (flesh-out).

Stop after each stage and have changes reviewed with user.

Note: Strong editing challenges the content itself. The agent identifies weaknesses; the developer decides what to change. Stages 0-4 are critique only — no edits are made to the document. Edits happen in Stage 5 after the critique is complete.

See responsibilities.md for the full agent/developer ownership matrix.

0. Read and identify the core argument (developer confirms)
   • What is the document's function? (its type and role — e.g., design doc specifying the auth system, op-ed arguing for policy X)
   • What is the document's goal? (the concrete outcome it exists to produce — e.g., a working implementation, a policy change)
   • What is this article trying to say?
   • Who is the intended audience?
   • What action or understanding should readers have afterward?
   • Confirm understanding before proceeding — critique requires understanding intent
1. Evaluate structure (agent critiques, developer discusses)
   • Does the opening hook the reader and state the thesis?
   • Does each section serve the argument?
   • Is the logical flow sound? (premise -> evidence -> conclusion)
   • Are there structural gaps or non-sequiturs?
   • Is the conclusion earned by what precedes it?
   • Does the structure serve the document's function and support its goal?
   • Present findings and ask the developer which structural issues matter most before moving on
2. Assess relevance and focus (agent critiques, developer discusses)
   • Does every paragraph serve the core argument?
   • Identify tangents, digressions, or scope creep
   • Flag content that weakens the piece by diluting focus
   • Does the content stay aligned with the document's function and goal?
   • Identify missing content that would strengthen the argument
   • Recommend cuts (be specific — quote what should go)
   • Ask: which of these cuts does the developer agree with? Is anything flagged actually intentional?
3. Challenge the argument (agent critiques, developer discusses)
   • Are claims supported by evidence?
   • Are there logical fallacies or unsupported leaps?
   • What would a skeptical reader question?
   • Are counterarguments acknowledged where needed?
   • Is the argument differentiated from obvious alternatives?
   • Would the argument, as presented, achieve the document's goal?
   • Ask: does the developer have evidence or context that addresses these challenges?
4. Evaluate readability (agent critiques, developer discusses)
   • Is the complexity appropriate for the audience?
   • Are sentences and paragraphs appropriately sized?
   • Is jargon explained or should it be avoided?
   • Does the piece maintain momentum or does it drag?
   • Are transitions clear?
   • Ask: are there readability choices that are deliberate (e.g. technical jargon for an expert audience)?
5. Strengthen weak sections (agent proposes edits, developer approves)
   • Based on the agreed critique from stages 1-4, now edit the document
   • Rewrite sections that aren't working
   • Tighten verbose passages
   • Sharpen vague statements into concrete claims
   • Replace weak examples with stronger ones
   • If edits introduce or modify external references, verify each URL resolves and supports the claim before presenting
6. Final assessment (agent leads)
   • Does the piece fulfill its function?
   • Does the piece achieve its goal?
   • What's the single biggest remaining weakness?
   • Recommendation: publish / revise further / rethink approach

When to Use This vs Other Skills

Key Differences

Strong Edit Philosophy

Good editing is subtractive. The best edits often involve removing what doesn't serve the piece rather than adding more. Every word should earn its place.

Challenge the author's assumptions. If something seems unclear, it may be unclear - or wrong. Don't fix; question.

Respect the author's voice. Strong editing improves the piece; it doesn't rewrite it into a different piece. Propose changes in the author's style, not generic "good writing."