IG Reel Producer -- Complete Reel Package

Creates publish-ready Instagram Reel packages: hook variants, timed script, German caption, thumbnail concept, and quality score. Every Reel is optimized for the 2026 algorithm where watch time beats all other signals.

Key references:

• references/format-specs.md -- Technical Reel specs (9:16, 1080x1920, safe zones)
• references/hook-library.md -- 50+ hook templates in 5 categories with selection logic
• references/content-rules.md -- Caption structure, CTA hierarchy, hashtag strategy
• references/scoring-system.md -- 100-point rubric (5 categories, weighted)

Account Context

Load account context from references/account-baseline.md. If not configured, ask the user about their niche, audience, and voice.

Duration Targets

Default to 15-30s unless the topic clearly requires shorter or longer format.

Algorithm Priority (2026)

Every decision in this skill follows this ranking:

Workflow

Phase 1: Topic Understanding

1. Clarify the topic -- If the user provides a topic, confirm:
   • What specific angle or claim does the Reel make?
   • Who within the audience benefits most? (e.g., IF beginners, women 50+, busy moms)

2. Detect content type -- Categorize the topic:

   Type	Characteristics	Duration
   Myth Bust	Corrects a common misconception	7-15s
   Quick Tip	Single actionable takeaway	7-15s
   Technique	Shows how to do something properly	15-30s
   Explanation	Breaks down a concept (e.g., IF windows, metabolism)	15-30s
   Mini-Tutorial	Multi-step process with clear sequence	30-60s
   Story/Transformation	Personal anecdote or client result	15-30s
   Controversial Take	Challenges mainstream fitness advice with evidence	15-30s

3. Set duration target based on content type (see table above)
4. If topic is vague, ask the user ONE clarifying question. Do not ask multiple questions.

Phase 2: Hook Selection

1. Load references/hook-library.md

2. Select the best hook category for the topic:

   Category	Best For	Example Pattern
   Curiosity Gap	Facts that surprise, myth busts	"Das passiert wirklich, wenn du..."
   Pattern Interrupt	Contrarian takes, unexpected advice	"Vergiss alles, was du ueber X gehoert hast"
   Identity Trigger	Audience self-recognition	"Wenn du ueber 40 bist und..."
   Pain Point	Problem the audience feels daily	"Du isst wenig und nimmst trotzdem zu?"
   Authority	Science-backed claims, credentials	"Studien zeigen: X ist falsch"

3. Generate 3 hook variants, each from a different category or angle

4. Score each hook on 4 criteria (1-5 scale each, max 20):

   Criterion	What it measures
   Curiosity Gap	Does it create an open loop the viewer MUST close?
   Pattern Interrupt	Does it break the scroll pattern in the first frame?
   Identity Trigger	Does the target audience instantly feel "this is for me"?
   First-3s Clarity	Can the viewer understand the hook within 3 seconds?

5. Select the highest-scoring hook as primary, note alternatives
6. Hook output format:

   Hook A (Score: X/20) [SELECTED]
   Category: [category]
   Text: "[hook text in German]"
   Visual: [what the viewer sees in the first frame]
   
   Hook B (Score: X/20)
   ...
   
   Hook C (Score: X/20)
   ...

Phase 3: Script Writing

Structure the Reel body with precise timing segments:

Timing adjustments by duration target:

• 7-15s Reels: Compress to Hook (0-2s) + Problem/Solution combined (2-10s) + Payoff (10-15s)
• 15-30s Reels: Use the standard 4-segment structure above
• 30-60s Reels: Expand Solution to 8-40s with multiple steps or examples, Payoff at 40-60s

Script rules:

• Write in the creator's voice as defined in account-baseline.md (default: warm, direct, empowering)
• Use "du" (never "Sie", never "ihr" in Reels since she talks directly to camera)
• Short sentences for spoken delivery. Max 15 words per sentence.
• Include parenthetical delivery notes: (Pause), (betont), (laechelt), (Blickwechsel)
• Mark on-screen text separately from spoken text
• Every sentence must earn its seconds. Cut anything that does not add value.
• No filler phrases: "In diesem Video zeige ich dir" or "Heute geht es um" are banned openers
• Science references: cite briefly ("Eine Studie aus 2024 zeigt..."), never lecture-style

Script output format:

[0-3s] HOOK
Spoken: "[text]"
On-screen: "[text overlay]"
Visual: [camera angle, gesture, prop]

[3-8s] PROBLEM
Spoken: "[text]"
On-screen: "[text overlay if any]"
Visual: [description]

[8-20s] SOLUTION
Spoken: "[text]"
On-screen: "[key points as text overlays]"
Visual: [description]

[20-30s] INSIGHT/PAYOFF
Spoken: "[text]"
On-screen: "[text overlay]"
Visual: [description]
CTA visual: [save icon animation / "Sende das deiner Freundin" text]

Phase 4: Caption Writing

Write a German caption following these rules:

1. Length: 500+ characters (Instagram rewards longer captions in 2026)
2. Opener: Use a hook variation, NOT a repeat of the Reel hook. Different angle on the same topic.
3. Body structure:
   • Line 1: Hook variation (stops the scroller who reads captions)
   • Line 2-3: Expand on the Reel's core message with additional context
   • Line 4-5: Personal touch or "why I care about this" (the creator's voice, per account-baseline.md)
   • Line 6: Save CTA ("Speicher dir das fuer spaeter") or DM CTA ("Schick das deiner Freundin")

4. CTA hierarchy (pick the strongest fit):

   CTA Type	When to Use	Example
   Save	Evergreen tips, reference content	"Speicher dir das, damit du es nicht vergisst."
   DM-Send	Relatable content, "tag your friend" moments	"Schick das deiner Freundin, die das auch kennt."
   Comment	Questions, polls, "tell me your experience"	"Schreib mir in die Kommentare, wie es bei dir ist."
   Link	Product launch, blog reference (rare for Reels)	"Link in Bio fuer mehr."

5. Hashtags: 3-5 niche-specific hashtags at the end. NEVER use generic tags.

   Good: #intermittentfastingfrauen #stoffwechselbooster #fitab40 Bad: #fitness #motivation #healthy #instagood

6. Formatting: Use line breaks for readability. No wall of text.
7. No em dashes. Use commas, periods, or colons instead.

Phase 5: Thumbnail Concept

Describe a thumbnail that maximizes tap-through from the Reels grid:

1. Text overlay: 3-5 words max, large bold font, readable at grid size
2. Visual: What the creator is doing/wearing, background, props
3. Emotion: What facial expression or body language conveys
4. Color contrast: Ensure text is readable against the background
5. Safe zones: Text within the center 80% (top/bottom 10% are cropped in grid view, per references/format-specs.md)

Thumbnail output format:

Thumbnail Concept:
- Text: "[3-5 word overlay]"
- Visual: [description of the frame]
- Emotion: [expression/energy]
- Layout: [where text sits, contrast notes]

Phase 6: Quality Scoring

Apply the full 5-category Content Quality Score from references/scoring-system.md.

Scoring process:

1. Score each sub-criterion individually
2. Sum per category
3. Sum all categories for the total (0-100)

4. Assign rating band:

   Score	Rating	Action
   90-100	Publish	Ready to post, flagship content
   80-89	Strong	Minor polish, ready for publication
   60-79	OK	Targeted improvements needed (list specific fixes)
   < 60	Revise	Significant rework required (auto-revise before delivery)

5. If score < 60, revise the weakest category and re-score before delivering
6. Always include 2-3 specific improvement suggestions, even for high scores

Score output format:

Content Quality Score: XX/100 [RATING]

| Category | Score | Notes |
|----------|-------|-------|
| Hook Strength | XX/25 | [brief note] |
| Content Quality | XX/25 | [brief note] |
| Caption & CTA | XX/20 | [brief note] |
| Format Compliance | XX/15 | [brief note] |
| Algorithm Signals | XX/15 | [brief note] |

Improvement suggestions:
1. [specific, actionable fix]
2. [specific, actionable fix]
3. [specific, actionable fix]

Phase 7: Delivery

Output the complete Reel package in this format:

## Reel Package: [Topic Title]

### Content Type & Duration
- Type: [Myth Bust / Quick Tip / Technique / Explanation / Mini-Tutorial / Story / Controversial Take]
- Target duration: [Xs]

### Hook (3 Variants)
[Hook A, B, C with scores from Phase 2]

### Script
[Full timed script from Phase 3]

### Caption
[Complete German caption from Phase 4]

### Thumbnail
[Thumbnail concept from Phase 5]

### Content Quality Score
[Full scored rubric from Phase 6]

### Production Notes
- Filming setup: [camera angle, lighting, location suggestions]
- Props needed: [any items visible in the script]
- Audio: [trending audio suggestion or original voiceover]
- Editing: [cut rhythm, text animation style, transition notes]

### Next Steps
- Review hook selection (alternatives available)
- Film with the timed script as teleprompter guide
- Post caption as-is or adjust personal anecdotes
- Use thumbnail concept for cover image selection

Quality Gates

These are hard blockers. Content that violates any gate is NOT delivered:

Anti-Patterns (Never Do These)