Writer Context Pack (C4→C5 bridge) [NO PROSE]
Purpose: reduce C5 “hollow writing” by giving the writer a single, per-subsection context pack:
- the exact RQ/axes + paragraph plan (
subsection_briefs) - concrete comparison cards + evaluation protocol + limitations (
evidence_drafts) - numeric/eval/limitation anchors (
anchor_sheet) - allowed citation scope (subsection + chapter union) from
evidence_bindings
Inputs
outline/outline.ymloutline/subsection_briefs.jsonloutline/chapter_briefs.jsonloutline/evidence_drafts.jsonloutline/anchor_sheet.jsonloutline/evidence_bindings.jsonlcitations/ref.bib
Read as needed
references/source_text_hygiene.mdwhen bad source sentences or paper self-narration leak into writer packs
Machine-readable assets
assets/paper_voice_palette.jsonassets/source_text_hygiene.jsonassets/context_pack_policy.json
Outputs
outline/writer_context_packs.jsonl
Output format (outline/writer_context_packs.jsonl)
JSONL, one object per H3 subsection.
Required keys:
sub_id,title,section_id,section_titlerq,thesis,axes,paragraph_planclusters(copied from subsection briefs so writer-side evidence can still be assigned per route when comparison cards are sparse)tension_statement,evaluation_anchor_minimal(copied from subsection briefs; concrete tension + minimal eval context slots)opener_mode,opener_hint(paper-voice hint to vary subsection openers without template labels)bridge_terms,contrast_hook,required_evidence_fields(copied from subsection briefs; transition/evidence handles; NO NEW FACTS)chapter_synthesis_mode(copied from chapter briefs; helps avoid template-y “Taken together…” repeats)allowed_bibkeys_{selected,mapped,chapter,global}anchor_facts(trimmed)comparison_cards(trimmed)must_use(writer contract; minima derived from pack richness +draft_profile)do_not_repeat_phrases(rewrite triggers; high-signal generator stems to avoid repeating verbatim)pack_warnings(list; why this pack may still draft hollow if not fixed upstream)paper_voice_palette(positive paper-voice phrase palette + rewrite stems; avoids "generator voice" without brittle hard blocks)
- Source: workspace override outline/paper_voice_palette.json (if present), else repo default .codex/skills/writer-context-pack/assets/paper_voice_palette.json. - Includes role_cards (section author / evidence steward / style harmonizer). Treat them as role cues and rewrite intentions, not sentence templates.
pack_stats(object; raw/kept/dropped counts + trim policy so truncation/drop is not silent)
Trim policy:
- Packs trim long snippets to preserve concrete details while keeping JSONL readable (see
pack_stats.trim_policy). - Trimming does not add ellipsis markers (to reduce accidental leakage into prose).
Writer contract (how C5 should use this pack)
Treat each pack as an executable checklist, not optional context:
A150++ minima (defaults; used by gates and self-loops):
- paragraph_plan: 10
- anchor_facts: >=10
- comparison_cards: >=4
- limitation_hooks: >=3
- allowed_bibkeys_mapped: >=28
- Plan compliance: follow
paragraph_plan(don’t skip planned paragraphs; merge only if you keep the same contrasts/anchors). - Connector intent: treat
paragraph_plan[].connector_phraseas semantic guidance, not copy-paste; paraphrase and vary; avoidNext, we...narration. - Anchors are must-use: include at least one
anchor_factsitem that matches your paragraph’s claim type (eval / numeric / limitation), when present. - Comparisons are must-use: reuse
comparison_cardsto write explicit A-vs-B contrast sentences (avoid “A then B” separate summaries). - comparison cards are only valid when both sides carry usable highlights; if a card becomes one-sided after hygiene, drop it and route the gap upstream instead of asking the writer to improvise the missing side
- Thesis is must-use: the first paragraph should end with the
thesisstatement (or a faithful paraphrase with the same commitment level).
- Prefer a content claim; avoid generator-like meta openers (This subsection...) and avoid repeating literal opener labels (e.g., Key takeaway:) across many H3s.
- Opener mode (anti-template): use
opener_mode/opener_hintto vary how paragraph 1 frames the subsection (tension-first vs decision-first vs lens-first).
- Do not copy labels into the prose; keep signposting light and content-bearing.
- Anti-template: treat
do_not_repeat_phrasesas rewrite triggers (paper voice hygiene):
- if a listed phrase appears, rewrite it into a content claim / argument bridge (no outline narration) - avoid swapping in a new repeated stem; keep phrasing varied and paper-like - exception: a phrase may appear once if it is truly subsection-specific (not a reusable stem)
- Micro-structure: if prose starts drifting into flat summaries, apply
grad-paragraphrepeatedly (tension → contrast → evaluation anchor → limitation). - Citation scope: prefer
allowed_bibkeys_selected(thenallowed_bibkeys_mapped, thenallowed_bibkeys_chapter).allowed_bibkeys_globalis reserved for cross-cutting works mapped across many subsections (foundations/benchmarks/surveys): use it sparingly and still keep >=3 subsection-specific citations per H3.
How this pack prevents common writer failures (use it proactively)
Treat the pack as a set of *writing constraints + affordances*.
Failure -> Pack handle -> Writing move
- Narration opener ("This subsection...", "In this subsection...")
- Use: tension_statement, opener_mode, opener_hint, thesis - Move: write a content-first paragraph 1: tension/decision/lens -> why it matters -> end with thesis.
- Topic listing (one paragraph per paper, no comparison)
- Use: comparison_cards, axes - Move: write A-vs-B sentences with explicit contrast words (whereas / in contrast / unlike) and align them to one axis at a time.
- Missing evaluation context (claims float without protocol/metric)
- Use: evaluation_anchor_minimal, evaluation_protocol - Move: state the minimum trio in the paragraph where you compare results: task type + metric + constraint (budget/tool access/cost). - Treat benchmark inventories inside evaluation_protocol as metadata only; do not replay raw benchmark-name lists as body prose.
- Limitation missing (reads overconfident)
- Use: limitation_hooks, required_evidence_fields - Move: add one explicit caveat paragraph or clause tied to what the evidence does NOT show (protocol mismatch, missing ablations, unclear threat model).
- Disclaimer spam ("abstract-only evidence" repeated in every H3)
- Use: pack_warnings (as a signal), not as copy - Move: keep evidence policy once in front matter; in H3, only add a short local caveat when it is subsection-specific.
- Citation drift / free-citing across the paper
- Use: allowed_bibkeys_selected (then mapped, then chapter, rarely global) - Move: if you cannot write without citing outside these sets, stop and fix upstream mapping/bindings instead of "making it work" in prose.
Mini examples (do not copy verbatim; paraphrase)
Bad (narration opener):
This subsection surveys tool interfaces for agents...
Better (content-first opener):
A central tension in tool interfaces is balancing expressive action spaces with verifiable execution; we argue that interface contracts largely determine what evaluation claims can be trusted.
Bad (meta guidance):
Therefore, survey comparisons should focus on...
Better (literature-facing observation):
Across reported protocols, comparisons often hinge on whether tools are treated as deterministic APIs or as stochastic resources, which changes both cost and failure modes.
Script
Quick Start
python.codex/skills/writer-context-pack/scripts/run.py --helppython.codex/skills/writer-context-pack/scripts/run.py --workspace workspaces/<ws>
All Options
--workspace <dir>--unit-id <U###>--inputs <semicolon-separated>--outputs <semicolon-separated>--checkpoint <C#>
Examples
- Default IO:
- python.codex/skills/writer-context-pack/scripts/run.py --workspace workspaces/<ws>
- Explicit IO:
- python.codex/skills/writer-context-pack/scripts/run.py --workspace workspaces/<ws> --inputs "outline/outline.yml;outline/subsection_briefs.jsonl;outline/chapter_briefs.jsonl;outline/evidence_drafts.jsonl;outline/anchor_sheet.jsonl;outline/evidence_bindings.jsonl;citations/ref.bib" --outputs "outline/writer_context_packs.jsonl"
Refinement marker (recommended; prevents churn)
When you are satisfied with writer packs (and they are consistent with briefs/bindings), create:
outline/writer_context_packs.refined.ok
This is an explicit "I reviewed/refined this" signal:
- prevents scripts from regenerating and undoing your work
- (in strict runs) can be used as a completion signal before writing