Viral Hook Creator

Purpose

Generate 3-5 viral hook options using proven psychological patterns that create curiosity, provide value, and drive engagement. Hooks are optimized for social platforms (X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok).

Execution Logic

Check $ARGUMENTS first to determine execution mode:

If $ARGUMENTS is empty or not provided:

Respond with: "viral-hook-creator loaded, proceed with additional instructions"

Then wait for the user to provide their requirements in the next message.

If $ARGUMENTS contains content:

Proceed immediately to Task Execution (skip the "loaded" message).

Task Execution

When user requirements are available (either from initial $ARGUMENTS or follow-up message):

1. MANDATORY: Read Reference Files FIRST

BLOCKING REQUIREMENT - DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP

Before doing ANYTHING else, you MUST use the Read tool to read BOTH reference files. This is non-negotiable:

Read: ./references/hook-patterns.md
Read: ./references/trigger_words.md

What you will find:

• hook-patterns.md: 18 proven hook patterns with templates, psychology explanations, and the Pattern Selection Matrix
• trigger_words.md: Four categories of viral trigger words (Insider, Helper, Thinker, Amplifiers)

DO NOT PROCEED to step 2 until you have read both files and have the patterns and trigger words loaded in context.

2. Check for Business Context (Optional)

Check if FOUNDER_CONTEXT.md exists in the project root.

• If it exists: Read it and use the business context to personalize your output (industry terminology, audience pain points, brand voice, authority metrics).
• If it doesn't exist: Proceed using defaults from the "Defaults & Assumptions" section.

3. Analyze Input

From the user's requirements, extract:

• Content topic/theme
• Target platform (X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, general)
• Goal (awareness, education, engagement, conversion)
• Target audience demographics and psychographics
• Available social proof (stats, achievements, research)

For any missing information, apply defaults from the "Defaults & Assumptions" section.

4. Generate Viral Hooks

Using the patterns and trigger words you read in Step 1, create hooks:

1. Select patterns from hook-patterns.md using the Pattern Selection Matrix (match user's goal + platform)

2. Draft each hook using the pattern template as your starting point

3. Integrate 1-2 trigger words from trigger_words.md into each hook as you write:

   • Insider words (secretly, revealed, hidden, uncovered, etc.) → exclusivity patterns
   • Helper words (losing, wasting, bleeding, stealing, etc.) → problem/urgency patterns
   • Thinker words (backwards, myth, counterintuitive, paradox, etc.) → contrarian patterns
   • Amplifiers (literally, every, zero, completely, etc.) → any pattern for intensity

4. Follow all Writing Rules (Core Rules, Pattern-Specific Rules, Platform-Specific Adaptations)

5. Ensure differentiation - each hook must use a unique pattern

6. Verify natural integration - trigger words should enhance, not distract

5. Format and Verify

• Structure output according to Output Format section
• Complete Quality Checklist self-verification
• Verify each hook contains trigger words from the reference file

Writing Rules

Hard constraints. No interpretation.

Core Rules

• Maximum 120 characters for X/Twitter hooks.
• Maximum 1-2 lines (40-60 characters) for video hooks.
• Lead with the most interesting element.
• Create a curiosity gap (promise value but withhold details).
• Use specific numbers when possible (not "many" but "17").
• Avoid clickbait that doesn't deliver.
• Use power words: steal, secret, mistake, never, proven, blueprint.
• No emojis unless platform-specific (Instagram/TikTok OK, LinkedIn/X avoid).
• No fluff or filler words.
• Active voice only.
• Present tense preferred.

Pattern-Specific Rules

• For authority hooks: Lead with credible metric.
• For list hooks: Use odd numbers (7 > 6, 5 > 4).
• For story hooks: Start with unexpected outcome.
• For data hooks: Lead with surprising stat.
• For cautionary hooks: Lead with mistake/lesson.

Platform-Specific Adaptations

• X/Twitter: Punchy, contrarian, data-driven, 120 char max.
• LinkedIn: Professional, achievement-oriented, thought leadership, 40-60 char first line.
• Instagram: Visual promise, lifestyle-oriented, aspirational, 125 char before "more" cutoff.
• TikTok: Fast-paced, relatable, trend-aware, 20-30 char on-screen text.
• General: Versatile, platform-agnostic.

Output Format

Clean and simple. Just hooks with their pattern type as a headline.

### [Pattern Name]
[Hook text]

### [Pattern Name]
[Hook text]

### [Pattern Name]
[Hook text]

Example:

### Authority Credibility
I run a 23-person software agency. Here are 5 things I would never do again.

### Data-Driven Insight
I analyzed 1,000 LinkedIn posts. Here are the top 5 patterns that drove engagement.

### Contrarian
Everyone tells you to post daily. I posted 3x per week and got 10x more engagement.

Defaults & Assumptions

Use these unless overridden.

• Number of hooks: 3
• Platform: X/Twitter (most restrictive character limit).
• Goal: Maximize engagement (likes, comments, shares).
• Audience: General business/entrepreneurship audience.
• Tone: Professional but conversational (matches most founders).
• Emotion: Curiosity (safest default for viral content).
• Format: Thread/post opener (not video hook).

References

These files MUST be read using the Read tool before generating any hooks (see Step 1 of Task Execution):

Why both matter: Hook patterns provide psychological structure. Trigger words amplify emotional impact. Patterns alone = good hook. Patterns + trigger words = viral hook (~10x more engagement).

Quality Checklist (Self-Verification)

Before finalizing, verify ALL of the following:

Pre-Generation Check

• I read ./references/hook-patterns.md before generating hooks
• I read ./references/trigger_words.md before generating hooks
• I have the 18 patterns and 4 trigger word categories in context

Pattern & Structure Verification

• Each hook uses a proven pattern from hook-patterns.md (not made-up patterns)
• Each hook uses a DIFFERENT pattern (no repetition)
• Pattern templates were adapted to user context
• Hooks create genuine curiosity without being misleading

Trigger Word Integration Verification

• Each hook contains 1-2 trigger words FROM THE FILE I READ
• Trigger words match pattern types appropriately
• Trigger words are integrated naturally (not forced)
• Trigger words enhance emotional impact

Writing Rules Compliance

• Character limits respected for platform
• Specific numbers used (not "many" or "some")
• Active voice throughout
• No fluff or overused phrases

Final Check

If ANY hook is missing trigger words from the reference file or uses patterns not from hook-patterns.md → revise before presenting.