Talk Stage 1: Extract

Transforms raw material (article, transcript, notes, or a mix) into a structured summary ready for the pipeline's downstream stages. Auto-detects source type.

When to Use This Skill

• Starting a new talk from any source material
• First step of the talk pipeline (always run before other stages)
• Auditing existing source material before committing to a talk

What This Skill Does

1. Collects metadata — asks for slug, event, date, duration, audience, mode if not provided
2. Reads the source — loads the source file or inline content
3. Detects source type — REX (real-world proof) vs Concept (ideas/thesis) based on content signals
4. Extracts the narrative arc — chronological for REX, thematic for Concept
5. Extracts metrics — every measurable number with its source
6. Identifies main themes — 3-7 themes
7. Flags gaps — what's missing for a complete talk
8. Writes {slug}-summary.md

Input

Required:

• Source file path or inline content (article .mdx, transcript .md, notes)
• Metadata: slug, event, date, duration, audience, type (--rex or --concept)

If metadata is missing → AskUserQuestion before proceeding.

Output

talks/{YYYY}-{slug}-summary.md

Source Type Detection

If hybrid → note both components in the summary.

Output Format

# Talk Summary — {Provisional Title}

**Slug** : {slug}
**Event** : {event}
**Date** : {date}
**Duration** : {duration} min
**Audience** : {audience description}
**Type detected** : REX | Concept | Hybrid
**Source** : {source file path}

---

## Narrative Arc

{Arc description: 3-5 sentences. Chronological if REX, thematic if Concept.}

## Main Themes

| # | Theme | Short description | Weight |
|---|-------|------------------|--------|
| 1 | {theme} | {description} | High/Medium/Low |
...

## Key Metrics Extracted

{All measurable numbers found in the source}

Format: `{value}` — {context} — Source: {section/page/git}

Examples:
- `1,200 commits` over 7 months — Source: "acceleration" section
- `-97% traffic` after SSE migration — Source: CHANGELOG v1.1.0

If none → "No verifiable metrics found (Concept mode)"

## Narrative Potential

{3-5 sentences on the strengths and possible narrative angles.
What makes this talk potentially strong. What might be missing.}

## Gaps Identified

- [ ] {gap 1} — {how to fill it}
- [ ] {gap 2} — {how to fill it}

If no obvious gaps → "No major gaps identified."

## Recommendations for next stages

- **Research**: {recommended / not applicable (Concept mode)} — {why}
- **Concepts**: {priority themes to explore}
- **Position**: {angles already visible from the source material}

---

*Generated by talk-stage1-extract — {date}*
*Source: {source path}*

Metric Extraction Rules

• Do not round without indicating it
• Always include the metric's source
• If two sources contradict → flag both, do not pick one
• No invented metrics to fill gaps
• Use {before} → {after} format for evolutions

Anti-patterns

• Vague summary ("This text is about AI...")
• Omitting metrics — even approximate ones with their source
• Hiding gaps — naming them is better than pretending they don't exist
• Changing the detected type without justification
• Inventing a narrative arc not present in the source

Validation Checklist

• Source type detected and justified
• Narrative arc in 3-5 clear sentences
• All measurable metrics extracted with their source
• Main themes listed (3-7 max)
• Gaps explicitly identified
• File saved to talks/{YYYY}-{slug}-summary.md

Tips

• Run this before the orchestrator if you want to verify the source material is usable
• The summary is the foundation — every downstream stage reads it
• Hybrid sources (part REX, part Concept) are fine — name both components clearly

Related

• Stage 2: Research — git archaeology (REX mode)
• Stage 3: Concepts — reads this summary
• Orchestrator — runs all stages in sequence