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

Collects metadata by asking for slug, event, date, duration, audience, mode if not provided
Reads the source and loads the source file or inline content
Detects source type (REX with real-world proof vs Concept with ideas/thesis) based on content signals
Extracts the narrative arc (chronological for REX, thematic for Concept)
Extracts metrics with every measurable number and its source
Identifies main themes (3-7 themes)
Flags gaps: what's missing for a complete talk
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

| REX signals | Concept signals | |-------------|-----------------| | Specific dates | Theses, arguments | | Measured metrics | General observations | | Project/tool names | Trend observations | | Commits, releases, PRs | Analogies, metaphors | | "I shipped", "We built" | "I think", "In my opinion" |

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 without picking 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

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