|
| 1 | +# Gemini CLI Style Guide |
| 2 | + |
| 3 | +This guide defines the authoritative technical and narrative style for all project documentation, articles, and reports. The `/revise` command and the `editor` subagent use these rules to perform structured, step-by-step audits. |
| 4 | + |
| 5 | +## General Context |
| 6 | +- **Tone:** Intellectual but accessible. Conversational academic style. |
| 7 | +- **Perspective:** First-person ("I", "we") is preferred for narratives and journals. |
| 8 | +- **Audience:** Intelligent peers who value technical depth without unnecessary jargon. |
| 9 | +- **Goal:** Transform abstract technical concepts into visualizable, grounded narratives. |
| 10 | + |
| 11 | +--- |
| 12 | + |
| 13 | +## Phase 1: Structural Audit (High-Level) |
| 14 | +*Goal: Ensure a clear narrative arc and logical progression.* |
| 15 | + |
| 16 | +### DO: |
| 17 | +- Start with a provocative hook (question, bold statement, or personal stake). |
| 18 | +- Use a clear hierarchical structure with descriptive subheadings. |
| 19 | +- Follow a "Multilayered Explanation" pattern: High-level concept -> Concrete example -> Technical deep dive -> Broader implications. |
| 20 | +- End with a personal reflection or a clear call to action. |
| 21 | + |
| 22 | +### DON'T: |
| 23 | +- Write "sedative" text that lacks conflict or a driving question. |
| 24 | +- Use generic introductory paragraphs that add no value. |
| 25 | + |
| 26 | +--- |
| 27 | + |
| 28 | +## Phase 2: Content & Substance (The "Abstraction Trap") |
| 29 | +*Goal: Ground the writing in specific, concrete imagery.* |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | +### DO: |
| 32 | +- Replace abstract nouns with concrete ones (things you can hold, smell, or see). |
| 33 | +- Ensure every paragraph contains at least one concrete image. |
| 34 | +- Show external behavior instead of stating internal states (e.g., "He glanced at the door" instead of "He wanted to leave"). |
| 35 | + |
| 36 | +### DON'T: |
| 37 | +- Over-explain what a scene already implies (avoid the "Subtext Vacuum"). |
| 38 | +- Use "Forced Callbacks" (attaching unearned emotions or agency to objects). |
| 39 | +- Rely on "Harmless Filters" (bland, sycophantic, or lobotomized vocabulary). Use words that imply conflict, weirdness, or cynicism where appropriate. |
| 40 | + |
| 41 | +--- |
| 42 | + |
| 43 | +## Phase 3: Linguistic Refinement (Low-Level) |
| 44 | +*Goal: Polish the prose and remove "AI-isms".* |
| 45 | + |
| 46 | +### DO: |
| 47 | +- Use active voice and precise technical terminology. |
| 48 | +- Use em dashes for asides (interruptions, clarifications). |
| 49 | +- Vary list lengths to avoid predictable patterns. |
| 50 | +- Use analogies and metaphors for complex concepts. |
| 51 | + |
| 52 | +### DON'T: |
| 53 | +- **No Punchline Em Dashes:** Avoid using em dashes for dramatic conclusions—like this. |
| 54 | +- **No Unnecessary Juxtaposition:** Avoid "Not just X, but Y" or negating before affirming. Just state the affirmation. |
| 55 | +- **No Predictable Triads:** Avoid lists of three where the last element is the longest ("clarity, precision, and excellence"). |
| 56 | +- **No Sensory Deprivation:** Avoid "statistically likely" adjectives (e.g., "smooth silk"). Use surprising, tacit context (e.g., "sticky spiderweb"). |
| 57 | + |
| 58 | +--- |
| 59 | + |
| 60 | +## Phase 4: Final Polish |
| 61 | +*Goal: Final verification of tone and clarity.* |
| 62 | + |
| 63 | +- **Technical Depth:** 7-8/10. |
| 64 | +- **Accessibility:** 8-9/10. |
| 65 | +- **Personal Voice:** 7/10. |
| 66 | +- **Humor:** 4-5/10 (use sparingly and intelligently). |
0 commit comments