Genre Creator skill

Genre Creator

Your Task

Create a new genre README.md for the bitwize-music genre library at ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/genres/.

Input: $ARGUMENTS (genre name, e.g. "Math Rock", "Nu-Metal", "City Pop")

Workflow

1. Derive slug: Lowercase, hyphenated (e.g. "Math Rock" → math-rock)
2. Check existence: If genres/{slug}/README.md exists → abort, inform user
3. Check INDEX.md: Read genres/INDEX.md to confirm genre is not already listed
4. Research: Use WebSearch to verify key facts (origin year, pioneer artists, landmark albums) — do NOT guess dates or album names
5. Read 1-2 existing genre files for structural reference (e.g. genres/hip-hop/README.md, genres/phonk/README.md)
6. Create directory: genres/{slug}/
7. Write README.md following the exact template below
8. Update INDEX.md: Add genre to category table, alphabetical list, and all applicable Quick Reference tables (Tempo, Energy, Instrumentation, Vocals, Mood, Era)
9. Update mastering presets: Add the new genre to both mastering preset files:
   • tools/mastering/genre-presets.yaml — Add YAML entry with target_lufs, cut_highmid, cut_highs values appropriate for the genre. Place in the correct category section or create a new one.
   • skills/mastering-engineer/genre-presets.md — Add a new ### Genre Name section under ## Genre Presets with LUFS target, dynamics, EQ focus, MCP command, and characteristics.
10. Do NOT create an artists/ subdirectory — those are created separately when artist deep-dives are written

README.md Template

The file starts directly with # Genre Name — no YAML frontmatter.

ALWAYS use this exact section order:

# {Genre Name}

## Genre Overview
[3 paragraphs — see rules below]

## Characteristics
[6 bullet fields — see rules below]

## Lyric Conventions
[6 bullet fields — see rules below]

## Subgenres & Styles
[Table — see rules below]

## Artists
[Table — see rules below]

## Suno Prompt Keywords
[Code block — see rules below]

## Reference Tracks
[List — see rules below]

Section Rules

## Genre Overview — 3 paragraphs of prose (no bullets):

• P1: Origin, cultural roots, pioneers with names and years
• P2: Evolution across decades, key moments, mainstream breakthrough, regional variants
• P3: Current state, influence on other genres, modern scene
• Style: Encyclopedic but alive. Concrete names, years, albums. No vague claims.

## Characteristics — Bullet list, exactly these 6 fields:

• Instrumentation: Typical instruments, specific models/brands where relevant
• Vocals: Singing style, vocal processing, delivery
• Production: Production techniques, mix aesthetic, sonic character
• Energy/Mood: Mood spectrum, emotional range
• Structure: Song form, typical length, structural quirks
• Tempo: BPM ranges per subgenre, rhythm feel (half-time, swing, straight etc.)

## Lyric Conventions — Bullet list, exactly these 6 fields:

• Default rhyme scheme: Typical scheme with shorthand (AABB, ABAB, XAXA etc.)
• Rhyme quality: Expected quality (multisyllabic, slant, internal etc.)
• Verse structure: Line count, bar structure
• Key rule: THE single most important rule for lyrics in this genre
• Avoid: What NOT to do in this genre
• Density/pacing (Suno): Format: Default **X lines/verse** at Y BPM. [Context]. Topics: Z/verse.

## Subgenres & Styles — Markdown table:

Style	Description	Reference Artists

• 6-12 subgenres
• Description: 2-3 sentences with musical specifics, not just adjectives
• Reference Artists: 3-4 per subgenre

## Artists — Markdown table:

Artist	Key Albums	Era	Style Focus

• 10-20 artists, mix of pioneers + peak-era + current acts
• Albums in italics (Album Name)
• If a deep-dive file exists: append a Deep Dive link to the artist file in Style Focus

## Suno Prompt Keywords — Fenced code block with comma-separated keywords organized in thematic lines:

• Genre/subgenre labels
• Instrument keywords
• Production keywords
• Mood/atmosphere keywords
• Vocal keywords
• Tempo/rhythm keywords
• Era/aesthetic keywords
• All keywords in English. Only use terms Suno actually understands.

## Reference Tracks — 10-15 entries:

• Format: - **Artist - "Track Title"** — [Description]
• Description: 2-3 sentences. Explain WHAT makes this track a genre reference point. Name concrete musical elements. Explain historical/cultural significance.
• Chronological spread from founding tracks to modern representatives

Important Notes

1. Factual accuracy: All years, album names, artist names must be correct. Omit rather than guess. Use WebSearch to verify.
2. No AI cliches: Ban these phrases: "tapestry of sound", "sonic landscape", "testament to", "rich tapestry", "sonic journey", "pushing boundaries", "transcends genre". Write direct, concrete prose.
3. Suno focus: Lyric Conventions and Suno Keywords are the most important sections — they directly drive music generation quality.
4. Subgenre deduplication: If a subgenre already has its own genre directory (e.g. Trap exists as standalone genre), reference it instead of duplicating content.
5. Language: English (the entire genre system is in English)
6. No empty sections: Every section must have substantive content. If unsure about a section, research first.