What is session-creation?

The Session Creation skill automates the initialization of structured project directories for complex content production workflows. It provides a standardized scaffolding system that includes manifest generation, directory organization, and naming convention enforcement, specifically optimized for video, audio, and script-based creative projects to ensure consistency and scalability.

When should I use session-creation?

session-creation is useful in the following scenarios: • Automated Project Scaffolding: Instantly generate a standardized folder hierarchy for new video or audio projects, including dedicated directories for scripts, images, and final packages. • Metadata and Configuration Management: Automatically create manifest.yaml files with pre-defined schemas for audio settings, YouTube metadata, and project goals to streamline downstream automation. • Workflow Standardization: Enforce strict naming conventions and quality gates at the start of a session to prevent organizational debt and ensure compatibility with automated build pipelines. • Rapid Content Initialization: Use simple slash commands to move from a conceptual topic to a fully prepared workspace, reducing manual setup time and cognitive overhead.

name	Session Creation
tier	3
load_policy	task-specific
description	Initialize new session directories with scaffolding and manifest
version	1.0.0
parent_skill	production-operations

Session Creation Skill

The Starting Point of Every Journey

This skill handles creating new session directories with all required scaffolding.

Purpose

Initialize properly-structured session directories ready for content creation.

Quick Command

./scripts/utilities/create_new_session.sh "session-name"

Or use the slash command:

/new-session session-name

Directory Structure Created

sessions/{session-name}/
├── manifest.yaml          # Session configuration
├── notes.md               # Design notes and references
├── midjourney-prompts.md  # Image generation prompts
├── working_files/
│   ├── script_production.ssml  # Full script with SFX
│   └── script_voice_clean.ssml # TTS-ready script
├── images/
│   ├── uploaded/          # Final images for video
│   └── stock_cache/       # Downloaded stock images
└── output/
    ├── video/             # Assembled video files
    └── youtube_package/   # Upload-ready package

Naming Conventions

Session Names

Rule	Example
Use kebab-case	`inner-child-healing`
Lowercase only	`deep-sleep-forest`
Descriptive but concise	`confidence-morning-boost`
Include outcome if clear	`anxiety-release-theta`

Avoid

Spaces: inner child healing ❌
Underscores: inner_child_healing ❌
CamelCase: InnerChildHealing ❌
Numbers at start: 001-session ❌

Manifest Template

# manifest.yaml
session:
  name: "Session Name"
  slug: "session-slug"
  duration_target: 25  # minutes
  depth_level: "Layer2"  # Layer1, Layer2, Layer3, Ipsissimus

  # Core content
  desired_outcome: "healing"  # healing, transformation, confidence, etc.
  theme: "Description of the journey theme"
  archetypes:
    - "Guide"
    - "Healer"

  # Audio settings
  voice:
    voice_id: "en-US-Neural2-H"
    speaking_rate: 0.88
    pitch: 0

  binaural:
    carrier_frequency: 200
    start_hz: 10
    end_hz: 4

  # Metadata
  youtube:
    title: "Title for YouTube"
    description: "YouTube description..."
    tags:
      - "hypnosis"
      - "meditation"

Full Pipeline Command

For complete session creation through packaging:

/full-build session-name

This runs:

Session directory creation
Manifest generation
SSML script generation
Audio build (voice + binaural + mix)
Hypnotic post-processing
Scene image generation
Video assembly
YouTube packaging

Manifest Generation

Generate manifest from topic description:

/generate-manifest session-name

Provide:

Topic/theme description
Target duration
Desired outcome
Any specific archetypes or imagery

Quality Gates

After Creation

Directory structure complete
manifest.yaml has all required fields
Session slug matches directory name
No template placeholders remaining

Before Script Generation

Manifest validated
Outcome defined
Duration target set
Archetypes selected

Knowledge Base Check

Before creating a new session, check lessons learned:

cat knowledge/lessons_learned.yaml | head -50

Apply insights from past sessions:

Successful themes
Optimal durations
Effective archetypes
Audio settings that work

Next Steps After Creation

Edit Manifest: Customize manifest.yaml with session details
Generate Script: /generate-script session-name
Create Images: Generate prompts or use stock images
Build Audio: /build-audio session-name
Build Video: /build-video session-name

Related Resources

Skill: tier3-production/ssml-generation/ (next step)
Doc: docs/CANONICAL_WORKFLOW.md
Script: scripts/utilities/create_new_session.sh
Schema: config/manifest.schema.json

session-creation

When & Why to Use This Skill

Use Cases