What is ssml-script-generation?

This Claude skill automates the generation of production-ready SSML (Speech Synthesis Markup Language) scripts specifically optimized for Google Cloud Text-to-Speech (TTS). It ensures high-quality, natural-sounding audio output by enforcing strict technical constraints such as fixed voice rates, section-specific pitch adjustments, and precise break durations. By utilizing a dual-file workflow, it manages both SFX-annotated production scripts and clean, validated SSML for seamless TTS integration.

When should I use ssml-script-generation?

ssml-script-generation is useful in the following scenarios: • Guided Meditation and Hypnosis Production: Automatically generating long-form scripts with specialized pacing for induction, deepening, and journey phases to create a professional, hypnotic listener experience. • Automated Audio Content Workflows: Streamlining the creation of TTS-ready files by using the two-file system to separate production cues (SFX) from the clean code required by Google Cloud Neural2 voices. • SSML Technical Validation: Ensuring error-free audio generation by automatically validating tags, break units, and prosody settings against Google Cloud TTS requirements before deployment.

name	SSML Script Generation
tier	3
load_policy	task-specific
description	Generate production-ready SSML scripts for Google Cloud TTS
version	1.0.0
parent_skill	production-operations

SSML Generation Skill

The Script Is the Blueprint

This skill handles the technical generation of SSML scripts that will be converted to voice audio.

Purpose

Transform journey concepts into properly-formatted SSML that produces natural, hypnotic voice output.

Critical Rules

Voice Rate: ALWAYS 1.0

<!-- CORRECT: Always use rate="1.0" -->
<prosody rate="1.0" pitch="-2st">
  Text content here... <break time="2s"/>
</prosody>

<!-- WRONG: Never slow the rate -->
<prosody rate="0.85" pitch="-2st">
  This sounds robotic with Neural2 voices
</prosody>

Why: Google TTS Neural2 voices sound unnatural at reduced rates. Achieve pacing through <break> tags instead.

Speech Profiles by Section

Section	Pitch	Break Range	Purpose
`pre_talk`	0st	700ms-1.0s	Normal, grounded
`induction`	-2st	1.0s-1.7s	Calming, deeper
`deepening`	-2st	1.7s-2.5s	Very calm
`journey`	-1st	1.0s-2.0s	Immersive
`helm_deep_trance`	-2st	2.0s-3.0s	Deepest state
`integration`	-1st	1.5s-2.0s	Returning
`emergence`	0st	700ms-1.0s	Alert, grounded

Break Duration Guidelines

Context	Duration
Between phrases	700ms-1.0s
After sentences	1.0s-1.7s
Breathing cues	2.0s-3.0s
Visualization moments	3.0s-4.0s
Major transitions	4.0s-5.5s

Section Header Template

<!-- ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ -->
<!-- SECTION: [SECTION_NAME] -->
<!-- Duration: [X] minutes | Pitch: [X]st | Purpose: [PURPOSE] -->
<!-- ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ -->

<prosody rate="1.0" pitch="[X]st">
    [Content...]
</prosody>
<break time="[X]s"/>

Sound Effect Markers

Place SFX cues on their own lines in script_production.ssml:

[SFX: Deep ceremonial bell tone, resonant, 4 seconds with natural decay]

<prosody rate="1.0" pitch="-2st">
  The sound fades into silence...
</prosody>

Important: SFX markers are stripped out for script_voice_clean.ssml before TTS generation.

Two-File System

File	Purpose	Contains SFX?
`script_production.ssml`	Full production script	Yes
`script_voice_clean.ssml`	TTS-ready script	No

Workflow:

Write script_production.ssml with all SFX markers
Generate script_voice_clean.ssml by stripping [SFX:...] lines
Feed script_voice_clean.ssml to TTS

Section Duration Targets

Section	Target Duration	Word Count (~150 WPM)
Pre-Talk	2-3 min	300-450 words
Induction	4-5 min	600-750 words
Deepening	3-4 min	450-600 words
Journey	10-14 min	1500-2100 words
Helm (Deepest)	2-3 min	300-450 words
Integration	2-3 min	300-450 words
Emergence	2-3 min	300-450 words
Total (25 min)		~3,750 words

SSML Validation

Before TTS generation, always validate:

python3 scripts/utilities/validate_ssml.py sessions/{session}/working_files/script.ssml

Common Validation Errors

Error	Cause	Fix
"Unclosed tag"	Missing `</prosody>`	Add closing tag
"Invalid break time"	`time="2"` (missing unit)	Use `time="2s"`
"Rate outside range"	`rate="2.5"`	Keep 0.5-2.0
"Unknown SSML tag"	Using `<emphasis>` wrong	Check supported tags

Integration with Tier 1

All SSML content must follow Tier 1 rules:

Tier 1 Skill	SSML Requirement
`hypnotic-language/validation/forbidden-patterns.md`	No forbidden phrases
`hypnotic-language/emergence/reorientation.md`	Complete emergence sequence
`symbolic-mapping/theological-filters/`	Christian-safe imagery only

Command Reference

Generate Script

/generate-script {session}

Strip SFX for TTS

grep -v "^\[SFX:" script_production.ssml > script_voice_clean.ssml

Validate

python3 scripts/utilities/validate_ssml.py sessions/{session}/working_files/script.ssml

Output Files

File	Location
Production script	`sessions/{session}/working_files/script_production.ssml`
Voice-clean script	`sessions/{session}/working_files/script_voice_clean.ssml`

Related Resources

Skill: tier1-neural-core/hypnotic-language/ (language patterns)
Serena Memory: script_production_workflow
Serena Memory: voice_pacing_guidelines
Doc: prompts/hypnotic_dreamweaving_instructions.md

ssml-script-generation

When & Why to Use This Skill

Use Cases