From a64fa14f2b582e72323b9c6ba2de07e1720ecbbe Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Baity <158404677+MazakTheDwarf@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:04:52 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] fix: strip VALIDATION LOG from chapter deliverables; improve
 word count expansion instructions

---
 templates/book_chapter.yml | 24 +++++++++++++++---------
 1 file changed, 15 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-)

diff --git a/templates/book_chapter.yml b/templates/book_chapter.yml
index dde8435..82b5b64 100644
--- a/templates/book_chapter.yml
+++ b/templates/book_chapter.yml
@@ -218,9 +218,12 @@ steps:
            project state? Flag any factual break.
         4. FORMATTING: Are there obvious section-break artifacts, duplicate headers,
            or missing chapter title? Flag and fix.
-        5. WORD FLOOR: Count the words in the draft. Target is {chapter_target_words} words.
-           - If the draft is MORE THAN 10% under target: EXPAND (see expansion rules below).
+        5. WORD FLOOR: Estimate draft word count: count paragraphs × ~60 words/paragraph.
+           Target is {chapter_target_words} words.
+           BEFORE writing the VALIDATION LOG line, you MUST have your full word estimate.
+           - If the draft is MORE THAN 10% under target: EXPAND NOW (write SCENE A, B, C BEFORE validation log).
            - If within 10% of target: PASS, output verbatim.
+           Do NOT write 'EXPANDED' in the log if you did not write actual new scenes.
         6. OPENING HOOK: Check the PASS 0 draft prompt ({steps[0].text}) for a line labeled
            "LOCKED PREVIOUS CHAPTER HOOK:". If present, verify the chapter's opening paragraph
            directly resolves it. If not, add a brief resolution sentence at the opening —
@@ -241,13 +244,15 @@ steps:
           that matches the hook specified in the draft prompt — no new invention beyond the
           planned hook
         - WORD COUNT EXPANSION (when draft is more than 10% below {chapter_target_words}):
-          Continue writing new prose scenes AFTER the existing chapter content. Add:
-            * Extended interiority beats between action moments
-            * Sensory grounding — ground each scene location with 1–2 sensory details
-            * Dialogue elaboration — one extra exchange per speaking pair, voice-distinct
-            * Scene transitions — don't jump cuts; write the walk/wait/breath between scenes
-          Keep writing until the full output (original + new) is within 5% of {chapter_target_words}.
-          Obey all voice anti-patterns from PASS 1. Do NOT add new plot beats not in PASS 0.
+          IMPORTANT: Do NOT claim expansion in the VALIDATION LOG unless you have actually written it.
+          The WORD FLOOR line must show a word count you can verify by counting paragraphs.
+          Each paragraph ≈ 50–80 words. Count your paragraphs × 60 to estimate total words.
+          Write NEW SCENES sequentially AFTER the chapter ends:
+            SCENE A: 400+ words — interiority beat deepening the aftermath
+            SCENE B: 400+ words — dialogue exchange with voice-distinct characters
+            SCENE C: 300+ words — grounded transition showing the next 24 hours
+          Total added prose must reach the word target. Obey voice anti-patterns from PASS 1.
+          Do NOT add new plot beats not in PASS 0. Each new scene is an EXPANSION, not a new chapter.
 
       NOT ALLOWED — do not make any of these changes:
         - Improve existing sentences for prose quality, rhythm, or lyricism
@@ -279,6 +284,7 @@ steps:
   - type: document
     filename: "Chapter_{chapter_number}_draft"
     primary_deliverable: true
+    strip_before_marker: "---BEGIN CHAPTER---"
 
   - type: think
     system: |