diff --git a/agents/iris/agent.yml b/agents/iris/agent.yml
index ffa99fd..a519efc 100644
--- a/agents/iris/agent.yml
+++ b/agents/iris/agent.yml
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ manages: []
 department: creative
 supported_templates:
   - book_chapter
+  - drafting
   - chapter_polish
   - ai_article_write
   - blog_write
diff --git a/templates/drafting.yml b/templates/drafting.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2842e77
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/drafting.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+name: drafting
+description: "Write one chapter in draft-only mode — continuity check, draft prompt, draft, then stop."
+debug: true
+system: agent_prompt
+
+requires:
+  - genre_name
+  - genre_audience
+  - prose_style
+  - chapter_target_words
+  - chapter_ref
+
+skills:
+  - guides/YAFictionGuide.md
+  - guides/RomanceFictionGuide.md
+  - guides/SciFiFictionGuide.md
+
+agent_prompt:
+  - "= identity.md"
+  - "agent.rag.json"
+
+sections:
+  - agent
+  - project
+  - rag
+  - skills
+  - deliverables
+  - message
+  - instructions
+
+steps:
+  - type: think
+    hint: |
+      PASS 0 — BIBLE, CONTINUITY, AND DRAFT PROMPT
+
+      GENRE: {genre_name}  |  AUDIENCE: {genre_audience}
+      PROSE STYLE GUIDE: {prose_style}
+      TARGET CHAPTER LENGTH: ~{chapter_target_words} words
+
+      CONTINUITY GUARDRAILS:
+        - Use ONLY the outline / character bible and the immediately previous chapter for continuity.
+        - Ignore future chapters, editorial reviews, roundtables, polish drafts, and any non-chapter artifacts.
+        - Never pull facts from a deliverable whose filename indicates a later chapter than {chapter_ref}.
+
+      ⚠️ CRITICAL: Your task name tells you EXACTLY which chapter to write.
+      Look at the CURRENT MESSAGE — write THAT chapter and ONLY that chapter.
+      Do NOT write Chapter 1 unless the message explicitly says "Chapter 1".
+
+      STEP 1 — READ THE OUTLINE / CHARACTER BIBLE:
+        Look at PROJECT DELIVERABLES for the outline file.
+        Extract and record:
+          - protagonist and supporting cast names
+          - world rules / constraints
+          - this chapter's summary, emotional beat, and closing hook from the outline
+        If no outline/bible is available, use the character names and project details
+        from the task description above — be CONSISTENT throughout the book.
+
+      STEP 2 — FIND THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER:
+        Look at PROJECT DELIVERABLES for the chapter that comes BEFORE this one.
+        If no previous chapter exists (this IS Chapter 1), skip to STEP 4.
+
+      STEP 3 — QUOTE THE ENDING:
+        Copy the LAST 2–3 sentences of the previous chapter here, word for word.
+        Label them: "PREVIOUS CHAPTER ENDED WITH: ..."
+        Your new chapter MUST pick up from this exact moment.
+
+      STEP 4 — BUILD THE DRAFT PROMPT:
+        Write the exact drafting prompt for the next pass. That prompt must include:
+          - CHAPTER: Exact chapter number and title
+          - POV CHARACTER: Whose perspective are we in?
+          - FIRST LINE: The exact opening sentence, continuing from the previous ending
+          - EMOTIONAL ARC: What does the protagonist feel at start vs end?
+          - CHAPTER GOAL: What plot event MUST happen here?
+          - KEY BEATS: 3–5 numbered scene beats that will form the chapter
+          - CLOSING HOOK: Exact last image or line that makes readers continue
+          - Reminders about continuity, prose style, and target length
+
+      Stop here. Output ONLY the draft prompt. Do NOT write chapter prose yet.
+
+  - type: think
+    model: power
+    hint: |
+      PASS 1 — WRITE THE DRAFT
+
+      Use the draft prompt below as your exact writing brief:
+
+      {steps[0].text}
+
+      Requirements:
+        - Start with the FIRST LINE you planned — make it continue naturally from the previous chapter
+        - Follow the KEY BEATS in order, but write with full scene depth
+        - All character names must be consistent with the bible/outline
+        - Every dialogue exchange must be tight and voice-distinct
+        - Show, don't tell — externalize emotion through action, detail, and dialogue
+        - Every scene beat moves the story forward OR reveals character
+        - End with the CLOSING HOOK you planned
+        - Match the prose style guide: {prose_style}
+        - Target length: {chapter_target_words} words — write the FULL chapter, not a summary
+
+      Output ONLY the draft chapter text.
+      Start directly with the chapter title (e.g., "Chapter N: [Title]") and opening line.
+      No commentary, no plan headers, no "Pass 1" label.
+
+  - type: document
+    filename: "chapter-{chapter_ref}"
+
+  - type: close
+    rag_update: true
+
+adjudication:
+  enabled: false
diff --git a/templates/planning.yml b/templates/planning.yml
index 5af63de..4725ac5 100644
--- a/templates/planning.yml
+++ b/templates/planning.yml
@@ -92,6 +92,8 @@ steps:
           chapter_review (×3 per chapter) → chapter_roundtable → chapter_polish → book_editorial → project_index
         - Do NOT spawn book_chapter tasks until book_outline has run and provided chapter context.
         - Start with ONE book_research task only. The cascade templates handle everything after that.
+        - If the operator or project metadata marks the project as draft-only, use `drafting`
+          instead of `book_chapter` for chapter tasks and stop after the draft deliverable.
 
       ARTICLE SERIES SEQUENCING RULE:
         - For article series: ai_article_research → ai_article_plan → ai_article_write (×N)