Viral Hook Creator
Purpose
Generate 3-5 viral hook options using proven psychological patterns that create curiosity, provide value, and drive engagement. Hooks are optimized for social platforms (X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok).
Execution Logic
Check $ARGUMENTS first to determine execution mode:
If $ARGUMENTS is empty or not provided:
Respond with: "viral-hook-creator loaded, proceed with additional instructions"
Then wait for the user to provide their requirements in the next message.
If $ARGUMENTS contains content:
Proceed immediately to Task Execution (skip the "loaded" message).
Task Execution
When user requirements are available (either from initial $ARGUMENTS or follow-up message):
1. MANDATORY: Read Reference Files FIRST
BLOCKING REQUIREMENT - DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP
Before doing ANYTHING else, you MUST use the Read tool to read BOTH reference files. This is non-negotiable:
Read: ./references/hook-patterns.md Read: ./references/trigger_words.md
What you will find:
- •hook-patterns.md: 18 proven hook patterns with templates, psychology explanations, and the Pattern Selection Matrix
- •trigger_words.md: Four categories of viral trigger words (Insider, Helper, Thinker, Amplifiers)
DO NOT PROCEED to step 2 until you have read both files and have the patterns and trigger words loaded in context.
2. Check for Business Context (Optional)
Check if FOUNDER_CONTEXT.md exists in the project root.
- •If it exists: Read it and use the business context to personalize your output (industry terminology, audience pain points, brand voice, authority metrics).
- •If it doesn't exist: Proceed using defaults from the "Defaults & Assumptions" section.
3. Analyze Input
From the user's requirements, extract:
- •Content topic/theme
- •Target platform (X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, general)
- •Goal (awareness, education, engagement, conversion)
- •Target audience demographics and psychographics
- •Available social proof (stats, achievements, research)
For any missing information, apply defaults from the "Defaults & Assumptions" section.
4. Generate Viral Hooks
Using the patterns and trigger words you read in Step 1, create hooks:
- •
Select patterns from hook-patterns.md using the Pattern Selection Matrix (match user's goal + platform)
- •
Draft each hook using the pattern template as your starting point
- •
Integrate 1-2 trigger words from trigger_words.md into each hook as you write:
- •Insider words (secretly, revealed, hidden, uncovered, etc.) → exclusivity patterns
- •Helper words (losing, wasting, bleeding, stealing, etc.) → problem/urgency patterns
- •Thinker words (backwards, myth, counterintuitive, paradox, etc.) → contrarian patterns
- •Amplifiers (literally, every, zero, completely, etc.) → any pattern for intensity
- •
Follow all Writing Rules (Core Rules, Pattern-Specific Rules, Platform-Specific Adaptations)
- •
Ensure differentiation - each hook must use a unique pattern
- •
Verify natural integration - trigger words should enhance, not distract
5. Format and Verify
- •Structure output according to Output Format section
- •Complete Quality Checklist self-verification
- •Verify each hook contains trigger words from the reference file
Writing Rules
Hard constraints. No interpretation.
Core Rules
- •Maximum 120 characters for X/Twitter hooks.
- •Maximum 1-2 lines (40-60 characters) for video hooks.
- •Lead with the most interesting element.
- •Create a curiosity gap (promise value but withhold details).
- •Use specific numbers when possible (not "many" but "17").
- •Avoid clickbait that doesn't deliver.
- •Use power words: steal, secret, mistake, never, proven, blueprint.
- •No emojis unless platform-specific (Instagram/TikTok OK, LinkedIn/X avoid).
- •No fluff or filler words.
- •Active voice only.
- •Present tense preferred.
Pattern-Specific Rules
- •For authority hooks: Lead with credible metric.
- •For list hooks: Use odd numbers (7 > 6, 5 > 4).
- •For story hooks: Start with unexpected outcome.
- •For data hooks: Lead with surprising stat.
- •For cautionary hooks: Lead with mistake/lesson.
Platform-Specific Adaptations
- •X/Twitter: Punchy, contrarian, data-driven, 120 char max.
- •LinkedIn: Professional, achievement-oriented, thought leadership, 40-60 char first line.
- •Instagram: Visual promise, lifestyle-oriented, aspirational, 125 char before "more" cutoff.
- •TikTok: Fast-paced, relatable, trend-aware, 20-30 char on-screen text.
- •General: Versatile, platform-agnostic.
Output Format
Clean and simple. Just hooks with their pattern type as a headline.
### [Pattern Name] [Hook text] ### [Pattern Name] [Hook text] ### [Pattern Name] [Hook text]
Example:
### Authority Credibility I run a 23-person software agency. Here are 5 things I would never do again. ### Data-Driven Insight I analyzed 1,000 LinkedIn posts. Here are the top 5 patterns that drove engagement. ### Contrarian Everyone tells you to post daily. I posted 3x per week and got 10x more engagement.
Defaults & Assumptions
Use these unless overridden.
- •Number of hooks: 3
- •Platform: X/Twitter (most restrictive character limit).
- •Goal: Maximize engagement (likes, comments, shares).
- •Audience: General business/entrepreneurship audience.
- •Tone: Professional but conversational (matches most founders).
- •Emotion: Curiosity (safest default for viral content).
- •Format: Thread/post opener (not video hook).
References
These files MUST be read using the Read tool before generating any hooks (see Step 1 of Task Execution):
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
./references/hook-patterns.md | 18 proven hook patterns with templates, psychology, and Pattern Selection Matrix |
./references/trigger_words.md | Viral trigger word categories (Insider, Helper, Thinker, Amplifiers) |
Why both matter: Hook patterns provide psychological structure. Trigger words amplify emotional impact. Patterns alone = good hook. Patterns + trigger words = viral hook (~10x more engagement).
Quality Checklist (Self-Verification)
Before finalizing, verify ALL of the following:
Pre-Generation Check
- • I read
./references/hook-patterns.mdbefore generating hooks - • I read
./references/trigger_words.mdbefore generating hooks - • I have the 18 patterns and 4 trigger word categories in context
Pattern & Structure Verification
- • Each hook uses a proven pattern from hook-patterns.md (not made-up patterns)
- • Each hook uses a DIFFERENT pattern (no repetition)
- • Pattern templates were adapted to user context
- • Hooks create genuine curiosity without being misleading
Trigger Word Integration Verification
- • Each hook contains 1-2 trigger words FROM THE FILE I READ
- • Trigger words match pattern types appropriately
- • Trigger words are integrated naturally (not forced)
- • Trigger words enhance emotional impact
Writing Rules Compliance
- • Character limits respected for platform
- • Specific numbers used (not "many" or "some")
- • Active voice throughout
- • No fluff or overused phrases
Final Check
If ANY hook is missing trigger words from the reference file or uses patterns not from hook-patterns.md → revise before presenting.