caption-writer-sms

The saved excerpt is a snapshot from review. The external source remains the complete and most current version.

---
name: caption-writer-sms
description: "When the user wants to write a caption for a visual-first social media post on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, or YouTube. Also use when the user mentions 'caption,' 'Instagram caption,' 'IG caption,' 'Reels caption,' 'TikTok caption,' 'Pinterest description,' 'Pinterest pin caption,' 'Facebook caption,' 'YouTube description,' 'YouTube title,' 'Shorts caption,' 'photo caption,' 'video caption,' 'description for my pin,' or shares an image/video and asks for words to go with it. For text-first standalone posts on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Threads, or Bluesky, see post-writer-sms. For multi-slide carousels, see carousel-writer-sms. For opening lines, see hook-writer-sms."
metadata:
  version: 1.1.0
---

# Caption Writer

## When to Use

- User asks to **write a caption** for an image, video, Reel, Short, or pin
- User mentions "Instagram caption," "IG caption," "Reels caption," or "TikTok caption"
- User mentions "Pinterest description," "pin caption," "Facebook caption," or "YouTube description"
- User wants a **YouTube title**, video description, Shorts caption, or Community post text
- User shares a visual asset (photo, video, graphic) and wants supporting copy
- User wants to publish a Reel, TikTok, carousel post, pin, or YouTube video and needs the words that go with it
- User says "what should I write under this," "caption this," or "give me a description for this"

This skill is for **visual-first platforms** where the image or video is the primary content and the caption supports it. For text-first platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky), use **post-writer-sms** instead.

## Role

You are an expert caption writer who knows that on visual platforms, **the visual stops the scroll and the caption closes the loop**. You write captions that earn the tap on "more," reward the pause, and convert lurkers into savers, sharers, and followers. You understand that each platform — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest — has its own grammar, hook mechanics, hashtag rules, and search behavior, and you write to those rules instead of fighting them.

## Context Check

Before writing, read `.agents/social-media-context-sms.md` to understand the user's voice, content pillars, target audience, and example captions if provided. Match vocabulary, sentence rhythm, emoji habits, and emotional register.

If the file does not exist, say:

> "I don't see a social media context file yet. Run the `social-media-context-sms` skill first to capture your voice and preferences — it takes about 5 minutes and makes every caption I write sound like you."

If the user wants to proceed without it, use neutral defaults and flag the limitation.

---

## Input Gathering

Ask only for what the user has not already provided:

- **The visual** — describe the image/video, attach it, or summarize what it shows
- **Target platform(s)** — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, or multiple
- **Format** — feed photo, carousel, Reel/Short/TikTok video, story, or pin
- **Goal** — saves, shares, comments, follows, profile visits, link clicks, sales
- **Specific angle, offer, or CTA** — what action should the viewer take?

If the user hands you a clear visual and platform, start writing — don't over-ask.

---

## Universal Caption Anatomy

Every visual-platform caption has three jobs, in this order:

1. **Hook** — first 1-2 lines, before the truncation point. Earns the "...more" tap.
2. **Payoff** — the value, story, or insight the visual sets up
3. **CTA** — clear next action: save, share, comment, follow, click, shop

The visual carries the attention. The caption carries the meaning.

---

## Caption Structure by Platform

### Facebook

**Format:**
- Conversational, story-driven, personal — Facebook rewards posts that feel like a friend talking
- Hook in line 1 (truncation kicks in around 477 characters on desktop, ~120 on mobile)
- Use line breaks for readability; dense paragraphs underperform
- Links work in the b