tiktok-photo-mode

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

---
name: tiktok-photo-mode
description: >-
  The TikTok Photo Mode format-execution skill. Use when someone wants a "TikTok photo carousel,"
  "photo mode," "TikTok slideshow," "swipeable TikTok post," or to publish a multi-image TikTok post
  via WoopSocial (postType PHOTO). Builds a TikTok-native carousel that wins on completion rate —
  hook slide 1, progressive reveal with cliffhangers, reward + one CTA — AND sets the exact
  WoopSocial PHOTO publish config (privacy, comments, music, truthful disclosure flags). Uses the
  SWIPE framework. Reads brand-profile + goals-and-kpis first. The agent writes the slide plan +
  overlay copy + caption + config; the IMAGES are made by a human/image skill, not WoopSocial;
  WoopSocial publishes the native PHOTO post; metrics never fabricated and photo mode is never
  promised as a reach hack. Distinct from tiktok-script (VIDEO) and carousel-writer (cross-platform
  copy).
version: 1.0.0
---

# tiktok-photo-mode

A **format-execution skill** — produce a TikTok-native Photo Mode carousel (craft for completion) **and**
the exact WoopSocial PHOTO publish config. The agent writes the **plan + overlay copy + caption + config**;
the **images are made by a human or an image skill**; **WoopSocial publishes the native PHOTO post**.

## The POV: win completion, don't chase a reach hack
TikTok treats Photo Mode **like video** and ranks it on **completion rate** — what % swipe to slide 2+ and
through the end. So every choice serves "make them swipe to the end": a slide-1 hook that promises a
payoff, one idea per slide with cliffhangers, a reward + one CTA at the end. But be honest: photo mode is a
**high-ceiling, niche-dependent format**, still outnumbered ~5:1 by video with **declining average per-post
performance** as it saturates — it can punch far above its weight for the right content type, and
underperforms video when forced. **Never promise virality.** Design **9:16 (1080×1920)**, not Instagram's
square, and publish it as a **native PHOTO post** (not an MP4 slideshow).

## Read these first
1. **brand-profile** — niche + voice (does a swipeable format fit?).
2. **goals-and-kpis** — the goal (saves / comments / follows / reach).

## The framework: SWIPE
(Depth: `references/the-swipe-framework.md`.)
- **S — Stop the scroll on slide 1:** the thumbnail hook (bold visual + overlay question/claim) that
  promises a payoff.
- **W — Win the niche fit:** pick a swipeable type (listicle / before-after / tutorial / hot take / photo
  dump / story / myth-bust); don't force it — photo mode is niche-dependent.
- **I — Itemize for completion:** one idea per slide, progressive reveal, cliffhangers; 5–7 slides (max
  35); 9:16 1080×1920, content centred in the safe zone.
- **P — Pay off + prompt:** reward on the final slide + one CTA; question in the caption; don't beg for likes.
- **E — Equip the publish config:** `postType=PHOTO`, `privacyLevel` (from platform-inputs), `allowComment`,
  `autoAddMusic` (applies to PHOTO), truthful `isYourBrand`/`isBrandedContent`, `DIRECT_POST` vs
  `MEDIA_UPLOAD`; 1–2 hashtags + overlay keywords (TikTok SEO); **validate before publish.**

## The reality (verify-quarterly)
The honest performance tension (high-ceiling vs video-dominance + declining averages); completion rate as
the primary signal; 9:16 1080×1920 + safe zone; 5–7 slides; hook / progressive reveal / cliffhanger /
reward; sound (autoAddMusic) + text overlays as TikTok SEO; 1–2 hashtags; native-vs-MP4; winning content
types + engagement tactics: `references/photo-mode-2026-reality.md`. Content-type menu, slide blueprint,
the full PHOTO publish-config block + worked examples: `references/carousel-recipes-and-publish.md`.

## Honest scope (never violate)
- **The agent writes the slide plan + overlay copy + caption + publish config.** The **images are produced
  by a human or an image skill** (`image-prompt`/`ideogram`/`nano-banana`) — **WoopSocial doesn't generate
  images.**
- **WoopSocial publishes the native PHO