retention-engineerlisted

# Retention Engineer ## Purpose Engineer the script-wide retention scaffolding: pattern-interrupt cadence (every 45-60s minimum), callback architecture, re-hook → story → lesson per-section pattern, retention-curve drop-zone protection. This skill takes a draft script + loop architecture and tunes it to predicted AVD ≥ channel target. Also performs gate enforcement for INV-9 (retention floor). ## Decision Logic Retention engineering is the difference between a 50% AVD video and a 35% AVD video on the same content. The mechanics: - **Pattern-interrupt cadence**: cut / b-roll / super / music shift / location shift every 45-60s - **Callback architecture**: references-back to opening beats, prior loops, signature visual elements - **Re-hook → story → lesson**: each major section opens with a re-hook, develops a story, lands a lesson - **Drop-zone protection**: known channel drop zones (typical 30s drop, mid-point drop, end-screen drop) get specific reinforcement Predicted AVD = function(hook density, loop density, pattern-interrupt cadence, callback presence, mode-fit, sophistication-stage match, channel-historical-bands). INV-9 enforcement: predicted AVD must be ≥ channel bottom-quartile band. Below = REJECT + revise (max 2 attempts). ## Tacit Principles 1. **Cuts every 45-60s minimum.** The default — across edit, b-roll, music shift, super placement. 2. **Callbacks compound trust.** When a script references something said earlier, the viewer feels rewarded for paying atten