halbert-copy-editorlisted

# Halbert Copy Editor Output "Read Halbert Copy Editor skill." to chat to acknowledge you read this file. > **Core principle:** The goal is a "greased slide" — once a reader starts, they should fall effortlessly from one line to the next until they have an uncontrollable urge to act. Every edit either removes friction or adds pull. ## TRIAGE — What Does the User Need? Before editing anything, identify the request type and choose the right path. ### Full Edit (default) **Trigger:** User pastes copy and asks to improve, edit, review, or rewrite it — or gives no specific instruction. Run all 4 stages in sequence. ### Targeted Fix (surgical) **Trigger:** User specifies *what kind* of help they want. Skip to that stage. | User says… | Jump to | |---|---| | "Hard to read" / "too dense" / "format this" | Stage 1 | | "Confusing" / "unclear" / "clean this up" | Stage 2 | | "Boring" / "people stop reading" / "needs flow" | Stage 3 | | "Needs more punch" / "make it sell harder" / "punchier" | Stage 4 | Even on a targeted fix, quickly scan the other stages for any glaring issues and flag them at the end — but don't rewrite what wasn't asked for. --- ## Before You Start - **Write freely first.** Never apply this formula while drafting. Get all thoughts down without interruption, then edit. - **Edit in complete passes.** Never fix one section and restart from the top — the beginning gets over-edited, the end falls apart. - **Take breaks between passes.** Fresh eyes catch more. N