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Topic Clusters

The corpus is organized into 10 topic clusters. Each cluster groups related documents for focused exploration.

narrative-structure (19 docs)

Story construction, pacing, and structural patterns for interactive fiction.

Document Description
beat_taxonomies_craft_literature Save the Cat, Story Grid, and named beat functions
branching_narrative_construction Building branching story structures
branching_narrative_craft Craft techniques for branching paths
cascading_disaster_patterns Fiasco-style escalation through compounding errors
endings_patterns Satisfying endings and conclusion patterns
ensemble_convergence_patterns Multiple independent threads that collide into shared meaning
episodic_serialized_if Serial and episodic IF structure
heist_and_caper_patterns Planning, execution, and reveal architecture
moral_dilemma_chains Impossible choices that build a moral portrait
nonlinear_structure Non-linear storytelling techniques
pacing_and_tension Rhythm, pacing, and tension control
pressure_cooker_patterns Confined-space tension and ensemble revelation
rashomon_patterns Contradicting perspectives and unreliable narration
romance_and_relationships Relationship arcs in interactive fiction
scene_sequel_in_interactive_fiction Swain Scene/Sequel applied to IF pacing and choice
scene_structure_and_beats Scene composition and beat patterns
scene_transitions Smooth transitions between scenes
time_loop_patterns Repetition with variation; knowledge as progression
try_fail_cycles_branching_fiction Failure sequences as branching architecture

craft-foundations (10 docs)

Core craft skills, quality standards, and workflow practices.

Document Description
audio_visual_integration Integrating audio and visual elements
collaborative_if_writing Working with teams on IF projects
creative_workflow_pipeline Production workflow patterns
diegetic_design In-world interface and narrative design
idea_capture_and_hooks Capturing ideas and creating hooks
if_platform_tools Platform-specific considerations
player_analytics_metrics Understanding player behavior
quality_standards_if Quality criteria for IF
research_and_verification Research methods for IF writers
testing_interactive_fiction Testing and QA for interactive fiction

prose-and-language (8 docs)

Writing craft: voice, dialogue, description, and prose techniques.

Document Description
character_voice Distinct character voices
dialogue_craft Writing effective dialogue
exposition_techniques Delivering information naturally
lexical_repetition_detection Detecting problematic repetition in generated prose
narrative_point_of_view POV choices and consistency
prose_patterns Prose style and patterns
subtext_and_implication Writing between the lines
voice_register_consistency Maintaining consistent voice

genre-conventions (7 docs)

Genre-specific guidance and conventions.

Document Description
children_and_ya_conventions Writing for younger audiences
fantasy_conventions Fantasy genre patterns
historical_fiction Historical accuracy and atmosphere
horror_conventions Horror genre techniques
mystery_conventions Mystery and detective fiction
sci_fi_conventions Science fiction patterns
trope_variations Cross-genre archetypes and subversion patterns

world-and-setting (5 docs)

Worldbuilding, settings, and canon management.

Document Description
canon_management Managing fictional canon
character_naming_by_culture Cultural naming conventions for characters
location_naming_patterns Toponymy and place naming patterns
setting_as_character Using setting actively
worldbuilding_patterns Building consistent worlds

audience-and-access (3 docs)

Audience targeting, accessibility, and localization.

Document Description
accessibility_guidelines Making IF accessible
audience_targeting Writing for specific audiences
localization_considerations Localization and translation

emotional-design (2 docs)

Emotional impact, tension, and player psychology.

Document Description
conflict_patterns Conflict types and patterns
emotional_beats Emotional rhythm and beats

agent-design (3 docs)

AI writing assistance and prompt engineering.

Document Description
agent_memory_architecture Agent memory and conversation history patterns
agent_prompt_engineering Prompting, sampling parameters, output diversity
multi_agent_patterns Multi-agent collaboration patterns

game-design (1 doc)

Game mechanics and interactive design.

Document Description
mechanics_design_patterns Game mechanics for IF

scope-and-planning (1 doc)

Project planning and scope management.

Document Description
scope_and_length Scoping IF projects

Filtering by Cluster

Use cluster filters in search:

from ifcraftcorpus import Corpus

corpus = Corpus()

# Search only in prose-and-language cluster
results = corpus.search("dialogue", cluster="prose-and-language")

# List all clusters
print(corpus.list_clusters())

With the MCP server:

search_corpus(query="tension building", cluster="emotional-design")