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Workflows are Markdown files that define a series of steps to guide the Agent through complex or repetitive tasks. Type / followed by the workflow filename in the editor to invoke one — for example, /bookcover.md. Writing is a multi-stage process, and each stage can be broken down into smaller steps to achieve better results. Drafting an outline, expanding it into a volume plan, then refining each batch of chapters through four or five quality passes — each of these tasks involves remembering a dozen steps, working in the right order, and updating files one by one. Miss a step and you start over. Workflows turn these multi-step processes into a single command. Type /chapteroutline.md and the Agent loads your story settings, produces chapter outlines, and waits for your confirmation before continuing. Every subsequent batch reuses the same command. You just review and decide.

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Invoking a workflow

Type / in the chat input and SoloEnt shows all available workflows. Keep typing to filter by filename — /book will match bookcover.md. Select a workflow and press Enter to start it. Typing /bo in the chat input, with autocomplete showing the matching bookcover.md workflow The Agent executes each step in sequence, pausing when it needs a decision from you. You can stop a workflow at any point in the conversation.
After completing a new task, tell the Agent: “Turn the process we just went through into a workflow file.” The Agent analyzes the conversation, extracts the steps, and generates the workflow file. Experience you’ve built up becomes reusable automation.

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Where workflows live

Workflows can be stored in two locations: your writing project directory or a system-level global directory. Global workflows are stored in the system-level directory and are available across all projects. Use them for general-purpose processes like cover prompt generation, standard manuscript review checklists, or publishing prep. Workspace workflows live in .soloent/workflows/ at your project root. Use them for processes tied to a specific project — the pacing logic for this book’s chapter outlines, or the quality checks specific to this series. 
your-novel/
├── .soloent/
│   └── workflows/         # Workspace workflows (this project only)
│       └── chapteroutline.md
├── SOLOENT.md
├── chapters/
└── ...
When a global and workspace workflow share the same name, the workspace workflow takes precedence.

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Toggling workflows

Every workflow has a toggle to control whether it appears in the / menu, without deleting the file. Workflows never run on their own — they only execute when you invoke them with a command.

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Creating a workflow

Workflows panel showing a list of global workflows (bookcover.md, chapteroutline.md, outline.md) with toggle, edit, and delete controls for each
1

Open the Workflows menu

Click the fourth icon from the left in the Agent panel，and switch the Workflows manager.
2

Create a new workflow file

Click “New workflow file…”, enter a filename (e.g., bookcover) and click on ”+”. The file is created with a .md extension.
3

Write your workflow steps

Add a title and steps in Markdown format. Describe what each step should accomplish.

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Workflow structure

A workflow is a Markdown file with a title and numbered steps. The filename is the command: bookcover.md is invoked with /bookcover.md. Steps can be written at different levels of detail:
  • High-level instructions: “Analyze the novel outline and extract the protagonist’s character traits” — let the Agent decide how to execute
  • Precise control: Use specific format requirements or templates — when you need a fixed output

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What workflows can contain

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Natural language instructions

Write steps in plain language and the Agent will interpret and execute them: 
## Step 1: Gather novel basics
Read SOLOENT.md and extract: book title, key characters, world tone, and genre.
If the information is incomplete, ask the author and wait for their response before continuing.

## Step 2: Confirm cover direction
Based on the story's tone, propose three cover design directions and wait for the author to choose one.
This approach works well when the logic is clear but the execution details need the Agent to adapt.

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Precise template control

When you need a fixed output format, embed the template directly in the workflow: 
## Step 3: Generate cover prompt

Use the following template to generate the prompt, replacing all `***` placeholders:

```
Generate a book cover for my novel "***".
Dimensions: 600×800 px (use 1800×2400 for print quality)

Design elements:
- Background:
- Color palette:
- Imagery:

Typography:
- Title: Bold, elegant serif font
- Author name: Clean, minimal sans-serif

Layout:
[Top 20%] Negative space with atmosphere
[Middle 40%] Title
[Bottom 30%] Author name
[Bottom 10%] Optional tagline in small text
```

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Example workflows

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Book cover prompt generation

This workflow reads the novel first before generating a cover prompt, so the result reflects the story’s actual tone rather than a generic description. 
# Book cover prompt

Generate a cover prompt for this novel.

## Step 1: Understand the novel
Read SOLOENT.md to understand the outline and main characters. If SOLOENT.md is missing or doesn't have complete story details, ask the author for:
- Book title and author name
- Genre and tone (bright / dark / fantasy / realist…)
- Key imagery or a defining scene

## Step 2: Generate the cover prompt

Use the following template, replacing all `***` with specific content:

Generate a book cover for my novel "***".
Dimensions: 600×800 px (use 1800×2400 for print quality)

Design elements:
- Background:
- Color palette:
- Imagery:

Typography:
- Title: Bold, elegant serif font with a light distressed texture
- Author name: Clean, minimal sans-serif
- Optional tagline: ""

Layout:
[Top 20%] Negative space with an aurora effect
[Middle 40%] Title
[Bottom 30%] Author name
[Bottom 10%] Optional tagline in small text

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Batch chapter outline generation

This workflow breaks a novel’s chapter outlines into manageable batches. Each batch is confirmed before moving on, so you’re never handed more than you can review at once. 
# Batch chapter outline

Generate detailed outlines for 5 chapters at a time, confirming each batch before continuing.

**Target word count per chapter: 2,000–3,000 words**

## Step 1: Propose this batch

Read the story outline in SOLOENT.md and propose the chapter range for this batch (Chapter X through Chapter Y):
- State the chapter numbers this batch covers
- Reference the pacing from the story's structure (e.g., two chapters of tension before every major beat)
- Provide a one-sentence summary for each chapter

**Wait for the author to confirm the summaries before continuing.**

## Step 2: Expand each chapter outline

For each chapter in this batch, produce a full outline using the following format:

```markdown
## Chapter X: [Title]

**Summary**: [One sentence]

**Scene breakdown**:
- Scene 1: [What happens] + [Writing guidance: emotional tone, detail requirements]
- Scene 2: [What happens] + [Writing guidance: emotional tone, detail requirements]

**Foreshadowing & threads**:
- Plant: [New foreshadowing] (expected payoff in Chapter Y)
- Advance: [Existing thread being developed]
- Resolve: [Foreshadowing being paid off] (callback to Chapter Z)

**Ending hook**: [The cliffhanger or question that pulls the reader forward]
```

**Wait for the author to confirm this batch before continuing.**

## Step 3: Review settings and adjust

After completing a batch:

- **Power system check**: Can the existing mechanics support the major payoffs in this volume? If not, propose adjustments.
- **Character check**: Does this volume need new supporting characters? Does the protagonist show meaningful growth?

**Wait for the author's confirmation, then return to Step 1 for the next batch or conclude this volume's outlines.**

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Writing effective workflows

  • Start simple. Write steps in natural language first. Only add precise templates when you need a fixed output format.
  • Be explicit about decision points. If a step requires a choice from you, state it clearly: “Wait for the author to confirm before continuing.”
  • Specify failure handling. Tell the Agent what to do when something is missing: “If the information is incomplete, ask the author — do not assume.”
  • Keep workflows focused. bookcover.md handles covers. chapteroutline.md handles chapter outlines. Split complex processes into separate workflows that can run independently.
Workflows execute with your permissions and can read and modify your project files. Review a workflow’s contents before running it, especially if it comes from an external source.

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Workflows vs. Commands

The built-in commands (/review, /marketing) are workflows SoloEnt ships out of the box, designed by writing specialists and ready to use without any setup. Workflows are ones you define yourself, fully customized to your project and process. The two complement each other: use built-in commands for standardized quality checks, and custom workflows to automate what’s unique to your writing process.

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Troubleshooting

Check the following:
  • The workflow must be toggled on in the Workflows panel — toggled-off workflows are hidden from the menu
  • The file must have a .md extension and be located in either the global workflows directory or your project’s .soloent/workflows/ folder
  • If you just created the file, try closing and reopening the panel to refresh the list
The Agent advances automatically unless explicitly told to wait.
  • Add a clear pause instruction at every decision point: “Wait for the author to confirm before continuing”
  • Avoid writing steps as a continuous block — break them into distinct numbered sections so the Agent treats each as a separate stage
  • If a step is being skipped entirely, check whether its instructions are reachable (not buried inside a template block the Agent misread as an example)
Most likely cause: The file paths in the workflow don’t match your actual project structure.
  • Use relative paths from the project root (e.g., SOLOENT.md, chapters/ch-01.md)
  • If the workflow reads SOLOENT.md and the file doesn’t exist yet, the Agent may fail silently — add a fallback instruction: “If SOLOENT.md is missing, ask the author for the required information”
  • Workspace workflows run in the context of the open project folder — make sure the correct project is open when you invoke the command
Workspace workflows take precedence — but only if the names match exactly.
  • Check that the filename (including extension) is identical: chapteroutline.md vs chapteroutline.md
  • A single character difference in the name means both workflows exist independently and neither overrides the other
  • Verify the workspace workflow is saved in .soloent/workflows/ at the project root, not in a subdirectory
Workflows run with your full permissions and can read and modify any file in your project.
  • Review the workflow’s steps before running it, especially if it came from an external source
  • If an unexpected file was modified, check whether any step contains a broad instruction like “update all chapter files” — make the scope explicit
  • For workflows that write output files, specify the exact target path in the step to prevent the Agent from choosing its own location

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More Advanced Tips

Commands

Learn about SoloEnt’s built-in /review and /marketing commands

Rules

Capture your writing habits in Rules to use alongside your workflows