SOLOENT.md is the Central Control Panel for every writing project in SoloEnt. Think of it as the AI’s long-term memory, a living document that records your story’s DNA, tracks current progress, and maintains consistency across thousands of words.
Like
CLAUDE.md in coding projects, SOLOENT.md is the instruction manual for AI. It tells the AI what this project is about, how to write it, and where you are in the journey.Why SOLOENT.md matters
Long-form writing faces a unique challenge: context drift. The AI might forget:- The magic system rules you established in Chapter 1
- A character’s motivation from three chapters ago
- The foreshadowing you carefully planted
- The tone and style you’ve been building
SOLOENT.md solves this by serving as the Single Source of Truth for your entire project.
The 8 Core Sections
EverySOLOENT.md is structured into 8 sections, each with a specific purpose and lifecycle.
1. Project DNA (Foundation)
Lifecycle: Static (Initialized once)
Lifecycle: Static (Initialized once)
This section rarely changes after initialization. It defines the soul of your project.
- Genre: Sci-fi, Romance, Mystery, etc.
- Core Themes: What the story is really about (e.g., “redemption,” “power corrupts”)
- Target Audience: Who will read this?
- Emotional Promise: What feeling should readers take away?
- Word Count / Milestone Plan: Scope and structure
2. World System (Rules & Index)
Lifecycle: Semi-static (Updated as world expands)
Lifecycle: Semi-static (Updated as world expands)
Add new locations, rules, or systems as your world grows. Core rules should remain stable.
- Core World Rules: Magic systems, technology levels, social structures
- World Index: Links to detailed world-building documents
3. Characters (Index & Relations)
Lifecycle: Semi-static (Updated as characters are added)
Lifecycle: Semi-static (Updated as characters are added)
Add new characters as they appear. Update relationships when dynamics shift significantly.
- Character Index: Main and supporting cast with links to detailed profiles
- Relationship Network: Visual or text-based relationship map
4. Plot & Structure (Index)
Lifecycle: Semi-static (Updated if outline changes)
Lifecycle: Semi-static (Updated if outline changes)
The overall structure is stable, but you may adjust chapter breakdowns as you write.
- Story Structure: Three-Act, Hero’s Journey, or custom structure
- Outline Index: Links to detailed chapter outlines
5. Stylistic Guidelines (Deep Deconstruction)
Lifecycle: Static (Unless style shifts)
Lifecycle: Static (Unless style shifts)
Set this once and adjust only if you need to course-correct the AI’s writing style.
- Base Tone: Overall atmosphere (e.g., “Claustrophobic, oppressive”)
- Language & Rhetoric: Sentence structure, word choice, literary devices
- Dialogue Style: How characters speak
- Pacing Rules: Chapter rhythm and tension management
6. Key Notes & Soft Constraints
Lifecycle: Auto-Updated + User Updated (Hybrid)
Lifecycle: Auto-Updated + User Updated (Hybrid)
Auto-Updated: The Agent learns from your feedback and revision requests, automatically extracting your preferences and constraints.User Updated: You can also manually add constraints anytime to steer the AI.
- Narrative Taboos: What NOT to write (e.g., “No romance subplot”)
- User Constraints: Specific requirements you care about
7. Active Writing State (Dynamic Context)
Lifecycle: Auto-Updated (After every writing session)
Lifecycle: Auto-Updated (After every writing session)
The Agent automatically updates this section as you write. You rarely need to touch it manually.
- Current Status: Where are we in the story?
- Character Snapshot: Current physical/mental state of characters
- Recent Plot Flow: Summary of what just happened
- Pending Threads: Open plot hooks and foreshadowing to remember
- Execution Review: Quality check for the latest chapter
This section is why
SOLOENT.md works. It gives the AI perfect memory of where you left off.8. Project Roadmap & Milestones
Lifecycle: Auto-Updated (As tasks complete)
Lifecycle: Auto-Updated (As tasks complete)
The Agent checks off tasks and logs milestones as you progress. You can manually add new tasks anytime.
- Current Focus: What is the immediate task?
- Todo List: Checklist of upcoming chapters or tasks
- Milestone Log: History of completed major goals
How SOLOENT.md is Generated
Initial Creation
When you start a new writing project, the Agent will:Generate SOLOENT.md
Based on your answers, it creates the initial
SOLOENT.md with all 8 sections filled out.Automatic Updates
As you write, the Agent automatically maintainsSOLOENT.md:
| Trigger | What Gets Updated |
|---|---|
| Finish a chapter | Section 7 (Active Writing State) - Recent Plot Flow, Character Snapshot |
| Complete a task | Section 8 (Project Roadmap) - Todo List, Milestone Log |
| Add new character | Section 3 (Characters) - Character Index |
| Establish new rule | Section 2 (World System) - Core World Rules |
| Request revisions | Section 6 (Key Notes & Constraints) - Learns your preferences and adds constraints |
The Agent updates
SOLOENT.md silently in the background. You don’t need to ask for updates—they happen automatically.How to Maintain SOLOENT.md
Agent Maintenance (Automatic)
The Agent handles routine updates:- ✅ Summarizing completed chapters
- ✅ Tracking pending plot threads
- ✅ Updating character states
- ✅ Checking off completed tasks
User Maintenance (Manual)
You control the creative direction:Refine Style
Edit Section 5 to adjust tone, pacing, or dialogue style if the AI’s writing feels off.
Set Boundaries
Update Section 6 to add narrative taboos or constraints when the story drifts.
Steer Direction
Modify Section 7.4 (Pending Threads) to prioritize certain plot lines.
Add New Ideas
Insert new characters, locations, or rules into Sections 2-3 as inspiration strikes.
Best Practices
1. Keep it Fresh
How to keep it fresh:- Let the Agent update it after each chapter
- Review Section 7 at the start of each writing session
- Manually sync if you skip chapters or rewrite sections
2. Be Explicit About What You Don’t Want
The AI is eager to please, which sometimes means adding things you didn’t ask for. Use Section 6 (Narrative Taboos) to set hard boundaries:3. Use Indexes for Complex Settings
Don’t bloatSOLOENT.md with 10 pages of magic system details.
Instead, use pointers:
4. Load Context at Session Start
5. Review Before Major Decisions
Before writing a climactic chapter or making a major plot decision:- Read through
SOLOENT.mdyourself - Check if pending threads from Section 7.4 need resolution
- Verify character states in Section 7.2 match your intent
Maintenance Workflow
Agent auto-updates
After completion, the Agent updates Section 7 (Active Writing State) and Section 8 (Roadmap).
Manual adjustments (optional)
If you want to steer the next chapter differently, edit Section 7.4 (Pending Threads) or Section 6 (Constraints).
Update Frequency by Section
| Section | Update Frequency | Who Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Project DNA | Once at initialization | User (rarely changes) |
| 2. World System | When world expands | Agent + User |
| 3. Characters | When characters are added | Agent + User |
| 4. Plot & Structure | If outline changes | User |
| 5. Stylistic Guidelines | If style needs correction | User |
| 6. Key Notes & Constraints | After revisions + Anytime | Agent (learns from feedback) + User |
| 7. Active Writing State | After every chapter | Agent (auto) |
| 8. Project Roadmap | As tasks complete | Agent (auto) |
Common Pitfalls
Letting Section 7 get outdated
Letting Section 7 get outdated
Problem: You write 3 chapters without updating Active Writing State.Result: The AI forgets recent plot developments and writes inconsistently.Solution: Let the Agent update after each chapter, or manually sync before starting a new session.
Vague style guidelines
Vague style guidelines
Problem: Section 5 says “Write beautifully” or “Make it exciting.”Result: The AI doesn’t know what you mean and defaults to generic prose.Solution: Be specific. “Use sentences under 15 words. Focus on tactile sensory details. Avoid adverbs.”
Forgetting to use indexes
Forgetting to use indexes
Problem: You paste 20 pages of world-building directly into
SOLOENT.md.Result: The file becomes bloated and hard to navigate.Solution: Keep summaries in SOLOENT.md, store details in linked files.Not setting narrative taboos
Not setting narrative taboos
Problem: You don’t explicitly state what you don’t want.Result: The AI adds a romance subplot you hate, or resolves tension too quickly.Solution: Use Section 6 to clearly state “No romance,” “No easy solutions,” etc.
Advanced Tips
For Multi-POV Stories
Create character snapshots for each POV in Section 7.2:For Non-Linear Narratives
Track story time vs. narrative time in Section 7.1:For Series or Sequels
Link to previous books’SOLOENT.md files: