QUICKSTART.md

Quick Start Guide

For live demos and new users

This guide walks you through creating your first WTFB project step-by-step.

Time to first success: ~10 minutes

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Choose Your Platform

You're using...	Terminal...	Follow...
macOS	Terminal.app or iTerm2	macOS/Linux
Linux	Default terminal	macOS/Linux
Windows + WSL	Ubuntu terminal	Windows (WSL)
Windows (native)	PowerShell or Windows Terminal	Windows (PowerShell)

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Prerequisites by Platform

macOS

Install with Homebrew (recommended):

# Install Homebrew if not present
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Install required tools
brew install git node

# Install GitHub CLI (optional - only needed for one-command repo creation)
brew install gh

# Install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Authenticate Claude Code
claude auth

Verify installation:

Check	Command
Git	git --version
Node.js 18+	node --version
npm	npm --version
Claude Code	claude --version
GitHub CLI (optional)	gh --version

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Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)

# Update package lists
sudo apt update

# Install Git and Node.js
sudo apt install git nodejs npm

# Install GitHub CLI (optional)
sudo apt install gh
# or: sudo snap install gh

# Install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Authenticate Claude Code
claude auth

For other distributions:

• Fedora/RHEL: Use dnf instead of apt
• Arch: Use pacman -S git nodejs npm

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Windows (WSL)

WSL gives you a full Linux environment on Windows. This is recommended for development parity with macOS/Linux users.

Step 1: Enable WSL

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --install

Restart your computer when prompted.

Step 2: Open Ubuntu

After restart, open "Ubuntu" from the Start menu. Complete the initial setup (username/password).

Step 3: Follow Linux instructions

Once in Ubuntu terminal, follow the Linux (Debian/Ubuntu) instructions above.

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Windows (PowerShell)

For native Windows without WSL.

Option A: Install with winget (Windows 10 1709+ / Windows 11):

# Install Git
winget install Git.Git

# Install Node.js LTS
winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS

# Install GitHub CLI (optional)
winget install GitHub.cli

# Restart terminal, then install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Authenticate Claude Code
claude auth

Option B: Manual download

• Node.js: Download from nodejs.org (LTS version)
• Git: Download from git-scm.com
• GitHub CLI: Download from cli.github.com

Verify installation:

git --version
node --version
npm --version
claude --version

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Setup Steps

macOS / Linux

Step 1: Get the template

Choose one:

Option A (git clone):

git clone https://github.com/bybren-llc/story-systems-template.git my-screenplay
cd my-screenplay
git remote remove origin  # Disconnects from template repo (add your own later)

Option B (GitHub CLI - creates your own repo):

gh repo create my-screenplay --template bybren-llc/story-systems-template --clone --public
cd my-screenplay

Step 2: Initialize your project

./scripts/init-project.sh

You'll be prompted for project name and type (screenplay/novel/film-production).

Step 3: Install dependencies

npm install

Step 4: Open in your editor

code .
# or: cursor .

Step 5: Start Claude Code

claude

Step 6: Start writing!

/start-scene Opening confrontation in the bar

Your AI team is ready. All 11 agents, 24 skills, and 30+ commands work out of the box.

Optional: Install Marketplace Plugins

For enhanced workflows (showrunner mode, advanced methodology), you can install plugins:

/plugin install wtfb-screenwriting@github.com/bybren-llc/cheddarfox-claude-marketplace/plugins/screenwriting

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Windows (WSL)

Once you have Ubuntu terminal open, follow the macOS / Linux steps above.

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Windows (PowerShell)

Step 1: Get the template

Choose one:

Option A (git clone):

git clone https://github.com/bybren-llc/story-systems-template.git my-screenplay
cd my-screenplay
git remote remove origin  # Disconnects from template repo (add your own later)

Option B (GitHub CLI - creates your own repo):

gh repo create my-screenplay --template bybren-llc/story-systems-template --clone --public
cd my-screenplay

Step 2: Initialize your project

.\scripts\init-project.ps1

If you get an execution policy error, run:

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\init-project.ps1

You'll be prompted for project name and type (screenplay/novel/film-production).

Step 3: Install dependencies

npm install

Step 4: Open in your editor

code .
# or: cursor .

Step 5: Start Claude Code

claude

Step 6: Start writing!

/start-scene Opening confrontation in the bar

Your AI team is ready. All 11 agents, 24 skills, and 30+ commands work out of the box.

Optional: Install Marketplace Plugins

For enhanced workflows (showrunner mode, advanced methodology), you can install plugins:

/plugin install wtfb-screenwriting@github.com/bybren-llc/cheddarfox-claude-marketplace/plugins/screenwriting

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What Gets Created

When you run the init script, you'll see:

Type	Main File	Additional
screenplay	{name}.fountain	Beat sheet, character registry
novel	manuscript/chapters/	Outline, character sheets
film-production	production/schedule.json	Budget, crew contacts

Project structure:

{your-project}/
├── .claude/           # AI agent configurations
├── .wtfb/             # Project settings
├── docs/              # Documentation
├── exports/           # Output files (PDF, FDX, HTML)
├── marketing/         # Platform integration
├── patterns/          # Story patterns
├── scripts/           # Utility scripts
├── sourcematerials/   # Research & references
├── templates/         # Beat sheets, character sheets
├── AGENTS.md          # AI team reference
├── CLAUDE.md          # AI instructions
├── package.json       # Dependencies
└── README.md          # Project info

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Quick Command Reference

Command	Purpose
/start-scene [description]	Begin scene work
/writers-room	Multi-agent brainstorm
/check-format	Validate Fountain syntax
/check-continuity	Check for inconsistencies
/export-pdf	Generate industry PDF
/end-session	Save and commit progress

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Troubleshooting

All Platforms

"npm: command not found"

• Install Node.js from nodejs.org
• Windows: Restart terminal after installing

Plugin install fails

npm update -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

macOS / Linux / WSL

"Permission denied" on init script

chmod +x scripts/init-project.sh
./scripts/init-project.sh

"gh: command not found"

• macOS: brew install gh
• Linux: sudo apt install gh
• Or use git clone option instead

Windows (PowerShell)

Script blocked by execution policy

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\scripts\init-project.ps1

"CLAUDE.md created as copy" message

• Normal on Windows without Developer Mode
• To enable symlinks: Settings > Developer settings > Developer Mode: On
• The copy works identically; symlinks are just a minor convenience

"git: command not found"

• Restart PowerShell after installing Git
• Or use Git Bash instead

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Next Steps

1. Read the docs:

   • AGENTS.md - Meet your AI team
   • REFERENCE.md - Full command list
   • WORKFLOW.md - Git workflow guide

2. Customize your project:

   • Edit marketing/wtfb-marketing.json with your details
   • Add research to sourcematerials/
   • Fill out templates/beat-sheet.md

3. Join the community:

   • GitHub Discussions
   • Report Issues

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Words To Film By
"Your creative AI team, ready to work."