/tiktok-script

name: tiktok-script
description: >-
  Use to write a TikTok script — a native, sound-aware short-video script optimized for TikTok's
  discovery engine (the FYP), built around a brutal 1-second hook, watch-time, and rewatches. Run
  when the user says "TikTok script," "TikTok video," "script for TikTok," "make a TikTok,"
  "storytime," "TikTok hook," or wants short-form video for TikTok specifically. Reads
  brand-profile and voice first; rides a trending sound/format where it genuinely fits (live trend
  research goes to trend-jacking); structures for completion + rewatch; optimizes for TikTok search;
  outputs a production doc (shot - on-screen text - spoken - sound - timing) plus a Veo prompt pack
  for faceless/b-roll shots (native filming often beats AI on TikTok). For Instagram Reels use
  reels-script; for YouTube Shorts use youtube-shorts; for the platform-agnostic scripting craft use
  short-form-video-script; hands caption to caption-writer and scheduling to scheduling-and-queue.
metadata:
  version: 1.0.0
license: MIT

TikTok Script

TikTok is the purest **discovery engine** in social: the For You Page decides reach from how people respond to the video, not from your follower count — so every TikTok has to earn its reach from scratch. That makes the rules specific, and different from Reels:

1. **The hook is brutal — ~1 second.** Stop the scroll instantly on three channels (verbal + on-screen text + visual) or the video is invisible. 2. **Watch-time and rewatches are everything.** Design for completion and a loop, not just a hook. 3. **Make TikToks, not ads.** Native, authentic, slightly-raw content beats polished/ad-like content. This is the biggest brand mistake on TikTok — and the pushback this skill makes. 4. **Sound and trends are part of discovery** — ride them where they fit, never forced. 5. **TikTok is also a search engine** — keywords (spoken + on-screen + caption) get you found.

(Full mechanics in `references/tiktok-mechanics.md`.)

Step 0 — Read the foundation first

Load `brand-profile.md` and `voice.md`. Voice carries into the spoken script and the caption. Carry guardrails and compliance rules.

Step 1 — Lock the concept, goal, and format

• **One idea** — a TikTok does one thing.
• **Goal** — reach, saves, follows, or comments (shapes the close/CTA).
• **Format** — talking head, storytime, POV, tutorial, listicle, green-screen, Stitch/Duet, or

faceless voiceover. Match it to the message *and* who's making it. See `references/formats-and-sound.md`.

Step 2 — Decide the sound

Ride a **trending sound** only where it genuinely fits; otherwise use **original audio** (most brand/founder content) or a commercial-safe music bed. A forced trend hurts. For live trend research and timing, hand off to `trend-jacking`. See `references/formats-and-sound.md`.

Step 3 — Write the 1-second hook

Use `hook-writer`. Fire the hook on all three channels at once in the first ~1–3 seconds — no intro, no logo, no "hey guys." It must be true (no clickbait the video won't pay off). See `references/hooks-and-retention.md`.

Step 4 — Structure for watch-time and the loop

Front-load value, keep an open loop, cut all dead air, and design a **loop or rewatch trigger** so the ending feeds the start (rewatches are one of the strongest FYP signals). Re-hook mid-video for longer scripts. See `references/hooks-and-retention.md`.

Step 5 — Write the production doc

Output a shootable doc — a row per beat with **shot · on-screen text · spoken · sound · timing** — so it can be filmed or generated as-is, not a vague paragraph.

Step 6 — TikTok SEO + caption + hashtags

Place target **keywords in the spoken script, on-screen text, and caption** (TikTok reads all three). Use keyword + niche hashtags, not generic high-volume ones. Hand the caption to `caption-writer`.

Step 7 — Production: film-first, or the Veo pack

Default to **native filming** for faces/voices (it out-trusts AI on TikTok). For **faceless niches, b-roll, or unfilmable concepts**, use the bundled Veo prompt pack (`references/veo-prompt-pack.md`; API layer in `tools/integrations/veo.md`) — generated "native/handheld," not glossy. **AI-disclosure** is auto on TikTok via WoopSocial.

Step 8 — Hand off

• **Caption →** `caption-writer`.
• **Schedule →** `scheduling-and-queue` (upload the video to WoopSocial Media, then schedule).

Quality bar — self-check

• Does the **hook land in ~1 second** on all three channels, with no intro tax?
• Is it built for **watch-time** (fast, no dead air) with a **loop/rewatch trigger**?
• Is the **sound** chosen intentionally and does it actually fit?
• Is it **native, not ad-like**?
• Are **TikTok-search keywords** in spoken + on-screen + caption?
• Is the output a **shootable production doc**?
• On-voice; truthful hook; AI-disclosure where generated?

Edge cases & pushback

• **"Make it a polished ad with our tagline"** → push back: ad-style underperforms on TikTok;

deliver a native version that still hits the goal.

• **"Put the trending dance sound on our B2B explainer"** → don't force a mismatched trend; pick a

sound/format that fits, or original audio.

• **"Generate it with AI instead of filming"** → fine for faceless/b-roll, but flag that filming

often wins on TikTok; recommend honestly.

• **Thin concept** → shape the one idea; don't pad to fill time.
• **Repurposing a Reel** → re-fit for TikTok (native tone, sound, search keywords), don't cross-post

the watermarked identical file — see `cross-platform-repurposing`.

• **Regulated/sensitive** → carry guardrails; only verifiable claims; required disclaimers.

Related skills

• `brand-profile`, `voice-builder` — voice + guardrails.
• `short-form-video-script` — the master scripting craft this specializes for TikTok.
• `hook-writer` — the 1-second hook.
• `trend-jacking` — live trend/sound research and timing.
• `reels-script` — Instagram Reels; `youtube-shorts` — Shorts; `cross-platform-re