XHS Title Selector

Overview

Use this skill to treat Xiaohongshu titles as a matching problem, not a random generation problem.

The core job is to:

• identify what the content is really selling in the first glance
• match it to the right trigger family
• generate titles that can be traced back to a formula
• explain why each title fits

This is a title-strategy skill, not a generic copywriting skill.

Quick Start

1. First understand the topic, audience, and content goal.
2. Check whether the topic itself is strong enough to deserve title work.
3. Match the content to 3-6 trigger families.
4. Select 5-8 formulas from the catalog instead of free-generating blindly.
5. Return title options with formula IDs, rationale, and Top 3 recommendations.

If the topic itself is weak or unclear, say so before generating titles.

Default Contract

Assume the following unless the user says otherwise:

• write in Chinese
• generate Xiaohongshu-oriented titles
• use the formula catalog instead of pure freeform generation
• cover at least 3 distinct trigger families unless the topic is unusually narrow
• keep titles concise and testable
• prefer titles that can actually be paid off by the body

Workflow

Step 1: Understand the Input

The user may provide:

• a topic
• an industry plus topic
• a paragraph or full draft
• a current title that needs diagnosis

Lock these first:

• what the content is about
• who it is for
• what reaction the user wants: click, save, trust, comment, or conversion

If the topic is still too fuzzy, read references/workflow.md.

Step 2: Decide Whether Title Work Should Start Yet

Before matching formulas, ask:

• does the content have a clear promise
• is there enough material to support a stronger title
• is the issue really the title, or is the topic itself weak

If the topic is weak, recommend $content-strategy-diagnosis instead of pretending title work can rescue it.

Step 3: Match Trigger Families

Use the trigger-family map in references/trigger-families.md.

Typical matching logic:

• counterintuitive claim -> cognitive conflict
• hidden knowledge or inside information -> curiosity gap
• warnings, pitfalls, correction -> loss avoidance
• precise audience callout -> identity mirror
• steps, methods, lists -> numeric anchor
• measurable outcome -> outcome promise
• story or personal turnaround -> case reversal
• strong stance or potential debate -> controversy
• specific user state -> scenario or condition
• push to action -> action call
• borrowed credibility -> authority leverage
• comments or self-check desire -> interaction or test

Do not force families that do not fit.

Step 4: Select Formulas

Choose 5-8 formulas from references/formula-catalog.md.

For each formula:

• keep the formula logic intact
• adapt the wording to the user's topic
• label the formula ID
• explain why it fits this content

Step 5: Generate and Rank Titles

Return:

• grouped title options by trigger family
• formula IDs
• one-line rationale
• Top 3 recommendations for immediate testing

Read references/quality-bar.md before finalizing.

Step 6: Handle Existing Titles

If the user already has a title:

1. infer which family and formula it is closest to
2. diagnose whether the problem is formula choice or execution quality
3. provide:
   • same-formula improvements
   • alternative-family replacements

Output Format

Default to assets/title-pack-template.md.

At minimum, include:

• topic and audience read
• matched trigger families
• title options with formula IDs
• Top 3 recommendation
• brief next-step advice

Hard Rules

Do not:

• free-generate titles without formula attribution
• spoil the whole answer inside the title when suspense is needed
• stuff every option into one trigger family
• use niche jargon if broader language would widen relevance
• promise outcomes the content cannot support

Always:

• identify topic and audience first
• make formula choice explicit
• keep multiple strategic directions alive
• distinguish between wrong formula and weak execution
• keep the final recommendation opinionated

Resource Map

• references/workflow.md
  • Read for input-state handling, title-before-content checks, and existing-title optimization.
• references/trigger-families.md
  • Read for the 12 trigger families and when each should be used.
• references/formula-catalog.md
  • Read for the traceable formula list used in title generation.
• references/quality-bar.md
  • Read for title quality rules, compression guidance, and failure checks.
• assets/title-pack-template.md
  • Use for the standard output shape.