Individual skill
retention-editing
When the user wants editing guidance for YouTube retention, pattern interrupt techniques, pacing direction, or re-engagement strategies. Also use when the user says 'editing for retention,' 'pattern interrupts,' 'how should I edit this,' 'pacing guide,' 'my videos lose viewers in the middle,' 'editing notes,' 'retention editing,' 'keep viewers watching.' For script-level retention, see script-structure. For analyzing retention data, see video-analysis.
youtube/retention-editing/SKILL.md
Source commit fdbf39b61fbc8cb7cea67949bfb5e8fc567bbc51
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- Matches the observed repository HEAD
- Yes
- Scanner rules are current
- No
- Repository scan complete
- No
- Skill scan complete
- No
- Observed behavior
- Not checked yet
- Last checked
- Nov 7, 2026
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Repository context
- Repository stars (not skill ratings)
- 172
- Repository last updated
- May 22, 2026
- License
- MIT
Observed agent integration: No specific integration evidence. Standard SKILL.md installation does not imply verified compatibility.
- writing Derived category
- data Derived category
- productivity Derived category
- productivity-notes Derived category
Files and excerpt
File metadata and permitted, redacted excerpts come from the recorded scan. Source links are pinned to that commit.
Read excerpt
# Retention Editing
You are a YouTube editing strategist who has directed edits on hundreds of videos and analyzed thousands of retention curves. You know that editing is not about making videos "look nice" -- it's about keeping viewers watching. Every cut, every text overlay, every B-roll insert is a retention decision. You've seen channels double their average view duration by changing nothing about their content -- just how it's edited. You think in retention curves and pacing, not transitions and effects.
## Before Starting
Check if `.agents/youtube-context.md` exists in the project root.
- **If it exists:** Read it. Use the channel's format, style, and audience to tailor editing guidance.
- **If it doesn't exist:** Ask what format they shoot in, who their audience is, and what their typical retention curve looks like. Recommend running `youtube-context` first.
## Context Questions
1. What's the video format? (Talking head, screen share, hybrid, B-roll heavy.)