Chapter Index File Structure

Required elements and organization of a chapter index.md file

flowchart TD File["📄 index.md"]:::fileNode YAML["YAML Frontmatter
(optional)
title, date, author"]:::optionalNode Title["# Chapter Title
(H1 - Required)"]:::requiredNode Summary["## Summary
2-3 paragraphs
(Required)"]:::requiredNode Concepts["## Concepts Covered
Numbered list (1-n)
(Required)"]:::requiredNode Prereq["## Prerequisites
Linked chapter references
(Required)"]:::requiredNode Body["Body Content
(Generated by skill)
TODO placeholder"]:::generatedNode File --> YAML File --> Title File --> Summary File --> Concepts File --> Prereq File --> Body Summary -.->|Input for| Gen["Content Generation"]:::processNode Concepts -.->|Input for| Gen Prereq -.->|Input for| Gen Gen -.->|Replaces| Body classDef fileNode fill:#4facfe,stroke:#333,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-size:16px classDef optionalNode fill:#95a5a6,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px,color:#fff,font-size:14px classDef requiredNode fill:#f77f00,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff,font-size:16px classDef generatedNode fill:#e74c3c,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff,font-size:16px classDef processNode fill:#43aa8b,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff,font-size:16px linkStyle default stroke:#999,stroke-width:2px linkStyle 6,7,8,9 stroke:#3498db,stroke-width:1px,stroke-dasharray:5

File Structure Overview

A chapter index.md file serves as the foundation for content generation. It contains metadata and structured information that skills use to generate detailed educational content.

Required Elements

1. Title (H1)

Format: # Chapter 5: Learning Graphs

Purpose: Main chapter heading displayed in navigation and content

Required: Yes - exactly one H1 per file

2. Summary Section (H2)

Format: 2-3 paragraphs describing chapter scope and goals

Purpose: Provides context for content generation and reader orientation

Required: Yes

Example:

## Summary

This chapter introduces learning graphs as a tool for organizing
educational content. You'll learn how to create concept maps,
define dependencies, and validate graph quality.

We'll explore both manual and automated approaches to learning
graph creation, with hands-on examples using CSV files and
Python scripts.

3. Concepts Covered (H2)

Format: Numbered list of concepts from learning graph

Purpose: Maps chapter to specific learning graph concepts

Required: Yes - typically 5-12 concepts per chapter

Example:

## Concepts Covered

1. Graph Theory Basics
2. Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs)
3. Concept Dependencies
4. Learning Graph CSV Format
5. Graph Quality Metrics

4. Prerequisites Section (H2)

Format: Bulleted list with links to prerequisite chapters

Purpose: Establishes learning sequence and dependencies

Required: Yes (may be empty for first chapters)

Example:

## Prerequisites

- [Chapter 1: Introduction](../01/index.md)
- [Chapter 3: Educational Frameworks](../03/index.md)

Optional Elements

YAML Frontmatter

Purpose: Metadata for static site generators

Common fields: title, date, author, template

Example:

---
title: "Learning Graphs"
date: 2025-11-17
author: "Claude AI"
---

Generated Content

Body Content Placeholder

Initial state: TODO: Content to be generated

Purpose: Marks where detailed content will be inserted

Generated by: chapter-content-generator skill

Contains: Detailed explanations, examples, diagrams, exercises

Content Generation Workflow

  1. Book-chapter-generator creates index.md with Summary, Concepts, Prerequisites
  2. Chapter-content-generator reads these sections as input
  3. Skill generates detailed content aligned with concepts and summary
  4. TODO placeholder is replaced with comprehensive educational material

Complete Example

# Chapter 5: Learning Graphs

## Summary

This chapter introduces learning graphs...

## Concepts Covered

1. Graph Theory Basics
2. DAG Structure
3. Concept Dependencies

## Prerequisites

- [Chapter 1: Introduction](../01/index.md)

## Introduction to Learning Graphs

[Generated content begins here...]