Scans a screenplay for formatting violations and produces corrected output. Every fix is cited
with the original line, the corrected line, and the rule that applies.

## Key Points

1. **Prefix**: Must be one of: `INT.`, `EXT.`, `INT./EXT.`, `EXT./INT.`, `I/E.`
2. **Location**: ALL CAPS, specific and concise (e.g., `SARAH'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN`)
3. **Separator**: Single dash surrounded by spaces (` - `)
4. **Time of day**: `DAY`, `NIGHT`, `DAWN`, `DUSK`, `CONTINUOUS`, `LATER`, `SAME TIME`, `MOMENTS LATER`
- **Spec script**: No scene numbers. Remove any present.
- **Shooting script**: Sequential, no gaps, no duplicates. Format: `1.` at left margin, matching number at right margin of same slugline.
- Character cue must not appear at bottom of page without at least one line of dialogue on same page
- `(MORE)` at bottom and `(CONT'D)` at top when dialogue splits across pages
- Sluglines should not appear as the last line on a page
- `(CONTINUED)` at page top/bottom is optional in modern specs — if present, must be consistent
- **Do not guess time of day.** If a slugline is missing time of day and context does not make it
- **Do not change creative intent.** If a slugline uses `CONTINUOUS` or `MOMENTS LATER`, preserve

## Quick Example

```
INT./EXT. LOCATION - TIME OF DAY
```

Slugline and Format Fixer

Scans a screenplay for formatting violations and produces corrected output. Every fix is cited with the original line, the corrected line, and the rule that applies.

When to Use

Use when the user asks to "fix formatting", "clean up sluglines", "fix scene headings", "correct my screenplay format", "fix character cues", or provides a script with visible formatting errors. Also use as the first pass before any content-level audit — formatting errors must be resolved before structural analysis is meaningful.

Slugline Rules

A properly formatted slugline (scene heading) follows this pattern:

INT./EXT. LOCATION - TIME OF DAY

Required Components

1. Prefix: Must be one of: INT., EXT., INT./EXT., EXT./INT., I/E.
2. Location: ALL CAPS, specific and concise (e.g., SARAH'S APARTMENT - KITCHEN)
3. Separator: Single dash surrounded by spaces (-)
4. Time of day: DAY, NIGHT, DAWN, DUSK, CONTINUOUS, LATER, SAME TIME, MOMENTS LATER

Common AI Errors in Sluglines

Error	Example	Fix
Missing prefix	The apartment - Day	INT. APARTMENT - DAY
Sentence case	Int. Living Room - Night	INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Missing time of day	INT. WAREHOUSE	INT. WAREHOUSE - DAY (flag for user)
Narrative slugline	Inside the dark warehouse at night	INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Wrong separator	INT. OFFICE -- NIGHT or INT. OFFICE, NIGHT	INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
Parenthetical time	EXT. PARK (SUNSET)	EXT. PARK - DUSK
Embedded action	INT. CAR - DAY - RAIN POURS DOWN	Split: slugline + action line
Double location without slash	INT. AND EXT. HOUSE - DAY	INT./EXT. HOUSE - DAY

Character Cue Rules

Character names appearing above dialogue must be ALL CAPS, centered, and consistent throughout.

Fixes

Error	Example	Fix
Lowercase cue	Sarah	SARAH
Inconsistent naming	DETECTIVE MARSH then DET. MARSH	Standardize to one form
Missing extension	SARAH speaking off-screen	SARAH (O.S.) or SARAH (V.O.)
Extension spacing	SARAH(V.O.)	SARAH (V.O.)
Extension punctuation	SARAH (VO)	SARAH (V.O.)

Parenthetical Rules

Parentheticals appear on their own line between the character cue and dialogue, in lowercase, enclosed in parentheses.

Fixes

Error	Example	Fix
Too long (>1 line)	(turning slowly to face her while reaching for the gun on the table)	Move to action line
Directing emotion	(feeling betrayed and angry)	Cut or rewrite as action
Used as action	(she crosses to the window)	Move to action line
Overuse (>30% of cues)	Parenthetical on every line	Flag; suggest removal of weakest
Capitalized	(Whispering)	(whispering)

Transition Rules

Transitions (CUT TO:, FADE TO:, SMASH CUT TO:, MATCH CUT TO:) are right-aligned and followed by a colon.

Fixes

Error	Example	Fix
Missing colon	CUT TO	CUT TO:
Left-aligned	Left-justified FADE TO:	Right-align
Overuse	Transitions between every scene	Remove all except intentional ones
Non-standard	SCENE CHANGE TO:	Remove or replace with standard
In spec script	Excessive use in spec	Keep only act breaks and dramatic beats

Scene Numbering Rules

Scene numbers appear only in shooting scripts, not in spec scripts.

• Spec script: No scene numbers. Remove any present.
• Shooting script: Sequential, no gaps, no duplicates. Format: 1. at left margin, matching number at right margin of same slugline.

Fixes

Error	Example	Fix
Numbers in spec	1. INT. OFFICE - DAY	INT. OFFICE - DAY
Gaps in shooting	Scenes 1, 2, 5, 6	Flag missing 3, 4
Duplicates	Two Scene 7s	Flag for resolution
Inconsistent format	Mix of 1., #1, Scene 1	Standardize

Page Break Rules

• Character cue must not appear at bottom of page without at least one line of dialogue on same page
• (MORE) at bottom and (CONT'D) at top when dialogue splits across pages
• Sluglines should not appear as the last line on a page
• (CONTINUED) at page top/bottom is optional in modern specs — if present, must be consistent

Format-Specific Overrides

Format	Special Rules
Feature (FEAT)	Standard rules apply
TV Drama (LIMITED, SERIES)	Act breaks labeled: END OF ACT ONE, ACT TWO etc.
TV Comedy	Act/scene labels; may use COLD OPEN
Adult Animation (ANIM-A)	May include ANIMATIC NOTE: blocks
Kids Animation (ANIM-K)	Act breaks for 11-min (2-act) vs 22-min (3-act)
Documentary (DOC)	NARRATION (V.O.) blocks; INTERVIEW: setups; B-ROLL: cues
Short Film (SHORT)	Standard; no act break labels unless user specifies
Web Series (WEB)	Cold open standard; act labels optional
Stop-Motion (STOP)	Standard plus physical staging notes
CG (CG)	Standard plus VFX notation conventions
Animated Film (ANIM-F)	Standard plus visual gag staging

Output Format

Present fixes in a table per category (Sluglines, Character Cues, Parentheticals, Transitions, Scene Numbers, Page Breaks) with columns: Scene | Original | Corrected | Rule. Include a summary count of fixes applied and warnings requiring manual review.

Anti-Patterns

• Do not guess time of day. If a slugline is missing time of day and context does not make it obvious, flag it for the user rather than inventing one.
• Do not change creative intent. If a slugline uses CONTINUOUS or MOMENTS LATER, preserve it. Only fix formatting, not narrative pacing.
• Do not reformat shooting scripts as specs. If the user provides a shooting script, scene numbers and camera directions are correct. Ask if unclear.