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AI Context & Collaboration Guide

Quick Context Refresh for AI Assistants

When starting a new session with an AI assistant, provide this context:

I'm using MkDocs as a private GM workspace for D&D campaign development.
This is NOT player-facing - it's my sandbox for iterating on content with AI
before deploying to Foundry VTT journals.

Project location: /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/
MkDocs URL: http://[host]:8925
Purpose: Document-driven campaign development with AI assistance

Essential Context Files

For Complete Understanding

  1. Start with: /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md
  2. Then read: /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/AI_CONTEXT.md (this file)
  3. Check current work: Look for most recently modified .md files

Quick Command for AI

Ask the AI to run: 

# Get project context
find /home/dockyard/docs/dnd -name "*.md" -type f -exec ls -lt {} + | head -20

# Read the core context
cat /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md
cat /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/AI_CONTEXT.md

Working with AI Assistants

Initial Setup Prompts

For Campaign Planning

I need help planning a D&D campaign. We'll work in markdown files at
/home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/[campaign-name]/.

Create structured documents that I can later import into Foundry VTT journals.
Focus on clear headings, bullet points, and sections that will translate well
to Foundry's journal system.

for Content Creation

Help me create [NPCs/locations/handouts] for my D&D campaign.
Write in markdown format that's Foundry journal-ready.

Include:
- Clear section headers
- Bullet-pointed information
- GM notes in blockquotes
- Player-visible vs GM-only sections clearly marked

For Session Prep

I'm preparing session [X] of my campaign.
Working directory: /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/[name]/sessions/

Help me create:
1. Scene descriptions (theater of mind)
2. NPC dialogue options
3. Encounter contingencies
4. Clue/revelation progression

AI Collaboration Best Practices

File Organization

When creating content, use this structure:
- campaigns/[campaign-name]/sessions/session-XX.md
- campaigns/[campaign-name]/npcs/[npc-name].md
- campaigns/[campaign-name]/locations/[location-name].md
- campaigns/[campaign-name]/handouts/[handout-name].md

Content Format Guidelines

For NPCs

# [NPC Name]

## Quick Reference (GM Only)
- **Role**: [Their purpose in the story]
- **Attitude**: [How they treat the party]
- **Secret**: [What they're hiding]

## Description (Player Visible)
[Physical description and initial impression]

## Personality & Mannerisms
[How they act, speak, notable quirks]

## Information They Have
- [Bullet points of what they know]
- [What they'll share freely]
- [What requires persuasion]

## Stats (If Combat Likely)
[Combat statistics or reference]

For Locations

# [Location Name]

## First Impression (Read Aloud)
[Sensory description for players]

## Key Features
- [Notable aspects]
- [Interactive elements]
- [Hidden details]

## NPCs Present
- [Who's typically here]
- [Their activities]

## Secrets & Discoveries
> GM Note: [Hidden information]

## Connections
- Links to: [Other locations]
- Rumors about: [Related plots]

For Handouts

# [Document Title]

---
*[Document flavor text - aged parchment, hastily scrawled note, etc.]*

[Actual content of the handout in appropriate voice/style]

---

> **GM Note**: [Context and additional information for GM only]
> - When to give: [Trigger condition]
> - Hidden meaning: [What it really reveals]
> - Connections: [How it ties to other clues]

Iterative Workflow with AI

Phase 1: Brainstorming

Let's brainstorm ideas for [topic].
Don't worry about perfect formatting yet.
Just generate creative options.

Phase 2: Development

Let's develop option [X] into a full document.
Use the template from /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/templates/
Make it Foundry journal-ready.

Phase 3: Refinement

Review this content and suggest:
1. Consistency improvements
2. Plot hole fixes
3. Additional details needed
4. Player engagement opportunities

Phase 4: Polish

Final pass - make this ready for Foundry:
- Clear section breaks
- GM notes clearly marked
- Player-facing text polished
- All stats/rules accurate

Useful AI Commands

Content Generation

# Create a new NPC
echo "Create an NPC who [description] for my campaign" |
tee /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/[name]/npcs/[npc-name].md

# Generate session outline
echo "Create session outline with 3-4 scenes" |
tee /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/[name]/sessions/session-XX.md

Content Review

# Check all NPCs in campaign
ls -la /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/[name]/npcs/

# Review recent changes
find /home/dockyard/docs/dnd -name "*.md" -mtime -1 -type f

# Search for specific content
grep -r "[search term]" /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/

Organization

# See campaign structure
tree /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/[name]/

# Count content pieces
find /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/[name]/ -name "*.md" | wc -l

# Check file sizes (find bloated documents)
find /home/dockyard/docs/dnd -name "*.md" -exec du -h {} + | sort -rh

AI Capabilities in This Environment

What AI CAN Do

  • ✅ Create/read/edit markdown files
  • ✅ Organize content into directories
  • ✅ Generate D&D 5e or Pathfinder content
  • ✅ Create templates and reusable structures
  • ✅ Search and cross-reference existing content
  • ✅ Format for Foundry journal compatibility

What AI CANNOT Do

  • ❌ Directly modify Foundry (different system)
  • ❌ Access player-visible content (that's in Foundry)
  • ❌ Schedule sessions (use Rallly for that)
  • ❌ Generate images (text-only environment)
  • ❌ Roll dice or run combat (Foundry handles that)

Common Tasks & Prompts

Campaign Initialization

Create a new campaign structure at /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/[name]/
Include folders for sessions, npcs, locations, handouts, and gm-notes.
Create a campaign overview document with tone, themes, and major arcs.

Session Preparation

I'm running session [X] in [Y] days.
Previous session: [what happened]
Create a flexible session plan with:
- 3-4 scenes that can be reordered
- NPC dialogue for likely conversations
- Contingencies for player choices
- Clues that advance the plot

Mass Content Generation

Generate 5 taverns with unique characteristics.
Each should have:
- Name and theme
- 2-3 interesting NPCs
- 1 plot hook
- 1 secret
Format for easy import to Foundry journals.

Content Connectivity Check

Review all content in /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/[name]/
Identify:
- Unresolved plot threads
- Unused NPCs/locations
- Missing connections between elements
- Opportunities for callbacks

Maintaining Context Across Sessions

Session Start Checklist

  1. Load project context: cat PROJECT_CONTEXT.md
  2. Check recent work: ls -lt campaigns/*/sessions/ | head -5
  3. Review active campaign: ls campaigns/[active-campaign]/
  4. Read last session notes: cat campaigns/[name]/sessions/session-XX.md

Session End Checklist

  1. Save all work to appropriate directories
  2. Update session notes with outcomes
  3. Note any new threads/NPCs created
  4. Flag content ready for Foundry import

Tips for Effective AI Collaboration

Be Specific About Output Format

  • "Create a handout that looks like a torn journal page"
  • "Write NPC dialogue in [specific dialect/style]"
  • "Format as a formal legal document from [fantasy kingdom]"

Provide Context Liberally

  • Current campaign tone and themes
  • Party composition and capabilities
  • Recent events and player interests
  • Power level and challenge preferences

Iterate Fearlessly

  • First draft doesn't need to be perfect
  • Ask for variations and alternatives
  • Combine the best parts of multiple versions
  • Save everything - you might use it later

Maintain Separation

  • Keep planning notes separate from player content
  • Mark GM-only information clearly
  • Use blockquotes for meta information
  • Remember: this is YOUR workspace, not theirs

Troubleshooting

If AI Loses Context

# Quick refresh
cat /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/PROJECT_CONTEXT.md
cat /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/AI_CONTEXT.md
ls -la /home/dockyard/docs/dnd/campaigns/

If Content Gets Disorganized

# Reorganize into proper structure
mkdir -p campaigns/[name]/{sessions,npcs,locations,handouts,gm-notes}
# Move files to appropriate directories
mv *.md campaigns/[name]/[appropriate-folder]/

If MkDocs Isn't Updating

# Check if container is running
docker ps | grep dnd-docs
# Restart if needed
cd /home/dockyard/stacks/docs-dnd && docker-compose restart

Remember: The AI is your collaborator, not your DM. You make the creative decisions; AI helps you document and develop them.