/check-format

Validate Fountain syntax and formatting.

Arguments

• [file] - Optional: specific .fountain file (default: main screenplay)

Workflow

Step 1: Load Fountain File

• Identify target .fountain file
• Read complete file content

Step 2: Syntax Validation

Title Page Check

## Title Page
- [ ] Title present
- [ ] Author/Credit present
- [ ] Contact information
- [ ] Draft date (recommended)

Scene Headings Check

## Scene Headings
Total: [X] scenes

Issues:
- Line [Y]: Missing time of day
- Line [Z]: Invalid prefix (should be INT/EXT)

Character/Dialogue Check

## Character & Dialogue
Characters found: [X]

Issues:
- Line [Y]: Character without dialogue
- Line [Z]: Orphaned parenthetical

Element Check

## Element Validation

| Element | Count | Issues |
|---------|-------|--------|
| Scene Headings | X | Y |
| Characters | X | Y |
| Dialogue Blocks | X | Y |
| Parentheticals | X | Y |
| Transitions | X | Y |
| Notes | X | Y |

Step 3: Generate Report

## Fountain Validation: [FILENAME]

### Status: [VALID / X ERRORS / Y WARNINGS]

### Errors (Must Fix)
[List breaking issues]

### Warnings (Should Review)
[List non-breaking issues]

### Statistics
- Pages: ~[X]
- Scenes: [Y]
- Characters: [Z]

### Ready for Export: [YES/NO]

Common Issues Detected

Errors (Blocking)

| Issue | Description | Fix | |-------|-------------|-----| | Bad scene heading | Doesn't start with INT/EXT | Add proper prefix | | Orphaned dialogue | No character name | Add character | | Broken dual dialogue | Missing ^ | Add ^ to second character |

Warnings (Review)

| Issue | Description | Fix | |-------|-------------|-----| | Long action block | 5+ lines | Consider breaking up | | Missing title page | No metadata | Add title page | | Inconsistent names | JOHN vs JOHNNY | Standardize |

Success Criteria

• [ ] All scenes have valid headings
• [ ] All dialogue has character names
• [ ] No orphaned elements
• [ ] Title page complete
• [ ] Export-ready status determined

Example Output

## Fountain Validation: seoul identity.fountain

### Status: 2 ERRORS / 1 WARNING

### Errors (Must Fix)
1. Line 45: Scene heading missing time of day
   Current: `INT. WAREHOUSE`
   Fix: `INT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT`

2. Line 128: Orphaned parenthetical
   Current: `(beat)` with no following dialogue
   Fix: Add dialogue or convert to action

### Warnings (Should Review)
1. Line 89: Action block is 7 lines
   Consider: Break into shorter paragraphs

### Statistics
- Pages: ~45
- Scenes: 32
- Characters: 8 (speaking)

### Ready for Export: NO (fix errors first)