Retention hooks: First 3 seconds decide everything. Pattern interrupt + curiosity gap + identity trigger. Stack all 3 for maximum hold rate. Ryan's "CUB test" framework is the fastest way to validate hooks before posting.
RAG architecture: ChromaDB for vector storage, chunk at 512 tokens with 50-token overlap. Always tag chunks with [VERBATIM] vs [PARAPHRASE]. The clone's authenticity depends on having the raw words, not summaries.
Color grading: VE standard LUT is "VE-Clean-v3" applied at 65% opacity. Always grade in Rec.709, export in sRGB for social. Skin tones first, then environment. Never crush blacks below 5 IRE on talking head content.
MCP servers: Think of MCPs as giving Claude hands. 28 servers = 28 capabilities. Playwright for browser, Notion for knowledge, Gmail for comms. The compound effect of chaining 3+ MCPs in one workflow is where the real leverage lives.