Plan the interior with Claude

A book is a small number of page types repeated well. Plan the page types and the book almost assembles itself.

What you will build

A page-type list, one template for each, and an ordered page map for your book.

Figure 1. A few templates, repeated in a sensible order.

Step 1: State what the reader does with the book

The reader will [use it for] ... [how often] ... [where].
Success is when they [outcome].

A kids’ coloring book is used at a table with crayons: pages must be single-sided-friendly and not too detailed. A planner is used daily: space and structure matter.

Step 2: Ask for page types

I am making a [format] for [reader] who wants to [outcome].
Propose 3 to 5 page types that cover the whole book. For each give:
purpose, what is on the page, how many times it repeats, and what to avoid.
Propose a page order for [N] pages, including front matter and back matter.
Do not write the content yet.

Step 3: One template per page type

Define each template once: margins, fonts, size of headings, how much space for writing or coloring, where the page number goes. Reuse it everywhere.

Step 4: Draft the text and prompts with limits

For text-based pages, give Claude the template and a count:

Using this page template and the reader goal, write [N] pages of content.
Each page: heading (max 6 words), one instruction or prompt (max 25 words), no claims
about health, money or guaranteed results. Plain language for [age or level].
Vary the prompts so no two are alike.

For illustration-led books, write the list of scenes here, one per page, and then move to the next lessons for creating images.

Step 5: Build a page map

Pages	Type	Notes
1	Title page
2	How to use	Short
3 to 40	Main page A, B alternating
41	Notes

Count to a total that fits your print plan. Page-count rules, paper and trim options are on KDP’s help pages: read them before you fix the number.

Worked example

A gratitude journal first had 30 different page layouts. Reducing to two (a daily page and a weekly review) halved production time and made the book feel intentional. The weekly page repeated every seventh spread.

Common mistakes

• Making each page different.
• Letting AI write health, money or income claims.
• Fixing page count before reading KDP’s limits.

Checklist

• Reader goal written
• 3 to 5 page types with templates
• Page map with total count
• Content rules (no claims) added to prompts