Who this is for
Novelists and screenwriters who build characters from accumulated detail and lose the flashes that make them real.
The moment this saves you
I suddenly understand something true about a character, the specific way she'd lie, and I lose it before I can write it down, so she stays flat on the page because the detail that made her real is gone.
See it work
Messy spoken thought in. A clean, structured artifact out.
Character note for Vera. I just realized something about her, she's the kind of person who's generous with money but stingy with apologies, she'll pick up the check for everyone but she'll go to her grave before admitting she was wrong about something. And that's because money is easy for her, it costs her nothing emotionally, but being wrong threatens the whole story she tells about herself being the competent one. There's a contradiction there I love, people read her as warm because of the money thing but the people close to her know she's actually defensive. This explains why her marriage is strained.
Character note: Vera, June 5, 2026
- The trait: Generous with money, stingy with apologies. Picks up every check, but will go to her grave before admitting she was wrong.
- The why: Money costs her nothing emotionally; being wrong threatens the story that she's the competent one.
- The contradiction: Strangers read her as warm (the money); the people close to her know she's defensive.
- What it explains: Why her marriage is strained.
The workflow
Record a voice note
Hit the hotkey and talk, no formatting, no typing.
Tag it with this context
Contextli shapes your words into the structured output above.
Find it later
Everything's searchable and organised by context.
Pull it into Claude or ChatGPT
Bring your contexts straight into your AI tools with the Contextli MCP.
Your raw recording and transcription stay on your device, so you can always go back to the original.
The prompt behind this context
I'm going to capture a detail or realization about a character. Turn it into a character note: a bold "Character note: [name], [today's date]" heading, then labeled lines: The trait (the specific behavior or quality), The why (the psychology behind it, in my framing), The contradiction (any tension I name), and What it explains (how it connects to the story). Keep my exact insights and phrasing. Don't invent traits or backstory I didn't mention. Output only the note.
Make it your own. This is a starting point. Once it's in Contextli, tweak the instructions so the output comes out exactly how you like it.
Use this context
One click copies it and shows you exactly how to drop it into Contextli.
Next, open Contextli, go to the Contexts page, click Import, choose From JSON, paste, then Import Context. It is ready to use.
Make it your own. This is a starting point. Once it's in Contextli, tweak the instructions so the output comes out exactly how you like it.
Your raw recording and transcription stay on your device, so you can always go back to the original.
Related contexts
Scene Idea Capture
A line of dialogue or a whole scene arrives fully formed at the worst time, and writers know these gifts don't come back. Say it the second it lands. You keep the scene, the line, the feeling, so your notebook fills with real material instead of 'I had a great idea on that walk.'
Content Idea Capture
Mid-gym, mid-drive, the perfect hook just hit you. Say 'Hey Siri, dictate with Contextli' and blurt it out. The exact line that made it magic gets captured before it fades, with the angle and format already sorted.
Daily Journal
It's 11pm and a blank page feels like a chore, so you skip it again. Instead, just talk the way you'd process the day in your head. You'll wake up to a warm, honest entry in your own voice, not a transcript.
Questions people ask
Questions writers ask about Character Note
What is the fastest way for a writer to capture an idea before forgetting it?
Speak the idea immediately, before you do anything else. The Character Note context accepts a rambling voice note and structures it into an idea brief with the key components preserved and organized. The whole process takes under 60 seconds, which means you can capture while the idea is still alive.
How do I turn a brain dump into something organized and actionable?
Speak everything you are thinking without filtering or organizing, then let the Character Note context do the structuring. It groups related items, separates tasks from ideas, and produces an idea brief with categories and priorities. You contribute the raw material; Contextli contributes the organization.
What should I do with ideas I get during a commute or workout?
Speak them into Contextli immediately. Once the Character Note context is in your app, you can capture hands-free while walking, driving by voice, or working out. The structured idea brief is waiting when you get back to your desk.
Can I dictate ideas instead of writing them down?
Yes. Contextli is built for this. Select the Character Note context, speak your idea in plain language, and receive an idea brief. The output is plain text you can paste anywhere, and your recording stays on your device.
How do I add this context to Contextli?
Copy the context on this page, then open Contextli and go to the Contexts page. Click Import, choose From JSON, paste it into the Import from Clipboard window, and click Import Context. It is ready to use in under 30 seconds. If you do not have Contextli yet, you can download it for free first.
Is my voice recording private? Does Contextli send it anywhere?
Your voice recording and the transcription are stored on your device only. Contextli processes your audio locally and does not send your recordings or transcription text to any server. The structured output it produces is text you control, and you decide where it goes.
Can I change what the output looks like?
Yes. Every context in Contextli is a starting point you can edit. Open the context in the app, change the instructions to adjust the structure, tone, or fields, and save. The next time you use it, the output reflects your changes. You are not locked into the default format.
Do I need to install an app to use this context?
Yes. Contextli is a free app. Download it, then copy this context and paste it into the Import from Clipboard window on the Contexts page. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.