Instructions

For each of the 9 Author Studio Stack categories below, answer the four audit questions honestly. "I have no exit plan" is a valid answer. This isn't a test. It's a mirror.

Time needed: ~20 minutes (more if the honest answers make you flinch)


Category 1: ✍️ Writing

Question Your Answer
What tool(s) do you use here? (be specific — "just Scrivener," "Claude + custom Skill," etc.)
What proprietary lock-in exists? (proprietary file format? sole-provider API? subscription with no export? sole-platform audience?)
Exit plan if this vendor disappears tomorrow? ("none" / "rebuild in a weekend" / "would take a month" / "have exports/backups")
🔴 Red / 🟡 Yellow / 🟢 Green?

Notes / observations:


Category 2: ✂️ Editing

Question Your Answer
What tool(s) do you use here?
What proprietary lock-in exists?
Exit plan if this vendor disappears tomorrow?
🔴 Red / 🟡 Yellow / 🟢 Green?

Notes / observations:


Category 3: 🔍 Research

Question Your Answer
What tool(s) do you use here?
What proprietary lock-in exists?
Exit plan if this vendor disappears tomorrow?
🔴 Red / 🟡 Yellow / 🟢 Green?

Notes / observations:


Category 4: 🎨 Design (covers, graphics, ads)