Begin anywhere.
A concise guide to the book, printable cards and optional AI files. Start with one Way; return to the technical material only when you need it.
Start with one Way.
Ways of Making isn't designed to be read from beginning to end. Choose a method that interests you or fits something you're working on.
How to use a Way
Use the contents to choose a Way that fits the work in front of you. Read its When and The Way sections, follow Try, then use Notice to record what happened and decide what to keep or change.
Make your own deck.
The Complete edition includes 144 printable cards corresponding to the book.
- Open
Ways-of-Making-Complete-cards.pdf. - Print single-sided on A4 at actual size / 100%.
- Cut along the dotted lines.
- Choose a card or shuffle the deck and draw one.
- Return to the corresponding Way in the main book for the complete explanation.
Each card carries the Way number, title and Try exercise. The book provides the context and references.
Work with AI.
The optional files can help compatible AI assistants, including ChatGPT and Claude, suggest a Way, guide an exercise or make an attempt using material you provide.
They do not install software, train an AI model or guarantee a result. Results vary by application, model and task.
I know which Way I want
- Open a new conversation in your AI application.
- Attach
AI-INSTRUCTIONS.md. - Attach the numbered file from
references/, such as009.md. - Share your work, your aim and anything that must remain unchanged.
Use Way 009 from Ways of Making. I'm working on [describe your work]. Help me try this approach. Keep [important constraints]. Let me decide what to keep.
You do not need the catalogue once you have attached the complete numbered Way.
Help me choose a Way
- Open a new AI conversation.
- Attach
WORK-WITH-AI.txt. - Describe what you're making or where you're stuck.
- Ask the AI to suggest a suitable Way and help you try it.
I'm working on [describe your work], and I'm struggling with [describe the problem]. Use Ways of Making to identify a suitable approach, explain why it fits, and help me make one attempt.
WORK-WITH-AI.txt contains the instructions and all 144 Ways.
If your AI application has file limits
- Attach
AI-INSTRUCTIONS.mdandreferences/00-catalog.md. - Ask the AI to identify a suitable Way from the catalogue.
- Attach the chosen Way's complete numbered file before asking it to apply the method.
The catalogue contains titles, situations and short descriptions. It does not give the AI access to the 144 complete entries.
Explore the other files.
What is included
references/00-catalog.mdBrowse all 144 Ways by situation and approach.
references/00-continuity.mdSupporting continuity material for ongoing creative work.
references/00-worked-example.mdEdited illustrative AI conversations, not verified real-world user trials.
WORKING-NOTES.mdRecord the original work, decisions and next step.
PROJECT-INSTRUCTIONS.mdOptional configuration for AI projects.
ways-of-making-complete-skill.zipAn optional packaged skill for compatible AI assistants.
Advanced setup is never required to use the collection.
Come back whenever you need.
Keep the files and use them offline. If you need help with the collection, write to me directly.
Current release: Complete edition, October 2026.