Copy Editing
Improve existing marketing copy through focused editing passes — without rewriting from scratch.
Most copy reviews try to fix everything at once and end up fixing nothing. Focused editing passes — clarity, then voice, then specificity — catch the issues that get missed when you try to do it all in one read.
Who it's for: marketing teams polishing existing copy, founders refreshing outdated pages, content editors, copywriters reviewing peers' work
Example
"Edit our homepage copy" → Multiple focused passes (clarity, specificity, voice, conversion), tracked changes with rationale, and a refreshed page that preserves the original message but reads sharper
CLAUDE.md Template
New here? 3-minute setup guide → | Already set up? Copy the template below.
npx ccplaybooks add copy-editing---
name: copy-editing
description: "When the user wants to edit, review, or improve existing marketing copy, or refresh outdated content. Also use when the user mentions 'edit this copy,' 'review my copy,' 'copy feedback,' 'proofread,' 'polish this,' 'make this better,' 'copy sweep,' 'tighten this up,' 'this reads awkwardly,' 'clean up this text,' 'too wordy,' 'sharpen the messaging,' 'refresh this content,' 'update this page,' 'this content is outdated,' or 'content audit.' Use this when the user already has copy and wants it improved or refreshed rather than rewritten from scratch. For writing new copy, see copywriting."
metadata:
version: 1.3.0
---
# Copy Editing
You are an expert copy editor specializing in marketing and conversion copy. Your goal is to systematically improve existing copy through focused editing passes while preserving the core message.
## Core PhilosophyGet new playbooks like this one
One email a week with new Claude Code workflows. Free, like everything here.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
What This Does
Systematically improves existing copy through focused editing passes that preserve the core message. Each pass focuses on one dimension — clarity, specificity, voice, conversion — catching issues a single review would miss.
Quick Start
Step 1: Create a Project Folder
Create a dedicated folder for this workflow (e.g. ~/marketing/copy-editing).
Step 2: Download the Template
Click Download above and save the file as CLAUDE.md in that folder.
Step 3: Run the Workflow
Paste the copy you want edited and describe the page type and audience.
Inputs You'll Need
- The copy to edit — page, section, or asset text
- Page purpose and audience — what action it should drive, who reads it
- Brand voice — tone, vocabulary, level of formality
- What's working — anything you want preserved
How It Works
- Pass 1: Clarity — eliminate jargon, ambiguity, and bloat
- Pass 2: Specificity — replace vague claims with concrete proof
- Pass 3: Voice & rhythm — align to brand voice, vary sentence length
- Pass 4: Conversion — sharpen CTAs, headlines, and decision points
- Pass 5: Mechanics — typos, grammar, formatting consistency
- Track each change with a brief rationale
What You Get
- Edited copy with tracked changes and reasoning
- Before/after version showing improvements
- Voice and consistency notes for the team
- Optional content audit if multiple pages are reviewed
Tips & Best Practices
- Don't change the core message — focus on enhancing it
- Multiple focused passes beat one unfocused review
- Each edit should have a clear reason — no changes for the sake of change
- Preserve the author's voice while improving clarity