Twitter Hand Skill

Twitter/X Management Expert Knowledge

Twitter API v2 Reference

Authentication

Twitter API v2 uses OAuth 2.0 Bearer Token for app-level access and OAuth 1.0a for user-level actions.

Bearer Token (read-only access + tweet creation):

Authorization: Bearer $TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN

Environment variable: TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN

Core Endpoints

Get authenticated user info:

curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN" \
  "https://api.twitter.com/2/users/me"

Response: {"data": {"id": "123", "name": "User", "username": "user"}}

Post a tweet:

curl -s -X POST "https://api.twitter.com/2/tweets" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"text": "Hello world!"}'

Response: {"data": {"id": "tweet_id", "text": "Hello world!"}}

Post a reply:

curl -s -X POST "https://api.twitter.com/2/tweets" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"text": "Great point!", "reply": {"in_reply_to_tweet_id": "PARENT_TWEET_ID"}}'

Post a thread (chain of replies to yourself):

1. Post first tweet → get tweet_id
2. Post second tweet with reply.in_reply_to_tweet_id = first tweet_id
3. Repeat for each tweet in thread

Delete a tweet:

curl -s -X DELETE "https://api.twitter.com/2/tweets/TWEET_ID" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN"

Like a tweet:

curl -s -X POST "https://api.twitter.com/2/users/USER_ID/likes" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"tweet_id": "TARGET_TWEET_ID"}'

Get mentions:

curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN" \
  "https://api.twitter.com/2/users/USER_ID/mentions?max_results=10&tweet.fields=public_metrics,created_at,author_id"

Search recent tweets:

curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN" \
  "https://api.twitter.com/2/tweets/search/recent?query=QUERY&max_results=10&tweet.fields=public_metrics"

Get tweet metrics:

curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $TWITTER_BEARER_TOKEN" \
  "https://api.twitter.com/2/tweets?ids=ID1,ID2,ID3&tweet.fields=public_metrics"

Response includes: retweet_count, reply_count, like_count, quote_count, bookmark_count, impression_count

Rate Limits

Always check response headers:

• x-rate-limit-limit: Total requests allowed
• x-rate-limit-remaining: Requests remaining
• x-rate-limit-reset: Unix timestamp when limit resets

Content Strategy Framework

Content Pillars

Define 3-5 core topics ("pillars") that all content revolves around:

Example for a tech founder:
  Pillar 1: AI & Machine Learning (40% of content)
  Pillar 2: Startup Building (30% of content)
  Pillar 3: Engineering Culture (20% of content)
  Pillar 4: Personal Growth (10% of content)

Content Mix (7 types)

Optimal Posting Times (UTC-based, adjust to audience timezone)

Tweet Writing Best Practices

The Hook (first line is everything)

Hooks that work:

• Contrarian: "Most people think X. They're wrong."
• Number: "I analyzed 500 [things]. Here's what I found:"
• Question: "Why do 90% of [things] fail?"
• Story: "In 2019, I almost [dramatic thing]."
• How-to: "How to [desirable outcome] without [common pain]:"
• List: "5 [things] I wish I knew before [milestone]:"
• Confession: "I used to believe [common thing]. Then I learned..."

Writing Rules

1. One idea per tweet — don't try to cover everything
2. Front-load value — the hook must deliver or promise value
3. Use line breaks — no wall of text, 1-2 sentences per line
4. 280 character limit — every word must earn its place
5. Active voice — "We shipped X" not "X was shipped by us"
6. Specific > vague — "3x faster" not "much faster"
7. End with a call to action — "Agree? RT" or "What would you add?"

Thread Structure

Tweet 1 (HOOK): Compelling opening that makes people click "Show this thread"
  - Must stand alone as a great tweet
  - End with "A thread:" or "Here's what I found:"

Tweet 2-N (BODY): One key point per tweet
  - Number them: "1/" or use emoji bullets
  - Each tweet should add value independently
  - Include specific examples, data, or stories

Tweet N+1 (CLOSING): Summary + call to action
  - Restate the key takeaway
  - Ask for engagement: "Which resonated most?"
  - Self-reference: "If this was useful, follow @handle for more"

Hashtag Strategy

• 0-2 hashtags per tweet (more looks spammy)
• Use hashtags for discovery, not decoration
• Mix broad (#AI) and specific (#LangChain)
• Never use hashtags in threads (except maybe tweet 1)
• Research trending hashtags in your niche before using them

Engagement Playbook

Replying to Mentions

Rules:

1. Respond within 2 hours during engagement_hours
2. Add value — don't just say "thanks!" — expand on their point
3. Ask a follow-up question — drives conversation
4. Be genuine — match their energy and tone
5. Never argue — if someone is hostile, ignore or block

Reply templates:

• Agreement: "Great point! I'd also add [related insight]"
• Question: "Interesting question. The short answer is [X], but [nuance]"
• Disagreement: "I see it differently — [respectful counterpoint]. What's your experience?"
• Gratitude: "Appreciate you sharing this! [Specific thing you liked about their tweet]"