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Skillsbaoyu-cover-image

baoyu-cover-image

Design & creation

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Updated 10-16 00:03

About this skill

Cover Image Generator

Generate elegant cover images for articles with 5-dimensional customization.

Usage

# Auto-select all dimensions based on content
/baoyu-cover-image path/to/article.md

# Quick mode: skip confirmation, use auto-selection
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --quick

# Specify dimensions (new 5D system)
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --type conceptual --palette warm --rendering flat-vector
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --text title-subtitle --mood bold
Style presets (backward-compatible shorthand for palette + rendering)

/baoyu-cover-image article.md --style blueprint /baoyu-cover-image article.md --style blueprint --rendering hand-drawn # override rendering

Visual only (no title text)

/baoyu-cover-image article.md --no-title

Direct content input

/baoyu-cover-image [paste content]

Direct input with options

/baoyu-cover-image --palette mono --rendering digital --aspect 1:1 --quick [paste content]

With reference images

/baoyu-cover-image article.md --ref style-ref.png /baoyu-cover-image article.md --ref ref1.png ref2.png --quick


## Options

| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `--type <name>` | Cover type: hero, conceptual, typography, metaphor, scene, minimal |
| `--palette <name>` | Color palette: warm, elegant, cool, dark, earth, vivid, pastel, mono, retro |
| `--rendering <name>` | Rendering style: flat-vector, hand-drawn, painterly, digital, pixel, chalk |
| `--style <name>` | Preset shorthand (expands to palette + rendering, see [Style Presets](references/style-presets.md)) |
| `--text <level>` | Text density: none, title-only, title-subtitle, text-rich |
| `--mood <level>` | Emotional intensity: subtle, balanced, bold |
| `--aspect <ratio>` | 16:9 (default), 2.35:1, 4:3, 3:2, 1:1, 3:4 |
| `--lang <code>` | Title language (en, zh, ja, etc.) |
| `--no-title` | Alias for `--text none` |
| `--quick` | Skip confirmation, use auto-selection for missing dimensions |
| `--ref <files...>` | Reference images for style/composition guidance |

## Five Dimensions

| Dimension | Controls | Values | Default |
|-----------|----------|--------|---------|
| **Type** | Visual composition, information structure | hero, conceptual, typography, metaphor, scene, minimal | auto |
| **Palette** | Colors, color scheme, decorative hints | warm, elegant, cool, dark, earth, vivid, pastel, mono, retro | auto |
| **Rendering** | Line quality, texture, depth, element style | flat-vector, hand-drawn, painterly, digital, pixel, chalk | auto |
| **Text** | Text density, information hierarchy | none, title-only, title-subtitle, text-rich | title-only |
| **Mood** | Emotional intensity, visual weight | subtle, balanced, bold | balanced |

Dimensions can be freely combined. Auto-selection rules: [references/auto-selection.md](references/auto-selection.md)

## Type Gallery

| Type | Description | Best For |
|------|-------------|----------|
| `hero` | Large visual impact, title overlay | Product launch, brand promotion, major announcements |
| `conceptual` | Concept visualization, abstract core ideas | Technical articles, methodology, architecture design |
| `typography` | Text-focused layout, prominent title | Opinion pieces, quotes, insights |
| `metaphor` | Visual metaphor, concrete expressing abstract | Philosophy, growth, personal development |
| `scene` | Atmospheric scene, narrative feel | Stories, travel, lifestyle |
| `minimal` | Minimalist composition, generous whitespace | Zen, focus, core concepts |

Type composition details: [references/types.md](references/types.md)

## Palette Gallery

| Palette | Vibe | Primary Colors |
|---------|------|----------------|
| `warm` | Friendly, approachable | Orange, golden yellow, terracotta |
| `elegant` | Sophisticated, refined | Soft coral, muted teal, dusty rose |
| `cool` | Technical, professional | Engineering blue, navy, cyan |
| `dark` | Cinematic, premium | Electric purple, cyan, magenta |
| `earth` | Natural, organic | Forest green, sage, earth brown |
| `vivid` | Energetic, bold | Bright red, neon green, electric blue |
| `pastel` | Gentle, whimsical | Soft pink, mint, lavender |
| `mono` | Clean, focused | Black, near-black, white |
| `retro` | Nostalgic, vintage | Muted orange, dusty pink, maroon |

Palette definitions: [references/palettes/](references/palettes/)

## Rendering Gallery

| Rendering | Description | Key Characteristics |
|-----------|-------------|---------------------|
| `flat-vector` | Clean modern vector | Uniform outlines, flat fills, geometric icons |
| `hand-drawn` | Sketchy organic illustration | Imperfect strokes, paper texture, doodles |
| `painterly` | Soft watercolor/paint | Brush strokes, color bleeds, soft edges |
| `digital` | Polished modern digital | Precise edges, subtle gradients, UI components |
| `pixel` | Retro 8-bit pixel art | Pixel grid, dithering, chunky shapes |
| `chalk` | Chalk on blackboard | Chalk strokes, dust effects, board texture |

Rendering definitions: [references/renderings/](references/renderings/)

## Text & Mood

| Text Level | Title | Subtitle | Tags | Use Case |
|------------|:-----:|:--------:|:----:|----------|
| `none` | - | - | - | Pure visual, no text |
| `title-only` | ✓ | - | - | Simple headline (default) |
| `title-subtitle` | ✓ | ✓ | - | Title + supporting context |
| `text-rich` | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (2-4) | Information-dense |

| Mood | Contrast | Saturation | Weight | Use Case |
|------|:--------:|:----------:|:------:|----------|
| `subtle` | Low | Muted | Light | Corporate, thought leadership |
| `balanced` | Medium | Normal | Medium | General articles (default) |
| `bold` | High | Vivid | Heavy | Announcements, promotions |

Full guides: [references/dimensions/text.md](references/dimensions/text.md) | [references/dimensions/mood.md](references/dimensions/mood.md)

## Style Presets & Compatibility

- **Style Presets**: `--style X` expands to palette + rendering. See [references/style-presets.md](references/style-presets.md)
- **Compatibility Matrices**: Palette×Rendering, Type×Rendering, Type×Text, Type×Mood. See [references/compatibility.md](references/compatibility.md)
  - ✓✓ = highly recommended | ✓ = compatible | ✗ = not recommended

## File Structure

Output directory depends on `default_output_dir` preference:

| Preference | Output Path |
|------------|-------------|
| `same-dir` | `{article-dir}/` |
| `imgs-subdir` | `{article-dir}/imgs/` |
| `independent` (default) | `cover-image/{topic-slug}/` |
| Pasted content | `cover-image/{topic-slug}/` (always) |

/ ├── source-{slug}.{ext} # Source files (text, images, etc.) ├── refs/ # Reference images (if provided) │ ├── ref-01-{slug}.{ext} │ ├── ref-01-{slug}.md # Description file (optional) │ ├── ref-02-{slug}.{ext} │ ├── ref-02-{slug}.md # Description file (optional) │ └── extracted-style.md # Verbally extracted style (if no file path) ├── prompts/cover.md # Generation prompt └── cover.png # Output image


**Slug**: Extract main topic (2-4 words, kebab-case). Example: "The Future of AI" → `future-of-ai`
**Conflict**: If directory exists, append timestamp: `{topic-slug}-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS`
**Source Files**: Copy all sources with naming `source-{slug}.{ext}` (multiple supported)

## Workflow

### Progress Checklist

Cover Image Progress:

  • Step 0: Check preferences (EXTEND.md) ⛔ BLOCKING
    • Found → load preferences → continue
    • Not found → run first-time setup → MUST complete before Step 1
  • Step 1: Analyze content + determine output directory
    • 1.1 Reference images ⚠️ (if provided)
      • File path given → saved to refs/ ✓
      • No path → asked user OR extracted verbally
    • 1.2 Output directory determined
  • Step 2: Confirm options (5 dimensions) ⚠️ REQUIRED unless --quick or all specified
  • Step 3: Create prompt
    • References in prompt ONLY if files exist in refs/
    • Extracted style/palette appended to prompt body (if no file)
  • Step 3.5: Confirm prompt with user ⛔ BLOCKING
  • Step 4: Generate image
    • 4.1 References verified before generation
    • 4.2 Pass refs via --ref if skill supports AND files exist
  • Step 5: Completion report

### Flow

Input → [Step 0: Preferences] ─┬─ Found → Continue │ └─ Not found → First-Time Setup ⛔ BLOCKING │ └─ Complete setup → Save EXTEND.md → Continue │ ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ↓ Analyze + Save Refs → [Output Dir ⚠️] → [Confirm: 5 Dimensions] → Prompt → Generate → Complete ↓ (skip if --quick or all specified)


### Step 0: Load Preferences (EXTEND.md) ⛔ BLOCKING

**Purpose**: Load user preferences or run first-time setup.

**CRITICAL**: If EXTEND.md not found, MUST complete first-time setup before ANY other questions or steps. Do NOT proceed to content analysis, do NOT ask about reference images, do NOT ask about dimensions — ONLY complete the preferences setup first.

Use Bash to check EXTEND.md existence (priority order):

```bash
# Check project-level first
test -f .baoyu-skills/baoyu-cover-image/EXTEND.md && echo "project"

# Then user-level (cross-platform: $HOME works on macOS/Linux/WSL)
test -f "$HOME/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-cover-image/EXTEND.md" && echo "user"
Result Action
Found Read, parse, display preferences summary → Continue to Step 1
Not found ⛔ BLOCKING: Run first-time setup ONLY (references/config/first-time-setup.md) → Complete and save EXTEND.md → Then continue to Step 1

Preferences Summary (when found):

Preferences loaded from [project/user]:
• Watermark: [enabled/disabled] [content if enabled]
• Type/Palette/Rendering: [value or "auto"]
• Text: [value or "title-only"] | Mood: [value or "balanced"]
• Aspect: [default_aspect] | Output: [dir or "not set — will ask in Step 1.5"]
• Quick mode: [enabled/disabled] | Language: [value or "auto"]

EXTEND.md Supports: Watermark | Preferred type | Preferred palette | Preferred rendering | Preferred text | Preferred mood | Default aspect ratio | Default output directory | Quick mode | Custom palette definitions | Language preference

Schema: references/config/preferences-schema.md

Step 1: Analyze Content

1.0 Detect & Save Reference Images ⚠️ REQUIRED if images provided

Check if user provided reference images. Handle based on input type:

Input Type Action
Image file path provided Copy to refs/ subdirectory → can use --ref
Image in conversation (no path) ASK user for file path with AskUserQuestion
User can't provide path Extract style/palette verbally → append to prompt (NO frontmatter references)

CRITICAL: Only add references to prompt frontmatter if files are ACTUALLY SAVED to refs/ directory.

If user provides file path:

  1. Copy to refs/ref-NN-{slug}.{ext} (NN = 01, 02, ...)
  2. Create description: refs/ref-NN-{slug}.md
  3. Verify files exist before proceeding

If user can't provide path (extracted verbally):

  1. Analyze image visually, extract: colors, style, composition
  2. Create refs/extracted-style.md with extracted info
  3. DO NOT add references to prompt frontmatter
  4. Instead, append extracted style/colors directly to prompt text

Description File Format (only when file saved):

---
ref_id: NN
filename: ref-NN-{slug}.{ext}
usage: direct | style | palette
---
[User's description or auto-generated description]
Usage When to Use
direct Reference matches desired output closely
style Extract visual style characteristics only
palette Extract color scheme only

Verification (only for saved files):

Reference Images Saved:
- ref-01-{slug}.png ✓ (can use --ref)
- ref-02-{slug}.png ✓ (can use --ref)

Or for extracted style:

Reference Style Extracted (no file):
- Colors: #E8756D coral, #7ECFC0 mint...
- Style: minimal flat vector, clean lines...
→ Will append to prompt text (not --ref)

1.1 Save Source Content

  • If pasted, save to source.md in target directory; if file path, use as-is
  • Backup rule: If source.md exists, rename to source-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.md

1.2 Content Analysis

  • Extract topic, core message, tone, keywords
  • Identify visual metaphors
  • Detect content type

1.3 Reference Image Analysis (if provided in Step 1.0)

For each reference image:

Analysis Description
Visual characteristics Style, colors, composition
Content/subject What the reference depicts
Style match Which type/palette/rendering align
Usage recommendation direct / style / palette

1.4 Language Detection

  • Detect source language
  • Note user's input language
  • Compare with EXTEND.md preference

1.5 Determine Output Directory

  • Per File Structure rules
  • If no default_output_dir preference + file path input, include in Step 2 Q4

Step 2: Confirm Options ⚠️

Validate all 5 dimensions + aspect ratio. Full confirmation flow: references/workflow/confirm-options.md

Skip Conditions:

Condition Skipped Still Asked
--quick or quick_mode: true 5 dimensions Aspect ratio (unless --aspect)
All 5 + --aspect specified All None

Step 3: Create Prompt

Backup rule: If prompts/cover.md exists, rename to prompts/cover-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.md

Save to prompts/cover.md. Full template: references/workflow/prompt-template.md

CRITICAL - References in YAML Frontmatter:

When reference files are saved to refs/, MUST add references field in frontmatter:

---
type: cover
palette: warm
rendering: flat-vector
references:
  - ref_id: 01
    filename: refs/ref-01-podcast-thumbnail.jpg
    usage: style
---
Rule Action
Files saved to refs/ Add to frontmatter references list
Style extracted verbally (no file) Omit references field, describe in body
Before writing Verify: test -f refs/ref-NN-{slug}.{ext}

Reference Embedding:

Situation Frontmatter Body
Reference file saved to refs/ Add to references ✓ Brief style note
Style extracted verbally (no file) Omit references Full style description
File in frontmatter but doesn't exist ERROR - fix or remove —

Step 4: Generate Image

4.1 Backup existing cover.png → cover-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.png (if regenerating)

4.2 Check available image generation skills; if multiple, ask user preference

4.3 Process References ⚠️ REQUIRED if references in frontmatter

Read references from prompt frontmatter and process each entry:

  1. Parse frontmatter to get references list:

    references:
  - ref_id: 01
    filename: refs/ref-01-podcast-thumbnail.jpg
    usage: style

  2. VERIFY each file exists:

    test -f refs/ref-NN-{slug}.{ext} && echo "exists" || echo "MISSING"
    • If file MISSING → ERROR, fix prompt or remove from references
    • If file exists → proceed with processing

  3. Process based on usage type:

Usage Action Example
direct Add reference path to --ref parameter --ref refs/ref-01-brand.png
style Analyze reference, append style traits to prompt "Style: clean lines, gradient backgrounds..."
palette Extract colors from reference, append to prompt "Colors: #E8756D coral, #7ECFC0 mint..."
  1. Check image generation skill capability:
Skill Supports --ref Action
Yes (e.g., baoyu-image-gen with Google) Pass reference images via --ref
No Convert to text description, append to prompt

Verification: Before generating, confirm reference processing:

Reference Processing:
- ref-01-brand.png: using as direct reference ✓
- ref-02-style.png: extracted palette ✓

4.4 Generate

  1. Call selected skill with prompt file path, output path (cover.png), aspect ratio
  2. If references with direct usage AND skill supports --ref: include --ref parameter
  3. On failure: auto-retry once before reporting error

Step 5: Completion Report

Cover Generated!

Topic: [topic]
Type: [type] | Palette: [palette] | Rendering: [rendering]
Text: [text] | Mood: [mood] | Aspect: [ratio]
Title: [title text or "visual only"]
Language: [lang] | Watermark: [enabled/disabled]
References: [N images (direct/style/palette) or "extracted style" or "none"]
Location: [directory path]

Files:
✓ source-{slug}.{ext}
[✓ refs/ref-01-{slug}.{ext} ... (if references saved)]
[✓ refs/ref-01-{slug}.md ... (description files)]
[✓ refs/extracted-style.md (if style extracted verbally)]
✓ prompts/cover.md
✓ cover.png
[✓ cover-backup-{timestamp}.png (if regenerated)]

Image Modification

Action Steps
Regenerate Backup existing → Update prompt file FIRST → Regenerate with same settings
Change dimension Backup existing → Confirm new value → Update prompt file FIRST → Regenerate

IMPORTANT: When regenerating, ALWAYS update the prompt file (prompts/cover.md) FIRST before regenerating. This ensures changes are documented and reproducible.

All modifications automatically backup existing cover.png before regenerating.

Notes

  • Cover must be readable at small preview sizes
  • Visual metaphors > literal representations
  • Title: readable, impactful
  • Two confirmation points: Step 0 (first-time setup) + Step 2 (options) - skip Step 2 with --quick
  • Use confirmed language for title text
  • Maintain watermark consistency if enabled
  • Check compatibility matrices when selecting combinations
  • --no-title is alias for --text none
  • --style presets are backward-compatible; explicit --palette/--rendering override preset values

Composition Principles

  • Generous whitespace: 40-60% breathing room; avoid cluttered layouts
  • Visual anchor: Main element centered or offset left (reserve right for title)
  • Character handling: Simplified silhouettes or icon-style figures; NO realistic humans
  • Icon vocabulary: Use simple, recognizable symbols (see references/visual-elements.md)

Title Handling

  • Source: Use the exact title provided by user, or extract from source content
  • Do NOT invent titles: Stay faithful to the original
  • If no title in source and user doesn't provide one, ask user to specify

References

Dimensions: text.md | mood.md Palettes: references/palettes/ Renderings: references/renderings/ Auto-Selection: references/auto-selection.md Style Presets: references/style-presets.md Compatibility: references/compatibility.md Types: references/types.md Visual Elements: references/visual-elements.md Workflow: confirm-options.md | prompt-template.md Config: preferences-schema.md | first-time-setup.md | watermark-guide.md