Infographic Generator skill

Infographic Generator

Two dimensions: layout (information structure) × style (visual aesthetics). Freely combine any layout with any style.

User Input Tools

When this skill prompts the user, follow this tool-selection rule (priority order):

1. Prefer built-in user-input tools exposed by the current agent runtime — e.g., AskUserQuestion, request_user_input, clarify, ask_user, or any equivalent.
2. Fallback: if no such tool exists, emit a numbered plain-text message and ask the user to reply with the chosen number/answer for each question.
3. Batching: if the tool supports multiple questions per call, combine all applicable questions into a single call; if only single-question, ask them one at a time in priority order.

Concrete AskUserQuestion references below are examples — substitute the local equivalent in other runtimes.

Image Generation Tools

When this skill needs to render an image, resolve the backend in this order:

1. Current-request override — if the user names a specific backend in the current message, use it.
2. Saved preference — if EXTEND.md sets preferred_image_backend to a backend available right now, use it.
3. Auto-select (when the preference is auto, unset, or the pinned backend isn't available):
   • Codex (imagegen) — first, inspect your available-skills / tool inventory. If a skill named imagegen is listed, you are running inside Codex and MUST use it: invoke via the Skill tool with skill: "imagegen", passing the saved prompt file's content (plus output path and aspect ratio per Codex imagegen's own args). Codex imagegen is the official raster backend in that runtime and outranks any non-native skill (e.g., baoyu-image-gen) unless the user has explicitly pinned a different preferred_image_backend.
   • Codex via codex exec (codex-imagegen) — if the current runtime exposes no native imagegen skill but the codex CLI is on PATH with an active codex login, route through baoyu-image-gen --provider codex-cli (preferred), or — if baoyu-image-gen is unavailable — invoke the bundled wrapper directly. Details, parameters, and the runtime-discovery procedure live in references/codex-imagegen.md — load that file only when this branch is selected.
   • Cursor (GenerateImage) — if the runtime exposes a native GenerateImage tool, you are running inside Cursor and it outranks any non-native skill the same way Codex imagegen does. Two hard caveats: (a) it has no aspect-ratio parameter — state the target aspect ratio / dimensions explicitly in the prompt text passed as description; (b) it does not accept an output directory — it saves to a tool-managed location, so after generation copy/move the file to the skill's expected output path (e.g., outputs/.../NN-xxx.png). Reference images go in reference_image_paths.
   • Other runtime-native tools — if the runtime exposes a different native image tool (e.g., Hermes image_generate), use it the same way.
   • Otherwise, if exactly one non-native backend is installed (e.g., baoyu-image-gen), use it.
   • Otherwise (multiple non-native backends with no runtime-native tool), ask the user once — batch with any other initial questions.
4. If none are available, tell the user and ask how to proceed.

⛔ Never substitute SVG, HTML, canvas, or other code-based rendering for raster image generation. Codex imagegen's own description says it should be used "when the output should be a bitmap asset rather than repo-native code or vector." If you cannot resolve a raster backend via step 3, fall through to step 4 and ask the user — do not silently emit SVG, write inline <svg> markup, or produce HTML/CSS art as a substitute. This applies even if the article/section seems "diagram-like": the consumer skill calling this rule has already decided that a raster image is what it needs.

⛔ Never repair rendered text by painting over a generated bitmap. Do not use ImageMagick, Pillow, Canvas, SVG, HTML/CSS, OCR scripts, or any other programmatic overlay to cover, rewrite, erase, stroke, or replace labels, headings, callouts, data values, or any other text inside an already generated infographic. If text is wrong or unclear, regenerate from a corrected prompt, switch to a layout with less on-image text, or ask the user which imperfect candidate to keep.

Setting preferred_image_backend: ask forces the step-3 prompt every run regardless of available backends. Users change the pinned backend via the ## Changing Preferences section below.

Prompt file requirement (hard): write each image's full, final prompt to a standalone file under prompts/ (naming: NN-{type}-[slug].md) BEFORE invoking any backend. The backend receives the prompt file (or its content); the file is the reproducibility record and lets you switch backends without regenerating prompts.

Concrete tool names (imagegen, GenerateImage, image_generate, baoyu-image-gen) above are examples — substitute the local equivalents under the same rule.

Reference Images

Users may supply reference images to guide style, palette, composition, or subject.

Intake: Accept via --ref <files...> or when the user provides file paths / pastes images in conversation.

• File path(s) → copy to refs/NN-ref-{slug}.{ext} alongside the output
• Pasted image with no path → ask the user for the path (per the User Input Tools rule above), or extract style traits verbally as a text fallback
• No reference → skip this section

Usage modes (per reference):

Usage	Effect
direct	Pass the file to the backend as a reference image
style	Extract style traits (line treatment, texture, mood) and append to the prompt body
palette	Extract hex colors from the image and append to the prompt body

Record in prompts/infographic.md frontmatter when refs exist:

references:
  - ref_id: 01
    filename: 01-ref-brand.png
    usage: direct

At generation time:

• Verify each referenced file exists on disk
• If usage: direct AND the chosen backend accepts reference images (e.g., baoyu-image-gen via --ref) → pass the file via the backend's ref parameter
• Otherwise → embed extracted style/palette traits in the prompt text

Confirmation Policy

Default behavior: confirm before generation.

• Treat explicit skill invocation, a file path, a matched keyword shortcut, EXTEND.md defaults, and the documented default combination as recommendation inputs only. None of them authorizes skipping confirmation.
• Do not start Step 5 or Step 6 until the user confirms the combination/aspect/language/backend choices.
• Skip confirmation only when the current request explicitly says to do so, for example: --no-confirm, "直接生成", "不用确认", "跳过确认", "按默认出图", or equivalent wording.
• If confirmation is skipped explicitly, state the assumed combination/aspect/language/backend in the next user-facing update before generating.

Options

Option	Values
--layout	21 options (see Layout Gallery), default: bento-grid
--style	22 options (see Style Gallery), default: craft-handmade
--aspect	Named: landscape (16:9), portrait (9:16), square (1:1). Custom: any W:H ratio (e.g., 3:4, 4:3, 2.35:1)
--lang	en, zh, ja, etc.
--no-confirm	Skip Step 4 only when the user explicitly requests direct generation without confirmation
--ref <files...>	Reference images (file paths) for style / palette / composition / subject guidance

Layout Gallery (21)

Layout	Best For
linear-progression	Timelines, processes, tutorials
binary-comparison	A vs B, before-after, pros-cons
comparison-matrix	Multi-factor comparisons
hierarchical-layers	Pyramids, priority levels
tree-branching	Categories, taxonomies
hub-spoke	Central concept with related items
structural-breakdown	Exploded views, cross-sections
bento-grid	Multiple topics, overview (default)
iceberg	Surface vs hidden aspects
bridge	Problem-solution
funnel	Conversion, filtering
isometric-map	Spatial relationships
dashboard	Metrics, KPIs
periodic-table	Categorized collections
comic-strip	Narratives, sequences
story-mountain	Plot structure, tension arcs
jigsaw	Interconnected parts
venn-diagram	Overlapping concepts
winding-roadmap	Journey, milestones
circular-flow	Cycles, recurring processes
dense-modules	High-density modules, data-rich guides

Full definitions live at references/layouts/<layout>.md.

Style Gallery (22)

Style	Description
craft-handmade	Hand-drawn, paper craft (default)
claymation	3D clay figures, stop-motion
kawaii	Japanese cute, pastels
storybook-watercolor	Soft painted, whimsical
chalkboard	Chalk on black board
cyberpunk-neon	Neon glow, futuristic
bold-graphic	Comic style, halftone
aged-academia	Vintage science, sepia
corporate-memphis	Flat vector, vibrant
technical-schematic	Blueprint, engineering
origami	Folded paper, geometric
pixel-art	Retro 8-bit
ui-wireframe	Grayscale interface mockup
subway-map	Transit diagram
ikea-manual	Minimal line art
knolling	Organized flat-lay
lego-brick	Toy brick construction
pop-laboratory	Blueprint grid, coordinate markers, lab precision
morandi-journal	Hand-drawn doodle, warm Morandi tones
retro-pop-grid	1970s retro pop art, Swiss grid, thick outlines
hand-drawn-edu	Macaron pastels, hand-drawn wobble, stick figures
retro-popup-pop	Retro popup collage, vintage UI, thick outlines, flat pop colors

Full definitions live at references/styles/<style>.md.

Recommended Combinations

Content Type	Layout + Style
Timeline/History	linear-progression + craft-handmade
Step-by-step	linear-progression + ikea-manual
A vs B	binary-comparison + corporate-memphis
Hierarchy	hierarchical-layers + craft-handmade
Overlap	venn-diagram + craft-handmade
Conversion	funnel + corporate-memphis
Cycles	circular-flow + craft-handmade
Technical	structural-breakdown + technical-schematic
Metrics	dashboard + corporate-memphis
Educational	bento-grid + chalkboard
Journey	winding-roadmap + storybook-watercolor
Categories	periodic-table + bold-graphic
Product Guide	dense-modules + morandi-journal
Technical Guide	dense-modules + pop-laboratory
Trendy Guide	dense-modules + retro-pop-grid
Retro Pop Guide	dense-modules + retro-popup-pop
Educational Diagram	hub-spoke + hand-drawn-edu
Process Tutorial	linear-progression + hand-drawn-edu

Default combination: bento-grid + craft-handmade (fallback recommendation only — per the Confirmation Policy, defaults never bypass Step 4).

Keyword Shortcuts

When the user's input contains these keywords, use the mapped layout as the leading Step 3 recommendation and promote the listed styles to the top of the Step 3 list. Skip content-based layout inference for matched keywords. Append any Prompt Notes to the Step 5 prompt.

User Keyword	Layout	Recommended Styles	Default Aspect	Prompt Notes
高密度信息大图 / high-density-info	dense-modules	morandi-journal, pop-laboratory, retro-pop-grid, retro-popup-pop	portrait	—
信息图 / infographic	bento-grid	craft-handmade	landscape	Minimalist: clean canvas, ample whitespace, no complex background textures. Simple cartoon elements and icons only.

Output Structure

infographic/{topic-slug}/
├── source-{slug}.{ext}
├── analysis.md
├── structured-content.md
├── prompts/infographic.md
└── infographic.png

Slug: 2-4 words kebab-case from topic. Conflict: append -YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.

Core Principles

• Preserve source data faithfully—no summarization or rephrasing (but strip any credentials, API keys, tokens, or secrets before including in outputs)
• Define learning objectives before structuring content
• Structure for visual communication (headlines, labels, visual elements)

Workflow

Step 1: Setup & Analyze

1.1 Load Preferences (EXTEND.md)

Check EXTEND.md in priority order — the first one found wins:

Priority	Path	Scope
1	.baoyu-skills/baoyu-infographic/EXTEND.md	Project
2	${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/baoyu-skills/baoyu-infographic/EXTEND.md	XDG
3	$HOME/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-infographic/EXTEND.md	User home

Result	Action
Found	Read, parse, display a one-line summary
Not found	Ask the user with AskUserQuestion (see references/config/first-time-setup.md)

EXTEND.md supports: preferred layout/style, default aspect ratio, language preference, preferred image backend, custom style definitions.

Schema: references/config/preferences-schema.md

1.2 Analyze Content → analysis.md

1. Save source content (file path or paste → source.md)
   • Backup rule: If source.md exists, rename to source-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.md
2. Analyze: topic, data type, complexity, tone, audience
3. Detect source language and user language
4. Extract design instructions from user input
5. Save analysis
   • Backup rule: If analysis.md exists, rename to analysis-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.md

See references/analysis-framework.md for detailed format.

Step 2: Generate Structured Content → structured-content.md

Transform content into infographic structure:

1. Title and learning objectives
2. Sections with: key concept, content (verbatim), visual element, text labels
3. Data points (all statistics/quotes copied exactly)
4. Design instructions from user

Rules: Markdown only. No new information. Preserve data faithfully. Strip any credentials or secrets from output.

See references/structured-content-template.md for detailed format.

Step 3: Recommend Combinations

3.1 Check Keyword Shortcuts first: If user input matches a keyword from the Keyword Shortcuts table, use the associated layout as the leading recommendation and prioritize associated styles as top recommendations. Skip content-based layout inference.

3.2 Otherwise, recommend 3-5 layout×style combinations based on:

• Data structure → matching layout
• Content tone → matching style
• Audience expectations
• User design instructions

Step 4: Confirm Options

Hard gate: this step is mandatory per the Confirmation Policy — Steps 5–6 cannot start until the user confirms here (or explicitly opts out with --no-confirm / equivalent in the current request).

Ask the user to confirm the questions below following the User Input Tools rule at the top of this file (batch into one call if the runtime supports multiple questions; otherwise ask one at a time in priority order).

Priority	Question	When	Options
1	Combination	Always	3+ layout×style combos with rationale
2	Aspect	Always	Named presets (landscape/portrait/square) or custom W:H ratio (e.g., 3:4, 4:3, 2.35:1)
3	Language	Only if source ≠ user language	Language for text content
4	Image Backend	Only if step 3 of the ## Image Generation Tools rule needs to ask (no runtime-native tool AND multiple non-native backends, OR preferred_image_backend: ask)	Available backends

Step 5: Generate Prompt → prompts/infographic.md

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

Combine:

1. Layout definition from references/layouts/<layout>.md
2. Style definition from references/styles/<style>.md
3. Base template from references/base-prompt.md
4. Structured content from Step 2
5. All text in confirmed language

Aspect ratio resolution for {{ASPECT_RATIO}}:

• Named presets → ratio string: landscape→16:9, portrait→9:16, square→1:1
• Custom W:H ratios → use as-is (e.g., 3:4, 4:3, 2.35:1)

Step 6: Generate Image

1. Resolve the backend per the ## Image Generation Tools rule at the top of this file.
2. Ensure the full final prompt is persisted at prompts/infographic.md (already written in Step 5) BEFORE invoking the backend — the file is the reproducibility record.
3. Check for existing file: Before generating, check if infographic.png exists
   • If exists: Rename to infographic-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.png
4. Call the chosen backend with the prompt file and output path.
   • codex-imagegen invocation: when the rule resolves to codex-imagegen, see references/codex-imagegen.md for the invocation contract (preferred baoyu-image-gen --provider codex-cli path, runtime wrapper discovery, parameter notes, stdout schema, batch semantics).
5. On failure, auto-retry once

Text correction policy:

• If labels, headings, callouts, data values, or any other rendered text is misspelled, garbled, hard to read, or visually weak, do not patch the bitmap with code.
• For text-correction regenerations, write a new prompt file and a new output path so the flawed candidate is preserved for comparison.
• Post-processing is limited to crop, resize, compression, or format conversion that does not alter text or the main composition.

Step 7: Output Summary

Report: topic, layout, style, aspect, language, image backend, output path, files created.

References

• references/analysis-framework.md - Analysis methodology
• references/structured-content-template.md - Content format
• references/base-prompt.md - Prompt template
• references/layouts/<layout>.md - 21 layout definitions
• references/styles/<style>.md - 21 style definitions

Changing Preferences

EXTEND.md lives at the first matching path in Step 1.1. Three ways to change it:

• Edit directly — open EXTEND.md and change fields. Full schema: references/config/preferences-schema.md.
• Reconfigure interactively — delete EXTEND.md (or ask "reconfigure baoyu-infographic preferences" / "重新配置"). The next run re-triggers first-time setup.
• Common one-line edits:
  • preferred_image_backend: auto — default; runtime-native tool wins, falls back to the only installed backend, asks only if multiple non-native are present.
  • preferred_image_backend: codex-imagegen — pin to Codex's built-in.
  • preferred_image_backend: baoyu-image-gen — pin to the baoyu-image-gen skill.
  • preferred_image_backend: ask — confirm backend every run.
  • preferred_layout: dense-modules, preferred_style: morandi-journal, preferred_aspect: portrait, language: zh — shift the Step-3 recommendations and Step-4 defaults (per Confirmation Policy, these never bypass Step 4).