Cover Image Generator

Generate hand-drawn style cover images for articles with multiple style options.

Usage

# From markdown file (auto-select style based on content)
/baoyu-cover-image path/to/article.md

# Specify a style
/baoyu-cover-image path/to/article.md --style tech
/baoyu-cover-image path/to/article.md --style warm
/baoyu-cover-image path/to/article.md --style bold

# Without title text
/baoyu-cover-image path/to/article.md --no-title

# Combine options
/baoyu-cover-image path/to/article.md --style minimal --no-title

# From direct text input
/baoyu-cover-image
[paste content or describe the topic]

# Direct input with style
/baoyu-cover-image --style playful
[paste content]

Options

Option	Description
`--style <name>`	Specify cover style (see Style Gallery below)
`--aspect <ratio>`	Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 (cinematic, default), 16:9 (widescreen), 1:1 (social)
`--lang <code>`	Output language for title text (en, zh, ja, etc.)
`--no-title`	Generate cover without title text (visual only)

Style Gallery

Style	Description
`elegant` (Default)	Refined, sophisticated, understated
`tech`	Modern, clean, futuristic
`warm`	Friendly, approachable, human-centered
`bold`	High contrast, attention-grabbing, energetic
`minimal`	Ultra-clean, zen-like, focused
`playful`	Fun, creative, whimsical
`nature`	Organic, calm, earthy
`retro`	Vintage, nostalgic, classic

Detailed style definitions: references/styles/<style>.md

Auto Style Selection

When no --style is specified, the system analyzes content to select the best style:

Content Signals	Selected Style
AI, coding, tech, digital, algorithm	`tech`
Personal story, emotion, growth, life	`warm`
Controversial, urgent, must-read, warning	`bold`
Simple, zen, focus, essential	`minimal`
Fun, easy, beginner, casual, tutorial	`playful`
Nature, eco, wellness, health, organic	`nature`
History, classic, vintage, old, traditional	`retro`
Business, professional, strategy, analysis	`elegant`

File Management

Output Directory

Each session creates an independent directory named by content slug:

cover-image/{topic-slug}/
├── source-{slug}.{ext}    # Source files (text, images, etc.)
├── prompts/
│   └── cover.md
└── cover.png

Slug Generation:

Extract main topic from content (2-4 words, kebab-case)
Example: "The Future of AI" → future-of-ai

Conflict Resolution

If cover-image/{topic-slug}/ already exists:

Append timestamp: {topic-slug}-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS
Example: ai-future exists → ai-future-20260118-143052

Source Files

Copy all sources with naming source-{slug}.{ext}:

source-article.md (main text content)
source-logo.png (image from conversation)

Multiple sources supported: text, images, files from conversation.

Workflow

Step 1: Analyze Content

Save source content (if not already a file):
- If user provides a file path: use as-is
- If user pastes content: save to source.md in target directory
Extract key information:
- Main topic: What is the article about?
- Core message: What's the key takeaway?
- Tone: Serious, playful, inspiring, educational?
- Keywords: Identify style-signaling words
Language detection:
- Detect source language from content
- Detect user language from conversation context
- Note if source_language ≠ user_language (will ask in Step 3)

Step 2: Determine Options

Style selection:
- If --style specified, use that style
- Otherwise, scan content for style signals and auto-select 3 candidates
- Default to elegant if no clear signals
Aspect ratio:
- If --aspect specified, use that ratio
- Otherwise, prepare options: 2.35:1 (cinematic), 16:9 (widescreen), 1:1 (social)

Step 3: Confirm Options

Purpose: Let user confirm all options in a single step before generation.

IMPORTANT: Present ALL options in a single confirmation step using AskUserQuestion. Do NOT interrupt workflow with multiple separate confirmations.

Determine which questions to ask:

Question	When to Ask
Style	Always (required)
Aspect ratio	Always (offer common options)
Language	Only if `source_language ≠ user_language`

Present options (use AskUserQuestion with all applicable questions):

Question 1 (Style) - always:

Style A (recommended): [style name] - [brief description]
Style B: [style name] - [brief description]
Style C: [style name] - [brief description]
Custom: Provide custom style reference

Question 2 (Aspect) - always:

2.35:1 Cinematic (Recommended) - ultra-wide, dramatic
16:9 Widescreen - standard video/presentation
1:1 Square - social media optimized

Question 3 (Language) - only if source ≠ user language:

[Source language] (matches content)
[User language] (your preference)

Language handling:

If source language = user language: Just inform user (e.g., "Title will be in Chinese")
If different: Ask which language to use for title text

Step 4: Generate Cover Concept

Create a cover image concept based on selected style:

Title (if included, max 8 characters):

Distill the core message into a punchy headline
Use hooks: numbers, questions, contrasts, pain points
Skip if --no-title flag is used

Visual Elements:

Style-appropriate imagery and icons
1-2 symbolic elements representing the topic
Metaphors or analogies that fit the style

Step 5: Create Prompt File

Save prompt to prompts/cover.md with confirmed options.

All prompts are written in the user's confirmed language preference.

Prompt Format:

Cover theme: [topic in 2-3 words]
Style: [selected style name]
Aspect ratio: [confirmed aspect ratio]

[If title included:]
Title text: [8 characters or less, in confirmed language]
Subtitle: [optional, in confirmed language]

Visual composition:
- Main visual: [description matching style]
- Layout: [positioning based on title inclusion and aspect ratio]
- Decorative elements: [style-appropriate elements]

Color scheme:
- Primary: [style primary color]
- Background: [style background color]
- Accent: [style accent color]

Style notes: [specific style characteristics to emphasize]

[If no title:]
Note: No title text, pure visual illustration only.

Step 6: Generate Image

Image Generation Skill Selection:

Check available image generation skills
If multiple skills available, ask user to choose

Generation: Call selected image generation skill with prompt file, output path, and confirmed aspect ratio.

Step 7: Output Summary

Cover Image Generated!

Topic: [topic]
Style: [style name]
Aspect: [aspect ratio]
Title: [cover title] (or "No title - visual only")
Language: [confirmed language]
Location: [output path]

Preview the image to verify it matches your expectations.

Notes

Cover should be instantly understandable at small preview sizes
Title (if included) must be readable and impactful
Visual metaphors work better than literal representations
Maintain style consistency throughout the cover
Image generation typically takes 10-30 seconds
Title text uses user's confirmed language preference
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 for cinematic/dramatic, 16:9 for widescreen, 1:1 for social media

Extension Support

Custom styles and configurations via EXTEND.md.

Check paths (priority order):

.baoyu-skills/baoyu-cover-image/EXTEND.md (project)
~/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-cover-image/EXTEND.md (user)

If found, load before Step 1. Extension content overrides defaults.