Article Illustrator

Analyze articles, identify illustration positions, generate images with Type × Style consistency.

Two Dimensions

Dimension	Controls	Examples
Type	Information structure, layout	infographic, scene, flowchart, comparison, framework, timeline
Style	Visual aesthetics, mood	notion, warm, minimal, blueprint, watercolor, elegant

Type × Style can be freely combined. Example: --type infographic --style blueprint

Type Gallery

Type	Best For
infographic	Data, metrics, technical articles
scene	Narratives, personal stories, emotional content
flowchart	Tutorials, workflows, processes
comparison	Side-by-side, before/after, options
framework	Methodologies, models, architecture
timeline	History, progress, evolution

Style Gallery

Style	Best For
notion (Default)	Knowledge sharing, SaaS, productivity
elegant	Business, thought leadership
warm	Personal growth, lifestyle, education
minimal	Philosophy, core concepts
blueprint	Architecture, system design
watercolor	Lifestyle, travel, creative
editorial	Tech explainers, journalism
scientific	Academic, technical research

Full styles: references/styles.md

Auto Selection

Content Signals	Type	Style
API, metrics, data, numbers	infographic	blueprint, notion
Story, emotion, journey	scene	warm, watercolor
How-to, steps, workflow	flowchart	notion, minimal
vs, pros/cons, before/after	comparison	notion, elegant
Framework, model, architecture	framework	blueprint, notion
History, timeline, progress	timeline	elegant, warm

Workflow

Copy this checklist and track progress:

Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Pre-check
- [ ] Step 2: Setup & Analyze
- [ ] Step 3: Confirm Settings ⚠️ REQUIRED
- [ ] Step 4: Generate Outline
- [ ] Step 5: Generate Images
- [ ] Step 6: Finalize

---

Step 1: Pre-check

1.1 Determine Input Type

Input	Output Directory	Next
File path	Ask user (1.2)	→ 1.2
Pasted content	illustrations/{topic-slug}/	→ 1.4

1.2 Determine Output Directory (file path input only)

Check default_output_dir in preferences:

Preference Value	Action
same-dir	Use {article-dir}/, display "Output: {path}"
illustrations-subdir	Use {article-dir}/illustrations/, display "Output: {path}"
independent	Use illustrations/{topic-slug}/, display "Output: {path}"
Not configured	MUST ask with AskUserQuestion ↓

AskUserQuestion (when no preference):

• {article-dir}/ - Same directory as article
• {article-dir}/illustrations/ - Illustrations subdirectory (Recommended)
• illustrations/{topic-slug}/ - Independent directory
• Save as default - Remember this choice for future runs

1.3 Check Existing Images

Scan target directory for .png/.jpg/.webp files.

If images exist → AskUserQuestion: How to handle?

• supplement - Keep existing, generate only new positions
• overwrite - Overwrite same-name files
• regenerate - Clear all and regenerate

1.4 Confirm Article Update Method (file path input only)

AskUserQuestion: How to update article?

• update - Modify original file directly
• copy - Create {name}-illustrated.md copy

1.5 Load Preferences (EXTEND.md)

test -f .baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md && echo "project"
test -f "$HOME/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md" && echo "user"

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

Supports: Watermark | Preferred type/style | Custom styles | Language | Output directory

---

Step 2: Setup & Analyze

2.1 Analyze Content

Analysis	Description
Content type	Technical / Tutorial / Methodology / Narrative
Core arguments	2-5 main points to visualize
Visual opportunities	Positions where illustrations add value
Recommended type	Based on content signals
Recommended density	Based on length and complexity

2.2 Extract Core Arguments

• Main thesis
• Key concepts reader needs
• Comparisons/contrasts
• Framework/model proposed

CRITICAL: If article uses metaphors (e.g., "电锯切西瓜"), do NOT illustrate literally. Visualize the underlying concept.

2.3 Identify Positions

Illustrate:

• Core arguments (REQUIRED)
• Abstract concepts
• Data comparisons
• Processes, workflows

Do NOT Illustrate:

• Metaphors literally
• Decorative scenes
• Generic illustrations

---

Step 3: Confirm Settings ⚠️

Do NOT skip. Use AskUserQuestion with 3-4 questions in ONE call.

Q1: Illustration Type

• [Recommended based on analysis] (Recommended)
• infographic / scene / flowchart / comparison / framework / timeline / mixed

Q2: Density

• minimal (1-2) - Core concepts only
• balanced (3-5) (Recommended) - Major sections
• rich (6+) - Comprehensive support

Q3: Style Based on Type, suggest compatible styles from matrix:

• [Best compatible] (Recommended)
• [Other ✓✓ styles]
• [Other ✓ styles]

Q4 (only if source ≠ user language):

• Language: Source / User language

---

Step 4: Generate Outline

Save as outline.md:

---
type: infographic
density: balanced
style: blueprint
image_count: 4
---

## Illustration 1

**Position**: [section] / [paragraph]
**Purpose**: [why this helps]
**Visual Content**: [what to show]
**Type Application**: [how type applies]
**Filename**: 01-infographic-concept-name.png

## Illustration 2
...

Requirements:

• Each position justified by content needs
• Type applied consistently
• Style reflected in descriptions
• Count matches density

---

Step 5: Generate Images

5.1 Create Prompts

Follow references/prompt-construction.md. Save to prompts/illustration-{slug}.md.

5.2 Select Generation Skill

Check available skills. If multiple, ask user.

5.3 Apply Watermark (if enabled)

Add: Include a subtle watermark "[content]" at [position].

5.4 Generate

1. Generate sequentially
2. After each: "Generated X/N"
3. On failure: retry once, then log and continue

---

Step 6: Finalize

6.1 Update Article

Insert after corresponding paragraph:

![description](illustrations/{slug}/NN-{type}-{slug}.png)

Alt text: concise description in article's language.

6.2 Output Summary

Article Illustration Complete!

Article: [path]
Type: [type] | Density: [level] | Style: [style]
Location: [directory]
Images: X/N generated

Positions:
- 01-xxx.png → After "[Section]"
- 02-yyy.png → After "[Section]"

[If failures]
Failed:
- NN-zzz.png: [reason]

---

Output Directory

illustrations/{topic-slug}/
├── source-{slug}.{ext}
├── outline.md
├── prompts/
│   └── illustration-{slug}.md
└── NN-{type}-{slug}.png

Slug: 2-4 word topic in kebab-case. Conflict: Append -YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS if exists.

Modification

Action	Steps
Edit	Update prompt → Regenerate → Update reference
Add	Identify position → Create prompt → Generate → Update outline → Insert
Delete	Delete files → Remove reference → Update outline

References

File	Content
references/usage.md	Command syntax and options
references/styles.md	Style gallery & compatibility
references/prompt-construction.md	Prompt templates
references/styles/<style>.md	Full style specifications
references/config/preferences-schema.md	EXTEND.md schema
references/config/first-time-setup.md	First-time setup flow

Extension Support

Custom configurations via EXTEND.md. See Step 1.5 for paths and supported options.