Asset Pipeline Automation

Asset Pipeline Automation

Overview

Manual asset handling does not scale past a few sprites. This skill builds a one-command pipeline: clean -> pack atlas -> emit JSON -> validate, so artists regenerate and the game just updates.

When to Use

• You regenerate assets often and redo packing by hand.
• Atlas/JSON drifts out of sync with the sprites.
• You want a reproducible build step for art.

Process

1. Define input (raw generated sprites) and output (atlas + JSON + map) folders.
2. Script step 1: background cleanup (see transparent-cutout-cleanup).
3. Script step 2: atlas packing + JSON (see spritesheet-atlas-packing).
4. Script step 3: validate every referenced sprite exists in the atlas.
5. Make it one command (npm run assets) and idempotent.
6. Fail loudly if a sprite is missing or an anchor is undefined.
7. Run it in CI so broken assets never ship.

npm run assets   # clean -> pack -> emit json -> validate

Rationalizations (Stop Lying to Yourself)

Red Flags - STOP if you catch yourself:

• Manual atlas packing on every art change.
• Atlas and JSON drifting out of sync.
• No validation that referenced sprites exist.

Verification

You are NOT done until every box is checked:

• One command rebuilds atlas + JSON from raw sprites.
• Pipeline validates all references and fails loudly.
• Build is idempotent and runs in CI.