# Create Codex Pet > Create a complete Codex v2 animated pet from one or more animal, character, or mascot reference photos. Use when a user asks to turn photos or artwork into a custom Codex or ChatGPT pet, rebuild a full pet identity, create an 8x11 spritesheet, generate all standard animations and look directions, or package pet.json plus spritesheet.webp for installation. - Skill: `chadxgpt/create-codex-pet` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add chadxgpt/create-codex-pet` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/chadxgpt/create-codex-pet/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: chadxgpt (https://skillmd.com/u/chadxgpt) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/chadxgpt/create-codex-pet --- # Create Codex Pet Create visual work with `$imagegen`. Use the bundled scripts only for deterministic extraction, assembly, previewing, cleanup, and validation. ## Resolve resources Resolve paths relative to this `SKILL.md`: - plugin root: `../..` - scripts: `../../scripts` - specifications: `../../references` Require Python 3.9 or newer and Pillow. Before acting, read: - `../../references/codex-pet-contract.md` - `../../references/animation-rows.md` - `../../references/qa-rubric.md` ## Inputs Accept one or more photos plus optional name, description, personality, style, and motion preferences. Infer omitted metadata conservatively. Write a short identity lock before generation: - species or character type - body proportions and scale - face, eyes, ears, coat, markings, and palette - distinctive physical traits - rendering style and lighting - personality expressed through motion Treat the photos and identity lock as authoritative. Preserve breed traits and physical proportions; do not beautify the subject into a generic pet. ## Workflow ### 1. Prepare Create an isolated run directory: ```bash python3 ../../scripts/prepare_pet_run.py \ --pet-name "" \ --description "" \ --reference /absolute/path/to/photo.png \ --pet-notes "" \ --style-preset auto \ --output-dir /absolute/path/to/run ``` Inspect `imagegen-jobs.json`. A visual job is ready only after every `depends_on` job is complete. ### 2. Establish identity Use `$imagegen` to generate one centered, full-body canonical reference from all defining photos. Use a flat removable chroma background, with no scenery, text, cast shadow, or detached effects. Copy the selected result to the job's decoded output and to `references/canonical-base.png`. Do not mark a job complete until the selected image exists at its decoded path. ### 3. Generate standard rows Generate one complete horizontal strip per state. Attach the canonical base and the state layout guide to every request. Keep the same face, proportions, markings, material, scale, and baseline. Generate `idle` and `running-right` first. Generate independent remaining rows concurrently when possible. Mirror `running-left` only when markings, lighting, props, and identity remain correct. For each completed strip, immediately run: ```bash python3 ../../scripts/extract_strip_frames.py \ --decoded-dir /absolute/path/to/run/decoded \ --output-dir /absolute/path/to/run/frames \ --states "" \ --method auto python3 ../../scripts/inspect_frames.py \ --frames-root /absolute/path/to/run/frames \ --json-out /absolute/path/to/run/qa/rows/.json \ --states "" \ --require-components ``` Repair only the failed row. Use `stable-slots` only when the source strip is well-spaced and per-frame extraction caused visible scale or baseline popping. ### 4. Review motion before look directions After rows 0–8 pass, compose the standard atlas, contact sheet, and timing-accurate GIFs: ```bash python3 ../../scripts/compose_atlas.py \ --frames-root /absolute/path/to/run/frames \ --output /absolute/path/to/run/final/spritesheet.png \ --webp-output /absolute/path/to/run/final/spritesheet.webp python3 ../../scripts/make_contact_sheet.py \ /absolute/path/to/run/final/spritesheet.webp \ --output /absolute/path/to/run/qa/contact-sheet.png python3 ../../scripts/render_animation_previews.py \ --frames-root /absolute/path/to/run/frames \ --output-dir /absolute/path/to/run/qa/previews ``` Inspect the contact sheet and every preview. Reject identity drift, unnatural anatomy, clipping, overlap, incorrect direction, static loops, scale pops, baseline jumps, or a first-to-last snap. ### 5. Generate look directions Generate and approve a four-pose cardinal strip in this order: up, screen-right, down, screen-left. Then generate row 9 as one coherent eight-pose family and row 10 as one coherent eight-pose family. Never generate or repair an isolated final look cell. Use the fixed clockwise order from `animation-rows.md`. Keep the body anchored and express gaze through natural eyes, eyelids, head, ears, neck, and subtle upper-body follow-through. Cardinals must be unmistakable at actual display size. Assemble rows 9–10 with `assemble_extended_atlas.py`, create the direction QA sheet, and measure continuity. A direction repair replaces its complete eight-frame row. ### 6. Finalize and package Run the single chroma despill pass, then validate: ```bash python3 ../../scripts/despill_chroma_edges.py \ /absolute/path/to/run/final/spritesheet-extended.png \ --output /absolute/path/to/run/final/spritesheet-extended.png \ --webp-output /absolute/path/to/run/final/spritesheet-extended.webp \ --chroma-key "" \ --json-out /absolute/path/to/run/qa/chroma-despill.json python3 ../../scripts/validate_atlas.py \ /absolute/path/to/run/final/spritesheet-extended.webp \ --json-out /absolute/path/to/run/final/validation.json \ --chroma-key "" \ --require-v2 ``` Package only a passing atlas: ```text / ├── pet.json └── spritesheet.webp ``` Set `spriteVersionNumber` to `2`. Preserve the run's contact sheet, animation previews, direction sheet, validation JSON, and final spritesheet as the review record. ## Non-negotiable rules - Generate visual content with `$imagegen`, never procedural drawing. - Generate complete row strips, never ask an image model for a finished atlas. - Keep every pet inside a `192x208` cell and the final atlas at `1536x2288`. - Use exact frame counts and app timings from `animation-rows.md`. - Preserve the same individual animal or character across all rows. - Repair the smallest valid scope: one standard row or one complete look row. - Do not package until deterministic validation and normal-size visual review both pass.