macrochen 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
Illustration Purpose
Auto-detected during content analysis. Influences type/style recommendations.
| Purpose | Description | Best Types |
|---|---|---|
| information | Help understand abstract concepts | infographic, flowchart, comparison |
| visualization | Turn abstract ideas into concrete visuals | framework, comparison, infographic |
| imagination | Create atmosphere, spark imagination | scene, timeline |
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 |
Styles
See references/styles.md for:
- Core Styles: Simplified tier for quick selection (vector, minimal-flat, sci-fi, hand-drawn, editorial, scene)
- Style Gallery: Full 20+ style options with descriptions
- Auto Selection: Content signals → Type/Style recommendations
- Compatibility Matrix: Type × Style combinations
Workflow
Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Pre-check
- [ ] 1.5 Load preferences (EXTEND.md) ⛔ BLOCKING
- [ ] 1.0 Reference images ⚠️ (if provided)
- [ ] 1.2-1.4 Config questions (1 AskUserQuestion, max 4 Qs)
- [ ] Step 2: Setup & Analyze
- [ ] Step 3: Confirm Settings (1 AskUserQuestion, max 4 Qs)
- [ ] Q1: Type ⚠️
- [ ] Q2: Density ⚠️ MUST ASK
- [ ] Q3: Style ⚠️
- [ ] Step 4: Generate Outline
- [ ] Step 5: Generate Images
- [ ] Step 6: Finalize
Step 1: Pre-check
1.5 Load Preferences (EXTEND.md) ⛔ BLOCKING
CRITICAL: If EXTEND.md not found, MUST complete first-time setup before ANY other steps.
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 → Continue |
| Not found | ⛔ Run first-time setup (references/config/first-time-setup.md) |
Supports: Watermark | Preferred type/style | Custom styles | Language | Output directory
1.0-1.4: Handle reference images, determine input type, ask config questions.
Full procedures: references/workflow.md
Step 2: Setup & Analyze
| Analysis | Description |
|---|---|
| Content type | Technical / Tutorial / Methodology / Narrative |
| Illustration purpose | information / visualization / imagination |
| Core arguments | 2-5 main points to visualize |
| Visual opportunities | Positions where illustrations add value |
CRITICAL: If article uses metaphors, do NOT illustrate literally. Visualize the underlying concept.
Full procedures: references/workflow.md
Step 3: Confirm Settings ⚠️
Do NOT skip. Use ONE AskUserQuestion call with max 4 questions. Q1, Q2, Q3 are ALL REQUIRED.
| Question | Options |
|---|---|
| Q1: Type ⚠️ | [Recommended], infographic, scene, flowchart, comparison, framework, timeline, mixed |
| Q2: Density ⚠️ | minimal (1-2), balanced (3-5), per-section (Recommended), rich (6+) |
| Q3: Style ⚠️ | [Recommended], minimal-flat, sci-fi, hand-drawn, editorial, scene, Other |
| Q4: Language | When article language ≠ EXTEND.md setting |
Full procedures: references/workflow.md
Step 4: Generate Outline
Save as outline.md with frontmatter (type, density, style, image_count, references) and illustration entries:
## Illustration 1
**Position**: [section] / [paragraph]
**Purpose**: [why this helps]
**Visual Content**: [what to show]
**Filename**: 01-infographic-concept-name.png
Full template: references/workflow.md
Step 5: Generate Images
- Create Prompts: Follow references/prompt-construction.md
- Select Generation Skill: Check available skills
- Process References: Handle
direct/style/paletteusage - Apply Watermark: If enabled in EXTEND.md
- Generate: Sequential, retry once on failure
Full procedures: references/workflow.md
Step 6: Finalize
Update Article: Insert  after corresponding paragraphs.
Output Summary:
Article Illustration Complete!
Article: [path] | Type: [type] | Density: [level] | Style: [style]
Images: X/N generated
Positions:
- 01-xxx.png → After "[Section]"
Output Directory
illustrations/{topic-slug}/
├── source-{slug}.{ext}
├── references/ # Only if references provided
│ └── NN-ref-{slug}.png
├── 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 file FIRST → Regenerate → Update reference |
| Add | Identify position → Create prompt → Generate → Update outline → Insert |
| Delete | Delete files → Remove reference → Update outline |
References
| File | Content |
|---|---|
| references/workflow.md | Detailed workflow procedures |
| 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 |