# API Client

> Patterns for consuming the img.automators.work placeholder image API via HTTP. Use when building HTML mockups, CSS backgrounds, or design prototypes that need SVG placeholder images of specific dimensions and colors.

- Skill: `mauricioperera/api-client` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add mauricioperera/api-client`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/mauricioperera/api-client/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Web & Frontend
- License: MIT
- Author: MauricioPerera (https://skillmd.com/u/mauricioperera)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/mauricioperera/api-client

---


# api-client

Patterns for calling the `img.automators.work` HTTP API to generate SVG placeholder images.

## When to use

- The user needs a placeholder image for a UI mockup.
- The user wants an SVG with specific dimensions (`{width}x{height}`).
- The user wants a colored background (`?bg={hex6}`).
- The user is building HTML or CSS that references a placeholder image.

Do NOT use this skill for:
- Production images, photography, or real content.
- Images larger than 4000px in any dimension.
- When the user is already using a design system with built-in skeleton components.

## Base URL

```
https://img.automators.work
```

## Endpoint

```
GET /{width}x{height}[?bg={hex6}]
```

- `width`, `height`: integers in px, each <= 4000.
- `bg` (optional): 6-digit hex without `#`. Defaults to `cccccc`.

## Python request pattern

```python
import urllib.request

url = "https://img.automators.work/400x300?bg=1e3a5f"
req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers={"Accept": "image/svg+xml"})
with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=15) as resp:
    svg = resp.read().decode("utf-8")
```

## Error handling

```python
import urllib.error

try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=15) as resp:
        svg = resp.read().decode("utf-8")
except urllib.error.HTTPError as e:
    if e.code == 400:
        raise RuntimeError("Invalid dimensions: must be integers in format {width}x{height}")
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {e.code}: {e.reason}")
except urllib.error.URLError as e:
    raise RuntimeError(f"Connection failed: {e.reason}")
```

## Constraints

- Stateless, no auth, no rate limit beyond Cloudflare platform default.
- Responses are immutable and cached one year.
- Only endpoint is `/{W}x{H}`. Do not invent paths.

## Failure modes

- HTTP 400: `width` or `height` is not an integer, or path does not match `{int}x{int}`.
- Invalid `bg`: SVG still returns but with default gray background (`cccccc`).