# Prompt Mastery > This skill should be used when the user asks to "generate an image", "create an image", "optimize a prompt", "improve my prompt", "make my prompt better", mentions "nanobanana", "image prompt", "prompt engineering for images", or needs guidance on crafting professional AI image prompts. Provides the 6 core rules from analyzing 1,186 viral prompts. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/prompt-mastery` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/prompt-mastery` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/prompt-mastery/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/prompt-mastery --- # Prompt Mastery for AI Image Generation Transform casual image descriptions into professional, high-quality prompts using patterns extracted from 1,186 viral AI-generated images. ## The 6 Core Optimization Rules ### Rule 1: Professional Terms Over Feeling Words Replace vague aesthetic words with specific professional terminology, proper nouns, brand names, or artist names. | Instead of... | Use... | |---------------|--------| | Cinematic, vintage | Wong Kar-wai aesthetics, Saul Leiter style | | Film look, retro | Kodak Vision3 500T, Cinestill 800T | | Warm tones | Sakura Pink, Golden Hour warmth | | Japanese style | Wabi-sabi aesthetics, MUJI visual language | | High-end design | Swiss International Style, Bauhaus functionalism | **Key terminology banks:** - **Photographers**: Annie Leibovitz, Christopher Doyle, Saul Leiter - **Film stocks**: Kodak Vision3 500T, Cinestill 800T, Fujifilm Superia - **Aesthetics**: Wabi-sabi, Bauhaus, Swiss International Style ### Rule 2: Quantified Parameters Over Adjectives Replace subjective adjectives with specific technical parameters. | Instead of... | Use... | |---------------|--------| | Professional looking | 90mm lens, f/1.8, high dynamic range | | From above | 45-degree overhead angle | | Soft lighting | Soft side backlight, diffused light | | Blurred background | Shallow depth of field, f/1.4 bokeh | | Dramatic | Volumetric light, chiaroscuro lighting | | Wide shot | 16mm wide-angle lens | ### Rule 3: Negative Constraints Explicitly state what NOT to include to prevent unwanted elements. **Common constraints:** - No text or words allowed - No watermarks or logos - No low-key dark lighting (unless intended) - No high-saturation neon colors - Product must not be distorted or warped - Maintain realistic facial features ### Rule 4: Sensory Stacking Go beyond visual descriptions by adding multiple sensory dimensions. **Sensory layers:** - **Visual**: Color, light, shadow, composition (baseline) - **Tactile**: "Texture feels tangible", "Soft velvet surface" - **Olfactory**: "Aroma penetrates the frame", "Fresh morning dew scent" - **Motion**: "Steam wisps rising", "Fabric gently flowing" - **Temperature**: "Steamy warmth", "Crisp cold air" ### Rule 5: Group and Cluster For complex scenes, organize information into logical groups. **Standard grouping pattern:** ``` [Subject Description] Visual Style: [Aesthetic references, color palette, artistic style] Lighting & Atmosphere: [Light sources, mood, environmental conditions] Technical Parameters: [Lens, aperture, film stock, resolution] Constraints: [What to avoid, what to preserve] ``` ### Rule 6: Format Adaptation Choose format based on complexity: - **Simple scenes** (single subject): Natural language paragraphs - **Complex scenes** (multiple elements): Structured groupings with headers ## Scene-Specific Patterns Consult `references/scene-guide.md` for detailed patterns by scene type: - Product Photography - Portrait Photography - Food Photography - Cinematic Scenes - Japanese Aesthetic - Design/Poster ## Smart Genre-Based Optimization When generating an image, follow this intelligent flow: ### Step 1: Auto-Detect Genre Analyze the user's request and classify into one of these genres: | Genre | Trigger Keywords | |-------|------------------| | `food` | dish, meal, cuisine, recipe, ingredient, cooking | | `portrait` | person, face, woman, man, selfie, headshot | | `product` | product, packaging, brand, commercial, advertising | | `3d` | icon, render, 3D, isometric, emoji, character | | `cinematic` | movie, scene, dramatic, action, poster | | `design` | UI, app, poster, layout, typography, mockup | ### Step 2: Load Genre-Specific Patterns Read `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/data/prompts-by-category.json` and extract techniques from top prompts in that genre. **Top techniques by genre:** - **Food**: overhead view, macro closeup, steam visualization, warm lighting - **Portrait**: depth of field, bokeh, skin texture detail, artificial lighting - **Product**: centered composition, minimalist style, studio lighting, grid layouts - **3D**: array/list format, negative constraints, white background, icon grids - **Cinematic**: volumetric lighting, hard contrast, dramatic composition - **Design**: minimalist style, geometric shapes, limited color palette ### Step 3: Apply the 6 Rules with Genre Context 1. **Identify genre** from user's request 2. **Load top techniques** from that genre's viral prompts 3. **Extract the core subject** they want to depict 4. **Apply Rule 1**: Replace feeling words with genre-appropriate pro terms 5. **Apply Rule 2**: Add genre-typical technical parameters 6. **Apply Rule 4**: Layer in genre-appropriate sensory descriptions 7. **Apply Rule 3**: Add genre-specific negative constraints 8. **Apply Rule 5/6**: Structure using genre's preferred format ## Quick Optimization Process (Simplified) 1. **Identify scene type** from the user's request 2. **Extract the core subject** they want to depict 3. **Apply Rule 1**: Replace feeling words with pro terms 4. **Apply Rule 2**: Add quantified technical parameters 5. **Apply Rule 4**: Layer in sensory descriptions 6. **Apply Rule 3**: Add negative constraints 7. **Apply Rule 5/6**: Structure appropriately for complexity ## Example Transformation **User input:** "a bowl of ramen" **Optimized output:** ``` Steaming bowl of authentic Japanese tonkotsu ramen, rich milky pork bone broth. Visual Style: High-end culinary magazine aesthetic. Warm earth tones with cream and amber highlights. Shot with Hasselblad medium format quality. Composition: 45-degree overhead angle, 85mm lens, f/2.8, shallow depth of field on the soft-boiled egg. Sensory Details: Steam wisps rising and curling, noodles glisten with broth, chashu pork with caramelized edges, the aroma of garlic and sesame seems to penetrate the frame. Constraints: No utensils in frame. No text or watermarks. Maintain appetizing warm color temperature. ``` ## Additional Resources ### Reference Files For detailed patterns and terminology, consult: - **`references/scene-guide.md`** - Scene-specific optimization patterns - **`references/terminology.md`** - Complete professional terminology banks - **`references/top-prompts.md`** - Top 50 viral prompts for inspiration ### Generation Script Execute image generation: ```bash node "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/gen.js" "YOUR_OPTIMIZED_PROMPT" ``` ## Model Information This skill is optimized for **Gemini 3 Pro Image** (`gemini-3-pro-image`) via the antigravity-claude-proxy at `localhost:8080`. The model excels at: - Photorealistic imagery - Complex scene composition - Following detailed structured prompts - Respecting negative constraints --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/aryanxpatel) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.