Cover Image Generator

Generate hand-drawn style cover images for articles with rich style and composition options.

Usage

# From markdown file (auto-select style based on content)
/cover-image path/to/article.md

# Specify a style
/cover-image path/to/article.md --style tech
/cover-image path/to/article.md --style gradient

# Specify a composition
/cover-image path/to/article.md --composition hero-center

# Without title text
/cover-image path/to/article.md --no-title

# Combine options
/cover-image path/to/article.md --style editorial --composition split --no-title

# From direct text input
/cover-image
[paste content or describe the topic]

Options

Style Gallery

Core Styles

Extended Styles

Detailed style definitions: references/styles/<style>.md

Composition Gallery

Compositions define how elements are arranged in the cover image.

Composition Tips

• hero-center + title: Place visual slightly left, title right
• hero-center + no-title: Center the visual fully, let it breathe
• split: Use contrasting colors or concepts on each side
• floating: 3-5 elements max, vary sizes for depth
• diagonal: Direction implies progress (bottom-left → top-right = growth)
• spotlight: Keep background very dark, subject vivid
• mosaic: Use 4-9 tiles, maintain consistent style across tiles
• layered: Use opacity/blur to create foreground/background separation

Auto Style Selection

When no --style is specified, analyze content to select the best style:

Auto Composition Selection

When no --composition is specified:

File Management

With Article Path

Save to imgs/ subdirectory in the same folder as the article:

path/to/
├── article.md
└── imgs/
    ├── prompts/
    │   └── cover.md
    └── cover.png

Without Article Path

Save to current working directory:

./
├── cover-prompt.md
└── cover.png

Workflow

Step 1: Analyze Content

Extract key information:

• Main topic: What is the article about?
• Core message: What's the key takeaway?
• Tone: Serious, playful, inspiring, educational?
• Keywords: Identify style-signaling words
• Structure: Is it a comparison? A journey? A deep dive?
• Visual metaphors: What real-world objects/scenes represent the topic?

Step 2: Select Style & Composition

If --style or --composition specified, use those. Otherwise:

1. Scan content for style and composition signals
2. Match signals to most appropriate style + composition
3. Default to elegant style + hero-center composition if no clear signals

Step 3: Generate Cover Concept

Title (if included, max 8 characters):

• Distill the core message into a punchy headline
• Use hooks: numbers, questions, contrasts, pain points
• Skip if --no-title flag is used

Visual Elements:

• Style-appropriate imagery and icons
• 1-2 symbolic elements representing the topic
• Metaphors or analogies that fit the style

Composition Layout:

• Apply the selected composition template
• Consider title placement within the composition
• Ensure visual hierarchy: primary element > secondary > decorative

Step 4: Create Prompt File

Prompt Format:

Cover theme: [topic in 2-3 words]
Style: [selected style name]
Composition: [selected composition name]

[If title included:]
Title text: [8 characters or less, in content language]
Subtitle: [optional, in content language]

Visual composition:
- Main visual: [description matching style]
- Layout: [composition-specific layout description]
- Primary element: [what draws the eye first]
- Secondary elements: [supporting visuals]
- Decorative elements: [style-appropriate accents]

Color scheme:
- Primary: [style primary color]
- Background: [style background color]
- Accent: [style accent color]

Style notes: [specific style characteristics to emphasize]
Composition notes: [specific layout guidance]

[If no title:]
Note: No title text, pure visual illustration only.

Step 5: Generate Image

Image Generation Skill Selection:

1. Check available image generation skills
2. If multiple skills available, ask user to choose

Generation: Call selected image generation skill with prompt file and output path.

Step 6: Output Summary

Cover Image Generated!

Topic: [topic]
Style: [style name]
Composition: [composition name]
Title: [cover title] (or "No title - visual only")
Location: [output path]

Preview the image to verify it matches your expectations.

Notes

• Cover should be instantly understandable at small preview sizes
• Title (if included) must be readable and impactful
• Visual metaphors work better than literal representations
• Maintain style consistency throughout the cover
• Image generation typically takes 10-30 seconds
• Title text language should match content language
• When in doubt, elegant + hero-center is a safe default
• Combine unexpected style+composition pairs for unique results (e.g., ink-wash + split)