Skill Stack Thumbnail Generator

Generate on-brand thumbnails for Skill Stack blog posts using Google's Gemini API.

Brand Identity

Skill Stack is a curated repository of SKILL.md files for content creators. The aesthetic is:

• Clean and minimal - Anthropic-adjacent sophistication
• Paper/document metaphor - Skills as stackable knowledge artifacts
• Terracotta accent - Single warm pop of color
• Editorial quality - Think publishing meets productivity

Logo Reference

The logo is 4 stacked paper documents:

• 3 gray layers (light → medium → darker)
• 1 terracotta top layer with folded corner
• Warm cream background
• Subtle shadows for depth

Color Palette

Rule: Terracotta appears on ONE element only per image.

Workflow

Step 1: Understand the Post

Read the post title and content to understand:

• What's the core concept?
• What metaphor would resonate?
• What visual would make someone click?

Step 2: Brainstorm Concepts (APPROVAL REQUIRED)

Generate 4-5 visual concepts. Each should be:

• One sentence describing the visual
• Concrete - you can picture it instantly
• Non-generic - no lightbulbs, handshakes, arrows
• On-brand - fits the paper/document aesthetic

Format for presenting concepts:

## Thumbnail Concepts for "[Post Title]"

1. **[Short label]** - One sentence visual description. Why it works.

2. **[Short label]** - Description...

3. **[Short label]** - Description...

4. **[Short label]** - Description...

Which direction resonates? I can refine from there.

Wait for user approval before proceeding.

Step 3: Develop the Prompt

Once user selects a concept, expand into full prompt:

Create a minimal editorial thumbnail for a blog post about [TOPIC].

CONCEPT: [Expand the selected concept into 2-3 sentences]

STYLE: Clean, flat editorial illustration with paper-like shapes and subtle shadows.
Think Anthropic brand guidelines meets publishing design - sophisticated, minimal, intentional.
NOT photorealistic. NOT glossy AI aesthetic. NOT busy.

COMPOSITION:
- Focal element offset to [left/right third]
- Generous negative space (40%+ of frame empty)
- Single clear focal point
- Asymmetrical balance

COLOR PALETTE:
- Background: warm cream, almost off-white (like #F5F3EE)
- Primary accent: terracotta/burnt coral (like #D4654A) on ONE key element only
- Supporting: light gray and medium gray tones for layered paper shapes
- Shadows: soft, subtle, not harsh drop shadows

TEXTURE: Matte paper quality. Flat shapes with slight edge shadows.
No glossy renders. No gradients. No photorealism.

AVOID:
- Busy compositions
- More than 2-3 distinct elements
- Photorealistic rendering
- Cliche imagery (lightbulbs, gears, arrows)
- Neon or saturated colors
- Gradients
- Glossy AI aesthetic
- Text or words in the image

FORMAT: 16:9 landscape aspect ratio for blog thumbnails

Step 4: Generate

Run via Gemini API:

cd scripts/images
export GEMINI_API_KEY=$(grep GEMINI_API_KEY ../../.env.local | cut -d= -f2)
python3 generate_image.py "PROMPT" --output ../../public/images/thumbnails --name "post-slug"

Or use the /gemini-imagegen skill if available.

Step 5: Review & Iterate

After generation:

• 80% good? Request specific edits
• Composition off? Adjust framing language
• Wrong vibe? Simplify further or try different concept
• Too busy? Remove elements

Concept Templates by Post Type

Framework Posts (CODER, 4S, etc.)

• Stacked/layered shapes representing steps
• Flow diagrams with paper elements
• Numbered paper cards in sequence

Philosophy/Thesis Posts

• Transformation metaphors (rough → polished)
• Contrast/juxtaposition of two elements
• Single powerful symbol

Tool/Technical Posts

• Tool icon + paper document interaction
• Simple geometric representation
• Integration/connection visual

How-To/Practical Posts

• Action in progress (folding, stacking, organizing)
• Before/after implied through arrangement
• Single focused action

Example Concepts

For "The 4S Framework":

1. Four stacked squares - Four paper squares arranged diagonally ascending, each labeled S1-S4, top one terracotta
2. Funnel of papers - Four documents funneling into one polished output
3. Compass with 4 points - Vintage compass where N/E/S/W are replaced by the 4 S's
4. Building blocks - Four cube shapes stacking, architectural quality

For "Transform Don't Generate":

1. Crumpled to crisp - Crumpled paper ball on left, crisp folded document on right, terracotta accent on the crisp one
2. Rough cut to gem - Raw stone transforming into faceted shape
3. Sketch to blueprint - Messy sketch evolving into clean technical drawing

Output Location

Save thumbnails to: public/images/thumbnails/[post-slug].png

Reference in frontmatter: image: "/images/thumbnails/[post-slug].png"

Always get concept approval before generating. The thinking is as important as the image.