---
name: baoyu-article-illustrator
description: Analyzes article structure, identifies positions requiring visual aids, generates illustrations with Type × Style two-dimension approach. Use when user asks to "illustrate article", "add images", "generate images for article", or "为文章配图".
version: 1.56.1
metadata:
  openclaw:
    homepage: https://github.com/JimLiu/baoyu-skills#baoyu-article-illustrator
---

# Article Illustrator

Analyze articles, identify illustration positions, generate images with Type × Style consistency.

## Two Dimensions

| Dimension | Controls | Examples |
|-----------|----------|----------|
| **Type** | Information structure | infographic, scene, flowchart, comparison, framework, timeline |
| **Style** | Visual aesthetics | notion, warm, minimal, blueprint, watercolor, elegant |

Combine freely: `--type infographic --style blueprint`

Or use presets: `--preset tech-explainer` → type + style in one flag. See [Style Presets](references/style-presets.md).

## Types

| Type | Best For |
|------|----------|
| `infographic` | Data, metrics, technical |
| `scene` | Narratives, emotional |
| `flowchart` | Processes, workflows |
| `comparison` | Side-by-side, options |
| `framework` | Models, architecture |
| `timeline` | History, evolution |

## Styles

See [references/styles.md](references/styles.md) for Core Styles, full gallery, and Type × Style compatibility.

## Workflow

```
- [ ] Step 1: Pre-check (EXTEND.md, references, config)
- [ ] Step 2: Analyze content
- [ ] Step 3: Confirm settings (AskUserQuestion)
- [ ] Step 4: Generate outline
- [ ] Step 5: Generate images
- [ ] Step 6: Finalize
```

### Step 1: Pre-check

**1.5 Load Preferences (EXTEND.md) ⛔ BLOCKING**

```bash
# macOS, Linux, WSL, Git Bash
test -f .baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md && echo "project"
test -f "${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md" && echo "xdg"
test -f "$HOME/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md" && echo "user"
```

```powershell
# PowerShell (Windows)
if (Test-Path .baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md) { "project" }
$xdg = if ($env:XDG_CONFIG_HOME) { $env:XDG_CONFIG_HOME } else { "$HOME/.config" }
if (Test-Path "$xdg/baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md") { "xdg" }
if (Test-Path "$HOME/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md") { "user" }
```

| Result | Action |
|--------|--------|
| Found | Read, parse, display summary |
| Not found | ⛔ Run [first-time-setup](references/config/first-time-setup.md) |

Full procedures: [references/workflow.md](references/workflow.md#step-1-pre-check)

### Step 2: Analyze

| Analysis | Output |
|----------|--------|
| Content type | Technical / Tutorial / Methodology / Narrative |
| Purpose | information / visualization / imagination |
| Core arguments | 2-5 main points |
| Positions | Where illustrations add value |

**CRITICAL**: Metaphors → visualize underlying concept, NOT literal image.

Full procedures: [references/workflow.md](references/workflow.md#step-2-setup--analyze)

### Step 3: Confirm Settings ⚠️

**ONE AskUserQuestion, max 4 Qs. Q1-Q2 REQUIRED. Q3 required unless preset chosen.**

| Q | Options |
|---|---------|
| **Q1: Preset or Type** | [Recommended preset], [alt preset], or manual: 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, poster, Other — **skip if preset chosen** |
| Q4: Language | When article language ≠ EXTEND.md setting |

Full procedures: [references/workflow.md](references/workflow.md#step-3-confirm-settings-)

### Step 4: Generate Outline

Save `outline.md` with frontmatter (type, density, style, image_count) and entries:

```yaml
## Illustration 1
**Position**: [section/paragraph]
**Purpose**: [why]
**Visual Content**: [what]
**Filename**: 01-infographic-concept-name.png
```

Full template: [references/workflow.md](references/workflow.md#step-4-generate-outline)

### Step 5: Generate Images

⛔ **BLOCKING: Prompt files MUST be saved before ANY image generation.**

**Execution strategy**: When multiple illustrations have saved prompt files and the task is now plain generation, prefer `baoyu-imagine` batch mode (`build-batch.ts` → `--batchfile`) over spawning subagents. Use subagents only when each image still needs separate prompt iteration or creative exploration.

1. For each illustration, create a prompt file per [references/prompt-construction.md](references/prompt-construction.md)
2. Save to `prompts/NN-{type}-{slug}.md` with YAML frontmatter
3. Prompts **MUST** use type-specific templates with structured sections (ZONES / LABELS / COLORS / STYLE / ASPECT)
4. LABELS **MUST** include article-specific data: actual numbers, terms, metrics, quotes
5. **DO NOT** pass ad-hoc inline prompts to `--prompt` without saving prompt files first
6. Select generation skill, process references (`direct`/`style`/`palette`)
7. Apply watermark if EXTEND.md enabled
8. Generate from saved prompt files; retry once on failure

Full procedures: [references/workflow.md](references/workflow.md#step-5-generate-images)

### Step 6: Finalize

Insert `![description]({relative-path}/NN-{type}-{slug}.png)` after paragraphs. Path computed relative to article file based on output directory setting.

```
Article Illustration Complete!
Article: [path] | Type: [type] | Density: [level] | Style: [style]
Images: X/N generated
```

## Output Directory

Output directory is determined by `default_output_dir` in EXTEND.md (set during first-time setup):

| `default_output_dir` | Output Path | Markdown Insert Path |
|----------------------|-------------|----------------------|
| `imgs-subdir` (default) | `{article-dir}/imgs/` | `imgs/NN-{type}-{slug}.png` |
| `same-dir` | `{article-dir}/` | `NN-{type}-{slug}.png` |
| `illustrations-subdir` | `{article-dir}/illustrations/` | `illustrations/NN-{type}-{slug}.png` |
| `independent` | `illustrations/{topic-slug}/` | `illustrations/{topic-slug}/NN-{type}-{slug}.png` (relative to cwd) |

All auxiliary files (outline, prompts) are saved inside the output directory:

```
{output-dir}/
├── outline.md
├── prompts/
│   └── NN-{type}-{slug}.md
└── NN-{type}-{slug}.png
```

When input is **pasted content** (no file path), always uses `illustrations/{topic-slug}/` with `source-{slug}.{ext}` saved alongside.

**Slug**: 2-4 words, kebab-case. **Conflict**: append `-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS`.

## Modification

| Action | Steps |
|--------|-------|
| Edit | Update prompt → Regenerate → Update reference |
| Add | Position → Prompt → Generate → Update outline → Insert |
| Delete | Delete files → Remove reference → Update outline |

## References

| File | Content |
|------|---------|
| [references/workflow.md](references/workflow.md) | Detailed procedures |
| [references/usage.md](references/usage.md) | Command syntax |
| [references/styles.md](references/styles.md) | Style gallery |
| [references/style-presets.md](references/style-presets.md) | Preset shortcuts (type + style) |
| [references/prompt-construction.md](references/prompt-construction.md) | Prompt templates |
| [references/config/first-time-setup.md](references/config/first-time-setup.md) | First-time setup |
