feat(baoyu-article-illustrator): add batch generation policy with configurable batch size

skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/SKILL.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 name: baoyu-article-illustrator
 description: Analyzes article structure, identifies positions requiring visual aids, generates illustrations with Type × Style × Palette three-dimension approach. Use when user asks to "illustrate article", "add images", "generate images for article", or "为文章配图".
-version: 1.58.0
+version: 1.59.0
 metadata:
   openclaw:
     homepage: https://github.com/JimLiu/baoyu-skills#baoyu-article-illustrator
@@ -42,6 +42,22 @@ Setting `preferred_image_backend: ask` forces the step-3 prompt every run regard
 
 Concrete tool names (`imagegen`, `image_generate`, `baoyu-imagine`) above are examples — substitute the local equivalents under the same rule.
 
+## Batch Generation Policy
+
+After every prompt file for the run has been saved and verified, generate images in batches by default.
+
+Priority order:
+
+1. Use the chosen backend's native batch / multi-task interface if it exists. Each task must keep its own prompt file, output path, aspect ratio, and direct reference images.
+2. If no native batch interface exists but the runtime can issue parallel tool calls, dispatch up to `generation_batch_size` images at a time. Default: `4`. An explicit user request in the current message, such as `--batch-size 4` or "并行4张一起生成", overrides EXTEND.md.
+3. If neither native batch nor parallel tool calls are available, generate sequentially.
+
+Rules:
+
+- Never start the first batch until all prompt files for that batch exist on disk.
+- Retry failed items once without regenerating successful items.
+- Do not use subagents merely to parallelize image rendering. Use subagents only for separate prompt iteration or creative exploration.
+
 ## Confirmation Policy
 
 Default behavior: **confirm before generation**.
@@ -167,7 +183,7 @@ Full template: [references/workflow.md](references/workflow.md#step-4-generate-o
 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 the backend via the `## Image Generation Tools` rule at the top: use whatever is available; if multiple, ask the user once. Do this once per session before any generation.
-7. **Execution strategy**: When multiple illustrations have saved prompt files and the task is now plain generation, prefer the chosen backend's batch interface (if it offers one) over spawning subagents. Use subagents only when each image still needs separate prompt iteration or creative exploration. If the backend has no batch interface, generate sequentially.
+7. **Execution strategy**: Generate in batches per the `## Batch Generation Policy`: backend native batch first, runtime parallel tool calls second, sequential only as fallback. Default batch size is 4 unless EXTEND.md or the current request overrides it.
 8. Process references (`direct`/`style`/`palette`) per prompt frontmatter
 9. Apply watermark if EXTEND.md enabled
 10. Generate from saved prompt files; retry once on failure
@@ -239,5 +255,6 @@ EXTEND.md lives at the first matching path listed in Step 1.5. Three ways to cha
   - `preferred_image_backend: codex-imagegen` — pin to Codex's built-in.
   - `preferred_image_backend: baoyu-imagine` — pin to the baoyu-imagine skill.
   - `preferred_image_backend: ask` — confirm backend every run.
+  - `generation_batch_size: 4` — default number of images to render concurrently when the runtime supports parallel generation calls.
   - `preferred_type: infographic`, `preferred_style: notion`, `preferred_palette: macaron`, `language: zh`.
   - `default_output_dir: imgs-subdir` — where to write generated images relative to the article.

skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/references/config/first-time-setup.md

@@ -129,12 +129,15 @@ preferred_style:
 default_output_dir: imgs-subdir  # same-dir | imgs-subdir | illustrations-subdir | independent
 language: null
 preferred_image_backend: auto
+generation_batch_size: 4
 custom_styles: []
 ---
 ```
 
 `preferred_image_backend: auto` is the baked-in default — first-time setup does not ask about it. The `## Image Generation Tools` rule in SKILL.md then picks the runtime-native tool (Codex `imagegen`, Hermes `image_generate`, etc.) when available, and falls back to installed backends.
 
+`generation_batch_size: 4` is the baked-in default for batch rendering. The current user request may override it for one run.
+
 ## Modifying Preferences Later
 
 See the `## Changing Preferences` section in `SKILL.md` for the canonical list of common edits (pin backend, change defaults, retrigger setup). Full schema: `preferences-schema.md`.

skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/references/config/preferences-schema.md

@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ default_output_dir: null  # same-dir|illustrations-subdir|independent
 
 preferred_image_backend: auto  # auto|ask|<backend-id>
 
+generation_batch_size: 4       # 1-8, used when backend/runtime supports batch or parallel generation
+
 custom_styles:
   - name: my-style
     description: "Style description"
@@ -55,6 +57,7 @@ custom_styles:
 | `language` | string | null | Output language (null = auto-detect) |
 | `default_output_dir` | enum | null | Output directory preference (null = ask each time) |
 | `preferred_image_backend` | string | `auto` | Image backend selection. `auto` = prefer runtime-native tool, fall back to the only installed backend, ask if multiple non-native are present. `ask` = always confirm on every run. `<backend-id>` (e.g., `codex-imagegen`, `baoyu-imagine`, `image_generate`) = pin this backend when available; fall back to `auto` when it isn't. Absent = `auto`. Resolution logic is documented in `SKILL.md`'s `## Image Generation Tools` section. |
+| `generation_batch_size` | int | 4 | Number of images to dispatch per batch when the backend has native batch support or the runtime can issue parallel generation calls. Clamp invalid values to 1-8. Current user request overrides this value. |
 | `custom_styles` | array | [] | User-defined styles |
 
 ## Position Options
@@ -118,6 +121,8 @@ language: zh
 
 preferred_image_backend: codex-imagegen
 
+generation_batch_size: 4
+
 custom_styles:
   - name: corporate
     description: "Professional B2B style"

skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/references/usage.md

@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@
 # Specify density
 /baoyu-article-illustrator path/to/article.md --density rich
 
+# Generate up to 4 images in parallel after prompts are saved
+/baoyu-article-illustrator path/to/article.md --batch-size 4
+
 # Direct content input (paste mode)
 /baoyu-article-illustrator
 [paste content]
@@ -31,6 +34,7 @@
 | `--style <name>` | Visual style (see references/styles.md) |
 | `--preset <name>` | Shorthand for type + style combo (see [references/style-presets.md](references/style-presets.md)) |
 | `--density <level>` | Image count: minimal / balanced / rich |
+| `--batch-size <n>` | Temporary generation batch size for this run. Default: `generation_batch_size` from EXTEND.md, otherwise 4. Clamp to 1-8. |
 
 ## Input Modes
 

skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/references/workflow.md

@@ -335,8 +335,11 @@ Prompt Files:
 **DO NOT** pass ad-hoc inline text to `--prompt` without first saving prompt files. The generation command should either use `--promptfiles prompts/NN-{type}-{slug}.md` or read the saved file content for `--prompt`.
 
 **Execution choice**:
-- If multiple illustrations already have saved prompt files and the task is now plain generation, prefer the chosen backend's batch interface (if it offers one); otherwise generate sequentially
-- Use subagents only when each illustration still needs separate prompt rewriting, style exploration, or other per-image reasoning before generation
+- If multiple illustrations already have saved prompt files and the task is now plain generation, use batch generation by default.
+- Prefer the chosen backend's native batch / multi-task interface when available.
+- If the backend has no native batch interface but the runtime can issue parallel tool calls, dispatch up to `generation_batch_size` tasks at a time. Default: `4`. The current user request overrides EXTEND.md.
+- Generate sequentially only when neither backend batch nor runtime parallel calls are available.
+- Use subagents only when each illustration still needs separate prompt rewriting, style exploration, or other per-image reasoning before generation. Do not use subagents just to parallelize rendering.
 
 **CRITICAL - References in Frontmatter**:
 - Only add `references` field if files ACTUALLY EXIST in `references/` directory
@@ -394,12 +397,18 @@ Add: `Include a subtle watermark "[content]" at [position].`
 
 ### 5.5 Generate
 
-1. For each illustration:
-   - **Backup rule**: If image file exists, rename to `NN-{type}-{slug}-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.md`
-   - If references with `direct` usage: include `--ref` parameter
-   - Generate image
-2. After each: "Generated X/N"
-3. On failure: retry once, then log and continue
+1. Build a generation task list from saved prompt files:
+   - `prompt_file`: `{output-dir}/prompts/NN-{type}-{slug}.md`
+   - `output_file`: `{output-dir}/NN-{type}-{slug}.png`
+   - `aspect_ratio`: from prompt frontmatter or prompt body
+   - `refs`: only verified `direct` references from prompt frontmatter
+2. **Backup rule**: Before dispatching a task, if its output image already exists, rename it to `NN-{type}-{slug}-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.{ext}`.
+3. Dispatch tasks in batches:
+   - Native batch backend: send all eligible tasks, or chunks of `generation_batch_size` if the backend has a practical limit.
+   - Runtime parallel calls: issue up to `generation_batch_size` image calls concurrently, then continue with the next chunk.
+   - Sequential fallback: process one task at a time.
+4. After each completed task, record: "Generated X/N: filename".
+5. On failure: retry the failed task once from the same saved prompt file. Keep successful outputs and continue.
 
 ---