---
name: baoyu-cover-image
description: Generates article cover images with 5 dimensions (type, palette, rendering, text, mood) combining 9 color palettes and 6 rendering styles. Supports cinematic (2.35:1), widescreen (16:9), and square (1:1) aspects. Use when user asks to "generate cover image", "create article cover", or "make cover".
---

# Cover Image Generator

Generate elegant cover images for articles with 5-dimensional customization.

## Usage

```bash
# Auto-select all dimensions based on content
/baoyu-cover-image path/to/article.md

# Quick mode: skip confirmation, use auto-selection
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --quick

# Specify dimensions (new 5D system)
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --type conceptual --palette warm --rendering flat-vector
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --text title-subtitle --mood bold

# Style presets (backward-compatible shorthand for palette + rendering)
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --style blueprint
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --style blueprint --rendering hand-drawn  # override rendering

# Visual only (no title text)
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --no-title

# Direct content input
/baoyu-cover-image
[paste content]

# Direct input with options
/baoyu-cover-image --palette mono --rendering digital --aspect 1:1 --quick
[paste content]

# With reference images
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --ref style-ref.png
/baoyu-cover-image article.md --ref ref1.png ref2.png --quick
```

## Options

| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `--type <name>` | Cover type: hero, conceptual, typography, metaphor, scene, minimal |
| `--palette <name>` | Color palette: warm, elegant, cool, dark, earth, vivid, pastel, mono, retro |
| `--rendering <name>` | Rendering style: flat-vector, hand-drawn, painterly, digital, pixel, chalk |
| `--style <name>` | Preset shorthand (expands to palette + rendering, see [Style Presets](references/style-presets.md)) |
| `--text <level>` | Text density: none, title-only, title-subtitle, text-rich |
| `--mood <level>` | Emotional intensity: subtle, balanced, bold |
| `--font <name>` | Font style: clean, handwritten, serif, display |
| `--aspect <ratio>` | 16:9 (default), 2.35:1, 4:3, 3:2, 1:1, 3:4 |
| `--lang <code>` | Title language (en, zh, ja, etc.) |
| `--no-title` | Alias for `--text none` |
| `--quick` | Skip confirmation, use auto-selection for missing dimensions |
| `--ref <files...>` | Reference images for style/composition guidance |

## Five Dimensions

| Dimension | Controls | Values | Default |
|-----------|----------|--------|---------|
| **Type** | Visual composition, information structure | hero, conceptual, typography, metaphor, scene, minimal | auto |
| **Palette** | Colors, color scheme, decorative hints | warm, elegant, cool, dark, earth, vivid, pastel, mono, retro | auto |
| **Rendering** | Line quality, texture, depth, element style | flat-vector, hand-drawn, painterly, digital, pixel, chalk | auto |
| **Text** | Text density, information hierarchy | none, title-only, title-subtitle, text-rich | title-only |
| **Mood** | Emotional intensity, visual weight | subtle, balanced, bold | balanced |
| **Font** | Typography style, character feel | clean, handwritten, serif, display | clean |

Dimensions can be freely combined. Auto-selection rules: [references/auto-selection.md](references/auto-selection.md)

## Type Gallery

| Type | Description | Best For |
|------|-------------|----------|
| `hero` | Large visual impact, title overlay | Product launch, brand promotion, major announcements |
| `conceptual` | Concept visualization, abstract core ideas | Technical articles, methodology, architecture design |
| `typography` | Text-focused layout, prominent title | Opinion pieces, quotes, insights |
| `metaphor` | Visual metaphor, concrete expressing abstract | Philosophy, growth, personal development |
| `scene` | Atmospheric scene, narrative feel | Stories, travel, lifestyle |
| `minimal` | Minimalist composition, generous whitespace | Zen, focus, core concepts |

Type composition details: [references/types.md](references/types.md)

## Palette Gallery

| Palette | Vibe | Primary Colors |
|---------|------|----------------|
| `warm` | Friendly, approachable | Orange, golden yellow, terracotta |
| `elegant` | Sophisticated, refined | Soft coral, muted teal, dusty rose |
| `cool` | Technical, professional | Engineering blue, navy, cyan |
| `dark` | Cinematic, premium | Electric purple, cyan, magenta |
| `earth` | Natural, organic | Forest green, sage, earth brown |
| `vivid` | Energetic, bold | Bright red, neon green, electric blue |
| `pastel` | Gentle, whimsical | Soft pink, mint, lavender |
| `mono` | Clean, focused | Black, near-black, white |
| `retro` | Nostalgic, vintage | Muted orange, dusty pink, maroon |

Palette definitions: [references/palettes/](references/palettes/)

## Rendering Gallery

| Rendering | Description | Key Characteristics |
|-----------|-------------|---------------------|
| `flat-vector` | Clean modern vector | Uniform outlines, flat fills, geometric icons |
| `hand-drawn` | Sketchy organic illustration | Imperfect strokes, paper texture, doodles |
| `painterly` | Soft watercolor/paint | Brush strokes, color bleeds, soft edges |
| `digital` | Polished modern digital | Precise edges, subtle gradients, UI components |
| `pixel` | Retro 8-bit pixel art | Pixel grid, dithering, chunky shapes |
| `chalk` | Chalk on blackboard | Chalk strokes, dust effects, board texture |

Rendering definitions: [references/renderings/](references/renderings/)

## Text & Mood

| Text Level | Title | Subtitle | Tags | Use Case |
|------------|:-----:|:--------:|:----:|----------|
| `none` | - | - | - | Pure visual, no text |
| `title-only` | ✓ | - | - | Simple headline (default) |
| `title-subtitle` | ✓ | ✓ | - | Title + supporting context |
| `text-rich` | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (2-4) | Information-dense |

| Mood | Contrast | Saturation | Weight | Use Case |
|------|:--------:|:----------:|:------:|----------|
| `subtle` | Low | Muted | Light | Corporate, thought leadership |
| `balanced` | Medium | Normal | Medium | General articles (default) |
| `bold` | High | Vivid | Heavy | Announcements, promotions |

Full guides: [references/dimensions/text.md](references/dimensions/text.md) | [references/dimensions/mood.md](references/dimensions/mood.md)

## Font Gallery

| Font | Description | Best For |
|------|-------------|----------|
| `clean` | Modern geometric sans-serif | Tech, professional, minimal |
| `handwritten` | Warm hand-lettered style | Personal, friendly, lifestyle |
| `serif` | Classic elegant typography | Editorial, academic, luxury |
| `display` | Bold decorative headlines | Announcements, entertainment |

Full guide: [references/dimensions/font.md](references/dimensions/font.md)

## Style Presets & Compatibility

- **Style Presets**: `--style X` expands to palette + rendering. See [references/style-presets.md](references/style-presets.md)
- **Compatibility Matrices**: Palette×Rendering, Type×Rendering, Type×Text, Type×Mood. See [references/compatibility.md](references/compatibility.md)
  - ✓✓ = highly recommended | ✓ = compatible | ✗ = not recommended

## File Structure

Output directory depends on `default_output_dir` preference:

| Preference | Output Path |
|------------|-------------|
| `same-dir` | `{article-dir}/` |
| `imgs-subdir` | `{article-dir}/imgs/` |
| `independent` (default) | `cover-image/{topic-slug}/` |
| Pasted content | `cover-image/{topic-slug}/` (always) |

```
<output-dir>/
├── source-{slug}.{ext}    # Source files (text, images, etc.)
├── refs/                  # Reference images (if provided)
│   ├── ref-01-{slug}.{ext}
│   ├── ref-01-{slug}.md   # Description file (optional)
│   ├── ref-02-{slug}.{ext}
│   ├── ref-02-{slug}.md   # Description file (optional)
│   └── extracted-style.md # Verbally extracted style (if no file path)
├── prompts/cover.md       # Generation prompt
└── cover.png              # Output image
```

**Slug**: Extract main topic (2-4 words, kebab-case). Example: "The Future of AI" → `future-of-ai`
**Conflict**: If directory exists, append timestamp: `{topic-slug}-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS`
**Source Files**: Copy all sources with naming `source-{slug}.{ext}` (multiple supported)

## Workflow

### Progress Checklist

```
Cover Image Progress:
- [ ] Step 0: Check preferences (EXTEND.md) ⛔ BLOCKING
  - [ ] Found → load preferences → continue
  - [ ] Not found → run first-time setup → MUST complete before Step 1
- [ ] Step 1: Analyze content + determine output directory
  - [ ] 1.1 Reference images ⚠️ (if provided)
    - [ ] File path given → saved to refs/ ✓
    - [ ] No path → asked user OR extracted verbally
  - [ ] 1.2 Output directory determined
- [ ] Step 2: Confirm options (6 dimensions) ⚠️ REQUIRED unless --quick or all specified
- [ ] Step 3: Create prompt
  - [ ] References in prompt ONLY if files exist in refs/
  - [ ] Extracted style/palette appended to prompt body (if no file)
- [ ] Step 4: Generate image
  - [ ] 4.1 References verified before generation
  - [ ] 4.2 Pass refs via --ref if skill supports AND files exist
- [ ] Step 5: Completion report
```

### Flow

```
Input → [Step 0: Preferences] ─┬─ Found → Continue
                               │
                               └─ Not found → First-Time Setup ⛔ BLOCKING
                                              │
                                              └─ Complete setup → Save EXTEND.md → Continue
                                                                                      │
        ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
        ↓
Analyze + Save Refs → [Output Dir ⚠️] → [Confirm: 6 Dimensions] → Prompt → Generate → Complete
                                                 ↓
                                        (skip if --quick or all specified)
```

### Step 0: Load Preferences (EXTEND.md) ⛔ BLOCKING

**Purpose**: Load user preferences or run first-time setup.

**CRITICAL**: If EXTEND.md not found, MUST complete first-time setup before ANY other questions or steps. Do NOT proceed to content analysis, do NOT ask about reference images, do NOT ask about dimensions — ONLY complete the preferences setup first.

Use Bash to check EXTEND.md existence (priority order):

```bash
# Check project-level first
test -f .baoyu-skills/baoyu-cover-image/EXTEND.md && echo "project"

# Then user-level (cross-platform: $HOME works on macOS/Linux/WSL)
test -f "$HOME/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-cover-image/EXTEND.md" && echo "user"
```

| Result | Action |
|--------|--------|
| Found | Read, parse, display preferences summary → Continue to Step 1 |
| Not found | ⛔ **BLOCKING**: Run first-time setup ONLY ([references/config/first-time-setup.md](references/config/first-time-setup.md)) → Complete and save EXTEND.md → Then continue to Step 1 |

**Preferences Summary** (when found):

```
Preferences loaded from [project/user]:
• Watermark: [enabled/disabled] [content if enabled]
• Type/Palette/Rendering: [value or "auto"]
• Text: [value or "title-only"] | Mood: [value or "balanced"]
• Aspect: [default_aspect] | Output: [dir or "not set — will ask in Step 1.5"]
• Quick mode: [enabled/disabled] | Language: [value or "auto"]
```

**EXTEND.md Supports**: Watermark | Preferred type | Preferred palette | Preferred rendering | Preferred text | Preferred mood | Preferred font | Default aspect ratio | Default output directory | Quick mode | Custom palette definitions | Language preference

Schema: [references/config/preferences-schema.md](references/config/preferences-schema.md)

### Step 1: Analyze Content

**1.0 Detect & Save Reference Images** ⚠️ REQUIRED if images provided

Check if user provided reference images. Handle based on input type:

| Input Type | Action |
|------------|--------|
| Image file path provided | Copy to `refs/` subdirectory → can use `--ref` |
| Image in conversation (no path) | **ASK user for file path** with AskUserQuestion |
| User can't provide path | Extract style/palette verbally → append to prompt (NO frontmatter references) |

**CRITICAL**: Only add `references` to prompt frontmatter if files are ACTUALLY SAVED to `refs/` directory.

**If user provides file path**:
1. Copy to `refs/ref-NN-{slug}.{ext}` (NN = 01, 02, ...)
2. Create description: `refs/ref-NN-{slug}.md`
3. Verify files exist before proceeding

**If user can't provide path** (extracted verbally):
1. Analyze image visually, extract: colors, style, composition
2. Create `refs/extracted-style.md` with extracted info
3. DO NOT add `references` to prompt frontmatter
4. Instead, append extracted style/colors directly to prompt text

**Description File Format** (only when file saved):
```yaml
---
ref_id: NN
filename: ref-NN-{slug}.{ext}
usage: direct | style | palette
---
[User's description or auto-generated description]
```

| Usage | When to Use |
|-------|-------------|
| `direct` | Reference matches desired output closely |
| `style` | Extract visual style characteristics only |
| `palette` | Extract color scheme only |

**Verification** (only for saved files):
```
Reference Images Saved:
- ref-01-{slug}.png ✓ (can use --ref)
- ref-02-{slug}.png ✓ (can use --ref)
```

**Or for extracted style**:
```
Reference Style Extracted (no file):
- Colors: #E8756D coral, #7ECFC0 mint...
- Style: minimal flat vector, clean lines...
→ Will append to prompt text (not --ref)
```

---

**1.1 Save Source Content**
- If pasted, save to `source.md` in target directory; if file path, use as-is
- **Backup rule**: If `source.md` exists, rename to `source-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.md`

**1.2 Content Analysis**
- Extract topic, core message, tone, keywords
- Identify visual metaphors
- Detect content type

**1.3 Reference Image Deep Analysis** ⚠️ CRITICAL (if provided in Step 1.0)

References are high-priority inputs. Perform deep visual analysis to extract **specific, concrete, reproducible** elements — not vague summaries.

For each reference image, extract ALL of the following:

| Analysis | Description | Example (good vs bad) |
|----------|-------------|----------------------|
| **Brand elements** | Logos, wordmarks, specific typography treatments | Good: "Logo uses vertical parallel lines for 'm'" / Bad: "Has a logo" |
| **Signature patterns** | Unique decorative motifs, textures, geometric patterns | Good: "Woven intersecting curves forming diamond grid" / Bad: "Has patterns" |
| **Color palette** | Exact hex values or close approximations for key colors | Good: "#2D4A3E dark teal, #F5F0E0 cream" / Bad: "Dark and light colors" |
| **Layout structure** | Specific spatial arrangement, banner placement, zone splits | Good: "Bottom 30% dark banner with branding" / Bad: "Has a banner" |
| **Typography** | Font style, weight, spacing, case, positioning | Good: "Uppercase, wide letter-spacing, handwritten ep number" / Bad: "Has text" |
| **Content/subject** | What the reference depicts | Factual description |
| **Usage recommendation** | `direct` / `style` / `palette` | Based on analysis |

**Output format**: List each element as a bullet point that can be directly copy-pasted into a prompt as a mandatory instruction.

**1.4 Language Detection**
- Detect source language
- Note user's input language
- Compare with EXTEND.md preference

**1.5 Determine Output Directory**
- Per File Structure rules
- If no `default_output_dir` preference + file path input, include in Step 2 Q4

### Step 2: Confirm Options ⚠️

Validate all 6 dimensions + aspect ratio. Full confirmation flow: [references/workflow/confirm-options.md](references/workflow/confirm-options.md)

**Skip Conditions**:

| Condition | Skipped | Still Asked |
|-----------|---------|-------------|
| `--quick` or `quick_mode: true` | 6 dimensions | Aspect ratio (unless `--aspect`) |
| All 6 + `--aspect` specified | All | None |

### Step 3: Create Prompt

**Backup rule**: If `prompts/cover.md` exists, rename to `prompts/cover-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.md`

Save to `prompts/cover.md`. Full template: [references/workflow/prompt-template.md](references/workflow/prompt-template.md)

**CRITICAL - References in YAML Frontmatter**:

When reference files are saved to `refs/`, **MUST add `references` field in frontmatter**:

```yaml
---
type: cover
palette: warm
rendering: flat-vector
references:
  - ref_id: 01
    filename: refs/ref-01-podcast-thumbnail.jpg
    usage: style
---
```

| Rule | Action |
|------|--------|
| Files saved to `refs/` | Add to frontmatter `references` list |
| Style extracted verbally (no file) | Omit `references` field, describe in body |
| Before writing | Verify: `test -f refs/ref-NN-{slug}.{ext}` |

**Reference Embedding**:

| Situation | Frontmatter | Body |
|-----------|-------------|------|
| Reference file saved to `refs/` | Add to `references` ✓ | **Detailed mandatory style instructions** (see below) |
| Style extracted verbally (no file) | Omit `references` | Full style description |
| File in frontmatter but doesn't exist | ERROR - fix or remove | — |

⚠️ **"Brief style note" is NOT sufficient.** When references are provided, the prompt body MUST contain a dedicated `# Reference Style — MUST INCORPORATE` section with:
1. Per-reference breakdown of **specific visual elements** extracted in Step 1.3
2. Each element prefixed with "MUST" or "REQUIRED"
3. An **integration approach** describing exactly how reference elements should be composed into the cover layout (e.g., "Use a split layout: illustration area 65% + dark branded banner 35%")

### Step 4: Generate Image

**4.1 Backup existing** `cover.png` → `cover-backup-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.png` (if regenerating)

**4.2 Check available image generation skills**; if multiple, ask user preference

**4.3 Process References** ⚠️ REQUIRED if references in frontmatter

**Read `references` from prompt frontmatter** and process each entry:

1. **Parse frontmatter** to get references list:
   ```yaml
   references:
     - ref_id: 01
       filename: refs/ref-01-podcast-thumbnail.jpg
       usage: style
   ```

2. **VERIFY each file exists**:
   ```bash
   test -f refs/ref-NN-{slug}.{ext} && echo "exists" || echo "MISSING"
   ```
   - If file MISSING → ERROR, fix prompt or remove from references
   - If file exists → proceed with processing

3. Process based on `usage` type:

| Usage | Action | Example |
|-------|--------|---------|
| `direct` | Add reference path to `--ref` parameter | `--ref refs/ref-01-brand.png` |
| `style` | Analyze reference, append style traits to prompt | "Style: clean lines, gradient backgrounds..." |
| `palette` | Extract colors from reference, append to prompt | "Colors: #E8756D coral, #7ECFC0 mint..." |

3. Check image generation skill capability:

| Skill Supports `--ref` | Action |
|------------------------|--------|
| Yes (e.g., baoyu-image-gen with Google/OpenAI) | Pass reference images via `--ref` |
| No | If usage is `direct`, switch to a ref-capable backend (baoyu-image-gen + Google multimodal or OpenAI GPT Image edits). If unavailable, convert to text description and remove direct refs |

**Verification**: Before generating, confirm reference processing:
```
Reference Processing:
- ref-01-brand.png: using as direct reference ✓
- ref-02-style.png: extracted palette ✓
```

**4.4 Generate**

1. Call selected skill with prompt file path, output path (`cover.png`), aspect ratio
2. If references with `direct` usage: use ref-capable backend and include `--ref` (recommend `baoyu-image-gen --provider google --model gemini-3-pro-image-preview` or `--provider openai --model gpt-image-1.5`)
3. On failure: auto-retry once before reporting error

### Step 5: Completion Report

```
Cover Generated!

Topic: [topic]
Type: [type] | Palette: [palette] | Rendering: [rendering]
Text: [text] | Mood: [mood] | Font: [font] | Aspect: [ratio]
Title: [title text or "visual only"]
Language: [lang] | Watermark: [enabled/disabled]
References: [N images (direct/style/palette) or "extracted style" or "none"]
Location: [directory path]

Files:
✓ source-{slug}.{ext}
[✓ refs/ref-01-{slug}.{ext} ... (if references saved)]
[✓ refs/ref-01-{slug}.md ... (description files)]
[✓ refs/extracted-style.md (if style extracted verbally)]
✓ prompts/cover.md
✓ cover.png
[✓ cover-backup-{timestamp}.png (if regenerated)]
```

## Image Modification

| Action | Steps |
|--------|-------|
| **Regenerate** | Backup existing → **Update prompt file FIRST** → Regenerate with same settings |
| **Change dimension** | Backup existing → Confirm new value → **Update prompt file FIRST** → Regenerate |

**IMPORTANT**: When regenerating, ALWAYS update the prompt file (`prompts/cover.md`) FIRST before regenerating. This ensures changes are documented and reproducible.

All modifications automatically backup existing `cover.png` before regenerating.

## Notes

- Cover must be readable at small preview sizes
- Visual metaphors > literal representations
- Title: readable, impactful
- Two confirmation points: Step 0 (first-time setup) + Step 2 (6 dimensions) - skip Step 2 with `--quick`
- Use confirmed language for title text
- Maintain watermark consistency if enabled
- Check compatibility matrices when selecting combinations
- `--no-title` is alias for `--text none`
- `--style` presets are backward-compatible; explicit `--palette`/`--rendering` override preset values

### Reference Image Priority ⚠️

When user provides reference images, they are **HIGH PRIORITY** and MUST strongly influence the generated cover:

- **References override defaults**: If reference images conflict with preferred palette/rendering, the reference visual identity takes precedence in the prompt
- **Concrete > abstract**: Extract specific, reproducible visual elements (exact patterns, logo treatments, color hex values, layout structures) — not vague descriptions like "clean style"
- **Mandatory language**: Use "MUST", "REQUIRED", "CRITICAL" in the prompt for reference elements — generic "follow the style" is insufficient for image generation models
- **Visible in output**: After generation, verify that reference elements are actually present in the cover. If not, strengthen the prompt and regenerate

### Composition Principles

- **Generous whitespace**: 40-60% breathing room; avoid cluttered layouts
- **Visual anchor**: Main element centered or offset left (reserve right for title)
- **Character handling**: Simplified silhouettes or icon-style figures; NO realistic humans
- **Icon vocabulary**: Use simple, recognizable symbols (see [references/visual-elements.md](references/visual-elements.md))

### Title Handling

- **Source**: Use the exact title provided by user, or extract from source content
- **Do NOT invent titles**: Stay faithful to the original
- If no title in source and user doesn't provide one, ask user to specify

## References

**Dimensions**: [text.md](references/dimensions/text.md) | [mood.md](references/dimensions/mood.md) | [font.md](references/dimensions/font.md)
**Palettes**: [references/palettes/](references/palettes/)
**Renderings**: [references/renderings/](references/renderings/)
**Auto-Selection**: [references/auto-selection.md](references/auto-selection.md)
**Style Presets**: [references/style-presets.md](references/style-presets.md)
**Compatibility**: [references/compatibility.md](references/compatibility.md)
**Types**: [references/types.md](references/types.md)
**Visual Elements**: [references/visual-elements.md](references/visual-elements.md)
**Workflow**: [confirm-options.md](references/workflow/confirm-options.md) | [prompt-template.md](references/workflow/prompt-template.md)
**Config**: [preferences-schema.md](references/config/preferences-schema.md) | [first-time-setup.md](references/config/first-time-setup.md) | [watermark-guide.md](references/config/watermark-guide.md)