--- name: cover-image description: "Generate article cover images with 5 dimensions (type, palette, rendering, text, mood). 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. Supports Chinese text rendering. ## Usage ```bash # Auto-select dimensions based on content /cover-image path/to/article.md # Quick mode: skip confirmation /cover-image article.md --quick # Specify dimensions /cover-image article.md --type conceptual --palette warm --rendering flat-vector # WeChat Official Account cover /cover-image article.md --aspect 2.35:1 # Specify provider /cover-image article.md --provider qwen # Use style preset /cover-image article.md --style tech-dark # Large font for better visibility /cover-image article.md --font-size large # Generate multiple options /cover-image article.md --n 3 # With reference images (Google/OpenAI only) /cover-image article.md --ref style-ref.png # Direct content input /cover-image --palette mono --aspect 1:1 --quick [paste content] ``` ## Options | Option | Description | |--------|-------------| | `--type ` | hero, conceptual, typography, metaphor, scene, minimal | | `--palette ` | warm, elegant, cool, dark, earth, vivid, pastel, mono, retro | | `--rendering ` | flat-vector, hand-drawn, painterly, digital, pixel, chalk | | `--text ` | none, title-only, title-subtitle, text-rich | | `--mood ` | subtle, balanced, bold | | `--font ` | clean, handwritten, serif, display | | `--font-size ` | small, medium (default), large, xlarge | | `--aspect ` | 16:9 (default), 2.35:1 (公众号封面), 4:3, 3:2, 1:1, 3:4 | | `--provider ` | qwen (default), openai, google | | `--style ` | tech-dark, tech-clean, lifestyle-warm, business-elegant, announcement-bold, minimal-zen, creative-playful, retro-vintage | | `--lang ` | Title language (en, zh, ja, etc.) | | `--no-title` | Alias for `--text none` | | `--n ` | Number of images to generate (1-4) | | `--quick` | Skip confirmation, use auto-selection | | `--ref ` | Reference images for style/composition guidance | ## Providers | Provider | Model | Text Rendering | Chinese Support | Price | |----------|-------|----------------|-----------------|-------| | `qwen` | qwen-image-plus | Excellent | Native Chinese | 0.2 CNY/image | | `openai` | gpt-image-1 | Good | Limited | ~$0.04/image | | `google` | gemini-2.0-flash-exp | Good | Limited | Free tier available | ### Provider Selection Logic 1. `--provider` specified -> use it 2. Chinese title detected -> auto-select `qwen` 3. Reference images provided -> use `google` or `openai` 4. Default -> `qwen` ### Qwen-Image (Default) Best for Chinese text rendering. Native support for Chinese characters. **API Endpoint**: `https://dashscope.aliyuncs.com/api/v1/services/aigc/text2image/image-synthesis` **Environment Variable**: `DASHSCOPE_API_KEY` **Supported Sizes**: `1664*928`, `1024*1024`, `928*1664`, `1472*1104`, `1104*1472` ### OpenAI Good for English text and creative designs. **Environment Variable**: `OPENAI_API_KEY` **Supported Sizes**: `1024x1024`, `1536x1024`, `1024x1536` ### Google Good for multimodal generation with reference images. **Environment Variable**: `GOOGLE_API_KEY` **Supported Sizes**: Various aspect ratios supported ## Five Dimensions | Dimension | Values | Default | |-----------|--------|---------| | **Type** | hero, conceptual, typography, metaphor, scene, minimal | auto | | **Palette** | warm, elegant, cool, dark, earth, vivid, pastel, mono, retro | auto | | **Rendering** | flat-vector, hand-drawn, painterly, digital, pixel, chalk | auto | | **Text** | none, title-only, title-subtitle, text-rich | title-only | | **Mood** | subtle, balanced, bold | balanced | | **Font** | clean, handwritten, serif, display | clean | Auto-selection rules: [references/auto-selection.md](references/auto-selection.md) ## Galleries **Types**: hero, conceptual, typography, metaphor, scene, minimal -> Details: [references/types.md](references/types.md) **Palettes**: warm, elegant, cool, dark, earth, vivid, pastel, mono, retro -> Details: [references/palettes/](references/palettes/) **Renderings**: flat-vector, hand-drawn, painterly, digital, pixel, chalk -> Details: [references/renderings/](references/renderings/) **Text Levels**: none (pure visual) | title-only (default) | title-subtitle | text-rich (with tags) -> Details: [references/dimensions/text.md](references/dimensions/text.md) **Mood Levels**: subtle (low contrast) | balanced (default) | bold (high contrast) -> Details: [references/dimensions/mood.md](references/dimensions/mood.md) **Fonts**: clean (sans-serif) | handwritten | serif | display (bold decorative) -> Details: [references/dimensions/font.md](references/dimensions/font.md) ## File Structure Output directory per `default_output_dir` preference: - `same-dir`: `{article-dir}/` - `imgs-subdir`: `{article-dir}/imgs/` - `independent` (default): `cover-image/{topic-slug}/` ``` / ├── source-{slug}.{ext} # Source files ├── refs/ # Reference images (if provided) │ ├── ref-01-{slug}.{ext} │ └── ref-01-{slug}.md # Description file ├── prompts/cover.md # Generation prompt └── cover.png # Output image ``` **Slug**: 2-4 words, kebab-case. Conflict: append `-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS` ## Workflow ### Progress Checklist ``` Cover Image Progress: - [ ] Step 1: Analyze content + save refs + determine output dir - [ ] Step 2: Confirm options (6 dimensions + provider) unless --quick - [ ] Step 3: Create prompt - [ ] Step 4: Generate image - [ ] Step 5: Resize for platform (if needed) - [ ] Step 6: Completion report ``` ### Step 1: Analyze Content 1. **Save reference images** (if provided) -> [references/workflow/reference-images.md](references/workflow/reference-images.md) 2. **Save source content** (if pasted, save to `source.md`) 3. **Analyze content**: topic, tone, keywords, visual metaphors 4. **Deep analyze references**: Extract specific, concrete elements 5. **Detect language**: Compare source, user input 6. **Determine output directory**: Per File Structure rules 7. **Auto-select provider**: Based on language and references ### Step 2: Confirm Options Full confirmation flow: [references/workflow/confirm-options.md](references/workflow/confirm-options.md) | Condition | Skipped | Still Asked | |-----------|---------|-------------| | `--quick` | 6 dimensions + provider | Aspect ratio (unless `--aspect`) | | All 6 + `--aspect` + `--provider` specified | All | None | ### Step 3: Create Prompt Save to `prompts/cover.md`. Template: [references/workflow/prompt-template.md](references/workflow/prompt-template.md) **CRITICAL - References in Frontmatter**: - Files saved to `refs/` -> Add to frontmatter `references` list - Style extracted verbally (no file) -> Omit `references`, describe in body - Before writing -> Verify: `test -f refs/ref-NN-{slug}.{ext}` **Reference elements in body** MUST be detailed, prefixed with "MUST"/"REQUIRED", with integration approach. ### Step 4: Generate Image 1. **Backup existing** `cover.png` if regenerating 2. **Select provider** based on language and options 3. **Process references** from prompt frontmatter: - `direct` usage -> pass reference images directly (google/openai only) - `style`/`palette` -> extract traits, append to prompt 4. **Generate** via provider API: - **Qwen**: POST to dashscope API, poll for result - **OpenAI**: Use ImageGen tool or API - **Google**: Use ImageGen tool with reference images 5. On failure: auto-retry once ### Step 5: Resize for Platform Resize generated image to target platform size: | Platform | Target Size | Aspect Ratio | |----------|-------------|--------------| | 公众号封面 | 900x383 | 2.35:1 | | 博客/视频 | 1920x1080 | 16:9 | | 小红书 | 1080x1080 | 1:1 | | 手机海报 | 1080x1440 | 3:4 | ### Step 6: Completion Report ``` Cover Generated! Provider: [provider] Topic: [topic] Type: [type] | Palette: [palette] | Rendering: [rendering] Text: [text] | Mood: [mood] | Font: [font] | Aspect: [ratio] Title: [title or "visual only"] Language: [lang] References: [N images or "extracted style" or "none"] Location: [directory path] Files: - source-{slug}.{ext} - prompts/cover.md - cover.png - cover-{platform}.png (if resized) ``` ## Composition Principles - **Whitespace**: 40-60% breathing room - **Visual anchor**: Main element centered or offset left - **Characters**: Simplified silhouettes; NO realistic humans - **Title**: Use exact title from user/source; never invent ## Aspect Ratios | Ratio | Platform | Use Case | |-------|----------|----------| | `2.35:1` | 微信公众号封面 | 公众号首图，900x383px | | `16:9` | 通用宽屏 | 博客、视频封面 | | `1:1` | 社交媒体 | 微博、小红书、Instagram | | `4:3` | 经典比例 | 演示文稿、传统媒体 | | `3:2` | 摄影标准 | 照片风格封面 | | `3:4` | 竖版 | 手机端、海报 | ## Environment Variables | Variable | Required For | Get From | |----------|--------------|----------| | `DASHSCOPE_API_KEY` | Qwen (default) | https://bailian.console.aliyun.com | | `OPENAI_API_KEY` | OpenAI | https://platform.openai.com | | `GOOGLE_API_KEY` | Google | https://aistudio.google.com | ## 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/) **Types**: [references/types.md](references/types.md) **Style Presets**: [references/style-presets.md](references/style-presets.md) **Auto-Selection**: [references/auto-selection.md](references/auto-selection.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) | [reference-images.md](references/workflow/reference-images.md) | [qwen-api.md](references/workflow/qwen-api.md)