Article Illustrator

Analyze articles, identify optimal illustration positions, and generate images using a Type x Style consistency system.

Installation

OpenClaw / Moltbot / Clawbot

npx clawhub@latest install article-illustrator

NEVER Do

• Illustrate metaphors literally (e.g., if article says "chainsaw cutting watermelon," visualize the underlying concept instead)
• Generate generic decorative images that don't connect to content
• Skip the settings confirmation step (Step 3)
• Begin generating before confirming type, density, and style with the user
• Create illustrations without justifying each position by content needs

Two Dimensions

Types and styles combine freely: --type infographic --style blueprint

Type Selection Guide

Style Selection Guide

Full style specs and compatibility matrix: references/styles.md

Auto Selection by Content

Workflow

Step 1: Pre-check

1. Determine input type — file path or pasted content
2. Determine output directory — check preferences or ask user:
   • {article-dir}/ — same directory
   • {article-dir}/illustrations/ — illustrations subdirectory (recommended)
   • illustrations/{topic-slug}/ — independent directory
3. Check existing images — if images exist, ask: supplement / overwrite / regenerate
4. Confirm article update method (file input only) — update original or create {name}-illustrated.md copy
5. Load preferences — check for EXTEND.md in project or user home

Step 2: Analyze Content

Illustrate: core arguments (required), abstract concepts, data comparisons, processes/workflows.

Skip: literal metaphors, decorative scenes, generic illustrations.

Step 3: Confirm Settings (Required)

Use a structured question with 3-4 questions in ONE call:

• Q1 — Type: recommended option + alternatives
• Q2 — Density: minimal (1-2), balanced (3-5, recommended), rich (6+)
• Q3 — Style: recommended based on type/content compatibility matrix
• Q4 — Language (only if source language differs from user language)

Step 4: Generate Outline

Save as outline.md with YAML frontmatter (type, density, style, count) and per-illustration details: position, purpose, visual content, filename.

Step 5: Generate Images

1. Create prompts following references/prompt-construction.md
2. Save prompts to prompts/illustration-{slug}.md
3. Generate sequentially, reporting progress after each
4. On failure: retry once, then log and continue

Step 6: Finalize

Insert image references after corresponding paragraphs:

![description](illustrations/{slug}/NN-{type}-{slug}.png)

Output a summary with article path, settings, image count, and positions.

Output Structure

illustrations/{topic-slug}/
├── source-{slug}.{ext}
├── outline.md
├── prompts/
│   └── illustration-{slug}.md
└── NN-{type}-{slug}.png

Prompt Construction Principles

Good illustration prompts must include:

1. Layout structure first — describe composition, zones, flow direction
2. Specific data/labels — use actual numbers, terms from the article
3. Visual relationships — how elements connect to each other
4. Semantic colors — meaning-based choices (red=warning, green=efficient)
5. Style characteristics — line treatment, texture, mood
6. Aspect ratio — end with ratio and complexity level

Avoid: vague descriptions, literal metaphor illustrations, missing labels, generic decorative elements.

Full templates by type: references/prompt-construction.md

Type x Style Compatibility

++ highly recommended | + compatible | - not recommended

Usage Examples

# Auto-select type and style
illustrate path/to/article.md

# Specify type
illustrate path/to/article.md --type infographic

# Specify type and style
illustrate path/to/article.md --type flowchart --style notion

# Specify density
illustrate path/to/article.md --density rich

Extension Support

Custom configurations via EXTEND.md files:

• Project level: .article-illustrator/EXTEND.md
• User level: $HOME/.config/article-illustrator/EXTEND.md

Supports: watermark, preferred type/style, custom styles, language, output directory.

Modification

References