canva-image-editor

name	canva-image-editor
description	Edit and modify image-based designs in Canva (social media posts, posters, flyers, etc.). Use this skill when user wants to modify existing image designs or create new ones. Follows 3-mode workflow: PLAN changes, CLARIFY with user, then IMPLEMENT. For presentations use canva-presentation skill. For videos use canva-video skill.
allowed-tools	["Bash","Read","Write","Edit","AskUserQuestion"]

Canva Image Editor Skill

Edit and modify image-based designs in Canva including social media posts, posters, flyers, logos, and other static graphics.

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⚠️ CRITICAL DESIGN PRESERVATION RULES (MANDATORY)

These rules are NON-NEGOTIABLE. Violating them will break the design.

🚫 NEVER DO THESE THINGS:

1. NEVER create new text elements - Only modify text in EXISTING elements
2. NEVER add new shapes or elements - Only modify EXISTING elements
3. NEVER change font sizes - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
4. NEVER change font styles/colors - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
5. NEVER change element positions - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
6. NEVER change element sizes - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
7. NEVER change backgrounds - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it
8. NEVER modify decorative elements - Logos, frames, borders must stay intact
9. NEVER add new layers - Only modify existing layers
10. NEVER change the template structure - Unless user EXPLICITLY requests it

✅ ALWAYS DO THESE THINGS:

1. ALWAYS replace text within existing elements only
2. ALWAYS replace images in existing image placeholders only
3. ALWAYS preserve all formatting (font, size, color, position, alignment)
4. ALWAYS analyze design structure first before any modification
5. ALWAYS identify content elements vs decorative elements before editing
6. ALWAYS duplicate the design first before making changes

Updating Content - THE CORRECT WAY:

# WRONG - Creates new text element
create_text.py --design "ID" --text "New text"

# CORRECT - Updates existing text element
update_text.py --design "ID" --element "EXISTING_ELEMENT_ID" --text "New text"

Replacing Images - THE CORRECT WAY:

# WRONG - Adds new image layer
add_image.py --design "ID" --image "new_image.jpg"

# CORRECT - Replaces image in existing placeholder
replace_image.py --design "ID" --element "EXISTING_IMAGE_ID" --new-image "new_image.jpg"

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Scope of This Skill

This skill handles:

• Instagram Posts/Stories
• Facebook Posts/Covers
• Twitter/X Posts
• LinkedIn Posts/Banners
• Posters & Flyers
• Logos
• Business Cards
• Invitations
• Infographics
• Thumbnails
• Any static image design

NOT handled by this skill:

• Presentations/Slideshows → Use canva-presentation
• Videos/Animations → Use canva-video
• Document editing → Use canva-document
• Bulk exports → Use canva-export

3-Mode Workflow

MODE 1: PLAN

Before any edits, analyze and document:

1. Identify the Target Design

   # Use canva-explorer first to find the design
   python skills/canva-explorer/scripts/get_design.py --id "DESIGN_ID" --include-pages
   

2. Analyze Current State

   • Design dimensions
   • Number of elements (text, images, shapes)
   • Current colors and fonts
   • Background type

3. Document Proposed Changes

   ## Edit Plan for "[Design Name]"
   
   ### Current State
   - Type: Instagram Post (1080x1080)
   - Elements: 3 text layers, 2 images, 1 background
   - Primary colors: #FF5733, #FFFFFF
   
   ### Proposed Changes
   1. Update headline text from "X" to "Y"
   2. Replace main image with new uploaded asset
   3. Change background color to #2E86AB
   
   ### Elements NOT Being Changed
   - Logo placement (top-right)
   - Footer text
   - Secondary image
   
   ### Risks
   - Text may overflow if new headline is longer
   - New image aspect ratio may need adjustment
   

MODE 2: CLARIFY

Ask user to confirm:

1. Verify Changes

   • "The headline will change from 'Summer Sale' to 'Winter Sale'. Correct?"
   • "Should I resize the new image to fit, or crop it?"

2. Offer Options

   • "Should I work on the original or create a copy first?"
   • "Do you want to preview the changes before finalizing?"

3. Handle Ambiguity

   • "I found 3 text elements. Which one should I modify?"
   • "The new color doesn't meet contrast guidelines. Proceed anyway?"

MODE 3: IMPLEMENT

Execute approved changes:

# Example: Update text element
python skills/canva-image-editor/scripts/update_text.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --element "ELEMENT_ID" \
  --text "New headline text"

# Example: Replace image
python skills/canva-image-editor/scripts/replace_image.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --element "ELEMENT_ID" \
  --new-image "path/to/image.jpg"

# Example: Update colors
python skills/canva-image-editor/scripts/update_colors.py \
  --design "DESIGN_ID" \
  --primary "#2E86AB" \
  --secondary "#F4D35E"

Available Scripts

Analysis Scripts

• analyze_design.py - Deep analysis of design elements
• extract_colors.py - Get color palette from design
• extract_text.py - Get all text content
• check_dimensions.py - Verify size and aspect ratio

Edit Scripts

• update_text.py - Modify text content
• replace_image.py - Swap images in design
• update_colors.py - Change color scheme
• resize_design.py - Change dimensions
• duplicate_design.py - Create a copy before editing

Creation Scripts

• create_from_template.py - New design from Canva template
• create_blank.py - New blank design with dimensions

Design Types and Dimensions

Type	Dimensions	Aspect Ratio
Instagram Post	1080x1080	1:1
Instagram Story	1080x1920	9:16
Facebook Post	1200x630	1.91:1
Facebook Cover	820x312	2.63:1
Twitter Post	1600x900	16:9
LinkedIn Post	1200x1200	1:1
LinkedIn Banner	1584x396	4:1
Pinterest Pin	1000x1500	2:3
YouTube Thumbnail	1280x720	16:9
Poster	18x24 inches	3:4
A4 Document	210x297mm	1:1.41

Element Types

When working with design elements:

• Text Elements: Headlines, body text, captions
• Image Elements: Photos, graphics, icons
• Shape Elements: Rectangles, circles, lines
• Frame Elements: Image frames, masks
• Background: Solid color, gradient, image

Safety Guidelines

1. Always duplicate first for major changes
2. Check text overflow when changing content
3. Verify image quality after replacement
4. Test color contrast for accessibility
5. Log all changes to output folder

Example Interactions

"Change the headline in my Instagram post"

[PLAN]
- Found design "Summer Promo" (1080x1080)
- Contains headline: "SUMMER SALE 50% OFF"
- Proposed: Change to user's new text

[CLARIFY]
- What should the new headline say?
- Keep same font and size?

[IMPLEMENT]
- Update text element with new content
- Verify no overflow
- Confirm change complete

"Update the colors to match my brand"

[PLAN]
- Analyze current colors: #FF5733, #FFFFFF, #333333
- User's brand colors: #2E86AB, #F4D35E, #1A1A1A
- Map old → new colors

[CLARIFY]
- Confirm color mapping is correct
- Should background also change?
- Keep or update any accent colors?

[IMPLEMENT]
- Apply color changes to all elements
- Verify readability
- Export preview

Output Files

Changes are logged to:

• output/edits/ - Before/after comparisons
• output/logs/edit_history.json - All modifications
• output/previews/ - Preview exports