| name | mike-convex-thumbnail |
| description | Generate Mike-style YouTube thumbnail concepts and final drafts for Convex videos using Mike's local head-and-shoulders photo cutouts and local Convex logo assets. Use when the user asks for thumbnails, YouTube thumbnails, video thumb options, or a thumbnail like the Convex static hosting "NO DASHBOARDS" example. |
| compatibility | Designed for Mike's macOS workstation with Google Drive for desktop and Convex brand assets in ~/Assets/Images. |
Mike Convex Thumbnail
Create polished YouTube thumbnails for Mike's Convex/dev videos using the image
model, Mike's local cutout photos, and local Convex brand assets.
When to Use
- Creating YouTube thumbnail options for a Convex or developer video.
- Reworking the Convex static hosting "NO DASHBOARDS" thumbnail.
- Making a thumbnail that must include Mike's recognizable head-and-shoulders
portrait.
- Replacing an incorrect generated mark with the real Convex logo or symbol.
When Not to Use
- Generic thumbnail advice with no image generation requested.
- Non-Convex videos unless Mike explicitly wants the same personal thumbnail
style.
- Deterministic compositing in code, unless Mike explicitly asks for a manual
layout. The manual collage route looked bad for this style.
Core Workflow
- Inspect the available local references before prompting the image model:
- Run
bash scripts/check-local-assets.sh from this skill. It discovers the
Google Drive account folder and prints absolute paths for the photo and
brand assets.
- Use
view_image on at least one Mike headshot and the Convex symbol before
calling the image model.
- If the user provided a script, Notion page, or video brief, extract the main
hook first. Keep the thumbnail concept simple enough to read at feed size.
- Use the image model for the thumbnail. Do not build the main image by
manually pasting cutouts and cards together unless the user asks for that.
- Keep text short. Prefer one strong phrase such as
NO DASHBOARDS,
HOST ON CONVEX, STATIC APP LIVE, or SKIP HOSTING.
- Prompt for Mike as a large recognizable head-and-shoulders portrait, not a
full-body figure.
- Prompt the Convex logo as a brand reference. If a generated logo is wrong,
explicitly say to replace any cube or hexagon mark with the official Convex
swirl symbol.
- Return 3 to 5 visually distinct options when brainstorming. If Mike points at
one option, iterate that option instead of restarting the set.
Local Paths
Use these current local paths on Mike's machine:
| Purpose | Path |
|---|
| Mike cutout photo folder | ~/Library/CloudStorage/GoogleDrive-mike.cann@gmail.com/My Drive/Personal/Photos of Me/convex/Backgrounds Removed |
| Primary Convex symbol | ~/Assets/Images/symbol-color (1).png |
| Convex color logo | ~/Assets/Images/logo-color.png |
| Convex white wordmark | ~/Assets/Images/wordmark-white.png |
| Convex white symbol | ~/Assets/Images/symbol-white.png |
| Static hosting reference | references/static-hosting-thumbnail.md |
The Google Drive account folder can change. Use the absolute paths printed by
scripts/check-local-assets.sh instead of guessing or passing a literal ~ to
an image tool.
Preferred Mike References
Use the folder above. These files worked well in the static hosting session:
| File | Best use |
|---|
WIN_20250626_10_41_38_Pro.png | Skeptical or "no dashboards" side-eye |
WIN_20250626_10_39_35_Pro.png | Friendly/excited host-on-Convex idea |
WIN_20250701_07_35_49_Pro.png | Excited, looking up at a concept |
WIN_20250701_07_36_01_Pro.png | Smiling explainer pose |
WIN_20250701_07_34_53_Pro.png | Looking right with gesture |
Prompt Patterns
Bad
Make a thumbnail about Convex hosting with Mike and some dashboard stuff.
This lets the model invent Mike, invent the logo, and create clutter.
Good
Use case: ads-marketing
Asset type: YouTube thumbnail edit, 16:9 landscape
Primary request: Create a polished version of the provided thumbnail image.
Keep Mike on the left, big "NO DASHBOARDS" text, blurred generic dashboard
panels with red X marks in the middle, and a glowing live hosting card on the
right.
Input image roles: Use the provided thumbnail as composition/style reference.
Use the visible Mike photo as identity reference. Use the visible Convex
colored swirl symbol as the exact brand/logo reference.
Required change: Replace any cube or hexagon mark on the right-side card with
the official Convex colored swirl symbol. The card can say "convex.site" and
"Live".
Constraints: Head and shoulders only. Preserve Mike's recognizable face and
black Convex cap. Keep the text exactly "NO DASHBOARDS". No real third-party
logos. No watermark.
Avoid: fake logo, misspelled text, extra words, cluttered UI, distorted face,
extra fingers, cheap collage look.
Static Hosting Recipe
Read references/static-hosting-thumbnail.md when the user asks for a thumbnail
like the Convex static hosting example or when the requested video is about
static hosting, convex.site, hosting without Vercel/Netlify/Cloudflare, SPA
fallback, CI deploys, custom domains, or update banners.
Checklist
