creative

name	creative
description	AI creative production engine for product photos, videos, social graphics, talking heads, and ad creative. One engine, multiple modes, shared brand kit.

Creative Engine — Vibe Marketing Skills v2

One engine. Every visual asset your brand needs.

This skill routes you to the right creative mode, manages your brand identity across all outputs, and handles model selection so you never think about APIs — just describe what you want.

Read ./brand/ per _system/brand-memory.md

Follow all output formatting rules from _system/output-format.md

Reads: voice-profile.md, positioning.md, creative-kit.md, stack.md

Writes: creative-kit.md, assets.md (append)

---

What Are We Making?

When this skill is invoked, start here:

What are we making?

  1. Product photos      hero shots, lifestyle, e-commerce flats
  2. Product videos      reveals, orbits, demos, unboxings
  3. Social graphics     posts, stories, thumbnails, ads
  4. Talking head        presenters, UGC-style, testimonials
  5. Ad creative         paid social, display, video ads
  6. Free generation     anything else — just describe it

Each mode has its own playbook in modes/. The creative engine handles:

• Brand consistency (every mode reads from the same brand kit)
• Model selection (you describe the asset, the engine picks the model)
• Quality control (built-in review and iteration workflow)
• Batch generation (campaign-scale parallel production)

---

First-Time Setup

Step 1: Replicate API Key

The creative engine uses Replicate for all AI generation. You need an API token.

Check if already configured:

echo $REPLICATE_API_TOKEN
# or check .env file for REPLICATE_API_TOKEN=

If not found:

1. Go to replicate.com/account/api-tokens
2. Create a new token
3. Add to your .env file:

   REPLICATE_API_TOKEN=r8_your_token_here
   

4. Replicate is pay-per-use. Most images cost $0.02-0.04. Most videos cost $0.30-1.50. No monthly commitment.

Step 2: Test Connection

Run a quick smoke test to verify the token works:

curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $REPLICATE_API_TOKEN" \
  https://api.replicate.com/v1/models/google/nano-banana-pro \
  | jq '.name'

Expected output: "nano-banana-pro"

Step 3: Verify Model Access

Check that each model in the stack is accessible:

Model	Test Command	Expected
Nano Banana Pro	curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $REPLICATE_API_TOKEN" https://api.replicate.com/v1/models/google/nano-banana-pro | jq '.name'	"nano-banana-pro"
Kling 2.5	curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $REPLICATE_API_TOKEN" https://api.replicate.com/v1/models/kwaivgi/kling-v2.5-turbo-pro | jq '.name'	"kling-v2.5-turbo-pro"
Veo 3.1	curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $REPLICATE_API_TOKEN" https://api.replicate.com/v1/models/google/veo-3.1 | jq '.name'	"veo-3.1"
Sora 2	curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $REPLICATE_API_TOKEN" https://api.replicate.com/v1/models/openai/sora-2 | jq '.name'	"sora-2"
Kling Lip-Sync	curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $REPLICATE_API_TOKEN" https://api.replicate.com/v1/models/kwaivgi/kling-lip-sync | jq '.name'	"kling-lip-sync"

Step 4: Record Stack Status

After verification, record what is available in ./brand/stack.md:

# Creative Stack Status

## Last Verified: [date]

| Model | Status | Notes |
|-------|--------|-------|
| Nano Banana Pro (images) | Active | Default image model |
| Kling 2.5 (video) | Active | Default video model |
| Veo 3.1 (video) | Active | Hero content comparison |
| Sora 2 (video) | Active | Hero content comparison |
| Kling Lip-Sync | Active | Talking head mode |

No API Token? Prompt-Only Mode

If REPLICATE_API_TOKEN is not set and the user wants to generate creative:

1. Do not block the skill. Switch to prompt-only mode.
2. Show: "No Replicate API token found — running in prompt-only mode. I'll generate optimized prompts you can paste into any image/video tool."
3. Follow the same creative workflow (brand kit, style exploration, mode selection) but instead of calling the API, output:
   • The exact prompt text, optimized for the target model
   • Recommended model and settings
   • Aspect ratio and resolution specifications
   • Negative prompt / style exclusions
4. Format prompt output as a copyable code block.
5. If the user sets up their token later, they can re-run with live generation.

This ensures the creative skill is useful even without API access — the prompt engineering and brand-consistent creative direction are valuable on their own.

---

Brand Kit — Creative Identity

Building the Brand Kit

On the first creative run, build ./brand/creative-kit.md. This file is the visual DNA that every mode reads from. Without it, outputs will be inconsistent across assets.

Prompt the user for:

# Brand Creative Kit

## Brand Colors
- **Primary:** [hex + name, e.g., #2563EB "Electric Blue"]
- **Secondary:** [hex + name]
- **Accent:** [hex + name]
- **Background:** [hex + name, e.g., #0F172A "Deep Navy"]
- **Text:** [hex + name, e.g., #F8FAFC "Near White"]

## Typography Direction
- **Headlines:** [style, e.g., "Bold, modern sans-serif, high impact"]
- **Body:** [style, e.g., "Clean, readable, neutral weight"]
- **Display/Hero:** [style, e.g., "Oversized, condensed, all-caps for impact"]

## Visual Style
- **Photography preference:** [e.g., "Lifestyle over studio, warm natural light"]
- **Illustration style:** [e.g., "Flat vector with subtle gradients, no outlines"]
- **Overall mood:** [e.g., "Confident, warm, premium but not pretentious"]
- **What to avoid:** [e.g., "Stock photo vibes, clip art, neon/fluorescent colors, dark/gothic"]

## Logo
- **Path:** [relative path to logo file, or "not yet provided"]
- **Usage notes:** [e.g., "White version on dark backgrounds, primary on light"]

## Competitor Visual References
- **Competitor 1:** [name + what to learn/avoid from their visuals]
- **Competitor 2:** [name + what to learn/avoid]
- **Competitor 3:** [name + what to learn/avoid]

## Reference Screenshots
[Links or paths to screenshots of visual styles the brand admires]

If the user does not have a brand kit yet:

1. Ask for their website URL or existing social profiles
2. Analyze the visual patterns (colors, typography, mood)
3. Propose a creative kit based on what you observe
4. Refine with the user until locked

Using the Brand Kit

Every mode reads creative-kit.md before generating any asset. This means:

• Color palette is injected into prompts automatically
• Typography preferences guide text rendering decisions
• Visual style keywords are appended to every prompt
• "What to avoid" items become prompt guardrails

---

Style Exploration Process

This is the core creative methodology. It applies to every mode, every time.

The 5-Direction Exploration

When starting any new creative project (not a one-off generation), follow this process:

Step 1: Generate 5 Different Approaches

Do not generate 5 similar images. Generate 5 genuinely different creative directions:

Direction 1: [Name] — The safe, expected approach for this category
Direction 2: [Name] — The opposite of Direction 1
Direction 3: [Name] — Borrowed from a completely different industry
Direction 4: [Name] — Emotion-first (prioritizes feeling over information)
Direction 5: [Name] — The wild card (break a convention)

Each direction should have a distinct visual strategy — different lighting, composition, color treatment, mood, and reference point.

Step 2: Present All 5 for Review

## Creative Direction Exploration

### Direction 1: [Name]
![Preview](url)
**Strategy:** [why this approach]
**Vibe:** [emotional register]
**Risk level:** Low — category standard

### Direction 2: [Name]
![Preview](url)
**Strategy:** [why this approach]
**Vibe:** [emotional register]
**Risk level:** Medium — against convention

[... repeat for all 5]

---

**Which direction resonates?**
- Pick one to develop
- Combine elements: "I like the lighting from 2 with the composition of 4"
- Request variations on any direction
- Start over with different constraints

Step 3: User Picks Direction or Combines Elements

The user rarely picks one direction entirely. They usually combine: "I like the warmth of 3 but the composition of 1." This is the valuable feedback that makes the final output distinctive.

Step 4: Lock Style Principles

Once direction is chosen, document the locked style:

## Locked Style Principles

**Color Treatment:** [specific palette and grading]
**Lighting:** [specific direction, quality, temperature]
**Composition:** [specific framing and layout rules]
**Mood:** [specific emotional register]
**Technical:** [camera reference, texture, processing]
**Anti-patterns:** [what specifically to avoid]

Step 5: Execute at Scale Using Locked Principles

With style locked, generate all campaign assets using the same principles. The brand kit + locked style = consistency across dozens of assets.

When to Skip the 5-Direction Process

• User says "just generate [specific thing]" — they know what they want
• Single asset request with clear specifications
• Follow-up assets that should match an already-locked style
• User explicitly says "skip exploration"

---

Smart Model Selection

The user describes what they want. The engine picks the model. This is the decision logic:

USER REQUEST
│
├─ Contains "image" / "photo" / "graphic" / "picture" / "thumbnail"
│  └─ Nano Banana Pro
│     Payload: references/MODEL_REGISTRY.md → Image Generation
│
├─ Contains "video" / "clip" / "animation" / "motion"
│  ├─ Is this hero/flagship content?
│  │  ├─ Yes → Run Kling 2.5 + Veo 3.1 + Sora 2 in parallel
│  │  └─ No → Kling 2.5 only
│  │
│  ├─ Has a starting image?
│  │  └─ Use I2V payload (start_image / image / input_reference)
│  └─ Text only?
│     └─ Use T2V payload
│     Payload: references/MODEL_REGISTRY.md → Video Generation
│
├─ Contains "talking head" / "presenter" / "lip sync" / "spokesperson"
│  └─ Kling Lip-Sync
│     Payload: references/MODEL_REGISTRY.md → Lip-Sync
│
├─ Contains "ad" / "advertisement" / "paid social" / "display ad"
│  └─ Route to modes/ad-creative.md
│     (uses Nano Banana Pro for stills, Kling 2.5 for video ads)
│
└─ Unclear / general
   └─ Ask: "Is this a still image, a video, or something else?"

Never ask the user which model to use. Pick the right one based on the request. The only exception is hero content, where you run multiple models in parallel and let them choose the best output.

---

Batch Generation — Campaign Scale

For campaigns that need many assets, use Claude Code task agents to generate in parallel.

Parallel Image Generation

When generating a set of images (e.g., 10 product photos for an e-commerce store):

Dispatch parallel tasks:

Task 1: Generate hero image — 16:9, dramatic lighting
Task 2: Generate product front — 1:1, clean white background
Task 3: Generate product angle — 1:1, 45-degree view
Task 4: Generate lifestyle shot — 4:5, in-context usage
Task 5: Generate detail close-up — 1:1, macro style
[... continue for all assets]

Each task:

1. Reads the brand kit for style consistency
2. Reads the locked style principles (if established)
3. Constructs the prompt following VISUAL_INTELLIGENCE.md guidelines
4. Calls the Replicate API with the MODEL_REGISTRY.md payload
5. Saves the output to the correct directory
6. Reports back with the image URL and quality assessment

Parallel Video Generation (Hero Content)

For hero content comparison, dispatch three tasks simultaneously:

Task 1: Kling 2.5 — same prompt, same start_image
Task 2: Veo 3.1 — same prompt, adapted parameters
Task 3: Sora 2 — same prompt, adapted parameters

Wall-clock time = the slowest model (usually 5-8 minutes), not the sum of all three.

Batch Limits

• Replicate has concurrent prediction limits per account (typically 5-10 for free tier, higher for paid)
• Space batches to avoid hitting rate limits
• For large batches (20+ assets), generate in waves of 5-8 with brief pauses between waves
• Monitor Replicate dashboard for any throttling

---

File Output Conventions

All creative outputs are saved to organized directories under the project root.

Directory Structure

creative-output/
├── brand/
│   ├── creative-kit.md          # Brand identity (colors, typography, style)
│   └── stack.md                 # Model availability status
│
├── explorations/
│   └── [project-name]/
│       ├── direction-1.png
│       ├── direction-2.png
│       └── ...
│
├── product-photos/
│   ├── hero/                    # Hero shots (16:9, dramatic)
│   ├── lifestyle/               # In-context lifestyle shots
│   ├── ecommerce/               # Clean product-on-white
│   └── detail/                  # Close-up / macro
│
├── videos/
│   ├── hero/                    # Flagship video content
│   ├── product-reveals/         # Product reveal animations
│   ├── social-clips/            # Short-form social video
│   └── comparisons/             # Multi-model comparison outputs
│
├── social-graphics/
│   ├── instagram/
│   │   ├── feed/                # 1:1 and 4:5 posts
│   │   └── stories/             # 9:16 stories
│   ├── linkedin/                # 1:1 and 16:9 posts
│   ├── twitter/                 # 16:9 cards
│   ├── tiktok/                  # 9:16 thumbnails
│   └── youtube/                 # 16:9 thumbnails
│
├── talking-heads/
│   ├── source-videos/           # Base presenter videos
│   ├── audio/                   # Audio files for lip-sync
│   └── output/                  # Final lip-synced videos
│
├── ad-creative/
│   ├── paid-social/             # Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn ads
│   ├── display/                 # Banner ads, display network
│   └── video-ads/               # Video ad formats
│
└── exports/
    └── [campaign-name]/         # Final packaged deliverables

Naming Convention

[asset-type]-[descriptor]-[aspect-ratio]-[version].ext

Examples:
hero-product-floating-16x9-v1.png
lifestyle-morning-coffee-4x5-v2.png
reveal-bottle-orbit-16x9-v1.mp4
social-announcement-sale-1x1-v1.png
talking-head-testimonial-9x16-v1.mp4

---

Mode Files

Each mode contains the specific playbook for that asset type:

Mode	File	What It Covers
Product Photos	modes/product-photos.md	Hero shots, lifestyle, e-commerce flats, detail close-ups
Product Videos	modes/product-videos.md	Reveals, orbits, demos, unboxings, before/after
Social Graphics	modes/social-graphics.md	Platform-specific posts, stories, thumbnails
Talking Head	modes/talking-head.md	Presenter videos, UGC-style, testimonials, lip-sync
Ad Creative	modes/ad-creative.md	Paid social, display, video ads, A/B variants
Free Generation	(no mode file)	Uses brand kit + MODEL_REGISTRY directly

---

Reference Files

Reference	File	What It Contains
Model Registry	references/MODEL_REGISTRY.md	Every API payload, parameter, common mistake. The single source of truth for model calls.
Visual Intelligence	references/VISUAL_INTELLIGENCE.md	Visual psychology, anti-generic principles, style taxonomy, prompt construction, platform strategy.

---

Quality Gate

Before delivering any creative asset, verify:

Technical

• Resolution appropriate for intended use
• No AI artifacts (distorted hands, melted text, impossible geometry)
• Sharp focus on primary subject
• Correct aspect ratio for platform

Brand Alignment

• Colors match creative-kit.md palette
• Typography direction is consistent
• Mood matches brand personality
• Nothing in the "what to avoid" list appears

Strategic

• Asset serves its communication goal
• Composition supports the intended use (text space if needed)
• Visual hierarchy is clear (one focal point, one message)
• Differentiated from competitors (not category-generic)

Platform

• Correct dimensions for target platform
• Works at thumbnail/preview size
• Hooks within 3 seconds (video)
• Text legible at mobile size (if applicable)

---

Handoff Protocols

Receiving Work from Other Skills

The creative engine can receive briefs from other skills:

# From brand-voice or positioning-angles
creative_brief:
  subject: "what to create"
  audience: "who it is for"
  message: "key communication point"
  platform: "where it will be published"
  style_notes: "any visual direction"

Delivering to Other Skills

# To content-atomizer, email-sequences, etc.
creative_delivery:
  assets:
    - path: "creative-output/product-photos/hero/hero-product-16x9-v1.png"
      type: "image"
      dimensions: "1280x720"
      prompt_used: "the exact prompt"
    - path: "creative-output/videos/hero/reveal-16x9-v1.mp4"
      type: "video"
      duration: "5s"
      model_used: "kwaivgi/kling-v2.5-turbo-pro"
  brand_kit: "creative-output/brand/creative-kit.md"
  style_locked: true

---

What's Next After Creative Production

After generating creative assets, suggest next steps:

WHAT'S NEXT

Your creative assets are generated and saved. Next moves:

→ /content-atomizer  Create platform-specific variants
                     for social distribution (~10 min)
→ /direct-response-copy  If these visuals need
                     accompanying copy — landing pages,
                     ads, or email (~15 min)
→ /start-here        Review your full project status

Or tell me what you are working on and I will route you.

---

This is the entry point for all visual creative production in Vibe Marketing Skills v2. Every image, every video, every visual asset flows through this engine.