| name | article-illustrator |
| description | Analyzes article structure, identifies positions requiring visual aids, generates illustration prompts with Type × Style two-dimension approach. Outputs prompt files only — no image generation. Use when user asks to "illustrate article", "add images", "generate images for article", or "为文章配图". |
Article Illustrator
Analyze articles, identify illustration positions, generate structured prompts for downstream image generation.
Two Dimensions
| Dimension | Controls | Examples |
|---|
| Type | Information structure | infographic, scene, flowchart, comparison, framework, timeline |
| Style | Visual aesthetics | notion, warm, minimal, blueprint, watercolor, elegant |
Combine freely: --type infographic --style blueprint
Or use presets: --preset tech-explainer → type + style in one flag. See Style Presets.
Types
| Type | Best For |
|---|
infographic | Data, metrics, technical |
scene | Narratives, emotional |
flowchart | Processes, workflows |
comparison | Side-by-side, options |
framework | Models, architecture |
timeline | History, evolution |
Styles
See references/styles.md for Core Styles, full gallery, and Type × Style compatibility.
Workflow
Article Illustrator Progress:
- [ ] Step 0: Check EXTEND.md ⛔ BLOCKING
- [ ] Step 1: Analyze content + save refs
- [ ] Step 2: Confirm settings ⚠️
- [ ] Step 3: Generate outline
- [ ] Step 4: Create prompt files
- [ ] Step 5: Completion report
Step 0: Load EXTEND.md ⛔ BLOCKING
Check EXTEND.md in project root only:
test -f EXTEND.md && echo "found"
| Result | Action |
|---|
| Found | Read, parse, display summary → Continue |
| Not found | ⛔ Run first-time-setup |
Full procedures: references/workflow.md
Step 1: Analyze Content
| Analysis | Output |
|---|
| Content type | Technical / Tutorial / Methodology / Narrative |
| Purpose | information / visualization / imagination |
| Core arguments | 2-5 main points |
| Positions | Where illustrations add value |
CRITICAL: Metaphors → visualize underlying concept, NOT literal image.
Full procedures: references/workflow.md
Step 2: Confirm Settings ⚠️
ONE AskUserQuestion, max 4 Qs. Q1-Q2 REQUIRED.
| Q | Options |
|---|
| Q1: Preset or Type | [Recommended preset], [alt preset], or manual: infographic, scene, flowchart, comparison, framework, timeline, mixed |
| Q2: Density | minimal (1-2), balanced (3-5), per-section (Recommended), rich (6+) |
| Q3: Style | [Recommended], minimal-flat, sci-fi, hand-drawn, editorial, scene, poster, Other — skip if preset chosen |
| Q4: Language | When article language ≠ EXTEND.md setting |
Full procedures: references/workflow.md
Step 3: Generate Outline
Save outline.md with frontmatter (type, density, style, image_count) and entries:
**Position**: [section/paragraph]
**Purpose**: [why]
**Visual Content**: [what]
**Filename**: illustration-01.md
Full template: references/workflow.md
Step 4: Create Prompt Files
Output: One illustration-{NN}.md file per illustration, in the same directory as the article.
Each file contains:
- YAML frontmatter (type, style, references)
- Content Context (title, summary, keywords)
- Visual Design (type, style, aspect, language)
- Illustration Prompt (structured prompt)
- Rendering Notes (style characteristics)
- Reference Style (if reference images provided)
Full template: references/prompt-construction.md
Step 5: Completion Report
Article Illustration Prompts Ready!
Article: [path]
Type: [type] | Density: [level] | Style: [style]
Prompt Files:
✓ illustration-01.md
✓ illustration-02.md
Next Steps:
1. Use illustration prompts with your preferred image generation tool
2. Generated images will be saved alongside the prompts
3. Reference in article with: 
File Structure
Prompt files are saved in the same directory as the article:
{article-dir}/
├── article.md
├── outline.md
├── illustration-01.md
├── illustration-02.md
└── refs/
└── ref-01-{slug}.png
Filename conflict: If illustration-{NN}.md exists, append -1, -2, etc.
Modification
| Action | Steps |
|---|
| Edit | Update prompt file → Regenerate image |
| Add | Position → Prompt → Insert reference |
| Delete | Delete files → Remove reference → Update outline |
References
