api-client

name	api-client
description	Patterns for consuming the img.automators.work placeholder image API via HTTP. Use when building HTML mockups, CSS backgrounds, or design prototypes that need SVG placeholder images of specific dimensions and colors.
version	1.0.0
license	MIT
homepage	https://img.automators.work

api-client

Patterns for calling the img.automators.work HTTP API to generate SVG placeholder images.

When to use

• The user needs a placeholder image for a UI mockup.
• The user wants an SVG with specific dimensions ({width}x{height}).
• The user wants a colored background (?bg={hex6}).
• The user is building HTML or CSS that references a placeholder image.

Do NOT use this skill for:

• Production images, photography, or real content.
• Images larger than 4000px in any dimension.
• When the user is already using a design system with built-in skeleton components.

Base URL

https://img.automators.work

Endpoint

GET /{width}x{height}[?bg={hex6}]

• width, height: integers in px, each <= 4000.
• bg (optional): 6-digit hex without #. Defaults to cccccc.

Python request pattern

import urllib.request

url = "https://img.automators.work/400x300?bg=1e3a5f"
req = urllib.request.Request(url, headers={"Accept": "image/svg+xml"})
with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=15) as resp:
    svg = resp.read().decode("utf-8")

Error handling

import urllib.error

try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=15) as resp:
        svg = resp.read().decode("utf-8")
except urllib.error.HTTPError as e:
    if e.code == 400:
        raise RuntimeError("Invalid dimensions: must be integers in format {width}x{height}")
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {e.code}: {e.reason}")
except urllib.error.URLError as e:
    raise RuntimeError(f"Connection failed: {e.reason}")

Constraints

• Stateless, no auth, no rate limit beyond Cloudflare platform default.
• Responses are immutable and cached one year.
• Only endpoint is /{W}x{H}. Do not invent paths.

Failure modes

• HTTP 400: width or height is not an integer, or path does not match {int}x{int}.
• Invalid bg: SVG still returns but with default gray background (cccccc).