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Smart Illustrator

Analyzes an article, script, or topic and auto-generates matching illustrations, slide infographics, and cover images via Gemini, Excalidraw, and Mermaid.

Image & VideoIntermediate★ 563⑂ 83AI score 9/10Last updated: Jun 26, 2026

What it does

  • Reads a Markdown file, picks 3–5 spots that need visuals, and produces images plus an illustrated copy of the article.
  • Routes each visual to the right engine: Gemini for metaphorical/creative art, Excalidraw for concept maps, comparisons, and simple flows (≤ 8 nodes) in a hand-drawn look, and Mermaid only for complex structures (> 8 nodes, layered architecture, multi-actor sequences), exported as high-res PNG.
  • Three modes: article (inline illustrations), slides (batch 16:9 infographics for decks), and cover (platform-sized covers — YouTube 16:9, WeChat 2.35:1, Twitter 1.91:1, Xiaohongshu 3:4).
  • Forces the model to load a style file (styles/style-light.md, style-dark.md, style-cover.md, style-bento.md) instead of inventing its own system prompt, keeping output visually consistent.
  • --prompt-only skips the API entirely: it emits a JSON prompt, copies it to the clipboard, and saves a backup so you can paste into Gemini Web.
  • Never edits the source file; it writes {name}-image.md, a cover PNG, and numbered illustration PNGs.

Who it's for

  • Technical bloggers and newsletter writers who keep skipping the visuals.
  • Creators who need correctly sized thumbnails for YouTube, WeChat, Twitter, or Xiaohongshu.
  • Course/content producers turning scripts into a full infographic slide set.
  • Developers who want Mermaid diagrams with a consistent semantic color palette and layout rules.

Examples

  1. /smart-illustrator posts/agent-guide.md — generates a cover plus 3–5 inline images and writes agent-guide-image.md.
  2. /smart-illustrator script.md --mode slides --prompt-only — builds a batch JSON prompt for the whole deck and copies it to the clipboard for Gemini Web.
  3. /smart-illustrator --mode cover --platform youtube --topic "Claude 4 deep dive" — produces just a 2K 16:9 YouTube thumbnail.
  4. /smart-illustrator arch.md --engine mermaid — converts an architecture doc into a high-resolution Mermaid PNG with input/process/decision/output color coding.

· · · Install guide · · ·

Try it now, no install

Paste this into Claude to use the skill without installing anything.

Read the instructions in this file and follow them to help me:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/axtonliu/smart-illustrator/HEAD/SKILL.md

What I want: (describe your task here)

If Claude can't open the link, open it yourself and paste the contents instead.

↓ If it works for you, download the ZIP below and install it. Then it runs on its own — no pasting each time.

Install in the Claude app (no terminal)
  1. Download the ZIP with the button below.
  2. In Claude, open Settings → Capabilities and turn on 'Code execution and file creation'. (one time)
  3. Go to Customize → Skills → + → 'Upload a skill' and upload the ZIP.
↓ Download ZIP
Install in Claude Code

Let Claude do it — paste this into Claude Code

Install the skill I found on Claude Skill Mart.
Copy the SKILL.m folder from the GitHub repo axtonliu/smart-illustrator into my ~/.claude/skills/smart-illustrator/.
When it's done, tell me in one line what this skill can do.

Install with a command instead

git clone https://github.com/axtonliu/smart-illustrator.git ~/.claude/skills/smart-illustrator

⚠ This is a third-party skill. Check the source repository before installing.

  1. Make sure Claude Code is installed and you can use a terminal.
  2. Create the skills folder: mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills
  3. Clone the repo into it: git clone https://github.com/axtonliu/smart-illustrator.git ~/.claude/skills/smart-illustrator
  4. Verify SKILL.md, styles/, scripts/, and references/ are present: ls ~/.claude/skills/smart-illustrator
  5. Export your Gemini API key: echo 'export GEMINI_API_KEY=your_key' >> ~/.zshrc && source ~/.zshrc
  6. Install Node.js so npx works — the scripts run through npx -y bun ..., so no separate bun install is needed.
  7. Restart Claude Code and try /smart-illustrator path/to/article.md.
  8. No API key yet? Add --prompt-only to get the prompt and generate manually in Gemini Web (automatic clipboard copy works on macOS only).
View source on GitHub ↗License: MIT