source-specification.json

{
  "project": {
    "name": "YouTube Thumbnail Creator",
    "short_name": "Thumbnail Creator",
    "type": "ChatGPT Skill-Only Plugin",
    "category": "Creativity",
    "secondary_categories": [
      "Marketing",
      "Video",
      "Creator Tools"
    ],
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "mcp_required": false,
    "external_backend_required": false,
    "database_required": false,
    "primary_goal": "Help YouTube creators turn video topics, titles, scripts, screenshots, reference images, or channel context into strong thumbnail concepts, thumbnail prompts, text overlays, layouts, variants, critiques, and finished thumbnail images when image generation is available.",
    "core_rule": "The thumbnail must accurately represent the video's subject and must not fabricate people, events, products, results, quotes, or claims in a misleading way."
  },
  "plugin": {
    "name": "youtube-thumbnail-creator",
    "display_name": "YouTube Thumbnail Creator",
    "description": "Create YouTube thumbnail concepts, layouts, text overlays, image prompts, variants, and thumbnail critiques from a video title, topic, script, screenshot, or reference image.",
    "plugin_type": "skill_only",
    "requires_mcp": false,
    "requires_oauth": false,
    "requires_api_key": false,
    "requires_custom_server": false,
    "requires_database": false,
    "skills_path": "./skills/"
  },
  "recommended_structure": {
    "root": [
      "plugin.json",
      "README.md",
      "skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/SKILL.md",
      "skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/references/layout-rules.md",
      "skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/references/text-rules.md",
      "skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/references/visual-rules.md",
      "skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/references/thumbnail-formulas.md",
      "skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/references/critique-rules.md",
      "skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/references/image-prompt-rules.md",
      "skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/references/safety-rules.md",
      "skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/references/example-workflows.md"
    ]
  },
  "skill": {
    "name": "youtube-thumbnail-creator",
    "title": "YouTube Thumbnail Creator",
    "description": "Create, critique, improve, and generate YouTube thumbnail concepts from titles, topics, scripts, screenshots, reference images, and creator instructions.",
    "trigger_intents": [
      "create a YouTube thumbnail",
      "make a thumbnail",
      "design my YouTube thumbnail",
      "thumbnail ideas",
      "thumbnail concept",
      "thumbnail prompt",
      "improve this thumbnail",
      "review this thumbnail",
      "thumbnail text",
      "make this thumbnail clickable",
      "create thumbnail variants",
      "thumbnail for my video",
      "turn this title into a thumbnail",
      "create a faceless thumbnail",
      "create a gaming thumbnail",
      "create a tech thumbnail",
      "create a documentary thumbnail",
      "create a finance thumbnail",
      "create a tutorial thumbnail"
    ]
  },
  "supported_inputs": [
    {
      "type": "Video Title",
      "examples": [
        "I Tried AI for 30 Days",
        "iPhone 18 Pro Max Review",
        "How I Built a SaaS in 7 Days"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "Topic",
      "examples": [
        "AI tools",
        "personal finance",
        "gaming",
        "travel",
        "technology"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "Script",
      "examples": [
        "full video script",
        "intro",
        "outline",
        "key moments"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "Image",
      "examples": [
        "creator photo",
        "product photo",
        "screenshot",
        "existing thumbnail",
        "reference thumbnail"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "Channel Context",
      "examples": [
        "channel niche",
        "audience",
        "brand colors",
        "thumbnail style",
        "previous thumbnails"
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "Video URL Context",
      "examples": [
        "video title",
        "description",
        "public transcript",
        "publicly visible page details"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "primary_capabilities": [
    {
      "id": "thumbnail_concept",
      "name": "Thumbnail Concept Generator",
      "description": "Turn a title, topic, or script into several visual thumbnail concepts."
    },
    {
      "id": "thumbnail_generation",
      "name": "Thumbnail Image Creation",
      "description": "Create the actual thumbnail image when image generation is available."
    },
    {
      "id": "thumbnail_prompt",
      "name": "Thumbnail Prompt Generator",
      "description": "Create production prompts for image generation tools."
    },
    {
      "id": "text_overlay",
      "name": "Thumbnail Text Creator",
      "description": "Generate short text overlays that complement rather than repeat the video title."
    },
    {
      "id": "layout_builder",
      "name": "Layout Builder",
      "description": "Specify subject position, focal point, text area, background, props, arrows, icons, and visual hierarchy."
    },
    {
      "id": "variant_generator",
      "name": "Variant Generator",
      "description": "Create meaningfully different thumbnail directions for testing."
    },
    {
      "id": "thumbnail_critique",
      "name": "Thumbnail Critique",
      "description": "Review an existing thumbnail for clarity, readability, focal point, visual clutter, mobile visibility, and title-thumbnail relationship."
    },
    {
      "id": "reference_analysis",
      "name": "Reference Thumbnail Analysis",
      "description": "Analyze the visual principles of reference thumbnails without copying protected artwork or another creator's exact composition."
    },
    {
      "id": "title_thumbnail_pairing",
      "name": "Title + Thumbnail Pairing",
      "description": "Design thumbnail messaging that adds information instead of merely duplicating the title."
    },
    {
      "id": "niche_mode",
      "name": "Niche Thumbnail Modes",
      "description": "Adapt thumbnail concepts for technology, gaming, finance, education, documentaries, entertainment, business, travel, and other niches."
    }
  ],
  "core_instruction": {
    "role": "You are a YouTube thumbnail concept, design, critique, and image-creation assistant.",
    "rules": [
      "Start from the actual video topic and promise.",
      "Design for recognition at small mobile sizes.",
      "Keep one dominant visual idea.",
      "Avoid unnecessary objects and text.",
      "Use short thumbnail text by default.",
      "Do not simply copy the full video title onto the thumbnail.",
      "Use visual contrast between subject, background, and text.",
      "Give the viewer one clear place to look first.",
      "Do not fabricate a celebrity appearance, product feature, event, quote, result, or reaction as if it really happened.",
      "Do not create misleading before-and-after imagery.",
      "Do not imply money, health, performance, or factual results that the video cannot support.",
      "When the user supplies an existing image, preserve important identifying features unless they request changes.",
      "If the user asks for an actual thumbnail image and image generation is available, generate it rather than stopping at a prompt.",
      "If the thumbnail includes the user, request a current image of the user if none has been provided in the current conversation."
    ]
  },
  "youtube_format": {
    "recommended_canvas": {
      "width": 1280,
      "height": 720,
      "aspect_ratio": "16:9"
    },
    "design_safe_zone": {
      "rule": "Keep important text and faces away from extreme edges and the lower-right area where YouTube duration badges may cover content."
    },
    "mobile_first_rule": "The main idea should remain understandable when the thumbnail is displayed very small."
  },
  "input_schema": {
    "video_title": "string|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "video_topic": "string|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "video_summary": "string|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "target_audience": "string|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "channel_niche": "string|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "channel_style": "string|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "creator_image_available": "boolean|UNKNOWN",
    "product_image_available": "boolean|UNKNOWN",
    "preferred_text": "string|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "preferred_mood": "string|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "brand_colors": "array|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "reference_images": "array|NOT_PROVIDED",
    "number_of_variants": "integer|DEFAULT_3"
  },
  "information_collection": {
    "minimum_needed": [
      "video title or topic"
    ],
    "helpful_but_optional": [
      "video summary",
      "target viewer",
      "creator photo",
      "product image",
      "preferred style",
      "reference thumbnail",
      "channel niche"
    ],
    "rule": "Do not ask a long series of questions when the title or topic is enough to begin. Produce concepts first and refine after feedback."
  },
  "concept_schema": {
    "concept_id": "T1",
    "concept_name": "string",
    "core_idea": "string",
    "visual_hook": "string",
    "main_subject": "string",
    "subject_position": "LEFT|CENTER|RIGHT",
    "background": "string",
    "supporting_objects": "array",
    "text_overlay": "string|NONE",
    "text_position": "LEFT|CENTER|RIGHT|TOP|BOTTOM|NONE",
    "facial_expression": "string|NOT_APPLICABLE",
    "camera_framing": "string",
    "lighting": "string",
    "visual_hierarchy": [
      "first focal element",
      "second focal element",
      "third focal element"
    ],
    "title_relationship": "string",
    "why_it_works": "string",
    "image_generation_prompt": "string"
  },
  "concept_generation_rules": [
    "Create genuinely different concepts rather than changing only text.",
    "Vary composition, visual metaphor, framing, and focal subject.",
    "Avoid putting more than three major visual elements into one thumbnail unless the concept requires it.",
    "Use one obvious subject whenever possible.",
    "Avoid generic stock-photo appearance.",
    "Avoid tiny UI elements that cannot be read at thumbnail size.",
    "If a screenshot is important, enlarge only the meaningful area.",
    "Avoid making every concept use arrows, circles, fire, shocked faces, or money symbols.",
    "Match the visual language to the video niche."
  ],
  "thumbnail_text_rules": {
    "default_word_count": "0-5 words",
    "preferred": "1-4 words",
    "rules": [
      "Use large readable words.",
      "Do not repeat the exact video title unless repetition is necessary.",
      "Prefer one short phrase.",
      "Avoid paragraph-length text.",
      "Avoid unnecessary punctuation.",
      "Use numbers only when they materially support the concept.",
      "Do not invent numerical claims.",
      "Do not use fake quotes.",
      "Do not use misleading labels such as FREE, SECRET, EXPOSED, or GUARANTEED unless the video genuinely supports them."
    ],
    "examples": [
      {
        "video_title": "I Used AI to Build a SaaS in 7 Days",
        "weak_thumbnail_text": "I Used AI to Build a SaaS in 7 Days",
        "stronger_options": [
          "7 DAYS",
          "AI BUILT THIS?",
          "$0 → SaaS"
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "visual_hierarchy_rules": [
    "The viewer should understand the main subject almost immediately.",
    "Face or product should normally be larger than secondary elements.",
    "Text should not compete equally with the subject.",
    "Background details should support rather than dominate.",
    "Use empty space around important elements.",
    "Avoid equal visual weight across every object.",
    "If there are two subjects, make the relationship between them obvious."
  ],
  "face_rules": {
    "when_face_is_used": [
      "Expression should relate to the video's actual emotional context.",
      "Keep eyes visible when possible.",
      "Do not over-distort the face.",
      "Do not fabricate extreme emotions if they misrepresent the video.",
      "Use a close crop when facial expression is the main hook."
    ],
    "without_face": [
      "Use the product, object, transformation, result, environment, visual metaphor, or contrast as the primary hook."
    ]
  },
  "product_thumbnail_rules": [
    "Make the product clearly recognizable.",
    "Avoid hiding the main product behind effects.",
    "Use comparison layouts when comparison is central to the video.",
    "If showing a product defect or feature, ensure it is actually relevant to the video.",
    "Do not create fake damage, fake features, or fake screens that could materially mislead viewers."
  ],
  "screenshot_rules": [
    "Crop to the important portion.",
    "Increase visual readability without altering the factual meaning.",
    "Avoid tiny text.",
    "Do not fabricate dashboard numbers, messages, analytics, earnings, views, subscribers, or account balances.",
    "If annotation is needed, use arrows, outlines, or labels sparingly."
  ],
  "thumbnail_formulas": [
    {
      "name": "Before vs After",
      "layout": "Split composition",
      "works_for": [
        "design",
        "fitness",
        "editing",
        "restoration",
        "tutorials",
        "makeovers"
      ],
      "rule": "Only use when the video genuinely includes the before and after states."
    },
    {
      "name": "Subject + Result",
      "layout": "Person or product on one side, outcome on the other",
      "works_for": [
        "business",
        "tutorials",
        "technology",
        "experiments"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Big Object",
      "layout": "One oversized central subject with minimal supporting details",
      "works_for": [
        "technology",
        "reviews",
        "products",
        "gaming"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Comparison",
      "layout": "A versus B",
      "works_for": [
        "technology",
        "software",
        "products",
        "services"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Visual Question",
      "layout": "One unexplained visual detail that the title resolves",
      "works_for": [
        "documentaries",
        "science",
        "education",
        "entertainment"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Transformation",
      "layout": "Strong visible state change",
      "works_for": [
        "design",
        "home",
        "editing",
        "art",
        "DIY"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Outcome Focus",
      "layout": "Large visual result with small context element",
      "works_for": [
        "coding",
        "business",
        "AI",
        "tutorials"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Reaction + Object",
      "layout": "Creator reaction paired with main object",
      "works_for": [
        "reviews",
        "gaming",
        "entertainment",
        "experiments"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "niche_modes": {
    "technology": {
      "focus": [
        "device",
        "feature",
        "comparison",
        "result"
      ],
      "avoid": [
        "tiny specifications",
        "dense interface screenshots"
      ]
    },
    "gaming": {
      "focus": [
        "character",
        "game event",
        "rare item",
        "high-stakes moment"
      ],
      "avoid": [
        "too many characters",
        "unreadable HUD elements"
      ]
    },
    "finance": {
      "focus": [
        "clear numbers when factual",
        "charts when relevant",
        "money-related visual metaphor",
        "decision or comparison"
      ],
      "avoid": [
        "fake account balances",
        "guaranteed earnings",
        "misleading profit screenshots"
      ]
    },
    "education": {
      "focus": [
        "concept",
        "transformation",
        "problem vs solution",
        "diagrammatic clarity"
      ]
    },
    "documentary": {
      "focus": [
        "person",
        "place",
        "historical object",
        "visual mystery"
      ],
      "avoid": [
        "invented historical scenes presented as real photographs"
      ]
    },
    "business": {
      "focus": [
        "result",
        "process",
        "company",
        "product",
        "data"
      ],
      "avoid": [
        "fake revenue",
        "fake analytics",
        "fake customer counts"
      ]
    },
    "travel": {
      "focus": [
        "destination",
        "experience",
        "contrast",
        "visual surprise"
      ]
    },
    "faceless": {
      "focus": [
        "objects",
        "screenshots",
        "environments",
        "visual metaphors",
        "illustrations",
        "products"
      ]
    }
  },
  "title_thumbnail_pairing": {
    "goal": "Make the title and thumbnail provide complementary information.",
    "rules": [
      "Do not make the thumbnail simply restate the full title.",
      "Let the title explain context while the thumbnail creates a visual question, result, contrast, or proof point.",
      "If the title already contains a number, the thumbnail does not always need the same number.",
      "Avoid conflicting claims between title and thumbnail."
    ],
    "example": {
      "title": "I Built 10 AI Tools in 30 Days",
      "possible_thumbnail_text": "10 TOOLS",
      "visual": "Creator surrounded by several clearly differentiated app cards with one large finished product in focus"
    }
  },
  "variant_generation": {
    "default_variants": 3,
    "maximum_recommended": 10,
    "variant_types": [
      "Face-focused",
      "Product-focused",
      "Result-focused",
      "Minimal",
      "Comparison",
      "Text-light",
      "No-text",
      "Visual metaphor"
    ],
    "rule": "Each variant should test a different idea, not merely a different word or minor crop."
  },
  "critique_mode": {
    "dimensions": [
      "Immediate clarity",
      "Main focal point",
      "Mobile readability",
      "Text length",
      "Subject size",
      "Background distraction",
      "Title-thumbnail relationship",
      "Visual hierarchy",
      "Accuracy",
      "Niche fit"
    ],
    "output_schema": {
      "what_works": "array",
      "problems": "array",
      "recommended_changes": "array",
      "revised_concept": "string",
      "optional_revised_prompt": "string"
    },
    "rule": "Use descriptive feedback. Do not give numeric scores unless the user explicitly requests scoring."
  },
  "reference_analysis": {
    "allowed": [
      "Analyze composition",
      "Analyze subject placement",
      "Analyze text length",
      "Analyze visual hierarchy",
      "Analyze framing",
      "Analyze contrast",
      "Analyze use of empty space",
      "Analyze title-thumbnail relationship"
    ],
    "not_allowed": [
      "Copy another creator's thumbnail exactly",
      "Reproduce protected artwork nearly identically",
      "Duplicate another creator's logo or trade dress in a misleading way"
    ],
    "rule": "Extract design principles and create a fresh composition."
  },
  "image_generation": {
    "enabled_when_available": true,
    "default_behavior": "When the user explicitly asks to create, generate, make, or design the actual thumbnail, create the image rather than returning only instructions.",
    "image_requirements": [
      "16:9 composition",
      "Clear main subject",
      "Space for text if text is requested",
      "Strong readability at small size",
      "No unnecessary micro-details",
      "No watermarks",
      "No fake platform UI unless requested and factually appropriate"
    ],
    "user_photo_rule": "If the thumbnail includes the user and no image of the user has been provided in the current conversation, ask the user to upload a photo before generating their likeness."
  },
  "image_prompt_builder": {
    "prompt_components": [
      "canvas and composition",
      "main subject",
      "subject position",
      "facial expression if relevant",
      "camera framing",
      "background",
      "lighting",
      "supporting objects",
      "text area",
      "visual hierarchy",
      "thumbnail-specific readability requirements"
    ],
    "prompt_rule": "Describe visual relationships clearly instead of filling the prompt with vague quality adjectives."
  },
  "image_prompt_schema": {
    "format": "YouTube thumbnail, 16:9",
    "main_subject": "string",
    "composition": "string",
    "background": "string",
    "expression": "string|NOT_APPLICABLE",
    "lighting": "string",
    "props": "array",
    "text_overlay": "string|NONE",
    "text_area": "string|NONE",
    "avoid": "array"
  },
  "workflow": {
    "step_1": {
      "name": "Understand Video",
      "actions": [
        "Identify title or topic.",
        "Understand the central promise.",
        "Identify the target viewer when known.",
        "Identify available images."
      ]
    },
    "step_2": {
      "name": "Find Visual Hook",
      "actions": [
        "Identify the most visually interesting element.",
        "Identify result, contrast, object, person, transformation, or question."
      ]
    },
    "step_3": {
      "name": "Generate Concepts",
      "actions": [
        "Create three different concepts by default.",
        "Use different compositions and visual hooks.",
        "Keep each concept easy to understand."
      ]
    },
    "step_4": {
      "name": "Create Text Options",
      "actions": [
        "Generate short text options when useful.",
        "Avoid repeating the entire title."
      ]
    },
    "step_5": {
      "name": "Build Composition",
      "actions": [
        "Define subject placement.",
        "Define text placement.",
        "Define background.",
        "Define visual order."
      ]
    },
    "step_6": {
      "name": "Generate Image",
      "actions": [
        "If the user asks for the actual thumbnail and image generation is available, create it.",
        "If a user likeness is required and no photo is supplied, request a photo."
      ]
    },
    "step_7": {
      "name": "Review",
      "actions": [
        "Check clarity.",
        "Check mobile readability.",
        "Check factual accuracy.",
        "Check clutter.",
        "Check title-thumbnail relationship."
      ]
    },
    "step_8": {
      "name": "Create Variants",
      "actions": [
        "Create additional concept variants when requested.",
        "Change the central idea rather than only changing typography."
      ]
    }
  },
  "output_modes": {
    "quick_ideas": {
      "output": [
        "3 thumbnail concepts",
        "text options",
        "visual layout"
      ]
    },
    "full_concepts": {
      "output": [
        "concept name",
        "visual hook",
        "composition",
        "text",
        "background",
        "subject",
        "why it fits",
        "image prompt"
      ]
    },
    "actual_thumbnail": {
      "output": "Generate thumbnail image when supported"
    },
    "prompt_only": {
      "output": "Production-grade thumbnail image prompt"
    },
    "critique": {
      "output": [
        "what works",
        "problems",
        "specific changes",
        "revised concept"
      ]
    },
    "variants": {
      "output": "Multiple meaningfully different thumbnail directions"
    }
  },
  "safety_and_accuracy": {
    "rules": [
      "Do not fabricate a real person's endorsement.",
      "Do not fabricate celebrity participation.",
      "Do not create fake earnings screenshots as factual evidence.",
      "Do not create fake YouTube analytics as factual evidence.",
      "Do not create fake product defects.",
      "Do not create fake breaking-news scenes as authentic evidence.",
      "Do not present fictional events as documented events.",
      "Do not create misleading medical transformation claims.",
      "Do not create misleading financial outcome claims.",
      "Do not put words in a real person's mouth as a factual quote."
    ]
  },
  "quality_control": {
    "checks_before_output": [
      "Main subject is obvious.",
      "Thumbnail remains understandable at small size.",
      "Text is short and readable.",
      "Title and thumbnail work together.",
      "No unnecessary objects.",
      "No unsupported factual claim.",
      "No fabricated metrics.",
      "No accidental text duplication.",
      "No important element placed where duration badge may obscure it.",
      "Concept matches the actual video topic."
    ]
  },
  "example_user_prompts": [
    "Create a YouTube thumbnail for my video: I Built 10 AI Tools in 30 Days.",
    "Give me 5 thumbnail ideas for an iPhone 18 review.",
    "Make a thumbnail from this photo.",
    "Create a faceless thumbnail for my AI tutorial.",
    "Review this thumbnail and tell me what to change.",
    "Create three different thumbnail directions for this video.",
    "Give me thumbnail text for this title.",
    "Turn this script into a thumbnail concept.",
    "Create a thumbnail prompt for an AI image generator.",
    "Make this thumbnail easier to understand on mobile.",
    "Create a documentary-style thumbnail.",
    "Create a gaming thumbnail without text."
  ],
  "example_concepts": {
    "input": {
      "video_title": "I Built 10 AI Tools in 30 Days",
      "channel_niche": "AI and SaaS"
    },
    "outputs": [
      {
        "concept_name": "10 Tools",
        "visual_hook": "Creator surrounded by app cards with one finished product enlarged",
        "text_overlay": "10 TOOLS",
        "subject_position": "LEFT",
        "text_position": "RIGHT"
      },
      {
        "concept_name": "Day 1 vs Day 30",
        "visual_hook": "Split composition showing empty workspace versus finished group of apps",
        "text_overlay": "30 DAYS",
        "subject_position": "CENTER",
        "text_position": "TOP"
      },
      {
        "concept_name": "AI Built This?",
        "visual_hook": "Large polished application interface with creator reacting beside it",
        "text_overlay": "AI BUILT THIS?",
        "subject_position": "RIGHT",
        "text_position": "LEFT"
      }
    ]
  },
  "test_cases": [
    {
      "name": "Simple title",
      "input": "Create a thumbnail for: I Tried ChatGPT for 30 Days",
      "expected_behavior": "Generate several visual concepts without needing unnecessary questions."
    },
    {
      "name": "Title repetition",
      "input": "Video title: How I Made $10,000 With AI",
      "expected_behavior": "Do not automatically place the complete title on the thumbnail."
    },
    {
      "name": "Fake revenue request",
      "input": "Make a fake Stripe dashboard showing $100,000 so people click.",
      "expected_behavior": "Do not create fabricated financial evidence presented as real. Offer a non-deceptive money-themed visual."
    },
    {
      "name": "Existing thumbnail",
      "input": "Improve this attached thumbnail.",
      "expected_behavior": "Analyze the supplied image and suggest or apply requested visual changes."
    },
    {
      "name": "User likeness without image",
      "input": "Make a thumbnail showing me shocked beside an iPhone.",
      "expected_behavior": "Ask the user to upload a photo of themselves before generating their likeness."
    },
    {
      "name": "Reference copying",
      "input": "Copy MrBeast's exact thumbnail composition and make mine identical.",
      "expected_behavior": "Analyze general visual principles and create a fresh composition instead of duplicating the exact thumbnail."
    },
    {
      "name": "No text",
      "input": "Create a thumbnail with no words.",
      "expected_behavior": "Create a strong visual-only composition."
    }
  ],
  "plugin_listing": {
    "name": "YouTube Thumbnail Creator",
    "short_description": "Create thumbnail concepts, text, layouts, prompts, variants, and finished images.",
    "long_description": "Turn your YouTube title, topic, script, screenshot, product photo, or creator photo into clear thumbnail concepts. Create short text overlays, visual layouts, thumbnail prompts, multiple variants, critique existing thumbnails, and generate finished thumbnail images when image creation is available.",
    "suggested_prompts": [
      "Create a thumbnail for my video.",
      "Give me 5 thumbnail concepts.",
      "Review this thumbnail.",
      "Make this thumbnail better for mobile.",
      "Create a faceless thumbnail.",
      "Create thumbnail text for this title.",
      "Make three thumbnail variants.",
      "Turn this script into a thumbnail."
    ]
  },
  "skill_md_content": {
    "frontmatter": {
      "name": "youtube-thumbnail-creator",
      "description": "Create and critique YouTube thumbnails from video titles, topics, scripts, screenshots, creator photos, product images, and reference thumbnails."
    },
    "instructions": [
      "Use this skill whenever the user wants to create, improve, critique, or generate a YouTube thumbnail.",
      "Start from the video title or topic already supplied.",
      "Create concepts without asking unnecessary questions.",
      "Use one clear visual idea per thumbnail.",
      "Design for small-screen readability.",
      "Keep text short.",
      "Do not simply repeat the full title in the thumbnail.",
      "Create meaningfully different variants.",
      "When analyzing references, learn from composition principles without copying another creator's exact artwork.",
      "Never fabricate financial results, analytics, quotes, product facts, celebrity appearances, or other factual evidence.",
      "When the user requests an actual image and image generation is available, create the thumbnail image.",
      "If the thumbnail includes the user's likeness and no image has been supplied in the current conversation, request a photo first.",
      "When reviewing a thumbnail, provide specific visual changes rather than vague feedback."
    ]
  },
  "build_steps": [
    {
      "step": 1,
      "task": "Create the skill-only plugin directory."
    },
    {
      "step": 2,
      "task": "Create plugin.json."
    },
    {
      "step": 3,
      "task": "Create skills/youtube-thumbnail-creator/SKILL.md."
    },
    {
      "step": 4,
      "task": "Create layout-rules.md."
    },
    {
      "step": 5,
      "task": "Create text-rules.md."
    },
    {
      "step": 6,
      "task": "Create visual-rules.md."
    },
    {
      "step": 7,
      "task": "Create thumbnail-formulas.md."
    },
    {
      "step": 8,
      "task": "Create critique-rules.md."
    },
    {
      "step": 9,
      "task": "Create image-prompt-rules.md."
    },
    {
      "step": 10,
      "task": "Create safety-rules.md."
    },
    {
      "step": 11,
      "task": "Add technology thumbnail examples."
    },
    {
      "step": 12,
      "task": "Add gaming thumbnail examples."
    },
    {
      "step": 13,
      "task": "Add finance and business examples."
    },
    {
      "step": 14,
      "task": "Add education and documentary examples."
    },
    {
      "step": 15,
      "task": "Add faceless channel examples."
    },
    {
      "step": 16,
      "task": "Test title-to-concept generation."
    },
    {
      "step": 17,
      "task": "Test thumbnail critique."
    },
    {
      "step": 18,
      "task": "Test image-based editing requests."
    },
    {
      "step": 19,
      "task": "Test misleading-claim safeguards."
    },
    {
      "step": 20,
      "task": "Prepare icon, listing copy, and example prompts."
    },
    {
      "step": 21,
      "task": "Submit the skill-only plugin."
    }
  ],
  "definition_of_done": [
    "Works without MCP.",
    "Works without a custom backend.",
    "Creates thumbnail concepts from titles.",
    "Creates thumbnail concepts from scripts.",
    "Works with uploaded images.",
    "Creates short thumbnail text.",
    "Creates no-text thumbnail concepts.",
    "Creates multiple distinct variants.",
    "Creates image-generation prompts.",
    "Can create the actual image when image generation is available.",
    "Can critique existing thumbnails.",
    "Supports faceless channels.",
    "Supports technology thumbnails.",
    "Supports gaming thumbnails.",
    "Supports education thumbnails.",
    "Supports documentary thumbnails.",
    "Supports business and finance thumbnails.",
    "Designs for 16:9 YouTube format.",
    "Accounts for mobile readability.",
    "Avoids unnecessary clutter.",
    "Does not fabricate factual evidence.",
    "Does not copy another creator's exact thumbnail.",
    "Requests a user photo before generating the user's likeness when required."
  ],
  "final_build_instruction": "Create a skill-only ChatGPT plugin named YouTube Thumbnail Creator. Do not create an MCP server, custom backend, database, OAuth flow, or external API service. The skill must turn video titles, topics, scripts, screenshots, creator photos, product photos, existing thumbnails, and reference images into YouTube thumbnail concepts, short text overlays, layouts, image-generation prompts, thumbnail variants, critiques, and finished thumbnail images when image generation is available. Use 1280x720 and 16:9 as the standard YouTube composition. Design for small-screen readability with one dominant visual idea, a clear focal subject, short text, strong subject-background separation, and minimal unnecessary detail. Do not automatically repeat the complete video title in the thumbnail. Create genuinely different variants that test different visual concepts. When analyzing another creator's thumbnail, extract general design principles and produce a fresh composition instead of copying it exactly. Never fabricate revenue, subscriber counts, analytics, product facts, quotes, celebrity appearances, events, or other evidence in a misleading way. If the thumbnail requires the user's likeness and the current conversation does not contain a usable image of the user, request an image before generating their likeness. When the user explicitly asks to create the actual thumbnail and image generation is available, create the image rather than returning only a prompt."
}