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create-glyph

pjt222
Updated 2 days ago
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About

This skill creates pictogram icons in R using ggplot2 and a primitives library for visualizing entities in a force-graph. It handles the entire workflow from concept and color strategy to registration, pipeline rendering, and verification of the final neon-glow output. Use it when adding new entities, replacing icons, or batch-creating glyphs for a new domain.

Quick Install

Claude Code

Recommended
Primary
npx skills add pjt222/agent-almanac -a claude-code
Plugin CommandAlternative
/plugin add https://github.com/pjt222/agent-almanac
Git CloneAlternative
git clone https://github.com/pjt222/agent-almanac.git ~/.claude/skills/create-glyph

Copy and paste this command in Claude Code to install this skill

Documentation

Create Glyph

R pictogram glyphs → skill/agent/team icons in viz/. Pure-ggplot2 fn on 100x100 → neon glow → transparent WebP.

Use When

  • New skill/agent/team needs icon
  • Existing glyph needs replace/redesign
  • Batch-create for new domain
  • Prototype visual metaphors

In

  • Required: Type — skill, agent, team
  • Required: Entity ID (create-glyph, mystic, r-package-review) + domain (skills)
  • Required: Visual concept
  • Optional: Reference glyph (complexity calibration)
  • Optional: Custom --glow-sigma (def: 4)

Do

Step 1: Concept

  1. Read entity source:
    • Skills: skills/<id>/SKILL.md
    • Agents: agents/<id>.md
    • Teams: teams/<id>.md
  2. Metaphor type:
    • Literal: flask→experiment, shield→security
    • Abstract: arrows→merge, spirals→iterate
    • Composite: 2-3 simple shapes (doc + pen)
  3. Complexity ref:
Complexity Tiers:
+----------+--------+-------------------------------------------+
| Tier     | Layers | Examples                                  |
+----------+--------+-------------------------------------------+
| Simple   | 2      | glyph_flame, glyph_heartbeat              |
| Moderate | 3-5    | glyph_document, glyph_experiment_flask    |
| Complex  | 6+     | glyph_ship_wheel, glyph_bridge_cpp        |
+----------+--------+-------------------------------------------+
  1. Fn name: glyph_<descriptive_name> (snake_case, unique)

Got: Mental sketch, 2-6 planned layers.

If err: Too abstract → concrete related. Check existing in same domain.

Step 2: Compose

Write R fn → ggplot2 layers.

  1. Signature (immutable):

    glyph_<name> <- function(cx, cy, s, col, bright) {
      # cx, cy = center coordinates (50, 50 on 100x100 canvas)
      # s = scale factor (1.0 = fill ~70% of canvas)
      # col = domain color hex (e.g., "#ff88dd" for design)
      # bright = brightened variant of col (auto-computed by renderer)
      # Returns: list() of ggplot2 layers
    }
    
  2. Apply * s to ALL dims:

    r <- 20 * s        # radius
    hw <- 15 * s       # half-width
    lw <- .lw(s)       # line width (default base 2.5)
    lw_thin <- .lw(s, 1.2)  # thinner line width
    
  3. Geometry primitives:

    GeometryUsage
    ggplot2::geom_polygon(data, .aes(x, y), ...)Filled shapes
    ggplot2::geom_path(data, .aes(x, y), ...)Open lines/curves
    ggplot2::geom_segment(data, .aes(x, xend, y, yend), ...)Segments, arrows
    ggplot2::geom_rect(data, .aes(xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax), ...)Rects
    ggforce::geom_circle(data, .aes(x0, y0, r), ...)Circles
  4. Color strategy:

    Alpha Guide:
    +----------------------+------------+--------------------------+
    | Purpose              | Alpha      | Example                  |
    +----------------------+------------+--------------------------+
    | Large fill (body)    | 0.08-0.15  | hex_with_alpha(col, 0.1) |
    | Medium fill (accent) | 0.15-0.25  | hex_with_alpha(col, 0.2) |
    | Small fill (detail)  | 0.25-0.35  | hex_with_alpha(bright, 0.3) |
    | Outline stroke       | 1.0        | color = bright           |
    | Secondary stroke     | 1.0        | color = col              |
    | No fill              | ---        | fill = NA                |
    +----------------------+------------+--------------------------+
    
  5. Return flat list() → renderer wraps each w/ glow

  6. Place fn in right primitives file:

    • Skills: domain-grouped across 19 files:
      • primitives.R — bushcraft, compliance, containerization, data-serialization, defensive
      • primitives_2.R — devops, general, git, mcp-integration
      • primitives_3.R — mlops, observability, PM, r-packages, reporting, review, web-dev, esoteric, design
      • primitives_4.R through primitives_19.R for newer
    • Agents: viz/R/agent_primitives.R
    • Teams: viz/R/team_primitives.R

Got: Working R fn → list of 2-6 layers.

If err: ggforce::geom_circle err → install ggforce. Coords off → canvas 100x100, (0,0) bottom-left. Test:

source("viz/R/utils.R"); source("viz/R/primitives.R")  # etc.
layers <- glyph_<name>(50, 50, 1.0, "#ff88dd", "#ffa8f0")
p <- ggplot2::ggplot() + ggplot2::coord_fixed(xlim=c(0,100), ylim=c(0,100)) +
     ggplot2::theme_void()
for (l in layers) p <- p + l
print(p)

Step 3: Register

Map entity → glyph.

Skills:

  1. Open viz/R/glyphs.R
  2. Find domain section comment (# -- design (3))
  3. Alphabetical in domain block:
    "skill-id" = "glyph_function_name",
    
  4. Update count comment if applicable

Agents:

  1. Open viz/R/agent_glyphs.R
  2. Alphabetical in AGENT_GLYPHS:
    "agent-id" = "glyph_function_name",
    

Teams:

  1. Open viz/R/team_glyphs.R

  2. Alphabetical in TEAM_GLYPHS:

    "team-id" = "glyph_function_name",
    
  3. Verify no dup ID

Got: *_GLYPHS list has new mapping.

If err: "No glyph mapped" → check ID exact match vs manifest + registry.

Step 4: Manifest

Register icon.

Skills: viz/data/icon-manifest.json

{
  "skillId": "skill-id",
  "domain": "domain-name",
  "prompt": "<domain basePrompt>, <descriptors>, dark background, vector art",
  "seed": <next_seed>,
  "path": "public/icons/cyberpunk/<domain>/<skill-id>.webp",
  "status": "pending"
}

Agents: viz/data/agent-icon-manifest.json

{
  "agentId": "agent-id",
  "prompt": "<agent-specific descriptors>, dark background, vector art",
  "seed": <next_seed>,
  "path": "public/icons/cyberpunk/agents/<agent-id>.webp",
  "status": "pending"
}

Teams: viz/data/team-icon-manifest.json

{
  "teamId": "team-id",
  "prompt": "<team-specific descriptors>, dark background, vector art",
  "seed": <next_seed>,
  "path": "public/icons/cyberpunk/teams/<team-id>.webp",
  "status": "pending"
}

Got: Valid JSON, entry among type siblings.

If err: Validate syntax. Common: trailing comma after last elem, missing quotes.

Step 5: Render

Run pipeline. Always build.sh → platform detect + R binary. See render-icon-pipeline.

# From project root — renders all palettes, standard + HD, skips existing icons
bash viz/build.sh --only <domain> --skip-existing          # skills
bash viz/build.sh --type agent --only <id> --skip-existing # agents
bash viz/build.sh --type team --only <id> --skip-existing  # teams

# Dry run first:
bash viz/build.sh --only <domain> --dry-run

build.sh = full pipeline (palette → data → manifest → render → terminal glyphs). Non-render steps +~10s but ensure current.

Out:

  • Skills: viz/public/icons/<palette>/<domain>/<skill-id>.webp
  • Agents: viz/public/icons/<palette>/agents/<agent-id>.webp
  • Teams: viz/public/icons/<palette>/teams/<team-id>.webp

Got: Log OK: <entity> (seed=XXXXX, XX.XKB), WebP exists.

If err:

  • "No glyph mapped" — Step 3 missing / typo
  • "Unknown domain" — Not in get_palette_colors() in palettes.R
  • R pkg err — install.packages(c("ggplot2", "ggforce", "ggfx", "ragg", "magick"))
  • Crash → test fn interactive (Step 2 fallback)

Step 6: Verify

  1. Check file + size:

    ls -la viz/public/icons/cyberpunk/<type-path>/<entity-id>.webp
    # Expected: 15-80 KB typical range
    
  2. Open WebP → check:

    • Shape clear @ 1024x1024
    • Neon glow present, not overpowering
    • BG transparent (no rect)
    • No edge clip
  3. Small sizes (~40-160px in graph):

    • Shape recognizable
    • Detail ≠ noise
    • Glow doesn't overwhelm

Got: Clear pictogram + even glow + transparent BG.

If err:

  • Glow strong → re-render --glow-sigma 2
  • Glow weak → --glow-sigma 8
  • Unreadable small → simplify (fewer layers, bolder strokes, .lw(s, base) higher)
  • Edge clip → reduce dims / shift center

Step 7: Iterate

  1. Common adjustments:

    • Bolder strokes: .lw(s, base)base = 3.0 / 3.5
    • Visible fill: alpha 0.10 → 0.15-0.20
    • Proportions: tweak s multipliers (20 * s24 * s)
    • Add/rm layers: 2-6 best
  2. Re-render:

    # Delete the existing icon first, then re-render
    rm viz/public/icons/cyberpunk/<type-path>/<entity-id>.webp
    # Use the appropriate build command from Step 5
    
  3. When done → manifest status = "done" (auto on success)

Got: Icon passes Step 6.

If err: 3+ iter fail → try diff metaphor (→ Step 1).

Reference

Domain + Entity Palettes

All 58 domain colors (skills) in viz/R/palettes.R (single truth). Agent/team colors same. Cyberpunk (hand-tuned neon) in get_cyberpunk_colors(). Viridis auto via viridisLite.

Lookup:

source("viz/R/palettes.R")
get_palette_colors("cyberpunk")$domains[["design"]]   # skill domain
get_palette_colors("cyberpunk")$agents[["mystic"]]     # agent
get_palette_colors("cyberpunk")$teams[["tending"]]     # team

New domain → 3 places in palettes.R:

  1. PALETTE_DOMAIN_ORDER (alphabetical)
  2. get_cyberpunk_colors() domains list
  3. Run bash viz/build.sh → regen palettes + data + manifests

Glyph Fn Catalog

Full catalog in primitives source:

  • Skills: viz/R/primitives.Rviz/R/primitives_19.R (domain-grouped)
  • Agents: viz/R/agent_primitives.R
  • Teams: viz/R/team_primitives.R

Helpers

FnSigPurpose
.lw(s, base)(scale, base=2.5)Scale-aware line width
.aes(...)alias for ggplot2::aesShorthand aes map
hex_with_alpha(hex, alpha)(string, 0-1)Alpha on hex
brighten_hex(hex, factor)(string, factor=1.3)Brighten
dim_hex(hex, factor)(string, factor=0.4)Dim

Check

  • Fn signature: glyph_<name>(cx, cy, s, col, bright) -> list()
  • All dims * s
  • Colors: col fills, bright outlines, hex_with_alpha() transparency
  • Fn in correct primitives file
  • Mapping in right *_glyphs.R
  • Manifest entry + correct path + "status": "pending"
  • Build runs no err (dry-run first)
  • WebP at expected path
  • Size 15-80 KB
  • Reads clear 1024px + ~40px
  • Transparent BG
  • Status → "done" post-render

Traps

  • Forgot * s: Hard-coded px breaks on scale. Multiply by s always.
  • Canvas origin: (0,0) bottom-left. Higher y = UP.
  • Double glow: Renderer applies ggfx::with_outer_glow(). Do NOT add in fn.
  • Too many layers: Each gets glow wrap. >8 = slow + noisy.
  • ID mismatch: Glyph map + manifest + registry must match exact.
  • JSON trailing commas: Strict JSON. No trailing comma.
  • Missing domain color: Not in get_cyberpunk_colors() → render err. Add color first.
  • Wrong primitives file: Skills → primitives*.R, agents → agent_primitives.R, teams → team_primitives.R.

GitHub Repository

pjt222/agent-almanac
Path: i18n/caveman-ultra/skills/create-glyph
0
agentsagentskillsai-assisted-developmentclaude-codeskillsteams

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