create-glyph
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
Recommendednpx skills add pjt222/agent-almanac -a claude-code/plugin add https://github.com/pjt222/agent-almanacgit clone https://github.com/pjt222/agent-almanac.git ~/.claude/skills/create-glyphCopy 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
- Read entity source:
- Skills:
skills/<id>/SKILL.md - Agents:
agents/<id>.md - Teams:
teams/<id>.md
- Skills:
- Metaphor type:
- Literal: flask→experiment, shield→security
- Abstract: arrows→merge, spirals→iterate
- Composite: 2-3 simple shapes (doc + pen)
- 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 |
+----------+--------+-------------------------------------------+
- 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.
-
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 } -
Apply
* sto 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 -
Geometry primitives:
Geometry Usage 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 -
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 | +----------------------+------------+--------------------------+ -
Return flat
list()→ renderer wraps each w/ glow -
Place fn in right primitives file:
- Skills: domain-grouped across 19 files:
primitives.R— bushcraft, compliance, containerization, data-serialization, defensiveprimitives_2.R— devops, general, git, mcp-integrationprimitives_3.R— mlops, observability, PM, r-packages, reporting, review, web-dev, esoteric, designprimitives_4.Rthroughprimitives_19.Rfor newer
- Agents:
viz/R/agent_primitives.R - Teams:
viz/R/team_primitives.R
- Skills: domain-grouped across 19 files:
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:
- Open
viz/R/glyphs.R - Find domain section comment (
# -- design (3)) - Alphabetical in domain block:
"skill-id" = "glyph_function_name", - Update count comment if applicable
Agents:
- Open
viz/R/agent_glyphs.R - Alphabetical in
AGENT_GLYPHS:"agent-id" = "glyph_function_name",
Teams:
-
Open
viz/R/team_glyphs.R -
Alphabetical in
TEAM_GLYPHS:"team-id" = "glyph_function_name", -
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 inget_palette_colors()inpalettes.R- R pkg err —
install.packages(c("ggplot2", "ggforce", "ggfx", "ragg", "magick")) - Crash → test fn interactive (Step 2 fallback)
Step 6: Verify
-
Check file + size:
ls -la viz/public/icons/cyberpunk/<type-path>/<entity-id>.webp # Expected: 15-80 KB typical range -
Open WebP → check:
- Shape clear @ 1024x1024
- Neon glow present, not overpowering
- BG transparent (no rect)
- No edge clip
-
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
-
Common adjustments:
- Bolder strokes:
.lw(s, base)→base = 3.0/3.5 - Visible fill: alpha 0.10 → 0.15-0.20
- Proportions: tweak
smultipliers (20 * s→24 * s) - Add/rm layers: 2-6 best
- Bolder strokes:
-
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 -
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:
PALETTE_DOMAIN_ORDER(alphabetical)get_cyberpunk_colors()domains list- Run
bash viz/build.sh→ regen palettes + data + manifests
Glyph Fn Catalog
Full catalog in primitives source:
- Skills:
viz/R/primitives.R→viz/R/primitives_19.R(domain-grouped) - Agents:
viz/R/agent_primitives.R - Teams:
viz/R/team_primitives.R
Helpers
| Fn | Sig | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
.lw(s, base) | (scale, base=2.5) | Scale-aware line width |
.aes(...) | alias for ggplot2::aes | Shorthand 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:
colfills,brightoutlines,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 bysalways. - 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.
→
- enhance-glyph — improve quality / fix / add layers
- audit-icon-pipeline — detect missing
- render-icon-pipeline — full pipeline E2E
- ornament-style-mono — AI img gen alt
- ornament-style-color — color theory
- create-skill — parent workflow triggering glyph
GitHub Repository
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