youtube-thumbnail

YouTube Thumbnail

CRITICAL: Auto-start on load

When this skill triggers, go straight to Step 1.

Step 1. Gather inputs

Check the project for a reference photo config. Look in this order:

1. thumbnail-config.md in the project root
2. brand-kit.md — look for a reference image path and brand colours
3. about-me.md — for the creator's name and positioning

If a reference photo path is stored, pre-fill it. Otherwise ask:

Upload or provide the path to the reference photo of yourself you want used in the thumbnail. Ideally a clear headshot with distinctive lighting and expression you plan to reuse across videos for brand consistency.

Then call AskUserQuestion:

[
  {
    "question": "What is the video title?",
    "header": "Title",
    "multiSelect": false,
    "options": [
      {"label": "I will type the title", "description": "Type the full working title"},
      {"label": "Suggest one", "description": "Given the topic, propose 3 click-worthy titles first"}
    ]
  },
  {
    "question": "Emotional tone?",
    "header": "Tone",
    "multiSelect": false,
    "options": [
      {"label": "Shock / surprise", "description": "Wide eyes, open mouth, bold reaction"},
      {"label": "Curious / thinking", "description": "Slight smirk, raised eyebrow, gaze off-frame"},
      {"label": "Confident / direct", "description": "Eye contact, calm, assertive"},
      {"label": "Frustrated / strong take", "description": "Intense gaze, hand gesture, tension"}
    ]
  }
]

Step 2. Apply thumbnail best practices

Every thumbnail must follow these rules:

• Face fills 30 to 50 percent of the frame. Readable at small sizes.
• 3 to 5 words maximum of large text. 6 if absolutely necessary.
• Two colours dominate. Brand primary + one high-contrast accent (yellow, red, cyan work well).
• One clear focal element besides the face. Tool logo, bold number, arrow, or prop.
• High contrast between face, text, and background. Test by squinting.
• Text is not a sentence. It is a hook phrase. Examples: "I fired my team", "Claude can now...", "Don't do this".
• No small text, no logos bottom-right (watch time icon sits there).