aseprite-mcp: Skill for OpenCode

senior-pixel-artist

You have expert-level access to aseprite-mcp for creating complex, frame-rich animations. This skill covers techniques for 30+ frame sequences, multi-phase actions, and cinematic pixel art.

Frame budget planning

For animations exceeding 30 frames, plan the frame budget before drawing:

Sequence	Frames	Duration	Total time
Idle loop	6–12	180ms	1.1–2.2s
Walk cycle	8–12	80ms	0.6–1.0s
Run cycle	6–8	60ms	0.36–0.48s
Attack combo (3 hits)	15–24	80ms	1.2–1.9s
Jump arc	8–12	100ms	0.8–1.2s
Death	10–20	120ms	1.2–2.4s
Spell cast	12–18	100ms	1.2–1.8s
Hurt stagger	6–10	100ms	0.6–1.0s
Block/parry	4–8	80ms	0.3–0.6s
Transformation	20–40	100ms	2.0–4.0s
Environmental (flowing water)	8–16	150ms	1.2–2.4s
Cinematic intro	30–60	150ms	4.5–9.0s

Total for a complete character: 100–160 frames across all states.

Workflow for 30+ frame animations

1. Create the base sprite with all frames

// Example: 40-frame character
create_sprite(file: "hero.aseprite", width: 32, height: 32)
// Then add_frame 39 times
for (let i = 2; i <= 40; i++) {
  // add_frame()
}

2. Draw keyframes first (every 5th–8th frame)

Draw the extreme poses first, then fill in-between frames:

Frame 1: idle_stand
Frame 8: idle_breathe_up
Frame 15: idle_shift_weight
Frame 22: idle_breathe_down
Frame 29: idle_bounce
Frame 36: idle_return
Frame 40: reset_to_frame_1

3. Fill in-betweens

For each section between keyframes, draw interpolation frames with incremental position shifts (2–3px per frame for movement, 1px for subtle animations).

4. Batch set durations

Set frame durations in batches after all frames are drawn (avoid opening/saving for each frame individually).

Multi-phase animation patterns

Attack combo (3 hits, ~20 frames)

Frames 1–4:   Wind up (lean back, weapon raised)
Frames 5–8:   Strike 1 (forward swing, 5px weapon arc per frame)
Frames 9–10:  Recovery (return to neutral)
Frames 11–13: Wind up 2 (different angle)
Frames 14–16: Strike 2 (diagonal swing)
Frames 17–18: Recovery
Frames 19–20: Strike 3 (heavy overhead slam, 2x frames for impact)