Slack GIF Creator

1---
2name: slack-gif-creator
3description: Knowledge and utilities for creating animated GIFs optimized for Slack. Provides constraints, validation tools, and animation concepts. Use when users request animated GIFs for Slack like "make me a GIF of X doing Y for Slack."
4license: Complete terms in LICENSE.txt
5---
6 
7# Slack GIF Creator
8 
9A toolkit providing utilities and knowledge for creating animated GIFs optimized for Slack.
10 
11## Slack Requirements
12 
13**Dimensions:**
14- Emoji GIFs: 128x128 (recommended)
15- Message GIFs: 480x480
16 
17**Parameters:**
18- FPS: 10-30 (lower is smaller file size)
19- Colors: 48-128 (fewer = smaller file size)
20- Duration: Keep under 3 seconds for emoji GIFs
21 
22## Core Workflow
23 
24```python
25from core.gif_builder import GIFBuilder
26from PIL import Image, ImageDraw
27 
28# 1. Create builder
29builder = GIFBuilder(width=128, height=128, fps=10)
30 
31# 2. Generate frames
32for i in range(12):
33    frame = Image.new('RGB', (128, 128), (240, 248, 255))
34    draw = ImageDraw.Draw(frame)
35 
36    # Draw your animation using PIL primitives
37    # (circles, polygons, lines, etc.)
38 
39    builder.add_frame(frame)
40 
41# 3. Save with optimization
42builder.save('output.gif', num_colors=48, optimize_for_emoji=True)
43```
44 
45## Drawing Graphics
46 
47### Working with User-Uploaded Images
48If a user uploads an image, consider whether they want to:
49- **Use it directly** (e.g., "animate this", "split this into frames")
50- **Use it as inspiration** (e.g., "make something like this")
51 
52Load and work with images using PIL:
53```python
54from PIL import Image
55 
56uploaded = Image.open('file.png')
57# Use directly, or just as reference for colors/style
58```
59 
60### Drawing from Scratch
61When drawing graphics from scratch, use PIL ImageDraw primitives:
62 
63```python
64from PIL import ImageDraw
65 
66draw = ImageDraw.Draw(frame)
67 
68# Circles/ovals
69draw.ellipse([x1, y1, x2, y2], fill=(r, g, b), outline=(r, g, b), width=3)
70 
71# Stars, triangles, any polygon
72points = [(x1, y1), (x2, y2), (x3, y3), ...]
73draw.polygon(points, fill=(r, g, b), outline=(r, g, b), width=3)
74 
75# Lines
76draw.line([(x1, y1), (x2, y2)], fill=(r, g, b), width=5)
77 
78# Rectangles
79draw.rectangle([x1, y1, x2, y2], fill=(r, g, b), outline=(r, g, b), width=3)
80```
81 
82**Don't use:** Emoji fonts (unreliable across platforms) or assume pre-packaged graphics exist in this skill.
83 
84### Making Graphics Look Good
85 
86Graphics should look polished and creative, not basic. Here's how:
87 
88**Use thicker lines** - Always set `width=2` or higher for outlines and lines. Thin lines (width=1) look choppy and amateurish.
89 
90**Add visual depth**:
91- Use gradients for backgrounds (`create_gradient_background`)
92- Layer multiple shapes for complexity (e.g., a star with a smaller star inside)
93 
94**Make shapes more interesting**:
95- Don't just draw a plain circle - add highlights, rings, or patterns
96- Stars can have glows (draw larger, semi-transparent versions behind)
97- Combine multiple shapes (stars + sparkles, circles + rings)
98 
99**Pay attention to colors**:
100- Use vibrant, complementary colors
101- Add contrast (dark outlines on light shapes, light outlines on dark shapes)
102- Consider the overall composition
103 
104**For complex shapes** (hearts, snowflakes, etc.):
105- Use combinations of polygons and ellipses
106- Calculate points carefully for symmetry
107- Add details (a heart can have a highlight curve, snowflakes have intricate branches)
108 
109Be creative and detailed! A good Slack GIF should look polished, not like placeholder graphics.
110 
111## Available Utilities
112 
113### GIFBuilder (`core.gif_builder`)
114Assembles frames and optimizes for Slack:
115```python
116builder = GIFBuilder(width=128, height=128, fps=10)
117builder.add_frame(frame)  # Add PIL Image
118builder.add_frames(frames)  # Add list of frames
119builder.save('out.gif', num_colors=48, optimize_for_emoji=True, remove_duplicates=True)
120```
121 
122### Validators (`core.validators`)
123Check if GIF meets Slack requirements:
124```python
125from core.validators import validate_gif, is_slack_ready
126 
127# Detailed validation
128passes, info = validate_gif('my.gif', is_emoji=True, verbose=True)
129 
130# Quick check
131if is_slack_ready('my.gif'):
132    print("Ready!")
133```
134 
135### Easing Functions (`core.easing`)
136Smooth motion instead of linear:
137```python
138from core.easing import interpolate
139 
140# Progress from 0.0 to 1.0
141t = i / (num_frames - 1)
142 
143# Apply easing
144y = interpolate(start=0, end=400, t=t, easing='ease_out')
145 
146# Available: linear, ease_in, ease_out, ease_in_out,
147#           bounce_out, elastic_out, back_out
148```
149 
150### Frame Helpers (`core.frame_composer`)
151Convenience functions for common needs:
152```python
153from core.frame_composer import (
154    create_blank_frame,         # Solid color background
155    create_gradient_background,  # Vertical gradient
156    draw_circle,                # Helper for circles
157    draw_text,                  # Simple text rendering
158    draw_star                   # 5-pointed star
159)
160```
161 
162## Animation Concepts
163 
164### Shake/Vibrate
165Offset object position with oscillation:
166- Use `math.sin()` or `math.cos()` with frame index
167- Add small random variations for natural feel
168- Apply to x and/or y position
169 
170### Pulse/Heartbeat
171Scale object size rhythmically:
172- Use `math.sin(t * frequency * 2 * math.pi)` for smooth pulse
173- For heartbeat: two quick pulses then pause (adjust sine wave)
174- Scale between 0.8 and 1.2 of base size
175 
176### Bounce
177Object falls and bounces:
178- Use `interpolate()` with `easing='bounce_out'` for landing
179- Use `easing='ease_in'` for falling (accelerating)
180- Apply gravity by increasing y velocity each frame
181 
182### Spin/Rotate
183Rotate object around center:
184- PIL: `image.rotate(angle, resample=Image.BICUBIC)`
185- For wobble: use sine wave for angle instead of linear
186 
187### Fade In/Out
188Gradually appear or disappear:
189- Create RGBA image, adjust alpha channel
190- Or use `Image.blend(image1, image2, alpha)`
191- Fade in: alpha from 0 to 1
192- Fade out: alpha from 1 to 0
193 
194### Slide
195Move object from off-screen to position:
196- Start position: outside frame bounds
197- End position: target location
198- Use `interpolate()` with `easing='ease_out'` for smooth stop
199- For overshoot: use `easing='back_out'`
200 
201### Zoom
202Scale and position for zoom effect:
203- Zoom in: scale from 0.1 to 2.0, crop center
204- Zoom out: scale from 2.0 to 1.0
205- Can add motion blur for drama (PIL filter)
206 
207### Explode/Particle Burst
208Create particles radiating outward:
209- Generate particles with random angles and velocities
210- Update each particle: `x += vx`, `y += vy`
211- Add gravity: `vy += gravity_constant`
212- Fade out particles over time (reduce alpha)
213 
214## Optimization Strategies
215 
216Only when asked to make the file size smaller, implement a few of the following methods:
217 
2181. **Fewer frames** - Lower FPS (10 instead of 20) or shorter duration
2192. **Fewer colors** - `num_colors=48` instead of 128
2203. **Smaller dimensions** - 128x128 instead of 480x480
2214. **Remove duplicates** - `remove_duplicates=True` in save()
2225. **Emoji mode** - `optimize_for_emoji=True` auto-optimizes
223 
224```python
225# Maximum optimization for emoji
226builder.save(
227    'emoji.gif',
228    num_colors=48,
229    optimize_for_emoji=True,
230    remove_duplicates=True
231)
232```
233 
234## Philosophy
235 
236This skill provides:
237- **Knowledge**: Slack's requirements and animation concepts
238- **Utilities**: GIFBuilder, validators, easing functions
239- **Flexibility**: Create the animation logic using PIL primitives
240 
241It does NOT provide:
242- Rigid animation templates or pre-made functions
243- Emoji font rendering (unreliable across platforms)
244- A library of pre-packaged graphics built into the skill
245 
246**Note on user uploads**: This skill doesn't include pre-built graphics, but if a user uploads an image, use PIL to load and work with it - interpret based on their request whether they want it used directly or just as inspiration.
247 
248Be creative! Combine concepts (bouncing + rotating, pulsing + sliding, etc.) and use PIL's full capabilities.
249 
250## Dependencies
251 
252```bash
253pip install pillow imageio numpy
254```
255