Image Post Generation

The high-engagement image post workflow generates static social media graphics with dynamic visuals and coherent text overlays designed to maximize engagement. Unlike video thumbnails, these are standalone graphic-design-oriented posts for platforms like Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

Quick Start

# From a niche/topic — generates hooks, then images
fabric run media/high-engagement-posts \
  --input niche="AI productivity tools" \
  --input platforms='["instagram-square", "twitter"]'

# From pre-existing hooks (skip hook generation)
fabric run media/high-engagement-posts-from-hooks \
  --input hook_ideas='[{"hook_text": "Stop using ChatGPT wrong"}]'

# Trending topics → posts (composed pipeline)
fabric run global/hot-topics-to-posts

Pipeline Architecture

Standalone Pipeline

gather_competitor_insights → gather_trend_signals → generate_hook_ideas →
craft_image_prompts → generate_post_images → score_post_images →
prepare_post_output

From Pre-Existing Hooks

craft_image_prompts → generate_post_images → score_post_images →
prepare_post_output

hot_topics_pipeline → bridge_topics_to_hooks → generate_hook_ideas →
craft_image_prompts → generate_post_images → score_post_images →
prepare_post_output

Pipeline Stages

1. Craft Image Prompts

Takes hook ideas and produces image_specs[] — one per hook and platform combination.

Condenses hooks to 1-5 word overlays (ALL CAPS, bold)
LLM generates per-hook: visual concept, color direction, layout type, typography guidance
Applies high-engagement design principles:
- Typography is the hero — text IS the content
- High contrast (dark text on light, white/yellow on dark gradient)
- Color psychology: red/orange = urgency, yellow = attention, blue = trust
- Clean negative space, no busy backgrounds
- Readable at phone-screen thumbnail size
- Graphic design aesthetic, not photography

2. Generate Post Images

Two generation paths, automatically selected based on the configured model:

Provider (Gemini)
Local (SDXL/Flux/SD3.5)

Uses Gemini’s native text rendering to generate images with text baked in:

Text overlay is part of the image generation prompt
Produces coherent, styled, visually integrated text
Best quality for text-heavy engagement posts

Each image spec generates num_variants (default 3) variants for selection.

3. Score Post Images

Sends generated images back to Gemini vision for quality scoring (1-10) across:

Dimension	Description
`text_readability`	Can the text be read at thumbnail size?
`visual_impact`	Does the image grab attention in a scroll?
`text_image_coherence`	Do text and visual work together?
`click_appeal`	Would you stop and click?
`platform_fit`	Does it match the platform’s aesthetic?

Images below threshold (default 6.0) are flagged. Set auto_regenerate=true to automatically retry low-scoring images.

4. Prepare Post Output

Ranks results by score and identifies the best variant per platform.

Input Parameters

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`niche`	`string`	required	Content niche for hook generation
`hook_ideas`	`list[dict]`	generated	Pre-existing hooks (skips generation)
`platforms`	`list[str]`	`["instagram-square", "twitter"]`	Target platforms
`brand_style`	`string`	`""`	Brand style guidelines
`num_variants`	`int`	`3`	Variants per image spec
`auto_regenerate`	`bool`	`false`	Auto-retry low-scoring images
`quality`	`string`	`""`	Quality preset (affects image model)

Platform Sizes

Platform	Dimensions	Aspect Ratio
`instagram-square`	1080 x 1080	1:1
`instagram-portrait`	1080 x 1350	4:5
`instagram-story`	1080 x 1920	9:16
`twitter`	1200 x 675	16:9
`facebook`	1200 x 630	16:9
`linkedin`	1200 x 627	16:9
`pinterest`	1000 x 1500	2:3
`threads`	1080 x 1080	1:1

Output

{
  "posts": [
    {
      "hook_text": "Stop using ChatGPT wrong",
      "overlay_text": "STOP USING CHATGPT WRONG",
      "platform": "instagram-square",
      "image_path": "/tmp/post_001.png",
      "scores": {
        "text_readability": 8,
        "visual_impact": 9,
        "text_image_coherence": 7,
        "click_appeal": 8,
        "platform_fit": 9
      },
      "overall_score": 8.2,
      "variant_index": 0,
      "generation_method": "gemini_native"
    }
  ],
  "best_per_platform": {
    "instagram-square": 0,
    "twitter": 2
  },
  "workflow": "high-engagement-posts"
}

Model Configuration

The workflow uses a post operation in the model configuration system:

Profile	Model	Text Rendering
(default)	`gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview`	Native (in-image)
`premium`	`gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview`	Native (in-image)
`local`	`sdxl-turbo`	PIL overlay
`local-power`	`flux-schnell`	PIL overlay

Override per-run:

fabric run media/high-engagement-posts \
  --input niche="AI tools" \
  --input post_model="flux-schnell"

Layout Types

The craft_image_prompts task selects a layout type for text placement:

Layout	Description
`centered`	Semi-transparent dark rectangle centered, text centered within
`banner`	Solid/gradient band across top or bottom third
`split`	Dark half on left or right, text on the dark side
`gradient`	Gradient overlay from bottom, text in lower portion