---
name: youtube-short-image
description: Generate polished vertical cover images for YouTube Shorts directly in ChatGPT with the built-in image generation tool, featuring Stephen W. Thomas from the bundled portrait reference. Use when the user asks for a YouTube Short image, Shorts thumbnail or cover, vertical title card, 9:16 short-form video artwork, or a similar TikTok or Reels cover, including requests such as "make an image for my short about X."
---

# YouTube Short Image

Create the finished cover with ChatGPT's built-in image generation tool and return it inline in the conversation. Do not substitute SVG, HTML, canvas, local drawing code, or an external image-generator prompt unless the user explicitly requests one of those formats.

## Workflow

1. Extract the topic, audience, hook, mood, exact requested text, colors, and any user-supplied reference-image role from the request.
2. Proceed without clarification when reasonable defaults are safe. Ask only when a missing detail would materially change the concept.
3. Distill the headline to 2-6 words. Preserve quoted or explicitly supplied text verbatim; otherwise favor a clear, curiosity-driven hook without inventing unsupported claims.
4. Locate `assets/StephenWThomas.jpg` relative to this `SKILL.md`, inspect it, and use it as the required identity reference for Stephen W. Thomas.
5. Build one production-oriented image prompt using the specification below. Make Stephen a prominent focal subject and explicitly request a faithful, recognizable likeness based on the bundled portrait. Adapt pose, expression, clothing, lighting, and setting to the topic without changing his identity-defining facial features.
6. Call the built-in image generation tool with the absolute path to `assets/StephenWThomas.jpg` in `referenced_image_paths`. Do not omit the portrait from the call unless the user explicitly asks not to feature Stephen.
7. If the user supplied additional reference or edit images, identify each image's role, inspect local files before using them, and include them alongside Stephen's portrait in `referenced_image_paths`. Include only relevant images.
8. Inspect the generated image for Stephen's recognizable likeness, composition, legibility, exact spelling, safe-zone placement, anatomy, artifacts, and unwanted UI or watermarks.
9. If a material issue exists, make one targeted correction and generate an improved version. Keep the bundled portrait attached to the correction call. Do not create extra variants unless requested.
10. Present the final image inline. State the headline used and, when useful, offer one alternative headline in text.

## Image specification

Use this structure and omit lines that do not help:

```text
Use case: ads-marketing
Asset type: YouTube Shorts cover / vertical title card
Primary request: <the user's topic and intended message>
Subject: Stephen W. Thomas as the prominent human focal subject, using the supplied portrait as the identity reference; <topic-specific pose, expression, or symbolic element>
Style/medium: <photorealistic, editorial illustration, bold 3D, or another fitting raster style>
Composition/framing: portrait 9:16; mobile-first; one unified scene; Stephen shown prominently in a flattering close-up or chest-up crop; visual center shifted slightly left; leave clear space for the headline; strong focal point; generous breathing room
Lighting/mood: <mood and lighting>
Color palette: 2-3 high-contrast colors with one accent color
Text (verbatim): "<headline>"
Text layout: very large bold headline on 2-4 short lines; readable at phone-thumbnail size; place all text within the central safe area
Safe zones: no critical text or focal detail in the top 12%, bottom 22%, or rightmost 17%; full-bleed background
Identity fidelity: preserve Stephen's recognizable facial structure, hairline, eye color, skin tone, and natural appearance from the reference; avoid substituting a generic person or celebrity
Constraints: one concept; Stephen is the dominant human focal element; no more than three minor decorative elements
Avoid: fake player controls, play buttons, subscribe buttons, progress bars, platform UI, logos not supplied by the user, watermarks, collage, grid, split panels, clutter, tiny text
```

## Design judgment

- Use one focal subject and one short headline. Let imagery support the hook rather than compete with it.
- Feature Stephen in every generated cover unless the user explicitly requests that he be omitted. Treat `assets/StephenWThomas.jpg` as an identity reference, not as a requirement to preserve its white background, blue shirt, exact crop, or neutral expression.
- Prefer a dark or saturated background, white or near-white headline text, and one bright accent color.
- Make the headline survive a 180-pixel-wide preview. Shorten it before shrinking it.
- Place critical content inside the approximate safe region: horizontal 6%-83%, vertical 13%-77%.
- Use at most one energy device: a diagonal, radial glow, motion streak, or slight headline tilt.
- Never add unrequested branding, unsupported claims, fake interface elements, or a watermark.
- Treat visible text as a validation item. If spelling or wording is wrong, regenerate with the exact phrase emphasized and change nothing else.

## Multiple concepts

When the user requests multiple options, make each option a separate built-in image generation call with a genuinely distinct concept, composition, and accent color. Present each image separately; never combine options into one canvas.