meme-factory skill

---
name: meme-factory
description: Generate memes using the memegen.link API. Use when users request memes, want to add humor to content, or need visual aids for social media. Supports 100+ popular templates with custom text and styling.
---

# Meme Factory

Create memes using the free memegen.link API and textual meme formats.

---

## Triggers

| Trigger | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `/meme-factory` | Manual invocation |
| `/meme-factory {template} {top} {bottom}` | Direct meme generation |
| `meme-factory: create a meme about X` | Natural language request |

---

## Quick Reference

| Action | Format |
|--------|--------|
| Basic meme | `https://api.memegen.link/images/{template}/{top}/{bottom}.png` |
| With sizing | `?width=1200&height=630` |
| Custom background | `?style=https://example.com/image.jpg` |
| All templates | https://api.memegen.link/templates/ |
| Interactive docs | https://api.memegen.link/docs/ |

**Additional Resources:**
- [Markdown Memes Guide](references/markdown-memes-guide.md) - 15+ textual meme formats
- [Examples](references/examples.md) - Practical usage examples
- [meme_generator.py](scripts/meme_generator.py) - Python helper script

---

## Quick Start

### Basic Meme Structure

```
https://api.memegen.link/images/{template}/{top_text}/{bottom_text}.{extension}
```

**Example:**
```
https://api.memegen.link/images/buzz/memes/memes_everywhere.png
```

Result: Buzz Lightyear meme with "memes" at top and "memes everywhere" at bottom.

### Text Formatting

| Character | Encoding |
|-----------|----------|
| Space | `_` or `-` |
| Newline | `~n` |
| Question mark | `~q` |
| Percent | `~p` |
| Slash | `~s` |
| Hash | `~h` |
| Single quote | `''` |
| Double quote | `""` |

---

## Popular Templates

| Template | Use Case | Example |
|----------|----------|---------|
| `buzz` | X, X everywhere | bugs/bugs_everywhere |
| `drake` | Comparisons | manual_testing/automated_testing |
| `success` | Victories | deployed/no_errors |
| `fine` | Things going wrong | server_on_fire/this_is_fine |
| `fry` | Uncertainty | not_sure_if_bug/or_feature |
| `changemind` | Hot takes | tabs_are_better_than_spaces |
| `distracted` | Priorities | my_code/new_framework/current_project |
| `mordor` | One does not simply | one_does_not_simply/deploy_on_friday |

---

## Template Selection Guide

| Context | Template | Why |
|---------|----------|-----|
| Comparing options | `drake` | Two-panel reject/approve format |
| Celebrating wins | `success` | Positive outcome emphasis |
| Problems ignored | `fine` | Ironic "everything is fine" |
| Uncertainty | `fry` | "Not sure if X or Y" format |
| Controversial opinion | `changemind` | Statement + challenge |
| Ubiquitous things | `buzz` | "X, X everywhere" |
| Bad ideas | `mordor` | "One does not simply..." |

---

## Validation

After generating a meme:

- [ ] URL returns valid image (test in browser)
- [ ] Text is readable (not too long)
- [ ] Template matches the message context
- [ ] Special characters properly encoded
- [ ] Dimensions appropriate for platform

### Platform Dimensions

| Platform | Dimensions |
|----------|------------|
| Social media (Open Graph) | 1200x630 |
| Slack/Discord | 800x600 |
| GitHub | Default |

---

## Anti-Patterns

| Avoid | Why | Instead |
|-------|-----|---------|
| Spaces without encoding | URL breaks | Use `_` or `-` |
| Too much text | Unreadable | 2-6 words per line |
| Wrong template | Message mismatch | Match template to context |
| Missing extension | Invalid URL | Always include `.png`, `.jpg`, etc. |
| Unencoded special chars | URL breaks | Use `~q`, `~s`, `~p`, etc. |
| Assuming template exists | 404 error | Check templates list first |

---

## Verification

Meme generation is successful when:

1. **URL is valid** - Returns HTTP 200
2. **Image renders** - Displays correctly in markdown
3. **Text is visible** - Properly formatted on image
4. **Context matches** - Template fits the message

**Test command:**
```bash
curl -I "https://api.memegen.link/images/buzz/test/test.png"
# Should return: HTTP/2 200
```

---

<details>
<summary><strong>Deep Dive: Advanced Features</strong></summary>

### Image Formats

| Extension | Use Case |
|-----------|----------|
| `.png` | Best quality, default |
| `.jpg` | Smaller file size |
| `.webp` | Modern, good compression |
| `.gif` | Animated templates |

### Dimensions

```
?width=800
?height=600
?width=800&height=600  (padded to exact)
```

### Layout Options

```
?layout=top     # Text at top only
?layout=bottom  # Text at bottom only
?layout=default # Standard top/bottom
```

### Custom Fonts

View available: https://api.memegen.link/fonts/

```
?font=impact  (default)
```

### Custom Images

Use any image as background:

```
https://api.memegen.link/images/custom/hello/world.png?style=https://example.com/image.jpg
```

</details>

<details>
<summary><strong>Deep Dive: Contextual Memes</strong></summary>

### Code Reviews

```
Template: fry
https://api.memegen.link/images/fry/not_sure_if_feature/or_bug.png
```

### Deployments

```
Template: interesting
https://api.memegen.link/images/interesting/i_dont_always_test/but_when_i_do_i_do_it_in_production.png
```

### Documentation

```
Template: yodawg
https://api.memegen.link/images/yodawg/yo_dawg_i_heard_you_like_docs/so_i_documented_the_documentation.png
```

### Performance Issues

```
Template: fine
https://api.memegen.link/images/fine/memory_usage_at_99~/this_is_fine.png
```

### Successful Deploy

```
Template: success
https://api.memegen.link/images/success/deployed_to_production/zero_downtime.png
```

</details>

<details>
<summary><strong>Deep Dive: Workflow Integration</strong></summary>

### Generating Memes in Response

```markdown
Here's a relevant meme:

![Meme](https://api.memegen.link/images/buzz/bugs/bugs_everywhere.png)
```

### Dynamic Generation (Python)

```python
def generate_status_meme(status: str, message: str):
    template_map = {
        "success": "success",
        "failure": "fine",
        "review": "fry",
        "deploy": "interesting"
    }

    template = template_map.get(status, "buzz")
    words = message.split()
    top = "_".join(words[0:3])
    bottom = "_".join(words[3:6])

    return f"https://api.memegen.link/images/{template}/{top}/{bottom}.png"
```

### Using the Helper Script

```python
from meme_generator import MemeGenerator

meme = MemeGenerator()
url = meme.generate("buzz", "features", "features everywhere")
print(url)
```

</details>

<details>
<summary><strong>Deep Dive: API Reference</strong></summary>

### Endpoints

| Endpoint | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| `/templates/` | List all templates |
| `/templates/{id}` | Template details |
| `/fonts/` | Available fonts |
| `/images/{template}/{top}/{bottom}.{ext}` | Generate meme |

### API Characteristics

- Free and open-source
- No API key required
- No rate limiting (normal use)
- Stateless (all info in URL)
- Images generated on-demand

### Error Handling

1. Check template at https://api.memegen.link/templates/
2. Verify text formatting (underscores for spaces)
3. Check special character encoding
4. Ensure valid extension
5. Test URL in browser

</details>

---

## References

| Document | Content |
|----------|---------|
| [markdown-memes-guide.md](references/markdown-memes-guide.md) | 15+ textual meme formats (greentext, copypasta, ASCII, etc.) |
| [examples.md](references/examples.md) | Practical usage examples |

### Scripts

| Script | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| [meme_generator.py](scripts/meme_generator.py) | Python helper for meme generation |

---

## Summary

Generate contextual memes to:
- Add humor to conversations
- Create social media visuals
- Make code reviews engaging
- Celebrate successes

**Golden rule:** Keep text concise, match template to context.