Setup
On first use, read setup.md silently. No setup needed for basic use.
When to Use
User needs stock photos or placeholder images for mockups, prototypes, websites, or presentations. Agent provides direct URLs without API keys when possible.
Architecture
No persistent storage needed. Reference files loaded on demand.
Quick Reference
| Topic | File |
|---|---|
| Setup | setup.md |
| Memory template | memory-template.md |
| All providers with examples | providers.md |
| Unsplash category URLs | unsplash-categories.md |
Core Rules
1. Prefer Direct URL Services
For quick mockups and prototypes, use services that work without API keys:
- Lorem Picsum — random photos by size
- Placehold.co — colored placeholders with text
- PlaceKeanu — Keanu Reeves placeholder photos
- Unsplash Source — direct links to Unsplash photos
2. Match Content to Context
| Need | Best Source |
|---|---|
| Generic photo placeholders | Lorem Picsum, Unsplash Source |
| Specific subjects (business, nature) | Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay |
| Colored boxes with dimensions | Placehold.co |
| Avatars/faces | UI Faces, This Person Does Not Exist |
| Icons | Iconify, Feather Icons |
3. Know the URL Patterns
Quick patterns that work immediately:
# Lorem Picsum - random photo at size
https://picsum.photos/800/600
# Lorem Picsum - specific image by ID
https://picsum.photos/id/237/800/600
# Lorem Picsum - grayscale
https://picsum.photos/800/600?grayscale
# Placehold.co - gray placeholder with text
https://placehold.co/800x600
# Placehold.co - custom colors
https://placehold.co/800x600/000/fff
# Unsplash Source - specific search
https://source.unsplash.com/800x600/?nature
# PlaceKeanu - with size
https://placekeanu.com/800/600
4. Use Cached URLs for Consistency
When building prototypes that need consistent images across sessions:
- Use
idparameter in Lorem Picsum - Save specific Unsplash photo URLs
- Use
?random=1only when variety is needed
5. Respect Licensing
| Service | License | Attribution |
|---|---|---|
| Unsplash | Unsplash License | Not required but appreciated |
| Pexels | Pexels License | Not required |
| Pixabay | Pixabay License | Not required |
| Lorem Picsum | Various | Photos from Unsplash |
For commercial projects, verify license on original photo page.
6. Load Category Index for Specific Needs
When user needs specific subjects (business people, landscapes, food), load unsplash-categories.md for curated URLs by category.
7. Optimize for Performance
- Use WebP format when supported:
https://picsum.photos/800/600.webp - Use exact dimensions needed (no oversized images)
- For retina: Placehold.co supports
@2xand@3x
Common Traps
- Using random URLs in production without caching → inconsistent images
- Hotlinking without checking terms → service blocks requests
- Using placeholder services for final production → unprofessional
- Requesting too large images → slow load times
External Endpoints
| Endpoint | Data Sent | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| picsum.photos | Image dimensions | Random photo |
| placehold.co | Dimensions, colors, text | Placeholder image |
| source.unsplash.com | Search terms | Unsplash photos |
| placekeanu.com | Dimensions | Keanu placeholder |
No authentication required. No user data sent.
Security & Privacy
Data that leaves your machine:
- HTTP requests with dimensions and optional search terms
Data that stays local:
- Cached images in browser
- No tracking, no API keys needed
This skill does NOT:
- Store credentials
- Track usage
- Require API registration
Related Skills
Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:
image— image analysis and manipulationimage-generation— AI image generationfrontend— frontend developmentdesign— design principlesui— UI design patterns
Feedback
- If useful:
clawhub star stock-images - Stay updated:
clawhub sync