Goal

• Convert images or textual descriptions into publication-quality TikZ LaTeX code
• Generate a compilable LaTeX file, render it to PNG, and iteratively refine the output to match the input precisely

When to Use

• Use this skill when you need to:
  • Create publication-quality diagrams, plots, or visualizations
  • Convert hand-drawn sketches or existing images into reproducible TikZ code
  • Generate diagrams for inclusion in LaTeX documents

When NOT to Use

• Do not use this skill for:
  • Complex photographs requiring photorealistic rendering
  • Plots from large datasets (use dedicated plotting libraries instead)
  • Diagrams requiring advanced 3D visualization

Workflow

Receive and Understand the Input

• You receive either:
  1. An image of a diagram
  2. A textual description of a concept or situation

Choose Figure Type

• Pick the diagram structure that fits the input:
  • FLOWCHART: sequential steps, decision branches, pipelines
  • STRUCTURAL: containment (things inside other things), architecture
  • ILLUSTRATIVE: plots, physical cross-sections, or abstract spatial metaphors

Generate TikZ Code

• Generate valid LaTeX code using the TikZ package. Wrap the code in a complete minimal working example:

  \documentclass{standalone}
  \usepackage{tikz}
  \begin{document}
  \begin{tikzpicture}
  ...
  \end{tikzpicture}
  \end{document}
  

Preserve layout accurately

• If converting from an image <IMAGE>, reproduce the layout precisely
• Preserve proportions, relative positions, and symmetry
• Use coordinates and scaling where appropriate
• Approximate complex curves with TikZ paths when needed

Follow the TikZ conventions

• Generate the diagram using the conventions from .claude/skills/tikz.rules.md
• Key sections to follow: Colors, Typography, Layout, Reusable Patterns, Polish

Handle ambiguity

• Make reasonable assumptions about unclear inputs
• Prioritize clarity and visual correctness over perfection

Save the File

• Save the generated LaTeX code to ./tikz_figure.tex in the current directory (not in .claude/). Output only valid TikZ code without markdown formatting or explanations

Render to Image

• Generate a PNG image using the rendering script:

  > ./helpers_root/dev_scripts_helpers/dockerize/dockerized_tikz_to_bitmap.py \
      -i tikz_figure.tex \
      -o output.png
  

• Open the generated image to inspect the output:

  > open output.png
  

Iterate and Refine

• Compare the generated PNG to the original input. If there are significant differences:
  • Identify layout discrepancies
  • Update ./tikz_figure.tex to better match the input
  • Re-render and verify the result

Compare for User

• Once it's done, build a side-by-side comparison image and open it:

  > montage <ORIGINAL_IMAGE> output.png -tile 2x1 -geometry 500x+10+10 \
      -background white comparison.png
  > open comparison.png
  

• Remove comparison.png after the user has seen it, it is a temp file, not a deliverable

Verification

• Confirm all lines connect cleanly to box edges with no overlap
• Confirm the diagram closely matches the original (same layout, colors, and semantics)

Examples

• Bad: Attempting to convert a photograph of a natural scene into TikZ (infeasible; use image inclusion instead)
• Good: Converting a circuit diagram sketch into TikZ with accurate node positioning, labeled connections, and proper symmetry