---

name: create-glyph locale: caveman-ultra source_locale: en source_commit: 82c77053 fence_basis_commit: 82c77053 translator: "Julius Brussee homage — caveman" translation_date: "2026-04-19" description: > Create R-based pictogram glyphs for skill, agent, or team icons in the visualization layer. Covers concept sketching, ggplot2 layer composition using the primitives library, color strategy, registration in the appropriate glyph mapping file and manifest, rendering via the build pipeline, and visual verification of the neon-glow output. Use when a new entity has been added and needs a visual icon for the force-graph visualization, an existing glyph needs replacement, or when batch-creating glyphs for a new domain. license: MIT allowed-tools: Read Write Edit Bash Grep Glob metadata: author: Philipp Thoss version: "2.0" domain: design complexity: intermediate language: R tags: design, glyph, pictogram, icon, ggplot2, visualization, neon

Create Glyph

R pictogram glyphs → skill/agent/team icons in viz/. Pure-ggplot2 fn on 100x100 → neon glow → transparent WebP.

Use When

• New skill/agent/team needs icon
• Existing glyph needs replace/redesign
• Batch-create for new domain
• Prototype visual metaphors

In

• Required: Type — skill, agent, team
• Required: Entity ID (create-glyph, mystic, r-package-review) + domain (skills)
• Required: Visual concept
• Optional: Reference glyph (complexity calibration)
• Optional: Custom --glow-sigma (def: 4)

Do

Step 1: Concept

1. Read entity source:
   • Skills: skills/<id>/SKILL.md
   • Agents: agents/<id>.md
   • Teams: teams/<id>.md
2. Metaphor type:
   • Literal: flask→experiment, shield→security
   • Abstract: arrows→merge, spirals→iterate
   • Composite: 2-3 simple shapes (doc + pen)
3. Complexity ref:

Complexity Tiers:
+----------+--------+-------------------------------------------+
| Tier     | Layers | Examples                                  |
+----------+--------+-------------------------------------------+
| Simple   | 2      | glyph_flame, glyph_heartbeat              |
| Moderate | 3-5    | glyph_document, glyph_experiment_flask    |
| Complex  | 6+     | glyph_ship_wheel, glyph_bridge_cpp        |
+----------+--------+-------------------------------------------+

4. Fn name: glyph_<descriptive_name> (snake_case, unique)

Got: Mental sketch, 2-6 planned layers.

If err: Too abstract → concrete related. Check existing in same domain.

Step 2: Compose

Write R fn → ggplot2 layers.

1. Signature (immutable):

   glyph_<name> <- function(cx, cy, s, col, bright) {
     # cx, cy = center coordinates (50, 50 on 100x100 canvas)
     # s = scale factor (1.0 = fill ~70% of canvas)
     # col = domain color hex (e.g., "#ff88dd" for design)
     # bright = brightened variant of col (auto-computed by renderer)
     # Returns: list() of ggplot2 layers
   }
   

2. Apply * s to ALL dims:

   r <- 20 * s        # radius
   hw <- 15 * s       # half-width
   lw <- .lw(s)       # line width (default base 2.5)
   lw_thin <- .lw(s, 1.2)  # thinner line width
   

3. Geometry primitives:

   Geometry	Usage
   ggplot2::geom_polygon(data, .aes(x, y), ...)	Filled shapes
   ggplot2::geom_path(data, .aes(x, y), ...)	Open lines/curves
   ggplot2::geom_segment(data, .aes(x, xend, y, yend), ...)	Segments, arrows
   ggplot2::geom_rect(data, .aes(xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax), ...)	Rects
   ggforce::geom_circle(data, .aes(x0, y0, r), ...)	Circles

4. Color strategy:

   Alpha Guide:
   +----------------------+------------+--------------------------+
   | Purpose              | Alpha      | Example                  |
   +----------------------+------------+--------------------------+
   | Large fill (body)    | 0.08-0.15  | hex_with_alpha(col, 0.1) |
   | Medium fill (accent) | 0.15-0.25  | hex_with_alpha(col, 0.2) |
   | Small fill (detail)  | 0.25-0.35  | hex_with_alpha(bright, 0.3) |
   | Outline stroke       | 1.0        | color = bright           |
   | Secondary stroke     | 1.0        | color = col              |
   | No fill              | ---        | fill = NA                |
   +----------------------+------------+--------------------------+
   

5. Return flat list() → renderer wraps each w/ glow

6. Place fn in right primitives file:

   • Skills: domain-grouped across 19 files:
     • primitives.R — bushcraft, compliance, containerization, data-serialization, defensive
     • primitives_2.R — devops, general, git, mcp-integration
     • primitives_3.R — mlops, observability, PM, r-packages, reporting, review, web-dev, esoteric, design
     • primitives_4.R through primitives_19.R for newer
   • Agents: viz/R/agent_primitives.R
   • Teams: viz/R/team_primitives.R

Got: Working R fn → list of 2-6 layers.

If err: ggforce::geom_circle err → install ggforce. Coords off → canvas 100x100, (0,0) bottom-left. Test:

source("viz/R/utils.R"); source("viz/R/primitives.R")  # etc.
layers <- glyph_<name>(50, 50, 1.0, "#ff88dd", "#ffa8f0")
p <- ggplot2::ggplot() + ggplot2::coord_fixed(xlim=c(0,100), ylim=c(0,100)) +
     ggplot2::theme_void()
for (l in layers) p <- p + l
print(p)

Step 3: Register

Map entity → glyph.

Skills:

1. Open viz/R/glyphs.R
2. Find domain section comment (# -- design (3))
3. Alphabetical in domain block:

   "skill-id" = "glyph_function_name",
   

4. Update count comment if applicable

Agents:

1. Open viz/R/agent_glyphs.R
2. Alphabetical in AGENT_GLYPHS:

   "agent-id" = "glyph_function_name",
   

Teams:

1. Open viz/R/team_glyphs.R

2. Alphabetical in TEAM_GLYPHS:

   "team-id" = "glyph_function_name",
   

3. Verify no dup ID

Got: *_GLYPHS list has new mapping.

If err: "No glyph mapped" → check ID exact match vs manifest + registry.

Step 4: Manifest

Register icon.

Skills: viz/data/icon-manifest.json

{
  "skillId": "skill-id",
  "domain": "domain-name",
  "prompt": "<domain basePrompt>, <descriptors>, dark background, vector art",
  "seed": <next_seed>,
  "path": "public/icons/cyberpunk/<domain>/<skill-id>.webp",
  "status": "pending"
}

Agents: viz/data/agent-icon-manifest.json

{
  "agentId": "agent-id",
  "prompt": "<agent-specific descriptors>, dark background, vector art",
  "seed": <next_seed>,
  "path": "public/icons/cyberpunk/agents/<agent-id>.webp",
  "status": "pending"
}

Teams: viz/data/team-icon-manifest.json

{
  "teamId": "team-id",
  "prompt": "<team-specific descriptors>, dark background, vector art",
  "seed": <next_seed>,
  "path": "public/icons/cyberpunk/teams/<team-id>.webp",
  "status": "pending"
}

Got: Valid JSON, entry among type siblings.

If err: Validate syntax. Common: trailing comma after last elem, missing quotes.

Step 5: Render

Run pipeline. Always build.sh → platform detect + R binary. See render-icon-pipeline.

# From project root — renders all palettes, standard + HD, skips existing icons
bash viz/build.sh --only <domain> --skip-existing          # skills
bash viz/build.sh --type agent --only <id> --skip-existing # agents
bash viz/build.sh --type team --only <id> --skip-existing  # teams

# Dry run first:
bash viz/build.sh --only <domain> --dry-run

build.sh = full pipeline (palette → data → manifest → render → terminal glyphs). Non-render steps +~10s but ensure current.

Out:

• Skills: viz/public/icons/<palette>/<domain>/<skill-id>.webp
• Agents: viz/public/icons/<palette>/agents/<agent-id>.webp
• Teams: viz/public/icons/<palette>/teams/<team-id>.webp

Got: Log OK: <entity> (seed=XXXXX, XX.XKB), WebP exists.

If err:

• "No glyph mapped" — Step 3 missing / typo
• "Unknown domain" — Not in get_palette_colors() in palettes.R
• R pkg err — install.packages(c("ggplot2", "ggforce", "ggfx", "ragg", "magick"))
• Crash → test fn interactive (Step 2 fallback)

Step 6: Verify

1. Check file + size:

   ls -la viz/public/icons/cyberpunk/<type-path>/<entity-id>.webp
   # Expected: 15-80 KB typical range
   

2. Open WebP → check:

   • Shape clear @ 1024x1024
   • Neon glow present, not overpowering
   • BG transparent (no rect)
   • No edge clip

3. Small sizes (~40-160px in graph):

   • Shape recognizable
   • Detail ≠ noise
   • Glow doesn't overwhelm

Got: Clear pictogram + even glow + transparent BG.

If err:

• Glow strong → re-render --glow-sigma 2
• Glow weak → --glow-sigma 8
• Unreadable small → simplify (fewer layers, bolder strokes, .lw(s, base) higher)
• Edge clip → reduce dims / shift center

Step 7: Iterate

1. Common adjustments:

   • Bolder strokes: .lw(s, base) → base = 3.0 / 3.5
   • Visible fill: alpha 0.10 → 0.15-0.20
   • Proportions: tweak s multipliers (20 * s → 24 * s)
   • Add/rm layers: 2-6 best

2. Re-render:

   # Delete the existing icon first, then re-render
   rm viz/public/icons/cyberpunk/<type-path>/<entity-id>.webp
   # Use the appropriate build command from Step 5
   

3. When done → manifest status = "done" (auto on success)

Got: Icon passes Step 6.

If err: 3+ iter fail → try diff metaphor (→ Step 1).

Reference

Domain + Entity Palettes

All domain colors (skills) in viz/R/palettes.R (single truth). Agent/team colors same. Cyberpunk (hand-tuned neon) in get_cyberpunk_colors(). Viridis auto via viridisLite.

Lookup:

source("viz/R/palettes.R")
get_palette_colors("cyberpunk")$domains[["design"]]   # skill domain
get_palette_colors("cyberpunk")$agents[["mystic"]]     # agent
get_palette_colors("cyberpunk")$teams[["tending"]]     # team

New domain → 3 places in palettes.R:

1. PALETTE_DOMAIN_ORDER (alphabetical)
2. get_cyberpunk_colors() domains list
3. Run bash viz/build.sh → regen palettes + data + manifests

Glyph Fn Catalog

Full catalog in primitives source:

• Skills: viz/R/primitives.R → viz/R/primitives_19.R (domain-grouped)
• Agents: viz/R/agent_primitives.R
• Teams: viz/R/team_primitives.R

Helpers

Fn	Sig	Purpose
.lw(s, base)	(scale, base=2.5)	Scale-aware line width
.aes(...)	alias for ggplot2::aes	Shorthand aes map
hex_with_alpha(hex, alpha)	(string, 0-1)	Alpha on hex
brighten_hex(hex, factor)	(string, factor=1.3)	Brighten
dim_hex(hex, factor)	(string, factor=0.4)	Dim

Check

• Fn signature: glyph_<name>(cx, cy, s, col, bright) -> list()
• All dims * s
• Colors: col fills, bright outlines, hex_with_alpha() transparency
• Fn in correct primitives file
• Mapping in right *_glyphs.R
• Manifest entry + correct path + "status": "pending"
• Build runs no err (dry-run first)
• WebP at expected path
• Size 15-80 KB
• Reads clear 1024px + ~40px
• Transparent BG
• Status → "done" post-render

Traps

• Forgot * s: Hard-coded px breaks on scale. Multiply by s always.
• Canvas origin: (0,0) bottom-left. Higher y = UP.
• Double glow: Renderer applies ggfx::with_outer_glow(). Do NOT add in fn.
• Too many layers: Each gets glow wrap. >8 = slow + noisy.
• ID mismatch: Glyph map + manifest + registry must match exact.
• JSON trailing commas: Strict JSON. No trailing comma.
• Missing domain color: Not in get_cyberpunk_colors() → render err. Add color first.
• Wrong primitives file: Skills → primitives*.R, agents → agent_primitives.R, teams → team_primitives.R.

→

• enhance-glyph — improve quality / fix / add layers
• audit-icon-pipeline — detect missing
• render-icon-pipeline — full pipeline E2E
• ornament-style-mono — AI img gen alt
• ornament-style-color — color theory
• create-skill — parent workflow triggering glyph