Install this Claude Code skill.
Name: YouTube Thumbnail Idea Generator
Save to: ~/.claude/skills/youtube-thumbnail-idea-generator.md

---
---
name: YouTube Thumbnail Idea Generator
description: Generate click-worthy YouTube thumbnail concepts
---

Generate thumbnail ideas for: $ARGUMENTS

## Instructions

1. Understand the video's topic and target audience
2. Generate **3 thumbnail concepts**, each with:
   - **Composition**: layout description (subject placement, background, framing)
   - **Text overlay**: 3-5 words max, high contrast, readable at small size
   - **Expression / focal point**: what draws the eye
   - **Color palette**: 2-3 dominant colors (high saturation for CTR)
   - **Style reference**: describe the visual style
3. For each concept, explain **why it works**:
   - What emotion does it trigger? (curiosity, FOMO, surprise)
   - What's the curiosity gap? (makes you click to find out)

## Thumbnail best practices

- **3-word rule**: max 3-5 words of text on the thumbnail
- **Contrast**: bright subject on contrasting background
- **Faces work**: expressive faces with exaggerated emotions get clicks
- **Avoid clutter**: should be readable as a 160x90px image (mobile)
- **Complementary colors**: yellow/purple, red/blue, orange/teal
- **Before/After**: split compositions imply transformation
- **Arrows and circles**: guide the eye to the key element
- **Consistency**: maintain brand style across videos

## Output format

### Concept 1: [Name]
- **Composition**: [Description of layout]
- **Text**: "[Overlay text]" [font style, placement]
- **Focal point**: [What draws the eye]
- **Colors**: [Palette with hex codes]
- **Emotion**: [What it triggers]
- **Why it works**: [1-2 sentences]

### Concept 2: [Name]
...

### Concept 3: [Name]
...

## Constraints
- All concepts must be producible with a phone camera + Canva/Photoshop
- No misleading thumbnails: must accurately represent the video content
- Consider the title + thumbnail as a single unit: they should complement, not repeat