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fix: overhaul ascii-art skill with working sources (#662)

Browse source 
Major issues fixed:
- Removed dead APIs: artii.herokuapp.com (404 since Heroku free tier
  ended 2022), patorjk.com TAAG AJAX endpoint (404)
- Removed unusable sources: emojicombos.com (3.3MB JS blob, not
  curl-accessible), asciiart.eu (art loads via JavaScript only)

New working sources added:
- asciified API (asciified.thelicato.io): free text-to-ASCII REST API,
  250+ FIGlet fonts, returns plain text, no auth — perfect remote
  alternative when pyfiglet isn't installed
- ascii.co.uk: classic ASCII art archive, art in <pre> tags,
  extractable with simple curl + Python parsing
- qrenco.de: QR codes as ASCII art via curl
- wttr.in: weather and moon phase as ASCII art via curl

Also fixed: Tool 6 no longer relies on web_extract inside
execute_code (which was the original #662 bug). All web lookups
now use terminal curl which is universally available.
This commit is contained in:
teknium1 2026-03-08 18:09:44 -07:00
parent 192501528f
commit 7c30ac2141
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skills/creative/ascii-art/SKILL.md
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@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
--- ---
name: ascii-art name: ascii-art
description: Generate ASCII art using pyfiglet (571 fonts), cowsay, boxes, toilet, image-to-ascii conversion, and search curated art from emojicombos.com and asciiart.eu (11,000+ artworks). Falls back to LLM-generated art. description: Generate ASCII art using pyfiglet (571 fonts), cowsay, boxes, toilet, image-to-ascii, remote APIs (asciified, ascii.co.uk), and LLM fallback. No API keys required.
version: 3.1.0 version: 4.0.0
author: 0xbyt4, Hermes Agent author: 0xbyt4, Hermes Agent
license: MIT license: MIT
dependencies: [] dependencies: []
@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ metadata:
# ASCII Art Skill # ASCII Art Skill
Multiple tools for different ASCII art needs. All tools are local CLI programs — no API keys required. Multiple tools for different ASCII art needs. All tools are local CLI programs or free REST APIs — no API keys required.
## Tool 1: Text Banners (pyfiglet) ## Tool 1: Text Banners (pyfiglet — local)
Render text as large ASCII art banners. 571 built-in fonts. Render text as large ASCII art banners. 571 built-in fonts.
@ -53,7 +53,35 @@ python3 -m pyfiglet --list_fonts # List all 571 fonts
- Short text (1-8 chars) works best with detailed fonts like `doom` or `block` - Short text (1-8 chars) works best with detailed fonts like `doom` or `block`
- Long text works better with compact fonts like `small` or `mini` - Long text works better with compact fonts like `small` or `mini`
## Tool 2: Cowsay (Message Art) ## Tool 2: Text Banners (asciified API — remote, no install)
Free REST API that converts text to ASCII art. 250+ FIGlet fonts. Returns plain text directly — no parsing needed. Use this when pyfiglet is not installed or as a quick alternative.
### Usage (via terminal curl)
```bash
# Basic text banner (default font)
curl -s "https://asciified.thelicato.io/api/v2/ascii?text=Hello+World"
# With a specific font
curl -s "https://asciified.thelicato.io/api/v2/ascii?text=Hello&font=Slant"
curl -s "https://asciified.thelicato.io/api/v2/ascii?text=Hello&font=Doom"
curl -s "https://asciified.thelicato.io/api/v2/ascii?text=Hello&font=Star+Wars"
curl -s "https://asciified.thelicato.io/api/v2/ascii?text=Hello&font=3-D"
curl -s "https://asciified.thelicato.io/api/v2/ascii?text=Hello&font=Banner3"
# List all available fonts (returns JSON array)
curl -s "https://asciified.thelicato.io/api/v2/fonts"
```
### Tips
- URL-encode spaces as `+` in the text parameter
- The response is plain text ASCII art — no JSON wrapping, ready to display
- Font names are case-sensitive; use the fonts endpoint to get exact names
- Works from any terminal with curl — no Python or pip needed
## Tool 3: Cowsay (Message Art)
Classic tool that wraps text in a speech bubble with an ASCII character. Classic tool that wraps text in a speech bubble with an ASCII character.
@ -97,7 +125,7 @@ cowsay -e "OO" "Msg" # Custom eyes
cowsay -T "U " "Msg" # Custom tongue cowsay -T "U " "Msg" # Custom tongue
``` ```
## Tool 3: Boxes (Decorative Borders) ## Tool 4: Boxes (Decorative Borders)
Draw decorative ASCII art borders/frames around any text. 70+ built-in designs. Draw decorative ASCII art borders/frames around any text. 70+ built-in designs.
@ -124,13 +152,15 @@ echo "Hello World" | boxes -a c # Center text
boxes -l # List all 70+ designs boxes -l # List all 70+ designs
``` ```
### Combine with pyfiglet ### Combine with pyfiglet or asciified
```bash ```bash
python3 -m pyfiglet "HERMES" -f slant | boxes -d stone python3 -m pyfiglet "HERMES" -f slant | boxes -d stone
# Or without pyfiglet installed:
curl -s "https://asciified.thelicato.io/api/v2/ascii?text=HERMES&font=Slant" | boxes -d stone
``` ```
## Tool 4: TOIlet (Colored Text Art) ## Tool 5: TOIlet (Colored Text Art)
Like pyfiglet but with ANSI color effects and visual filters. Great for terminal eye candy. Like pyfiglet but with ANSI color effects and visual filters. Great for terminal eye candy.
@ -160,14 +190,14 @@ toilet -F list # List available filters
**Note**: toilet outputs ANSI escape codes for colors — works in terminals but may not render in all contexts (e.g., plain text files, some chat platforms). **Note**: toilet outputs ANSI escape codes for colors — works in terminals but may not render in all contexts (e.g., plain text files, some chat platforms).
## Tool 5: Image to ASCII Art ## Tool 6: Image to ASCII Art
Convert images (PNG, JPEG, GIF, WEBP) to ASCII art. Convert images (PNG, JPEG, GIF, WEBP) to ASCII art.
### Option A: ascii-image-converter (recommended, modern) ### Option A: ascii-image-converter (recommended, modern)
```bash ```bash
# Install via snap or Go # Install
sudo snap install ascii-image-converter sudo snap install ascii-image-converter
# OR: go install github.com/TheZoraiz/ascii-image-converter@latest # OR: go install github.com/TheZoraiz/ascii-image-converter@latest
``` ```
@ -190,63 +220,77 @@ jp2a --width=80 image.jpg
jp2a --colors image.jpg # Colorized jp2a --colors image.jpg # Colorized
``` ```
## Tool 6: Search Pre-Made ASCII Art (Web APIs) ## Tool 7: Search Pre-Made ASCII Art
Search curated ASCII art databases via `web_extract`. No API keys needed. Search curated ASCII art from the web. Use `terminal` with `curl`.
### Source A: emojicombos.com (recommended first) ### Source A: ascii.co.uk (recommended for pre-made art)
Huge collection of ASCII art, dot art, kaomoji, and emoji combos. Modern, meme-aware, user-submitted content. Great for pop culture, animals, objects, aesthetics. Large collection of classic ASCII art organized by subject. Art is inside HTML `<pre>` tags. Fetch the page with curl, then extract art with a small Python snippet.
**URL pattern:** `https://emojicombos.com/{term}-ascii-art` **URL pattern:** `https://ascii.co.uk/art/{subject}`
**Step 1 — Fetch the page:**
```bash
curl -s 'https://ascii.co.uk/art/cat' -o /tmp/ascii_art.html
``` ```
web_extract(urls=["https://emojicombos.com/cat-ascii-art"])
web_extract(urls=["https://emojicombos.com/rocket-ascii-art"]) **Step 2 — Extract art from pre tags:**
web_extract(urls=["https://emojicombos.com/dragon-ascii-art"])
web_extract(urls=["https://emojicombos.com/skull-ascii-art"]) ```python
web_extract(urls=["https://emojicombos.com/heart-ascii-art"]) import re, html
with open('/tmp/ascii_art.html') as f:
text = f.read()
arts = re.findall(r'<pre[^>]*>(.*?)</pre>', text, re.DOTALL)
for art in arts:
clean = re.sub(r'<[^>]+>', '', art)
clean = html.unescape(clean).strip()
if len(clean) > 30:
print(clean)
print('\n---\n')
``` ```
**Available subjects** (use as URL path):
- Animals: `cat`, `dog`, `horse`, `bird`, `fish`, `dragon`, `snake`, `rabbit`, `elephant`, `dolphin`, `butterfly`, `owl`, `wolf`, `bear`, `penguin`, `turtle`
- Objects: `car`, `ship`, `airplane`, `rocket`, `guitar`, `computer`, `coffee`, `beer`, `cake`, `house`, `castle`, `sword`, `crown`, `key`
- Nature: `tree`, `flower`, `sun`, `moon`, `star`, `mountain`, `ocean`, `rainbow`
- Characters: `skull`, `robot`, `angel`, `wizard`, `pirate`, `ninja`, `alien`
- Holidays: `christmas`, `halloween`, `valentine`
**Tips:** **Tips:**
- Use hyphenated search terms: `hello-kitty-ascii-art`, `star-wars-ascii-art` - Preserve artist signatures/initials — important etiquette
- Returns a mix of classic ASCII, Braille dot art, and kaomoji — pick the best style for the user - Multiple art pieces per page — pick the best one for the user
- Includes modern meme art and pop culture references - Works reliably via curl, no JavaScript needed
- Great for kaomoji/emoticons too: `https://emojicombos.com/cat-kaomoji`
### Source B: asciiart.eu (classic archive) ### Source B: GitHub Octocat API (fun easter egg)
11,000+ classic ASCII artworks organized by category. More traditional/vintage art. Returns a random GitHub Octocat with a wise quote. No auth needed.
**Browse by category** (use as URL paths):
- `animals/cats`, `animals/dogs`, `animals/birds`, `animals/horses`
- `animals/dolphins`, `animals/dragons`, `animals/insects`
- `space/rockets`, `space/stars`, `space/planets`
- `vehicles/cars`, `vehicles/ships`, `vehicles/airplanes`
- `food-and-drinks/coffee`, `food-and-drinks/beer`
- `computers/computers`, `electronics/robots`
- `art-and-design/hearts`, `art-and-design/skulls`
- `plants/flowers`, `plants/trees`
- `mythology/dragons`, `mythology/unicorns`
```
web_extract(urls=["https://www.asciiart.eu/animals/cats"])
web_extract(urls=["https://www.asciiart.eu/search?q=rocket"])
```
**Tips:**
- Preserve artist initials/signatures (e.g., `jgs`, `hjw`) — this is important etiquette
- Better for classic/vintage ASCII art style
### Source C: GitHub Octocat API (fun easter egg)
Returns a random GitHub Octocat with a quote. No auth needed.
```bash ```bash
curl -s https://api.github.com/octocat curl -s https://api.github.com/octocat
``` ```
## Tool 7: LLM-Generated Custom Art (Fallback) ## Tool 8: Fun ASCII Utilities (via curl)
These free services return ASCII art directly — great for fun extras.
### QR Codes as ASCII Art
```bash
curl -s "qrenco.de/Hello+World"
curl -s "qrenco.de/https://example.com"
```
### Weather as ASCII Art
```bash
curl -s "wttr.in/London" # Full weather report with ASCII graphics
curl -s "wttr.in/Moon" # Moon phase in ASCII art
curl -s "v2.wttr.in/London" # Detailed version
```
## Tool 9: LLM-Generated Custom Art (Fallback)
When tools above don't have what's needed, generate ASCII art directly using these Unicode characters: When tools above don't have what's needed, generate ASCII art directly using these Unicode characters:
@ -264,28 +308,14 @@ When tools above don't have what's needed, generate ASCII art directly using the
- Max height: 15 lines for banners, 25 for scenes - Max height: 15 lines for banners, 25 for scenes
- Monospace only: output must render correctly in fixed-width fonts - Monospace only: output must render correctly in fixed-width fonts
## Fun Extras
### Star Wars in ASCII (via telnet)
```bash
telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl
```
### Useful Resources
- [asciiart.eu](https://www.asciiart.eu/) — 11,000+ artworks, searchable
- [patorjk.com/software/taag](http://patorjk.com/software/taag/) — Web-based text-to-ASCII with font preview
- [asciiflow.com](http://asciiflow.com/) — Interactive ASCII diagram editor (browser)
- [awesome-ascii-art](https://github.com/moul/awesome-ascii-art) — Curated resource list
## Decision Flow ## Decision Flow
1. **Text as a banner** → pyfiglet (or toilet for colored output) 1. **Text as a banner** → pyfiglet if installed, otherwise asciified API via curl
2. **Wrap a message in fun character art** → cowsay 2. **Wrap a message in fun character art** → cowsay
3. **Add decorative border/frame** → boxes (can combine with pyfiglet) 3. **Add decorative border/frame** → boxes (can combine with pyfiglet/asciified)
4. **Art of a thing** (cat, rocket, dragon) → emojicombos.com first, then asciiart.eu 4. **Art of a specific thing** (cat, rocket, dragon) → ascii.co.uk via curl + parsing
5. **Kaomoji / emoticons** → emojicombos.com (`{term}-kaomoji`) 5. **Convert an image to ASCII** → ascii-image-converter or jp2a
6. **Convert an image to ASCII** → ascii-image-converter or jp2a 6. **QR code** → qrenco.de via curl
7. **Something custom/creative** → LLM generation with Unicode palette 7. **Weather/moon art** → wttr.in via curl
8. **Any tool not installed** → install it, or fall back to next option 8. **Something custom/creative** → LLM generation with Unicode palette
9. **Any tool not installed** → install it, or fall back to next option