Memegen Skill

Generate memes via the memegen.link public API + Imgflip trending templates. No API key required.

Architecture

┌─────────────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐     ┌─────────────┐
│  Template Source │────▶│  Caption Engine   │────▶│  Renderer   │
│                  │     │                  │     │             │
│ • Built-in IDs   │     │ • Manual text    │     │ • memegen   │
│ • Imgflip API    │     │ • Agent-picked   │     │   .link     │
│ • Custom URL     │     │                  │     │ • Pillow    │
│ • Top 30 fallback│     │                  │     │   (local)   │
└─────────────────┘     └──────────────────┘     └─────────────┘

How It Works

Memes are generated entirely via URL — no POST requests needed. Build the URL and download the image.

URL Format

https://api.memegen.link/images/{template}/{top_text}/{bottom_text}.png

Downloading Memes

memegen.link returns HTTP 404 status but valid image body — many HTTP clients reject 404 URLs.

Always download first, then verify:

curl -s -o /tmp/meme.png "https://api.memegen.link/images/drake/top/bottom.png"
file /tmp/meme.png       # Should say "PNG image data"
ls -la /tmp/meme.png     # Should be >10KB for a real meme

If the file is empty or <1KB, the template ID is probably wrong.

URL Encoding Rules

Query Parameters

🎯 VARIETY RULE — Keep It Fresh

Prefer variety over repetition. Before picking a template:

1. Check what templates you've used recently (keep a history if possible)
2. Try to pick a different template from the last 5 memes
3. BUT — if a specific template is clearly the best fit for the joke, use it even if recent
4. After generating, log the template used for future reference

Humor Configuration

This skill includes a humor profile system — an equalizer for meme tone, darkness, and cultural targeting. See humor-profiles.md for the full reference.

Default Profile

How the Same Topic Hits Different

Topic: "My code has bugs"

Level 1 + Wholesome + Normie:

Template: success | "Found a bug / Fixed it on first try"

Level 2 + Sarcasm + Dank:

Template: fry | "Not sure if my code works / Or the tests are just broken too"

Level 3 + Sarcasm + Dank:

Template: fine | "Production is on fire / This is fine, it's a feature"

Level 4 + Deadpan + Dank (🇲🇽):

Template: harold | "Cuando dices 'ya casi queda' y llevas 3 horas / Pero sonríes porque el deploy es mañana"

Level 5 + Shitpost + Deep Fried:

Template: custom deep-fried | "BRUH THE CODE 💀💀💀 / IT COMPILES THO 😤🔥💯"

Usage in Prompts

Generate a meme about [topic].
Humor profile: Level 3, Dank, Sarcasm, 🇲🇽

Or let the agent auto-detect from context (language used, group chat culture, conversation tone).

Deep Fry Post-Processing

For Level 5 / Deep Fried memes, use the included script:

python3 scripts/deep-fry.py meme.png fried.png --level 4 --emojis --flare

Requires: pip install pillow

Template Selection Guide

> For ALL 207 templates with rhetorical patterns and examples, see references/templates-complete.md

> For a quick-reference index, see references/template-index.md

Pick templates by rhetorical pattern first, then tone. Each entry includes:

• Formula: the semantic structure of the joke
• Tone: sarcastic, wholesome, self-deprecating, absurd, smug, panicked, etc.
• Structure: what goes in each panel/line
• Best for: situations where this template shines
• Text length: short (1-5 words), medium (5-15), long (15-30) per panel

Binary Comparison (reject X / prefer Y)

drake — Drakeposting

• Formula: rejection of X / preference for Y
• Tone: casual, lighthearted, smug
• Structure: top=bad option (rejected), bottom=good option (approved)
• Best for: lazy shortcuts over proper solutions, guilty pleasures, obvious better choices
• Text length: medium / medium

pooh — Tuxedo Winnie the Pooh

• Formula: basic version of X / refined version of X
• Tone: smug, pretentious, self-aware
• Structure: top=normal/basic way, bottom=fancy/elevated way
• Best for: classy upgrades, pretending to be sophisticated, "we say it differently here"
• Text length: medium / medium

db — Distracted Boyfriend

• Formula: attracted to Z / neglecting Y / Z is the shiny new thing
• Tone: sarcastic, self-deprecating, relatable
• Structure: 3 lines — boyfriend=who's distracted, girlfriend=what's neglected, other=the temptation
• Best for: abandoning responsibilities for fun, shiny object syndrome, love triangles
• Text length: short / short / short

glasses — Peter Parker's Glasses

• Formula: blurry perception of X / clear perception of X
• Tone: revelatory, deadpan
• Structure: top=what it looks like at first, bottom=what it actually is
• Best for: seeing through BS, clarity moments, "oh that's what it really is"
• Text length: medium / medium

astronaut — Always Has Been

• Formula: discovery of X / it was always X
• Tone: ominous, deadpan, absurd
• Structure: 4 lines — astronaut1 sees something, asks question, astronaut2 reveals truth, "always has been"
• Best for: revelations that something was always true, conspiracies, hidden truths
• Text length: short / medium / short / short
• ⚠️ Built-in may be broken — use Imgflip URL with custom template as fallback

Skepticism / Confusion

fry — Futurama Fry (Squinting)

• Formula: not sure if X or Y
• Tone: suspicious, paranoid, relatable
• Structure: top=not sure if X, bottom=or just Y
• Best for: ambiguous situations, "is this a compliment or insult", reading between the lines
• Text length: medium / medium

morpheus — Matrix Morpheus

• Formula: what if I told you X
• Tone: wise, smug, enlightening
• Structure: top=what if I told you, bottom=the revelation
• Best for: mind-blowing facts, uncomfortable truths, paradigm shifts
• Text length: short / long

philosoraptor — Philosoraptor

• Formula: if X then wouldn't Y
• Tone: absurd, pseudo-intellectual, shower-thought
• Structure: top=philosophical setup, bottom=absurd conclusion
• Best for: shower thoughts, wordplay, "technically correct" logic, paradoxes
• Text length: medium / medium

keanu — Conspiracy Keanu

• Formula: what if X is actually Y
• Tone: paranoid, conspiratorial, wide-eyed
• Structure: top=what if, bottom=wild conspiracy theory
• Best for: absurd theories, connecting unrelated dots, "everything is connected"
• Text length: short / long

Clever Realization / Big Brain

rollsafe — Roll Safe (Thinking)

• Formula: can't have problem X if you do Y (terrible logic)
• Tone: smug, self-satisfied, terrible-advice
• Structure: top=can't X, bottom=if you Y (the "clever" workaround)
• Best for: life hacks that are actually terrible, loophole logic, galaxy-brain shortcuts
• Text length: medium / medium

gb — Galaxy Brain (Expanding Brain)

• Formula: level 1 normal → level 4 absurd/genius
• Tone: absurd, escalating, ironic
• Structure: 4 panels — each progressively more extreme/ridiculous take on same topic
• Best for: escalating absurdity, "big brain" solutions, tier lists of approaches
• Text length: medium / medium / medium / medium

scc — Sudden Clarity Clarence

• Formula: sudden realization that X
• Tone: shocked, enlightened, mind-blown
• Structure: top=setup, bottom=the realization
• Best for: epiphanies, "wait a minute" moments, obvious things nobody noticed
• Text length: medium / medium

Sarcasm / Mockery

spongebob — Mocking SpongeBob

• Formula: mocking repetition of X
• Tone: sarcastic, mocking, petty
• Structure: top=the original statement, bottom=tHe MoCkInG vErSiOn
• Best for: mocking dumb takes, repeating someone's words back at them, "sure buddy"
• Text length: medium / medium (use alternating caps in bottom)

wonka — Condescending Wonka

• Formula: oh you X? you must be Y
• Tone: condescending, sarcastic, smug
• Structure: top=oh you [claim], bottom=you must [sarcastic conclusion]
• Best for: calling out fakes, "oh you're an expert now?", gatekeeping humor
• Text length: medium / medium

kermit — But That's None of My Business

• Formula: [controversial observation] but that's none of my business
• Tone: passive-aggressive, smug, "just saying"
• Structure: top=shady observation, bottom=but that's none of my business
• Best for: throwing shade, gossip, pointed observations you "didn't mean to make"
• Text length: long / short

khaby-lame — Khaby Lame Shrug

• Formula: the obvious solution was right there
• Tone: deadpan, "are you serious", exasperated
• Structure: top=the overcomplicated thing someone did, bottom=the obvious solution
• Best for: overengineering, when the answer was obvious, "just do X"
• Text length: medium / short

Panic / Disaster / Pain

fine — This is Fine (Dog in Fire)

• Formula: everything is on fire / pretending it's okay
• Tone: denial, panicked-calm, self-deprecating
• Structure: top=the disaster happening, bottom=this is fine (or calm response)
• Best for: ignoring problems, deadlines, production outages, Monday mornings
• Text length: medium / short

harold — Hide the Pain Harold

• Formula: pain hidden behind a smile
• Tone: self-deprecating, pained, relatable
• Structure: top=the painful situation, bottom=the forced smile response
• Best for: putting on a brave face, "I'm fine" moments, internal screaming
• Text length: medium / medium

slap — Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock

• Formula: X attacks Y for Z
• Tone: aggressive, dramatic, sudden
• Structure: top=the trigger/joke, bottom=the violent response
• Best for: overreactions, defending something aggressively, sudden consequences
• Text length: medium / medium

gru — Gru's Plan

• Formula: plan → plan → consequence → wait what
• Tone: dramatic irony, panicked, backfire
• Structure: 4 panels — step 1, step 2, unexpected consequence, horrified reaction to step 3
• Best for: plans that backfire, unintended consequences, "I didn't think this through"
• Text length: medium / medium / medium / medium (panel 4 repeats panel 3)

chair — American Chopper Argument

• Formula: escalating argument between two people
• Tone: heated, dramatic, aggressive
• Structure: up to 6 panels — alternating arguments, escalating intensity
• Best for: heated debates, internal conflicts, "the duality of man", pros vs cons arguments
• Text length: medium per panel (up to 6 panels!)

Wholesome / Positive

success — Success Kid

• Formula: attempted X / nailed it
• Tone: triumphant, wholesome, fist-pump
• Structure: top=the challenge or attempt, bottom=the win
• Best for: small victories, passing tests, things going right for once
• Text length: medium / short

stonks — Stonks (Meme Man)

• Formula: did X / stonks (profit/success)
• Tone: absurd, ironic-positive, surreal
• Structure: top=the questionable action, bottom=stonks (or "not stonks" for failures)
• Best for: questionable financial decisions, "business" moves, ironic success
• Text length: medium / short

handshake — Epic Handshake

• Formula: X and Y agree on Z
• Tone: wholesome, unifying, respectful
• Structure: 3 lines — left arm label, right arm label, handshake label (the shared thing)
• Best for: unlikely agreements, common ground between enemies, "we're not so different"
• Text length: short / short / medium

Comparison / Identity

same — They're The Same Picture (Corporate)

• Formula: X and Y are identical / I see no difference
• Tone: deadpan, sarcastic, pointed
• Structure: top=thing 1, bottom=thing 2 (implying they're the same)
• Best for: calling out copycats, "these are literally the same thing", false distinctions
• Text length: short / short

pigeon — Is This a Pigeon?

• Formula: person misidentifies X as Y
• Tone: confused, absurd, oblivious
• Structure: 3 lines — the person (who), the butterfly (what it actually is), "is this a [wrong label]?"
• Best for: misidentifying things, clueless takes, "boomers calling everything WiFi"
• Text length: short / short / short

spiderman — Spider-Man Pointing

• Formula: X and Y are the same thing pointing at each other
• Tone: absurd, meta, accusatory
• Structure: top=first thing, bottom=second thing (both identical)
• Best for: two things that are secretly the same, hypocrisy, "you're one to talk"
• Text length: short / short

woman-cat — Woman Yelling at Cat

• Formula: angry accusation vs calm unbothered response
• Tone: chaotic, confrontational, deadpan
• Structure: top=the angry accusation (woman), bottom=the calm response (cat)
• Best for: arguments where one side is dramatic and the other is chill, overreaction vs facts
• Text length: long / short

Reaction / Mood

kombucha — Kombucha Girl

• Formula: tries X / actually it's not bad
• Tone: surprised, conflicted, "huh okay"
• Structure: top=the thing you reluctantly tried, bottom=the unexpected reaction
• Best for: guilty pleasures, changing your mind, "okay this actually slaps"
• Text length: medium / short

right — Anakin Padmé ("Right?")

• Formula: states plan / partner assumes good intent / "right?" / silence
• Tone: dramatic irony, ominous, escalating dread
• Structure: 5 lines — Anakin states X, Padmé assumes benign reason, "right?", Anakin silent stare, "RIGHT?"
• Best for: someone revealing bad intentions, "wait you're joking right?", red flags
• Text length: medium / short / short / (blank) / short

cmm — Change My Mind

• Formula: hot take stated as fact, daring anyone to argue
• Tone: provocative, confident, debate-me
• Structure: 1 line only — the controversial opinion on the sign
• Best for: hot takes, unpopular opinions, starting arguments, confident declarations
• Text length: medium (single line, keep it punchy)

reveal — Scooby Doo Reveal (Unmasking)

• Formula: X was actually Y all along
• Tone: revelatory, dramatic, "I knew it"
• Structure: 4 lines — the villain, the mask being pulled, the reveal, reaction
• Best for: exposing the truth, "it was X all along", corporate rebranding, hidden motives
• Text length: short / short / short / short

Rhetorical Pattern Quick Reference

Use this to identify the right template category before browsing individual templates:

Trending Templates via Imgflip

When you want the freshest templates (not just built-in IDs):

curl -s "https://api.imgflip.com/get_memes" | python3 -c "
import sys, json
memes = json.load(sys.stdin)['data']['memes'][:20]
for m in memes:
    print(f\"{m['name']}: {m['url']}\")
"

Use with custom background:

https://api.memegen.link/images/custom/{top}/{bottom}.png?background={imgflip_url}&width=800

Custom Background URL Encoding

from urllib.parse import quote
bg = quote("https://i.imgflip.com/30b1gx.jpg", safe=":/")
url = f"https://api.memegen.link/images/custom/top/bottom.png?background={bg}&width=800"

For hardcoded fallback templates (when Imgflip is unreachable), see references/templates-classic.md.

For trending template sources (Reddit, Imgflip scraping, Giphy), see references/templates-trending.md.

Local Render with Pillow (fallback, no network)

When memegen.link is down or you need full control:

from PIL import Image, ImageDraw, ImageFont
from io import BytesIO
import textwrap, requests

def render_meme(image_url, top, bottom="", output="/tmp/meme.png"):
    img = Image.open(BytesIO(requests.get(image_url).content)).convert("RGB")
    draw = ImageDraw.Draw(img)
    w, h = img.size
    font_size = max(w // 12, 20)
    try:
        font = ImageFont.truetype("/usr/share/fonts/truetype/msttcorefonts/Impact.ttf", font_size)
    except OSError:
        font = ImageFont.load_default()

    def draw_block(text, anchor="top"):
        if not text: return
        text = text.upper()
        lines = textwrap.wrap(text, width=max(int((w * 0.9) / (font_size * 0.6)), 10))
        line_h = [draw.textbbox((0,0), l, font=font)[3] - draw.textbbox((0,0), l, font=font)[1] for l in lines]
        total = sum(line_h) + (len(lines)-1) * 4
        y = 10 if anchor == "top" else h - total - 20
        for i, line in enumerate(lines):
            lw = draw.textbbox((0,0), line, font=font)[2]
            draw.text(((w-lw)/2, y), line, font=font, fill="white",
                      stroke_width=3, stroke_fill="black")
            y += line_h[i] + 4

    draw_block(top, "top")
    draw_block(bottom, "bottom")
    img.save(output, quality=95)
    return output

Requires: pip install pillow requests and optionally sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installer for Impact font.

⚠️ Known Issues & Lessons

Template names matter — use exact IDs

Common mistakes:

• ❌ buzz-woody → does not exist, grey placeholder
• ✅ buzz → "X, X Everywhere"
• ❌ disaster-girl → wrong
• ✅ ds → Disaster Girl
• ❌ change-my-mind → wrong
• ✅ cmm → Change My Mind

When unsure, fetch https://api.memegen.link/templates/{id} to verify.

Broken/unreliable built-in templates

These render text-only on grey striped background (no image):

• ❌ simply — "One Does Not Simply" — background doesn't load
• ❌ always — "Always Has Been" — background doesn't load
• ❌ panik — "Panik Kalm Panik" — 3-panel doesn't render

Workaround: Use the Imgflip URL from the fallback list with custom template instead.

Don't use formatting tags in meme text

• ❌ ~i~text~i~ — renders literally
• ✅ Just use plain text — memes don't need italics
• Only reliable special chars: ~n (newline), ~q (?), ~a (&), ~h (#), ~s (/)

Text encoding

• Accented characters (é, ñ, ó) work fine in URLs
• Keep text SHORT — max ~30 chars per line looks best
• Emojis don't render in memegen.link

Tips

• Keep text short — long text gets tiny
• Use ?width=800 for larger images
• For custom backgrounds: custom template + ?background=
• For broken built-in templates, use Imgflip URL + custom as workaround
• time.sleep(0.5) between batch requests — be polite to memegen.link

For the full template list and special characters reference, see references/api.md.