# Youtube Thumbnail Design

YouTube thumbnail design with specific dimensions, contrast rules, and mobile preview...

- Repository: https://github.com/inference-sh/skills (795 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: see repository
- Last updated: 2026-10-15
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add inference-sh/skills --skill youtube-thumbnail-design -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add inference-sh/skills --skill youtube-thumbnail-design -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add inference-sh/skills --skill youtube-thumbnail-design -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add inference-sh/skills --skill youtube-thumbnail-design -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

YouTube thumbnail design with specific dimensions, contrast rules, and mobile preview optimization. Covers safe zones, text placement, face expression psychology, and A/B testing. Use for: YouTube thumbnails, video cover images, click-through optimization. Triggers: youtube thumbnail, thumbnail design, video thumbnail, click through rate, ctr optimization, youtube cover, video cover image, thumbnail maker, thumbnail tips, youtube design, video preview image

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

> **Install the belt CLI skill:** `npx skills add belt-sh/cli`

# YouTube Thumbnail Design

Create high-CTR YouTube thumbnails with AI image generation via [inference.sh](https://inference.sh) CLI.

## Quick Start

> Requires inference.sh CLI (`belt`). [Install instructions](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/inference-sh/skills/refs/heads/main/cli-install.md)

```bash
belt login

# Generate a thumbnail
belt app run falai/flux-dev-lora --input '{
  "prompt": "YouTube thumbnail style, close-up of a person with surprised excited expression looking at a glowing laptop screen, vibrant blue and orange color scheme, dramatic studio lighting, shallow depth of field, high contrast, cinematic",
  "width": 1280,
  "height": 720
}'
```


## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|------|-------|
| Dimensions | 1280 x 720 px (minimum) |
| Recommended | 1920 x 1080 px |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Max file size | 2 MB |
| Formats | JPG, GIF, PNG |

## The 120px Test

Your thumbnail appears at roughly **120px wide** on mobile, that's how most viewers first see it.

**At 120px, viewers must be able to identify:**
1. The mood/emotion (from colors and expression)
2. The general subject (from composition)
3. The text (if any, only if large enough)

**Test:** view your thumbnail at 120px width. If it's a muddy blur, redesign.

## Safe Zones

The rest: https://github.com/inference-sh/skills/blob/HEAD/guides/design/youtube-thumbnail-design/SKILL.md