# Figure Creation

Create, edit, or plan figures in Stencila Markdown, simple image figures, executable...

- Repository: https://github.com/stencila/stencila (914 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: Apache-2.0
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add stencila/stencila --skill figure-creation -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add stencila/stencila --skill figure-creation -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add stencila/stencila --skill figure-creation -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add stencila/stencila --skill figure-creation -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add stencila/stencila`

## Description

Create, edit, or plan figures in Stencila Markdown, simple image figures, executable code figures, multi-panel subfigure layouts with grid arrangements, and SVG annotation overlays using overlay components. Use when asked to add or revise a figure, chart, plot, caption, subfigure grid, panel layout, overlay annotation, callout, scale bar, arrow, region-of-interest highlight, or figure design plan for a Stencila document.

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

## Overview

Create, edit, or plan figures in Stencila Markdown (`.smd`) documents. Figures wrap images or executable output with captions, auto-numbered labels, cross-references, multi-panel grid layouts, and SVG annotation overlays.

If the user asks for strategy, options, or a figure specification rather than immediate file edits, provide a plan that covers the recommended figure structure, layout, caption approach, overlay strategy, and any missing inputs. Do not imply that implementation has already happened.

### References

Condensed references for quick lookup (try these first):

- [`references/figure-syntax-cheatsheet.md`](references/figure-syntax-cheatsheet.md), figure syntax, labels, layouts, padding, and overlay block structure
- [`references/layout-cookbook.md`](references/layout-cookbook.md), copy-paste multi-panel layout patterns
- [`references/overlay-patterns.md`](references/overlay-patterns.md), common overlay annotation recipes and anchor patterns
- [`references/overlay-components-quick-ref.md`](references/overlay-components-quick-ref.md), condensed attribute tables for all `<s:*>` components

Full documentation (large, load only when the condensed references are insufficient):

- [`references/figures.smd`](references/figures.smd), complete figures documentation (763 lines)
- [`references/figure-overlay-components.smd`](references/figure-overlay-components.smd), full overlay component reference with demos (980 lines)
- [`references/inspect-image-tool.md`](references/inspect-image-tool.md), full `inspect_image` tool reference for coordinate inspection
- [`references/lint-svg-tool.md`](references/lint-svg-tool.md), full `lint_svg` tool reference for overlay static analysis
- [`references/snap-tool.md`](references/snap-tool.md), full `snap` tool reference for visual verification

## Required Inputs

The rest: https://github.com/stencila/stencila/blob/HEAD/.stencila/skills/figure-creation/SKILL.md