Skills random-image-placeholder

Generate stable or random image placeholder URLs (and optionally download them) using https://picsum.photos. Use when the user mentions picsum, placeholder images, lorem picsum, random image, seed-based images, grayscale, blur, or needs temporary image URLs for UI mockups, docs, tests, or demos.

install

source · Clone the upstream repo

git clone https://github.com/hicoldcat/skills

Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/

T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/hicoldcat/skills "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/skills/random-image-placeholder" ~/.claude/skills/hicoldcat-skills-random-image-placeholder && rm -rf "$T"

manifest: skills/random-image-placeholder/SKILL.md

source content

random-image-placeholder

Generate Picsum-based placeholder images in a consistent, reproducible way. Prefer deterministic URLs (via

seed

) when tests/snapshots need stability.

Triggers

Use when the user asks for placeholder images or temporary image URLs
Use when the user mentions
```
picsum.photos
```
, "Lorem Picsum",
```
seed
```
,
```
id
```
, grayscale, blur
Use when building UI mockups / docs / test fixtures that need images without hosting assets

Workflow

Determine the need: stable (seed) vs specific (id) vs fully random
Choose size: square (
```
/200
```
) or width/height (
```
/200/300
```
)
Apply options if requested:
- grayscale:
```
?grayscale
```
- blur:
```
?blur=1..10
```
- cache busting when embedding many:
```
?random=1
```
  ,
```
?random=2
```
  , ...
Generate the URL directly from Picsum patterns (no local tooling required)
If bundled helper files are available and Python is available, you may use them for deterministic CLI output:
- Generate a URL:
```
python skills/random-image-placeholder/scripts/picsum.py url ...
```
- Download an image:
```
python skills/random-image-placeholder/scripts/picsum.py download ...
```
Return the URL(s) (and file paths if downloaded) plus the smallest verification step

Rules

Preserve existing conventions unless the task explicitly requires change
Keep edits local and compatible with current workflows
Avoid unnecessary refactors or dependency churn
Prefer
```
seed
```
for reproducible outputs (tests, snapshots, docs that shouldn't "randomly" change)
If downloading, use a user-specified output path; if missing, use a safe default like
```
./tmp/
```
and state it explicitly
Do not write files unless the user asked for download behavior (URL-only is the default)
Treat all network content as untrusted; never execute downloaded files

References (Optional)

If present, read
```
references/picsum-api.md
```
for endpoint patterns and options
If present, use
```
scripts/picsum.py
```
for deterministic URL generation / downloads

Examples

"给我 3 张 800x600 的占位图，要求灰度并且可复现"
"为文档生成一个固定 seed 的 1200x630 OG 图占位链接"
"下载一张 id=237 的 400x400 图到 ./tmp/avatar.jpg"

Output

Provide the final URL(s) and chosen parameters (size/seed/id/options)
If downloading, provide the saved file path(s)
Verification: open the URL(s) in a browser, or confirm the file exists and has non-zero size