Pixel Art — Pixel art w/ era palettes (NES, Game Boy, PICO-8)
Pixel Art — Pixel art w/ era palettes (NES, Game Boy, PICO-8)
Start with meaning, then move to detail.
This lesson explains Pixel Art — Pixel art w/ era palettes (NES, Game Boy, PICO-8) as part of extending Hermes and connecting external tools. You will learn what it does, when it matters, and the smallest safe test that proves it works.
If you are new, do not memorize names. Focus on three questions: what problem does this solve, what access does it need, and how can you verify the result?
For practice, inspect the first example, identify its effects, run it on test data, and compare the result with the source claim.
For advanced readers, inspect Skill metadata, Reference: full SKILL.md, When to Use, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.
Complete installation and one successful task before adding new capabilities.
A clear outcome before you read.
- Understand Pixel Art — Pixel art w/ era palettes (NES, Game Boy, PICO-8) without assumed prior knowledge.
- Separate the source description from what still needs testing in your environment.
- Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Short definitions before the details.
- Skill
- An instruction bundle that teaches Hermes a repeatable workflow without necessarily adding an external service.
Pixel art w/ era palettes (NES, Game Boy, PICO-8)
What does the source say, and in what order?
- 01Skill metadata
Start here to understand the core idea or structure.
- 02Reference: full SKILL.md
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 03When to Use
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 04Workflow
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 05Step 1 — Offer a style
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 06Step 2 — Offer animation (optional)
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 07Step 3 — Generate
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 08Preset Catalog
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 09Scene Catalog (for video)
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 10Invocation Patterns
Finish here to verify the result and special cases.
Copy only after you understand the effect.
When the user already named an era (e.g. "80s arcade", "Gameboy"), skip
`clarify` and use the matching preset directly.
### Step 2 — Offer animation (optional)
If the user asked for a video/GIF, or the output might benefit from motion,
ask which scene:Do NOT call `clarify` more than twice in a row. One for style, one for scene if
animation is on the table. If the user explicitly asked for a specific style
and scene in their message, skip `clarify` entirely.
### Step 3 — Generate
Run `pixel_art()` first; if animation was requested, chain into
`pixel_art_video()` on the result.
## Preset Catalog
| Preset | Era | Palette | Block | Best for |
|--------|-----|---------|-------|----------|
| `arcade` | 80s arcade | adaptive 16 | 8px | Bold posters, hero art |
| `snes` | 16-bit | adaptive 32 | 4px | Characters, detailed scenes |
| `nes` | 8-bi## Scene Catalog (for video)
| Scene | Effects |
|-------|---------|
| `night` | Twinkling stars + fireflies + drifting leaves |
| `dusk` | Fireflies + sparkles |
| `tavern` | Dust motes + warm sparkles |
| `indoor` | Dust motes |
| `urban` | Rain + neon pulse |
| `nature` | Leaves + fireflies |
| `magic` | Sparkles + fireflies |
| `storm` | Rain + lightning |
| `underwater` | Bubbles + light sparkles |
| `fire` | Embers + sparkles |
| `snow` | Snowflakes + sparkles |
| `desert` | Heat shimmer + dust |
## Invocation Patterns
### Python (import)Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Match every command to your installed Hermes version, review the files and accounts it can reach, and use non-sensitive data for the first test. If this explanation differs from the source, the official source wins.