How to use
- Copy the installation command and review the source package before installing it in your own agent environment.
- Check the source document for required tools, credentials and supported hosts.
- Describe your input and desired deliverable; review the output against the source material.
npx skills add https://github.com/suzheng/k2f --skill k2f-research-posterBefore you start
- Installation does not include a model subscription, API allowance or permission to access your files.
- Repository stars and installation counts describe activity, not an independent quality or security test.
Original skill document
Rendered from the source repository. Headings, examples, code, tables, links, and referenced images are preserved.
K2F Research Poster — AI-Native Aesthetic Design
Purpose
Convert scientific manuscripts, experiment data, and academic notes into print-ready conference posters. Posters fail when treated as oversized papers; attendees scan from 1.5–2 meters away and spend under 90 seconds. This skill enforces scientific distillation, viewing-distance hierarchy, strict 1-page geometry, and high visual density while eliminating multi-page overflow and blank lower thirds.
Built on K2F
This skill produces conference posters as .K2F packages. Follow the k2f skill for authoring: unpack or init a workspace, edit the semantic JSON tree (content/root.json), customize styles/theme.json, pack/verify, and export. K2F separates semantic structure from styling, compiling an immutable render lock that guarantees pixel-identical output across PDF, PPTX, DOCX, and IDML.
Before you build, install the core skill: npx skills add suzheng/k2f --skill k2f.
When to Use
- Creating conference posters from paper drafts, preprints, or notes.
- Designing large-format scientific presentations (Arch E 48"×36", 36"×48", ISO A0/A1).
- Transforming multi-page manuscripts into a single-page visual synthesis.
- Exporting vector PDF, editable PPTX, or IDML.
Inputs
- Dimensions: Landscape (48"×36" / ISO A0) or portrait (36"×48" / A0). Default: 48"×36" landscape (3 columns).
- Findings: Abstract, methods, key results, and conclusions.
- Visuals: Figures, plots, diagrams, and logos.
- Metadata: Title, authors, affiliations, paper/repo URL.
Workflow
1. Understand
Distill content into three tiers:
- 3-Second: Title, logos, takeaway banner.
- 30-Second: Conclusion-driven section headers, key charts, metric callouts.
- 3-Minute: Concise methods, data tables, references.
2. Plan
- Word Budget: 400–600 words (limit: 300–800). Posters are visual abstracts.
- Grid: Pinned header, 3-column body (2–3 for portrait), footer (
catalog/content/ex_poster_shell.json). - Visuals: Dedicate >= 40% area to diagrams, plots, cards, or tables.
3. Build
- Shell: Paper size in
manifest.json. Wrap root inpage_shellwith pinnedheight(page_height - margins) andbreak_inside: "avoid". - Typography (
styles/theme.jsonfor 1.5–2 m): Title 72–90 pt (bold), Headers (h1/h2) 36–44 pt, Subheads/Metrics (h3/stat_number) 28–34 pt, Body (body) 22–26 pt (>= 18 pt min), Captions 16–18 pt. - Components: Convert statistics to cards (
ex_card_bands.json) or tables (ex_table.json). Use{ "fr": 1 }growers to prevent gaps.
4. Validate
- Run
pack_verify.py --workspace <path> --render. - Single-page check:
pages=1. Pages > 1 is a hard defect. - Bottom-fill check: Baselines align above footer without voids (
PAGE_UNDERFILL). - Inspect rendered PNGs for legibility and clipping.
5. Revise
When overflowing or unbalanced:
- Cut non-essential text before shrinking fonts.
- Convert sentences into bullets or metric cards.
- Adjust column gap or card padding in
theme.json. - Reduce role font sizes globally in
theme.jsonby 1–2 pt.
Rules & Constraints
- Strict 1-Page Envelope: Posters are single-canvas presentations; spilling to page 2 disrupts display boards. Pin
page_shellheight to content box (page_height - margins) to guarantee single-page compilation. - Viewing Distance Physics: Reading distance is 1.5–2 m; body text below 20 pt is unreadable to standing attendees. Prune text rather than shrinking typography.
- Conclusion-Driven Headers: Scanning attendees decide whether to stop in seconds. State findings (e.g., "Model Cuts Latency by 42%") instead of generic labels ("Results").
- Styles in Theme Only: Define styling in
styles/theme.json. Keeping semantic nodes clean allows global adjustments and predictable compilation. - High Contrast: Conference halls have varied lighting; maintain WCAG AAA contrast using calm academic palettes with vibrant accents.
Common Failure Modes
| Failure Mode | Root Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Page Overflow (`pages > 1`) | Unpinned height or excess text. | Pin page_shell height; prune text under 700 words. |
| Empty Lower Canvas (`PAGE_UNDERFILL`) | Short text without growers. | Add { "fr": 1 } growers or enlarge visuals. |
| Wall of Text | Raw paper text pasted. | Condense to 3–4 bullets per card; use metric callouts. |
| Tiny Typography | Document fonts (< 18 pt) used. | Scale in theme.json: Title >= 72 pt, H1 >= 36 pt, Body >= 22 pt. |
| Lopsided Columns | Unequal column distribution. | Rebalance sections (Col 1: Problem; Col 2: Methods/Results; Col 3: Impact). |
Quality Checklist
- [ ] Geometry: Pinned
page_shellmatching content box; strictlypages=1. - [ ] Word Budget: 300–800 words total across poster.
- [ ] Hierarchy: Title readable from 5 m; headers from 2 m; body from 1.5 m.
- [ ] Visual Ratio: >= 40% surface area in figures, metrics, or tables.
- [ ] Column Balance: Baselines align evenly without voids.
- [ ] Export Fidelity: Clean vector PDF and editable PPTX shapes.
