Ask the user for:

Headline text — the main text on the ad image
Brand colors (optional) — primary color, background color, text color (hex values). If not provided, defaults: background #0f172a, text #ffffff, accent #3b82f6
Font (optional) — font family (default: system sans-serif stack)
Logo URL (optional) — if brand guidelines require it
Product image (optional, required for product-image and branded styles) — path to a screenshot, UI image, or visual asset
Style — cookie-cutter / ugly / meme / branded / native (default: cookie-cutter)
Dimensions — width x height in pixels. Common presets:
- square: 1200x1200px (social feeds)
- landscape: 1440x1000px (Reddit/display)
- Or custom dimensions
Platform — which platform the ad is for (affects dimension defaults and template tweaks)
Ad concept from ad-angles (optional) — full concept block with headline, style, and image suggestion

Step 1b: Select or Refine the Headline

If no headline is provided, or the headline needs strengthening, use the Hook Formula Bank:

5 Qualities of an Irresistible Headline:

Clear, not clever — Reader immediately knows what it's about
Makes a PROMISE — Not just "about X" but "here's what changes"
Specific — Concrete numbers, outcomes, audiences
Takes a stance — Polarizing headlines make the right reader say "that's me"
Teases without revealing — The Curiosity Gap

Quick Headline Formulas:

[Number] [Things] [Audience] should [know/avoid/use]
How to [Outcome] without [Pain Point]
Still [Painful Activity]? There's a better way.
[Competitor], but [Differentiator]
The [Number]-step [System] for [Outcome]

Headline Length Rules (for ad images):

Short headlines (< 40 chars) have the highest impact. Aim here.
If the headline needs explanation, it's too complex for an ad image.

Step 1c: Direct Response Checklist

Before building the HTML, verify the concept passes:

Single message — The ad communicates ONE idea
Headline is benefit-oriented — States what the prospect gets
Visual matches the headline — Product screenshot reinforces the claim
CTA is clear — Viewer knows what action to take
No competing elements — No decorative graphics fighting for attention
Mobile-readable — Headline text is legible at 50% zoom
Emotional resonance — Activates at least one emotional trigger

Step 2: Build the HTML

Create a self-contained HTML file using the selected template.

Cookie-Cutter Template — headline + product image + clean background:

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│                             │
│     HEADLINE TEXT            │
│     (large, bold)           │
│                             │
│   ┌─────────────────────┐   │
│   │   Product Image     │   │
│   │   (with shadow)     │   │
│   └─────────────────────┘   │
│                             │
└─────────────────────────────┘

Design rules:

Headline: Large, bold, high contrast. Max 2 lines.
Product image: Centered, subtle drop shadow, ~60% canvas width.
Background: Solid color or subtle gradient using brand colors.
No logos, decorative elements, or extra text. Minimal by design.

Headline font size: < 40 chars → 64px, 40-70 chars → 52px, > 70 chars → 42px.

Ugly Ads Template — text-heavy, high-contrast, deliberately unpolished:

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│   HEADLINE TEXT             │
│   (very large, bold,        │
│    fills top 60%)           │
│                             │
│   Optional: $PRICE          │
│   Optional: subtext/CTA     │
└─────────────────────────────┘

Design rules:

Square format (1200x1200px) default
Text fills the top 60% of the canvas
No product images — text IS the creative
Bold, heavy font weights (700-900)
Deliberately unpolished: no gradients, shadows, rounded corners

High-contrast color combos:

Combo	Background	Text	Accent
Black/Yellow	`#000000`	`#FFD700`	`#FFFFFF`
Red/White	`#CC0000`	`#FFFFFF`	`#FFD700`
Blue/White	`#003366`	`#FFFFFF`	`#FFD700`
White/Black	`#FFFFFF`	`#000000`	`#CC0000`
Yellow/Black	`#FFD700`	`#000000`	`#CC0000`

Headline font size: < 30 chars → 96px, 30-60 chars → 72px, > 60 chars → 56px.

Meme Template — meme format for attention + benefit:

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│   TOP TEXT (setup)          │
│   ┌─────────────────────┐   │
│   │   Meme Image        │   │
│   └─────────────────────┘   │
│   BOTTOM TEXT (punchline)   │
└─────────────────────────────┘

Design rules:

Use recognizable meme templates (Drake, Expanding Brain, etc.)
Top text = setup (problem or old way), Bottom text = punchline (product or new way)
Keep text short — memes with walls of text lose the format's power
Square format (1200x1200) works best

Branded Template — professional with stats, product image, social proof:

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│     HEADLINE TEXT            │
│   STAT  |  STAT  |  STAT    │
│   ┌─────────────────────┐   │
│   │   Product Image     │   │
│   └─────────────────────┘   │
│   Social proof line          │
└─────────────────────────────┘

Design rules:

Use the brand's actual colors
Stats in accent color with muted labels
Product image with shadow, centered
Social proof line at the bottom (client names, G2 rating, etc.)

Native Template — looks like an organic social post:

┌─────────────────────────────┐
│  Platform · Promoted         │
│  HEADLINE TEXT               │
│  Body text (reads like       │
│   a real post)              │
│  ┌─────────────────────┐    │
│  │  Product Image       │    │
│  └─────────────────────┘    │
│  142 upvotes · 38 comments   │
└─────────────────────────────┘

Design rules:

Light background (#f8fafc or white)
System font stack, normal weights
Body text reads like a genuine post, not a marketing headline
Fake engagement metrics at bottom

Step 3: Save the HTML File

Write the HTML file. Name it descriptively: ad-{slug}.html where {slug} is a kebab-cased version of the headline (truncated to 40 chars).

Step 4: Screenshot with Playwright MCP (if available)

If Playwright MCP is configured:

Set viewport to the exact dimensions using browser_resize
Navigate to the HTML file using a file:// URL
Screenshot the viewport
Save the screenshot as PNG

Playwright MCP must be configured with --allow-unrestricted-file-access and --browser chromium flags.

If Playwright MCP is not available, present the HTML file and tell the user they can open it in a browser and screenshot manually, or configure Playwright MCP for automated capture.

Step 5: Verify, Present, and Iterate

Present results to the user with:

The image preview for each ad (if screenshots were captured)
A summary table showing all rendered ads
File paths to both the PNG and HTML files

Ask the user if they want to iterate:

Change a headline → update the HTML and re-screenshot
Change colors or style → rebuild from a different template
Change the product image → capture a new screenshot and rebuild
Change dimensions → re-screenshot at new viewport size

Do not consider the batch complete until the user confirms they're happy.

Output Format

# Ad Creative Output

**Date:** [current date]
**Ads Produced:** [count]
**Dimensions:** [width]x[height]px

---

## Ad 1: [Concept name]

**Headline:** [headline text]
**Style:** [branded/product/meme/ugly/native]
**Files:**
- HTML: [path]
- PNG: [path] (if Playwright available)

[Image preview if available]

---

## Upload Checklist

- [ ] Images are correct dimensions
- [ ] File size under 3MB per image
- [ ] Format is PNG or JPG
- [ ] Headlines are readable on mobile (test at 50% zoom)
- [ ] Brand colors match landing page

Rules

The cookie-cutter template is intentionally minimal. Resist the urge to add decorative elements. Simplicity converts.
Product images should be real screenshots, not mockups or stock photos.
If the product image has a white background, use a dark ad background (and vice versa) for contrast.
PNG is preferred for sharp text and UI screenshots.
The HTML file is kept so the user can tweak copy, colors, or images manually and re-screenshot.
Visual consistency between ad and landing page reduces drop-off. Use the same colors, fonts, and design system.

ad-creative

Ad Creative

Usage

Process

Step 1: Gather Inputs