Meme Factory

# Meme Factory

Generate memes using the free memegen.link API and textual Markdown meme formats. No API key required.


## Installation

### OpenClaw / Moltbot / Clawbot

```bash
npx clawhub@latest install meme-factory
```


## NEVER Do

- Use spaces in meme URLs without encoding them as `_` or `-`
- Assume a template exists without checking the templates list
- Write more than 2-6 words per line (text becomes unreadable)
- Use the wrong template for the context (e.g., "success" template for failures)
- Omit the file extension in URLs (`.png`, `.jpg`, etc.)
- Forget to encode special characters (`?` → `~q`, `/` → `~s`, `%` → `~p`, `#` → `~h`)

## Quick Start

### URL Structure

```
https://api.memegen.link/images/{template}/{top_text}/{bottom_text}.{ext}
```

**Example:**

```
https://api.memegen.link/images/buzz/bugs/bugs_everywhere.png
```

### Text Encoding

| Character | Encoding |
|-----------|----------|
| Space | `_` or `-` |
| Newline | `~n` |
| Question mark | `~q` |
| Percent | `~p` |
| Slash | `~s` |
| Hash | `~h` |
| Single quote | `''` |
| Double quote | `""` |

## Popular Templates

| Template | Use Case | When To Use |
|----------|----------|-------------|
| `drake` | Comparing options | Rejecting one thing, approving another |
| `buzz` | Ubiquitous things | "X, X everywhere" |
| `success` | Celebrating wins | Positive outcomes |
| `fine` | Problems ignored | Ironic "everything is fine" |
| `fry` | Uncertainty | "Not sure if X or Y" |
| `changemind` | Hot takes | Stating an opinion confidently |
| `distracted` | Priorities | Being distracted by something new |
| `mordor` | Bad ideas | "One does not simply..." |
| `interesting` | Rare occurrences | "I don't always X, but when I do..." |
| `yodawg` | Meta/recursive | "Yo dawg, I heard you like X" |

Full list: https://api.memegen.link/templates/

## Contextual Template Selection

| Context | Template | Why |
|---------|----------|-----|
| Comparing options | `drake` | Two-panel reject/approve format |
| Celebrating wins | `success` | Positive outcome emphasis |
| Problems ignored | `fine` | Ironic calm amid chaos |
| Uncertainty | `fry` | "Not sure if X or Y" format |
| Controversial opinion | `changemind` | Statement + challenge |
| Ubiquitous things | `buzz` | "X, X everywhere" |
| Bad ideas | `mordor` | "One does not simply..." |

## Image Options

### Formats

| Extension | Use Case |
|-----------|----------|
| `.png` | Best quality (default) |
| `.jpg` | Smaller file size |
| `.webp` | Modern, good compression |
| `.gif` | Animated templates |

### Dimensions by Platform

| Platform | Dimensions | Usage |
|----------|------------|-------|
| Social media / Open Graph | `?width=1200&height=630` | Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook |
| Slack / Discord | `?width=800&height=600` | Chat platforms |
| GitHub | Default | PRs, issues, README |

### Layout Options

```
?layout=top       # Text at top only
?layout=bottom    # Text at bottom only
?layout=default   # Standard top/bottom
```

## Textual Meme Formats (Markdown)

Beyond image memes, create text-based memes directly in Markdown:

- **Greentext** — Code fence with `>` prefixed lines for anon-culture narratives
- **Copypasta** — Dramatic walls of text in code fences
- **Shitpost poetry** — Hard line breaks for comedic timing
- **ASCII art** — Monospaced art in code fences
- **Tumblr chains** — Nested blockquotes for multi-speaker escalation
- **Twitter/X style** — Short blockquote micro-memes
- **Reddit AITA/TIFU** — Heading + paragraphs narrative memes
- **Wojak dialogues** — Bold names + minimal dialogue
- **Discord chat logs** — Code fence with timestamps
- **Corporate satire** — Lists + bold labels for fake official notices
- **Fake wiki/manual pages** — Technical jargon for mundane objects

Full guide with examples: [references/markdown-memes-guide.md](references/markdown-memes-guide.md)

## Validation Checklist

After generating a meme:

- URL returns valid image (test with `curl -I`)
- Text is readable (not too long)
- Template matches the message context
- Special characters properly encoded
- Dimensions appropriate for target platform

## Embedding in Markdown

```markdown
![Description](https://api.memegen.link/images/drake/manual_testing/automated_testing.png)
```

Always provide descriptive alt text for accessibility:

- Good: `![Drake rejecting manual testing, approving automated testing]`
- Bad: `![funny meme]`

## Custom Backgrounds

Use any image as a meme background with the `custom` template:

```
https://api.memegen.link/images/custom/top_text/bottom_text.png?style=https://example.com/image.jpg
```

Pair screenshots of apps, dashboards, or charts as backgrounds for contextual humor.

## Mixing Text + Image Memes

For blog posts and documentation, alternate between formats for pacing:

1. **Start with text** (greentext/chat log) to set up context
2. **Follow with image** to amplify the punchline
3. **Close with text** (corporate satire/poetry) for resolution

**Good patterns:** Greentext → Image → Corporate satire, Chat log → Image → Shitpost poetry

**Avoid:** 5 images in a row (visual fatigue), 3 long copypastas back-to-back (reader exhaustion)

## API Reference

| Endpoint | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| `/templates/` | List all available templates |
| `/templates/{id}` | Template details and example |
| `/fonts/` | Available fonts |
| `/images/{template}/{top}/{bottom}.{ext}` | Generate meme image |

**API characteristics:** Free, open-source, no API key, no rate limiting, stateless, images generated on-demand.

## Python Helper Script

```python
from meme_generator import MemeGenerator

meme = MemeGenerator()

# Generate a basic meme URL
url = meme.generate("buzz", "features", "features everywhere")

# With custom dimensions for social media
url = meme.generate("drake", "old way", "new way", width=1200, height=630)

# Get markdown for embedding
md = meme.get_markdown_image(url, alt_text="Comparison Meme")

# Suggest template based on context
template = meme.suggest_template_for_context("deployment success")
```

## References

| File | Content |
|------|---------|
| [references/markdown-memes-guide.md](references/markdown-memes-guide.md) | 15+ textual meme formats with examples and production tips |
| [references/examples.md](references/examples.md) | Practical usage examples, integrations (Slack, GitHub, Discord) |

### Scripts

| Script | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| [scripts/meme_generator.py](scripts/meme_generator.py) | Python helper for programmatic meme generation with 20+ templates |