---
description: Strict Reference Mode - 100% Visual DNA Matching
---

# 🎯 STRICT REFERENCE MODE

**MANDATORY WORKFLOW:** Before generating ANY new visual asset, follow these steps:

## ✅ STEP 1: CHECK /references/ FOLDER

**Before any image generation:**
```bash
# View ALL master references
ls -R references/
```

**Must view these references FIRST:**
- `/references/main_characters/kai/master_reference.png`
- `/references/main_characters/ana/master_reference.png`
- `/references/main_characters/gronk/master_reference.png`
- `/references/companions/zombie_scout/master_reference.png`
- `/references/npcs/*/master_reference.png` (all NPCs)

**Extract Visual DNA:**
- **Outline thickness:** EXACTLY 5px solid black
- **Proportions:** 1:1 chibi (head = body)
- **Shading:** Flat cel shading, no gradients
- **Colors:** Vibrant punk (neon pink, green, purple, blue)
- **Background:** 100% transparent
- **Aesthetic:** Cult of the Lamb style

---

## ✅ STEP 2: MATCH VISUAL DNA 100%

**When generating new asset, prompt MUST include:**

```
EXACT Style 32 matching /references/: 
- THICK 5px BLACK OUTLINES (samme as Kai/Ana/Gronk)
- Chibi 1:1 proportions  
- Flat cel shading
- Vibrant colored hair [specify color]
- [X] piercings visible
- [describe outfit matching post-apo punk]
- Transparent background
- Cult of the Lamb aesthetic
```

**Cross-reference checklist:**
- [ ] Outlines are 5px thick (visually compare to Kai)
- [ ] Proportions are 1:1 chibi (head = body size)
- [ ] Colors are vibrant punk (no muted tones)
- [ ] Shading is flat (no soft gradients)
- [ ] Background is transparent
- [ ] Overall style matches references

---

## ✅ STEP 3: AUTO-REROLL IF MISMATCH

**IF generated image doesn't match references:**

1. **Identify mismatch:**
   - Outlines too thin? → REROLL with "THICKER 5px black outlines"
   - Colors too realistic? → REROLL with "vibrant flat colors"
   - Shading too soft? → REROLL with "flat cel shading, no gradients"
   - Wrong proportions? → REROLL with "chibi 1:1, head equals body"

2. **Reroll immediately:**
   ```
   generate_image with CORRECTED prompt emphasizing the mismatch
   ```

3. **Maximum 3 rerolls per asset**
   - If still doesn't match after 3 attempts, report to user

---

## ✅ STEP 4: GALLERY SYNC - SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

**After successful generation:**

1. **Copy to assets folder:**
   ```bash
   cp ~/.gemini/antigravity/brain/*/[asset_name].png assets/sprites/[category]/
   ```

2. **Create comparison artifact:**
   - Show reference image
   - Show new generated image
   - Highlight matching Visual DNA elements

3. **Update manifest:**
   ```bash
   python3 scripts/generate_asset_manifest.py
   ```

4. **Visual verification:**
   - Open both images side-by-side
   - Verify outline thickness matches
   - Verify color vibrancy matches
   - Verify proportions match

---

## 🚫 STRICT RULES - NO EXCEPTIONS

1. **NEVER generate without viewing references first**
2. **NEVER accept mismatched visuals** (auto-reroll required)
3. **NEVER use soft/realistic shading** (only flat cel shading)
4. **NEVER use thin outlines** (always 5px thick black)
5. **NEVER use muted colors** (always vibrant punk)

---

## 📋 QUALITY CONTROL CHECKLIST

Before marking asset as "complete":

- [ ] Viewed master references (Kai, Ana, Gronk, Zombie Scout)
- [ ] Generated asset has 5px thick black outlines
- [ ] Generated asset has 1:1 chibi proportions
- [ ] Generated asset has flat cel shading
- [ ] Generated asset has vibrant colors
- [ ] Generated asset has transparent background
- [ ] Visual comparison shows 100% match
- [ ] Asset copied to correct folder
- [ ] Manifest updated
- [ ] User approved visual match

---

## 🎨 REFERENCE LIBRARY

**Main Characters (ALWAYS check these first):**
- Kai: Pink+green dreadlocks, katana, leather jacket
- Ana: Pink hair, friendly face, survivor outfit
- Gronk: Pink dreadlocks, vape, troll features

**NPCs (check specific NPC reference):**
- Ivan Kovač: Blacksmith, beard, piercings
- Pek: Baker, apron, colored hair
- Tehnik: Tech gear, piercings, tools
- Šivilja: Seamstress, neon pink hair, scissors
- Kustos: Museum curator, glasses, artifacts
- Župan: Mayor, formal but punk
- Arborist: Tree planter, nature gear
- Teacher: Educator, books, punk style
- Miro Pravnik: Lawyer, suit but punk
- Glavni Smetar: Sanitation, gray dreads, broom
- Priest: Gray dreads, cross tattoo, torn robes

---

## 🔄 AUTO-REROLL TRIGGERS

**Immediate reroll if:**
- Outlines < 4px or > 6px
- Proportions are NOT 1:1 chibi
- Shading has soft gradients
- Colors are muted/realistic
- Background is NOT transparent
- Style doesn't match Cult of the Lamb aesthetic

**Reroll prompt adjustments:**
- Too realistic → ADD "flat cartoon cel shading"
- Thin outlines → ADD "THICK 5px black outlines"
- Wrong colors → ADD "vibrant neon [color]"
- Wrong proportions → ADD "chibi 1:1, head equals body size"

---

**ACTIVATION:** Type `/strict_reference_mode` before any asset generation session

**STATUS:** Active until explicitly disabled

**PRIORITY:** MAXIMUM - overrides all other generation rules