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Slack Gif Creator

  • 3.1k installs
  • 71.1k repo stars
  • Updated July 24, 2026
  • composiohq/awesome-claude-skills

slack-gif-creator is an agent skill that builds Slack-optimized animated GIFs and emoji using Python Pillow templates, easing, and size validators.

About

slack-gif-creator is a Python toolkit for building Slack-ready animated GIFs with size constraints of two megabytes for message GIFs and sixty-four kilobytes for emoji GIFs. It provides validators, GIFBuilder assembly with color quantization and duplicate frame removal, and template primitives including shake, bounce, spin, zoom, fade, slide, flip, explode, wiggle, pulse, and morph animations. Core modules cover easing functions, typography with outlined text for readability, color palettes, visual effects like particles and impact flashes, and frame composition helpers. Philosophy emphasizes creative composition within Slack limits: understand the vision, design animation phases, apply primitives freely, validate file size, and iterate by reducing frames, colors, or dimensions. Example patterns combine bounce plus flash for impact moments or move plus shake for scare reactions. Emoji optimization requires aggressive limits of ten to twelve frames, thirty-two to forty colors, solid backgrounds, and optimize_for_emoji=True. Dependencies are pillow, imageio, and numpy installed via pip when missing.

  • Enforces Slack size limits: 2MB message GIFs and 64KB emoji GIFs with validators.
  • Template primitives include shake, bounce, spin, zoom, fade, slide, flip, morph, and kaleidoscope effects.
  • GIFBuilder handles frame assembly, color quantization, duplicate removal, and emoji optimization mode.
  • Easing, typography outlines, color palettes, and particle or flash visual effects are included.
  • Composition philosophy encourages mixing primitives freely then iterating to meet size constraints.

Slack Gif Creator by the numbers

  • 3,131 all-time installs (skills.sh)
  • +108 installs in the week ending Jul 28, 2026 (Skillselion tracking)
  • Ranked #133 of 1,340 Generative Media skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
  • Security screen: MEDIUM risk (skills.sh audit)
  • Data as of Jul 28, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
At a glance

slack-gif-creator capabilities & compatibility

Capabilities
slack size validation for message and emoji gifs · animation template primitives and easing · gifbuilder assembly and color quantization · visual effects including particles and impact fl
Works with
slack
Use cases
image generation · ui design
From the docs

What slack-gif-creator says it does

pip install pillow imageio numpy
SKILL.md
npx skills add https://github.com/composiohq/awesome-claude-skills --skill slack-gif-creator

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Installs3.1k
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Security audit3 / 3 scanners passed
Last updatedJuly 24, 2026
Repositorycomposiohq/awesome-claude-skills

How do I create animated GIFs for Slack messages or emoji that stay under size limits while using motion effects like shake, bounce, or morph?

Create optimized animated GIFs for Slack messages and custom emoji using Pillow templates for shake, bounce, spin, zoom, fade, slide, flip, and morph effects.

Who is it for?

Developers creating Slack reaction GIFs or custom emoji who need template primitives and aggressive size optimization.

Skip if: Skip when you need video formats other than GIF or animations outside Slack size constraints.

When should I use this skill?

User creates Slack GIFs or emoji, applies shake bounce spin morph effects, or optimizes animated GIF file size.

What you get

Optimized GIF files with composed animation frames, validated against Slack 2MB message or 64KB emoji limits.

  • custom GIF reaction
  • Slack channel or thread post

By the numbers

  • Message GIF limit 2MB
  • Emoji GIF limit 64KB
  • 10-12 frame emoji recommendation

Files

SKILL.mdMarkdownGitHub ↗

Slack GIF Creator - Flexible Toolkit

A toolkit for creating animated GIFs optimized for Slack. Provides validators for Slack's constraints, composable animation primitives, and optional helper utilities. Apply these tools however needed to achieve the creative vision.

Slack's Requirements

Slack has specific requirements for GIFs based on their use:

Message GIFs:

  • Max size: ~2MB
  • Optimal dimensions: 480x480
  • Typical FPS: 15-20
  • Color limit: 128-256
  • Duration: 2-5s

Emoji GIFs:

  • Max size: 64KB (strict limit)
  • Optimal dimensions: 128x128
  • Typical FPS: 10-12
  • Color limit: 32-48
  • Duration: 1-2s

Emoji GIFs are challenging - the 64KB limit is strict. Strategies that help:

  • Limit to 10-15 frames total
  • Use 32-48 colors maximum
  • Keep designs simple
  • Avoid gradients
  • Validate file size frequently

Toolkit Structure

This skill provides three types of tools:

1. Validators - Check if a GIF meets Slack's requirements 2. Animation Primitives - Composable building blocks for motion (shake, bounce, move, kaleidoscope) 3. Helper Utilities - Optional functions for common needs (text, colors, effects)

Complete creative freedom is available in how these tools are applied.

Core Validators

To ensure a GIF meets Slack's constraints, use these validators:

from core.gif_builder import GIFBuilder

# After creating your GIF, check if it meets requirements
builder = GIFBuilder(width=128, height=128, fps=10)
# ... add your frames however you want ...

# Save and check size
info = builder.save('emoji.gif', num_colors=48, optimize_for_emoji=True)

# The save method automatically warns if file exceeds limits
# info dict contains: size_kb, size_mb, frame_count, duration_seconds

File size validator:

from core.validators import check_slack_size

# Check if GIF meets size limits
passes, info = check_slack_size('emoji.gif', is_emoji=True)
# Returns: (True/False, dict with size details)

Dimension validator:

from core.validators import validate_dimensions

# Check dimensions
passes, info = validate_dimensions(128, 128, is_emoji=True)
# Returns: (True/False, dict with dimension details)

Complete validation:

from core.validators import validate_gif, is_slack_ready

# Run all validations
all_pass, results = validate_gif('emoji.gif', is_emoji=True)

# Or quick check
if is_slack_ready('emoji.gif', is_emoji=True):
    print("Ready to upload!")

Animation Primitives

These are composable building blocks for motion. Apply these to any object in any combination:

Shake

from templates.shake import create_shake_animation

# Shake an emoji
frames = create_shake_animation(
    object_type='emoji',
    object_data={'emoji': '😱', 'size': 80},
    num_frames=20,
    shake_intensity=15,
    direction='both'  # or 'horizontal', 'vertical'
)

Bounce

from templates.bounce import create_bounce_animation

# Bounce a circle
frames = create_bounce_animation(
    object_type='circle',
    object_data={'radius': 40, 'color': (255, 100, 100)},
    num_frames=30,
    bounce_height=150
)

Spin / Rotate

from templates.spin import create_spin_animation, create_loading_spinner

# Clockwise spin
frames = create_spin_animation(
    object_type='emoji',
    object_data={'emoji': '🔄', 'size': 100},
    rotation_type='clockwise',
    full_rotations=2
)

# Wobble rotation
frames = create_spin_animation(rotation_type='wobble', full_rotations=3)

# Loading spinner
frames = create_loading_spinner(spinner_type='dots')

Pulse / Heartbeat

from templates.pulse import create_pulse_animation, create_attention_pulse

# Smooth pulse
frames = create_pulse_animation(
    object_data={'emoji': '❤️', 'size': 100},
    pulse_type='smooth',
    scale_range=(0.8, 1.2)
)

# Heartbeat (double-pump)
frames = create_pulse_animation(pulse_type='heartbeat')

# Attention pulse for emoji GIFs
frames = create_attention_pulse(emoji='⚠️', num_frames=20)

Fade

from templates.fade import create_fade_animation, create_crossfade

# Fade in
frames = create_fade_animation(fade_type='in')

# Fade out
frames = create_fade_animation(fade_type='out')

# Crossfade between two emojis
frames = create_crossfade(
    object1_data={'emoji': '😊', 'size': 100},
    object2_data={'emoji': '😂', 'size': 100}
)

Zoom

from templates.zoom import create_zoom_animation, create_explosion_zoom

# Zoom in dramatically
frames = create_zoom_animation(
    zoom_type='in',
    scale_range=(0.1, 2.0),
    add_motion_blur=True
)

# Zoom out
frames = create_zoom_animation(zoom_type='out')

# Explosion zoom
frames = create_explosion_zoom(emoji='💥')

Explode / Shatter

from templates.explode import create_explode_animation, create_particle_burst

# Burst explosion
frames = create_explode_animation(
    explode_type='burst',
    num_pieces=25
)

# Shatter effect
frames = create_explode_animation(explode_type='shatter')

# Dissolve into particles
frames = create_explode_animation(explode_type='dissolve')

# Particle burst
frames = create_particle_burst(particle_count=30)

Wiggle / Jiggle

from templates.wiggle import create_wiggle_animation, create_excited_wiggle

# Jello wobble
frames = create_wiggle_animation(
    wiggle_type='jello',
    intensity=1.0,
    cycles=2
)

# Wave motion
frames = create_wiggle_animation(wiggle_type='wave')

# Excited wiggle for emoji GIFs
frames = create_excited_wiggle(emoji='🎉')

Slide

from templates.slide import create_slide_animation, create_multi_slide

# Slide in from left with overshoot
frames = create_slide_animation(
    direction='left',
    slide_type='in',
    overshoot=True
)

# Slide across
frames = create_slide_animation(direction='left', slide_type='across')

# Multiple objects sliding in sequence
objects = [
    {'data': {'emoji': '🎯', 'size': 60}, 'direction': 'left', 'final_pos': (120, 240)},
    {'data': {'emoji': '🎪', 'size': 60}, 'direction': 'right', 'final_pos': (240, 240)}
]
frames = create_multi_slide(objects, stagger_delay=5)

Flip

from templates.flip import create_flip_animation, create_quick_flip

# Horizontal flip between two emojis
frames = create_flip_animation(
    object1_data={'emoji': '😊', 'size': 120},
    object2_data={'emoji': '😂', 'size': 120},
    flip_axis='horizontal'
)

# Vertical flip
frames = create_flip_animation(flip_axis='vertical')

# Quick flip for emoji GIFs
frames = create_quick_flip('👍', '👎')

Morph / Transform

from templates.morph import create_morph_animation, create_reaction_morph

# Crossfade morph
frames = create_morph_animation(
    object1_data={'emoji': '😊', 'size': 100},
    object2_data={'emoji': '😂', 'size': 100},
    morph_type='crossfade'
)

# Scale morph (shrink while other grows)
frames = create_morph_animation(morph_type='scale')

# Spin morph (3D flip-like)
frames = create_morph_animation(morph_type='spin_morph')

Move Effect

from templates.move import create_move_animation

# Linear movement
frames = create_move_animation(
    object_type='emoji',
    object_data={'emoji': '🚀', 'size': 60},
    start_pos=(50, 240),
    end_pos=(430, 240),
    motion_type='linear',
    easing='ease_out'
)

# Arc movement (parabolic trajectory)
frames = create_move_animation(
    object_type='emoji',
    object_data={'emoji': '⚽', 'size': 60},
    start_pos=(50, 350),
    end_pos=(430, 350),
    motion_type='arc',
    motion_params={'arc_height': 150}
)

# Circular movement
frames = create_move_animation(
    object_type='emoji',
    object_data={'emoji': '🌍', 'size': 50},
    motion_type='circle',
    motion_params={
        'center': (240, 240),
        'radius': 120,
        'angle_range': 360  # full circle
    }
)

# Wave movement
frames = create_move_animation(
    motion_type='wave',
    motion_params={
        'wave_amplitude': 50,
        'wave_frequency': 2
    }
)

# Or use low-level easing functions
from core.easing import interpolate, calculate_arc_motion

for i in range(num_frames):
    t = i / (num_frames - 1)
    x = interpolate(start_x, end_x, t, easing='ease_out')
    # Or: x, y = calculate_arc_motion(start, end, height, t)

Kaleidoscope Effect

from templates.kaleidoscope import apply_kaleidoscope, create_kaleidoscope_animation

# Apply to a single frame
kaleido_frame = apply_kaleidoscope(frame, segments=8)

# Or create animated kaleidoscope
frames = create_kaleidoscope_animation(
    base_frame=my_frame,  # or None for demo pattern
    num_frames=30,
    segments=8,
    rotation_speed=1.0
)

# Simple mirror effects (faster)
from templates.kaleidoscope import apply_simple_mirror

mirrored = apply_simple_mirror(frame, mode='quad')  # 4-way mirror
# modes: 'horizontal', 'vertical', 'quad', 'radial'

To compose primitives freely, follow these patterns:

# Example: Bounce + shake for impact
for i in range(num_frames):
    frame = create_blank_frame(480, 480, bg_color)

    # Bounce motion
    t_bounce = i / (num_frames - 1)
    y = interpolate(start_y, ground_y, t_bounce, 'bounce_out')

    # Add shake on impact (when y reaches ground)
    if y >= ground_y - 5:
        shake_x = math.sin(i * 2) * 10
        x = center_x + shake_x
    else:
        x = center_x

    draw_emoji(frame, '⚽', (x, y), size=60)
    builder.add_frame(frame)

Helper Utilities

These are optional helpers for common needs. Use, modify, or replace these with custom implementations as needed.

GIF Builder (Assembly & Optimization)

from core.gif_builder import GIFBuilder

# Create builder with your chosen settings
builder = GIFBuilder(width=480, height=480, fps=20)

# Add frames (however you created them)
for frame in my_frames:
    builder.add_frame(frame)

# Save with optimization
builder.save('output.gif',
             num_colors=128,
             optimize_for_emoji=False)

Key features:

  • Automatic color quantization
  • Duplicate frame removal
  • Size warnings for Slack limits
  • Emoji mode (aggressive optimization)

Text Rendering

For small GIFs like emojis, text readability is challenging. A common solution involves adding outlines:

from core.typography import draw_text_with_outline, TYPOGRAPHY_SCALE

# Text with outline (helps readability)
draw_text_with_outline(
    frame, "BONK!",
    position=(240, 100),
    font_size=TYPOGRAPHY_SCALE['h1'],  # 60px
    text_color=(255, 68, 68),
    outline_color=(0, 0, 0),
    outline_width=4,
    centered=True
)

To implement custom text rendering, use PIL's ImageDraw.text() which works fine for larger GIFs.

Color Management

Professional-looking GIFs often use cohesive color palettes:

from core.color_palettes import get_palette

# Get a pre-made palette
palette = get_palette('vibrant')  # or 'pastel', 'dark', 'neon', 'professional'

bg_color = palette['background']
text_color = palette['primary']
accent_color = palette['accent']

To work with colors directly, use RGB tuples - whatever works for the use case.

Visual Effects

Optional effects for impact moments:

from core.visual_effects import ParticleSystem, create_impact_flash, create_shockwave_rings

# Particle system
particles = ParticleSystem()
particles.emit_sparkles(x=240, y=200, count=15)
particles.emit_confetti(x=240, y=200, count=20)

# Update and render each frame
particles.update()
particles.render(frame)

# Flash effect
frame = create_impact_flash(frame, position=(240, 200), radius=100)

# Shockwave rings
frame = create_shockwave_rings(frame, position=(240, 200), radii=[30, 60, 90])

Easing Functions

Smooth motion uses easing instead of linear interpolation:

from core.easing import interpolate

# Object falling (accelerates)
y = interpolate(start=0, end=400, t=progress, easing='ease_in')

# Object landing (decelerates)
y = interpolate(start=0, end=400, t=progress, easing='ease_out')

# Bouncing
y = interpolate(start=0, end=400, t=progress, easing='bounce_out')

# Overshoot (elastic)
scale = interpolate(start=0.5, end=1.0, t=progress, easing='elastic_out')

Available easings: linear, ease_in, ease_out, ease_in_out, bounce_out, elastic_out, back_out (overshoot), and more in core/easing.py.

Frame Composition

Basic drawing utilities if you need them:

from core.frame_composer import (
    create_gradient_background,  # Gradient backgrounds
    draw_emoji_enhanced,         # Emoji with optional shadow
    draw_circle_with_shadow,     # Shapes with depth
    draw_star                    # 5-pointed stars
)

# Gradient background
frame = create_gradient_background(480, 480, top_color, bottom_color)

# Emoji with shadow
draw_emoji_enhanced(frame, '🎉', position=(200, 200), size=80, shadow=True)

Optimization Strategies

When your GIF is too large:

For Message GIFs (>2MB): 1. Reduce frames (lower FPS or shorter duration) 2. Reduce colors (128 → 64 colors) 3. Reduce dimensions (480x480 → 320x320) 4. Enable duplicate frame removal

For Emoji GIFs (>64KB) - be aggressive: 1. Limit to 10-12 frames total 2. Use 32-40 colors maximum 3. Avoid gradients (solid colors compress better) 4. Simplify design (fewer elements) 5. Use optimize_for_emoji=True in save method

Example Composition Patterns

Simple Reaction (Pulsing)

builder = GIFBuilder(128, 128, 10)

for i in range(12):
    frame = Image.new('RGB', (128, 128), (240, 248, 255))

    # Pulsing scale
    scale = 1.0 + math.sin(i * 0.5) * 0.15
    size = int(60 * scale)

    draw_emoji_enhanced(frame, '😱', position=(64-size//2, 64-size//2),
                       size=size, shadow=False)
    builder.add_frame(frame)

builder.save('reaction.gif', num_colors=40, optimize_for_emoji=True)

# Validate
from core.validators import check_slack_size
check_slack_size('reaction.gif', is_emoji=True)

Action with Impact (Bounce + Flash)

builder = GIFBuilder(480, 480, 20)

# Phase 1: Object falls
for i in range(15):
    frame = create_gradient_background(480, 480, (240, 248, 255), (200, 230, 255))
    t = i / 14
    y = interpolate(0, 350, t, 'ease_in')
    draw_emoji_enhanced(frame, '⚽', position=(220, int(y)), size=80)
    builder.add_frame(frame)

# Phase 2: Impact + flash
for i in range(8):
    frame = create_gradient_background(480, 480, (240, 248, 255), (200, 230, 255))

    # Flash on first frames
    if i < 3:
        frame = create_impact_flash(frame, (240, 350), radius=120, intensity=0.6)

    draw_emoji_enhanced(frame, '⚽', position=(220, 350), size=80)

    # Text appears
    if i > 2:
        draw_text_with_outline(frame, "GOAL!", position=(240, 150),
                              font_size=60, text_color=(255, 68, 68),
                              outline_color=(0, 0, 0), outline_width=4, centered=True)

    builder.add_frame(frame)

builder.save('goal.gif', num_colors=128)

Combining Primitives (Move + Shake)

from templates.shake import create_shake_animation

# Create shake animation
shake_frames = create_shake_animation(
    object_type='emoji',
    object_data={'emoji': '😰', 'size': 70},
    num_frames=20,
    shake_intensity=12
)

# Create moving element that triggers the shake
builder = GIFBuilder(480, 480, 20)
for i in range(40):
    t = i / 39

    if i < 20:
        # Before trigger - use blank frame with moving object
        frame = create_blank_frame(480, 480, (255, 255, 255))
        x = interpolate(50, 300, t * 2, 'linear')
        draw_emoji_enhanced(frame, '🚗', position=(int(x), 300), size=60)
        draw_emoji_enhanced(frame, '😰', position=(350, 200), size=70)
    else:
        # After trigger - use shake frame
        frame = shake_frames[i - 20]
        # Add the car in final position
        draw_emoji_enhanced(frame, '🚗', position=(300, 300), size=60)

    builder.add_frame(frame)

builder.save('scare.gif')

Philosophy

This toolkit provides building blocks, not rigid recipes. To work with a GIF request:

1. Understand the creative vision - What should happen? What's the mood? 2. Design the animation - Break it into phases (anticipation, action, reaction) 3. Apply primitives as needed - Shake, bounce, move, effects - mix freely 4. Validate constraints - Check file size, especially for emoji GIFs 5. Iterate if needed - Reduce frames/colors if over size limits

The goal is creative freedom within Slack's technical constraints.

Dependencies

To use this toolkit, install these dependencies only if they aren't already present:

pip install pillow imageio numpy

Related skills

Forks & variants (5)

Slack Gif Creator has 5 known copies in the catalog totaling 488 installs. They canonicalize to this original listing.

How it compares

Use slack-gif-creator for in-chat Slack reaction GIFs; use general image-generation skills for non-Slack marketing assets.

FAQ

What are Slack GIF size limits?

Message GIFs must stay under 2MB and emoji GIFs under 64KB according to the skill validators.

How do I shrink an oversized emoji GIF?

Limit to 10-12 frames, use 32-40 colors, avoid gradients, simplify design, and enable optimize_for_emoji=True.

What dependencies are required?

pillow, imageio, and numpy installed via pip install pillow imageio numpy.

Is Slack Gif Creator safe to install?

skills.sh reports 3 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.

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