Skill of the day: `algorithmic-art`

algorithmic-art is an official Anthropic Agent Skill shipped inside the example-skills plugin (marketplace anthropic-agent-skills) for original algorithmic / generative art with p5.js, seeded randomness, and interactive parameter exploration. Use for flow fields, particle systems, generative code art — not copies of existing artists. Install: /plugin install example-skills@anthropic-agent-skills. MDX pillar: reviews (never skills). Checked 2026-10-01.

TL;DR: Two-step path — algorithmic philosophy .md, then seeded p5.js interactive HTML from templates/viewer.html. [GAP]: no solo /plugin install algorithmic-art@… — install unit is example-skills. Labs: algorithmic art claude 30 thin support only — do not invent higher vol/KD.

What it does

SKILL.md frontmatter (fetched 2026-10-01):

• name: algorithmic-art
• description: Creating algorithmic art using p5.js with seeded randomness and interactive parameter exploration. Use this when users request creating art using code, generative art, algorithmic art, flow fields, or particle systems. Create original algorithmic art rather than copying existing artists' work to avoid copyright violations.
• license: Complete terms in LICENSE.txt → Apache-2.0, Copyright 2026 Anthropic, PBC. (LICENSE.txt)

Outputs: algorithmic philosophy (.md) · interactive HTML artifact from templates/viewer.html (seed controls, parameters, Anthropic branding fixed; algorithm + parameter UI variable).

Stack / pattern: p5.js (CDN) · randomSeed / noiseSeed · single self-contained HTML · Art Blocks–style reproducibility.

Workflow (2 steps)

1. Algorithmic philosophy — Write a 4–6 paragraph generative aesthetic manifesto emphasizing computational process, seeded variation, and emergent behavior — not static images.

2. p5.js expression — Read templates/viewer.html first (literal starting point). Keep fixed UI/branding (header, sidebar, seed controls, Anthropic colors/fonts). Replace only the algorithm and parameter controls. Seed with randomSeed / noiseSeed for reproducibility.

Do not invent a third “install gallery” step — the skill’s promise is philosophy → interactive artifact.

Install (Claude Code)

/plugin marketplace add anthropics/skills

Then Browse → anthropic-agent-skills → example-skills → Install, or direct:

/plugin install example-skills@anthropic-agent-skills

Fact (marketplace.json, 2026-10-01): marketplace name anthropic-agent-skills; plugin example-skills; skill path ./skills/algorithmic-art. Installing pulls the whole example set (siblings include canvas-design, web-artifacts-builder, mcp-builder, brand-guidelines, frontend-design, skill-creator, and others).

Walkthrough: add the marketplace.

When to use / when not

Use when you want original generative / algorithmic / flow-field / particle art with seeded, reproducible p5.js exploration and the official template viewer.

Do not:

• Copying a living artist’s style/work → refuse per SKILL.md copyright guidance
• Static PNG/PDF poster art → live canvas-design radar — do not re-Intake
• Complex React/Tailwind/shadcn claude.ai multi-component artifacts → live web-artifacts-builder radar — do not re-Intake
• Building MCP servers → live mcp-builder radar — do not re-Intake
• Re-Intake skill-creator / frontend-design / internal-comms / doc-coauthoring / claude-api (covered elsewhere — no 404 hrefs)

Limits + live pairings

• Demo/reference skill in the official repo; product behavior may differ.
• Ships with the full example-skills bundle — expect siblings, not a minimal single-skill package.
• Requires reading templates/viewer.html as the literal starting point (skill instruction).
• Thin Labs support only (algorithmic art claude 30) — editorial radar, not volume chase.
• Not a substitute for canvas-design (static) or web-artifacts-builder (React artifacts).

Sources (2026-10-01): SKILL.md · LICENSE.txt · marketplace.json · viewer.html · repo anthropics/skills.

Ship reminder: MDX pillar: reviews only; install unit example-skills@anthropic-agent-skills.