---
name: infographic-comparison
description: Build a side-by-side comparison infographic — 2 or 3 columns, each with a header and a feature list. Use for vendor comparisons, plan tiers, before/after, pros/cons, A vs B graphics.
allowed-tools: create_infographic canvas_snapshot search_vault query_knowledge
title: Comparison Infographic
category: creative
status: active
metadata:
  triggers:
  - comparison infographic
  - vs infographic
  - side by side
  - compare options
  - before and after
  - pros and cons
  - plan comparison
  - vendor comparison
  - feature comparison
  priority: 6
---
## Instructions

Build a **comparison** infographic — 2 or 3 columns side-by-side,
each with a header (the option name) and a list of points. The point
is to make a choice obvious by laying alternatives next to each
other.

1. **Clarify scope** — Ask what's being compared and what decision
   the comparison should support. A vendor selection needs different
   axes than a "before vs after" graphic. The user usually has a
   leaning; surface it before choosing axes.

2. **Gather real evidence** — Use `search_vault` and `query_knowledge`
   for facts about each option. If you're comparing tools / vendors /
   plans the user is actually using, pull real data. If it's
   hypothetical, ask the user for the inputs.

3. **Pick fair axes**
   - 2 columns → "A vs B" (clearest), or "Before / After"
   - 3 columns → tier comparison (Free / Pro / Enterprise),
     or "Past / Now / Future"
   - 4+ columns → almost always too much; reduce or use a stat-grid
   - Each column should have the SAME number of points (or close).
     Asymmetric lists read as "we picked this side already".

4. **Point shape**
   - Each point is a single line (≤ 8 words).
   - Use parallel structure across columns: same kind of facts in
     the same row. "Price: $X / month" appears in EVERY column.
   - Optional `highlight: true` flag on one column to mark the
     recommendation. Use sparingly — at most one column per graphic.
   - Optional `kind: "yes" | "no" | "neutral"` per point to render
     ✓ / ✗ / · prefixes for boolean comparisons.

5. **Call `create_infographic`** with `layout="comparison"`,
   `theme="bright"` (or `"bold"` / `"editorial"`), and
   `show_on_canvas=true`. Pass `data.columns` as a list of
   `{header, subheader?, highlight?, points: [{text, kind?}]}`
   objects. The engine renders the columns with theme-colored
   dividers and optional highlight band.

## Rules

- **Always pass `layout="comparison"`** when calling
  `create_infographic` from this skill.
- **Pass `show_on_canvas=true`** so the user previews the comparison
  immediately. Skip only if they say "svg only".
- **Immediately after `create_infographic` returns with a populated
  `canvas` field, call `canvas_snapshot({name: "<title>"})`** so the
  graphic is recoverable.
- **2 or 3 columns max.** 4+ columns is a sign the user wants a
  table, not an infographic. Suggest a stat-grid or splitting.
- **Parallel structure.** Same kind of facts in the same row across
  columns. Asymmetric lists destroy comparison validity.
- **At most ONE highlight column.** "Recommended" loses meaning when
  half the columns are highlighted.
- **No fabrication.** If you don't have data for a competitor or
  alternative, ask the user. Inventing competitor pricing destroys
  trust instantly.

## Examples

- input: "Compare our Free / Pro / Enterprise plans for the pricing page"
  output: |
    [reads pricing page from vault]
    [confirms 5 axes: price, seats, support, integrations, SLA]
    [calls create_infographic with layout="comparison", theme="bright", 3 columns, Pro highlighted]
    Created plan-comparison.svg (theme: Bright) → projects/personal/output/ + canvas preview.

- input: "Before vs after the migration — make a comparison graphic"
  output: |
    [pulls migration metrics from vault]
    [parallel rows: deploy time, error rate, cost, team size]
    [calls create_infographic with layout="comparison", theme="bold", 2 columns]
    Created migration-before-after.svg + canvas preview.