Cv clone

cv-clone — Resume Visual Cloning

Overview

Given a target resume sample (image/PDF) plus fresh content, produce a compilable LaTeX template matching the sample's visual style plus a rendered PDF preview. Ships template cloning only — content filling is gated behind user confirmation.

Style is cloned, not content. Never copy names, phones, or company claims from the source sample.

When to Use

Use when:

• User has a target resume sample (image/PDF) and wants its visual style cloned for their own CV
• User wants a compilable, editable LaTeX template (not just a static PDF)
• User can install tectonic

Do NOT use when:

• User has no sample — no LaTeX template can be cloned without one
• User only wants content, no specific external visual style
• Target is Word / PowerPoint / Canva — not supported

Defaults

• Read-only mode. First deliverable is template + dry-render preview; no user data touched.
• Photo mirrors the sample. Has a slot → template defines \cvphoto{path}. None → no macro. No silent injection.
• Step 5 gate. After preview, ask: "Shall I fill this template with your content?" Affirmative unlocks Step 6. Silence = dry template.
• Sample by path. Sources referenced by path, never copied.

Can do: extract a target resume's layout, typography, spacing, and color palette from a PNG/PDF; generate a compilable LaTeX template with \newcommand placeholders; compile the template with tectonic to produce a PDF preview; accept user content for each placeholder after showing the dry preview.

Cannot do (without explicit user approval): fill user-provided personal data into the template before Step 5 approval; overwrite an existing template.tex without confirmation; copy names, phones, or company claims from the source sample (style only).

Default behavior: all commands are read-only; fidelity bar defaults to "same vibe" (not pixel-perfect); the Step 5 dry-preview gate is mandatory before any content is filled.

Required environment

tectonic (xelatex-based LaTeX compiler) + pdftoppm (PDF→PNG). See references/install.md for cross-platform install and verification. If tectonic is missing, install before Step 4 and confirm with the user.

Workflow

Step 1 — Receive sample + intent

Ask once, in one message:

1. Path to the target sample (image or PDF)
2. Fidelity bar: pixel-faithful (slower, 2-3 iteration rounds) or same vibe (one pass, default)?
3. Whether the photo slot should be enabled (only if the sample has one)

Do not start until all three are answered.

Step 2 — Extract style skeleton

Use the prompt in references/style-extraction-prompt.md with a vision model. Get back a YAML object covering name alignment, section decor, entry layout, colors, fonts, photo position, page size. Write it into the chat for the user to confirm before Step 3.

Step 3 — Emit LaTeX template

Read references/latex-template-skeleton.tex. For each YAML field, override the relevant \newcommand / \setCJKmainfont / \cvsection / \cventry / \definecolor. Save as template.tex in the user's chosen directory.

Constraints:

• Self-contained: no external .sty beyond what tectonic pulls on demand
• Every fillable slot exposed via \newcommand with a default
• Top of file carries a comment block listing every placeholder (see skeleton's header)

Step 4 — Compile dry preview

cd <user-dir> && tectonic template.tex
pdftoppm -r 150 template.pdf template_preview -png

If compile fails, read the error and pick one fix: (a) suggest a font fallback, (b) toggle AutoFakeBold=2 to =1, (c) pin \setCJKmainfont{Noto Serif CJK SC}. Never swallow silently. See references/common-mistakes.md for the full failure-mode catalogue.

Step 5 — Show preview & ask to fill

Open template_preview-1.png for the user. Ask:

Template generated. Preview at <path>. Shall I fill this template with your content?

Branches: No → done. Yes, fill these fields: … → Step 6.

Step 6 — Fill (only after explicit "Yes")

For each \newcommand the user wants filled: confirm the exact value (echo back if parsed from earlier context), add a \renewcommand{\cvX}{...} block near the top, recompile with tectonic template.tex, show the new preview.

Common mistakes

The five that bite most:

1. Missing AutoFakeBold=2 on macOS — \textbf looks identical to regular weight on PingFang SC. Always include it.
2. pdflatex instead of xelatex — CJK renders as boxes. Always tectonic.
3. Skipping the dry preview — style extraction is approximate. Compile before claiming success.
4. Filling real data before preview approval — violates Step 5 gate. Dry preview first, always.
5. Forgetting \usepackage{xcolor} before \definecolor — build fails. Diff against the skeleton.

Extended catalogue (#6, #7, #9, #10): references/common-mistakes.md.

References

• references/latex-template-skeleton.tex — canonical skeleton the agent extends
• references/install.md — tectonic + pdftoppm install per platform
• references/style-extraction-prompt.md — vision-model prompt + YAML→LaTeX mapping
• references/common-mistakes.md — extended failure-mode catalogue
• references/limits.md — what is approximate vs guaranteed