xenodium/emacs-skills/matplotlib

Plot data with matplotlib

Plot data from the most recent interaction context using matplotlib. Generate a PNG image with a transparent background and output it as a markdown image so it renders inline.

How to plot

1. Extract or derive plottable data from the current context.
2. If the Emacs foreground color is not already known from a previous plot in this session, query it:

``sh emacsclient --eval ' (face-foreground (quote default))' ` This returns a hex color like "#eeffff"`. Reuse it for all subsequent plots.

1. Write a Python script to a temporary file using that color.
2. Run the script with uv run --with matplotlib.
3. Output the result as a markdown image on its own line:

`` ![description](/tmp/agent-plot-XXXX.png) ``

uv run --with matplotlib /tmp/agent-plot-XXXX.py

Python script template

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(10, 6))
fig.patch.set_alpha(0)
ax.set_facecolor('none')
FG = "#eeffff"  # from emacsclient query
ax.spines['bottom'].set_color(FG)
ax.spines['left'].set_color(FG)
ax.spines['top'].set_visible(False)
ax.spines['right'].set_visible(False)
ax.tick_params(colors=FG)
ax.xaxis.label.set_color(FG)
ax.yaxis.label.set_color(FG)
ax.title.set_color(FG)
# ... plot commands using the data ...
plt.tight_layout()
plt.savefig("/tmp/agent-plot-XXXX.png", dpi=150, transparent=True)

Rules

• Query the Emacs foreground color once per session and reuse it for all subsequent plots. Only query again if the color is not already known.
• Always use fig.patch.set_alpha(0) and ax.set_facecolor('none') for transparent background.
• Always use transparent=True in savefig.
• Always use a timestamp in the filename (e.g., /tmp/agent-plot-$(date +%s).png). Never use descriptive names like agent-plot-lorenz.png.
• Always run scripts with uv run --with matplotlib. Do not use pip install.
• After the script runs successfully, output a markdown image (![description](path)) on its own line.
• Choose an appropriate plot type for the data (line, bar, scatter, histogram, pie, heatmap, etc.).
• Include a title, axis labels, and a legend when they add clarity.
• Style the legend to match the theme: ax.legend(facecolor='#1a1a2e', edgecolor=FG, labelcolor=FG) for dark backgrounds.
• Use ax.grid(True, alpha=0.2, color=FG) for subtle gridlines.
• Hide top and right spines for a cleaner look.
• If no plottable data exists in the recent context, inform the user.