# OG Image Generation - Documentation Index

## Overview

This folder contains comprehensive research and implementation guides for adding **dynamic Open Graph (OG) image generation** to PropertyWebBuilder.

**TL;DR**: PropertyWebBuilder can implement dynamic OG images using existing infrastructure (ruby-vips, Solid Queue, ActiveStorage). No new gems needed. Estimated effort: 10-15 hours.

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## Quick Navigation

### For Decision Makers
**Start here**: [`OG_IMAGE_SUMMARY.md`](./OG_IMAGE_SUMMARY.md)
- Executive summary
- Infrastructure audit
- Risk assessment
- Implementation effort
- ROI analysis
- Recommendation

### For Developers
**For implementation**: [`OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md`](./OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md)
- Step-by-step instructions
- Code examples
- Testing strategy
- Deployment checklist
- Troubleshooting guide
- Timeline estimate

### For Technical Deep Dive
**For research**: [`OG_IMAGE_GENERATION_RESEARCH.md`](./OG_IMAGE_GENERATION_RESEARCH.md)
- Approaches and tools
- Current infrastructure audit
- Performance analysis
- Alternative strategies
- Best practices
- References

### For Quick Reference
**For quick lookup**: [`OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md`](./OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md)
- TL;DR summary
- Key findings
- Implementation overview
- File structure
- Common scenarios
- Troubleshooting

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## Document Contents At A Glance

### OG_IMAGE_SUMMARY.md (Executive Summary)
**Audience**: Decision makers, team leads, stakeholders  
**Length**: ~400 lines  
**Time to read**: 15 minutes

**Covers**:
- Current state analysis
- What's already available
- What's not needed
- Recommended approach
- Implementation effort estimate
- Cost-benefit analysis
- Risk assessment
- Recommendation

**Key Takeaway**: ✅ Proceed with implementation - all infrastructure ready

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### OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md (How-To)
**Audience**: Developers, implementers  
**Length**: ~500 lines  
**Time to read**: 30 minutes (to understand structure)

**Covers**:
- Phase 1: Service creation (image generation)
- Phase 2: Job creation (background processing)
- Phase 3: Model changes (database schema)
- Phase 4: Migration (database changes)
- Phase 5: Controller integration
- Phase 6: Testing strategy
- Phase 7: Rake tasks
- Deployment checklist
- Monitoring & troubleshooting

**Key Takeaway**: Follow the 7 phases to implement feature

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### OG_IMAGE_GENERATION_RESEARCH.md (Technical Deep Dive)
**Audience**: Architects, senior developers, technical leads  
**Length**: ~600 lines  
**Time to read**: 45 minutes (for understanding)

**Covers**:
- Current infrastructure audit (what PropertyWebBuilder has)
- OG image generation approaches (4 main strategies)
- Tools and gems available (with analysis)
- Patterns and architecture (with code examples)
- Recommended hybrid approach (on-demand + caching)
- Alternative approaches (trade-offs)
- Multi-tenancy considerations
- Performance implications
- Deployment requirements
- References and resources

**Key Takeaway**: Well-researched technical foundation for decision making

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### OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md (Quick Reference)
**Audience**: All technical staff  
**Length**: ~300 lines  
**Time to read**: 15 minutes

**Covers**:
- TL;DR summary
- Key findings (what's available)
- How it works (simple diagram)
- Implementation overview
- Simplified examples
- File structure
- Step-by-step basic implementation
- Infrastructure usage
- Performance overview
- Common scenarios
- Troubleshooting quick guide

**Key Takeaway**: Quick orientation and reference guide

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## Existing OG Image Documentation

This folder also contains existing OG image documentation:

### OPEN_GRAPH_IMAGE_HANDLING.md
**Current implementation reference**
- What PropertyWebBuilder currently does
- Static configuration approach
- Meta tag generation
- Logo URL sourcing
- Current limitations
- Future enhancement ideas

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## File Relationships

```
OG_IMAGE_INDEX.md (this file)
    ↓
    ├─→ OG_IMAGE_SUMMARY.md (executive overview)
    │       ↓
    │       └─→ OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md (practical implementation)
    │
    ├─→ OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md (quick reference)
    │       ↓
    │       └─→ OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md (detailed steps)
    │
    └─→ OG_IMAGE_GENERATION_RESEARCH.md (technical deep dive)
            ↓
            └─→ OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md (practical application)

Legend:
  ↓   Read this after    →   See also
```

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## How to Use These Documents

### Scenario 1: "Should we implement dynamic OG images?"

**Read in order**:
1. OG_IMAGE_SUMMARY.md (decide)
2. OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md (understand basics)

**Time**: 30 minutes

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### Scenario 2: "How do we implement it?"

**Read in order**:
1. OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md (orientation)
2. OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md (step-by-step)
3. Keep handy for reference during coding

**Time**: Initial read 30 minutes, implementation 10-15 hours

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### Scenario 3: "What are the technical details?"

**Read in order**:
1. OG_IMAGE_GENERATION_RESEARCH.md (deep dive)
2. OG_IMAGE_SUMMARY.md (context)
3. OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md (implementation)

**Time**: 90 minutes for understanding

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### Scenario 4: "I need a quick answer"

**Read**:
- OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md (quick lookup)
- Or search this file for specific topics

**Time**: 5-10 minutes

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### Scenario 5: "I'm implementing and need help"

**Use as reference**:
- OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md (main reference)
- OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md (quick lookup)
- OG_IMAGE_GENERATION_RESEARCH.md (why/how decisions)

**Time**: As needed during development

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## Key Information Summary

### What PropertyWebBuilder Currently Has
- ✅ ruby-vips 2.3.0 (image processing, already installed)
- ✅ mini_magick 5.3.1 (backup image processor, already installed)
- ✅ Solid Queue (background jobs, already configured)
- ✅ Mission Control Jobs (job dashboard, already configured)
- ✅ ActiveStorage (file storage, already configured)
- ✅ Cloudflare R2 (CDN storage, configured in production)
- ✅ Multiple working background jobs (proven pattern)
- ✅ Multi-tenancy support (ActsAsTenant)

### What You Don't Need to Add
- ❌ New gems (for basic image generation)
- ❌ Grover/Puppeteer (unless full HTML rendering needed)
- ❌ ImageMagick binary (ruby-vips doesn't require it)
- ❌ External services (self-hosted solution available)
- ❌ Serverless functions (in-process jobs work fine)

### Recommended Implementation
- **Language**: Ruby (existing Rails services pattern)
- **Image Library**: ruby-vips (already installed, very fast)
- **Job Queue**: Solid Queue (already configured)
- **Storage**: ActiveStorage + Cloudflare R2 (already configured)
- **Approach**: Simple image overlay (10-15 hours effort)

### Expected Results
- ✅ Custom branded OG images per property
- ✅ Property details visible in social preview
- ✅ Faster social media sharing
- ✅ Better click-through rates
- ✅ Professional appearance
- ✅ Self-hosted (no external dependencies)

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## Implementation Phases (At A Glance)

| Phase | Component | Time | Files |
|-------|-----------|------|-------|
| 1 | Service (image generator) | 2-3 hrs | 1 new |
| 2 | Job (async processor) | 1-2 hrs | 1 new |
| 3 | Model (database attachment) | 1 hr | 1 update |
| 4 | Migration (schema change) | 30 min | 1 new |
| 5 | Controller (integration) | 30 min | 0-1 update |
| 6 | Tests (specs) | 2-3 hrs | 2 new |
| 7 | Rake task (bulk generation) | 1 hr | 1 new |
| | **TOTAL** | **10-15 hrs** | **~7 files** |

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## Deployment Timeline

- **Development**: 2-3 days (with testing)
- **Staging**: 1 day (verification)
- **Production**: 1-2 hours (migration + initial bulk generation)
- **Monitoring**: Ongoing (queue health, job success rate)

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## Support & Questions

### For Implementation Questions
See: `OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md` → Troubleshooting section

### For Technical Questions
See: `OG_IMAGE_GENERATION_RESEARCH.md` → Various sections

### For Quick Clarification
See: `OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md` → Troubleshooting quick guide

### For Business/Strategic Questions
See: `OG_IMAGE_SUMMARY.md` → Cost-benefit analysis section

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## Document Maintenance

**Last Updated**: 2025-12-31  
**Status**: Ready for implementation  
**Version**: 1.0 - Initial research and planning

**Future Updates Needed When**:
- Implementation is completed
- Deployment lessons learned are captured
- Performance tuning recommendations become available
- Additional features are added (e.g., A/B testing images)

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## Quick Links Within Documents

### In OG_IMAGE_SUMMARY.md
- [Architecture Overview](#recommended-approach)
- [Risk Assessment](#risk-assessment)
- [Cost-Benefit](#cost-benefit-analysis)
- [Recommendation](#recommendation)

### In OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md
- [Service Creation](#phase-1-core-service-generate-image)
- [Job Creation](#phase-2-background-job-queue-generation)
- [Testing](#testing-strategy)
- [Deployment](#deployment-checklist)

### In OG_IMAGE_GENERATION_RESEARCH.md
- [Current Infrastructure](#current-state-of-propertywebbuilder)
- [Approaches Comparison](#og-image-generation-approaches-in-rails)
- [Architecture Patterns](#og-image-generation-patterns-in-rails)
- [Performance](#performance-implications)

### In OG_IMAGE_QUICK_START.md
- [How It Works](#how-it-works-simple-diagram)
- [Core Files](#4-core-files-to-create)
- [Infrastructure Usage](#how-it-uses-existing-infrastructure)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting-quick-guide)

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## Checklist: Before Starting Implementation

- [ ] Read OG_IMAGE_SUMMARY.md (understand decision)
- [ ] Get stakeholder approval (if needed)
- [ ] Review OG_IMAGE_IMPLEMENTATION_GUIDE.md (understand scope)
- [ ] Plan image design/layout with team
- [ ] Create mockups for OG image appearance
- [ ] Allocate 10-15 hours of development time
- [ ] Set up testing environment
- [ ] Identify monitoring/alerting requirements
- [ ] Plan deployment timeline

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## Related Documentation

**In this folder**:
- `OPEN_GRAPH_IMAGE_HANDLING.md` - Current static implementation

**In parent documentation**:
- `docs/seo/` - Other SEO-related documentation
- `docs/seeding/` - Image seeding (related)
- `docs/architecture/` - System architecture

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## Contact & Feedback

These documents were created as part of PropertyWebBuilder's research initiative to evaluate dynamic OG image generation capabilities.

**Questions or feedback?** Refer to the specific document for the level of detail you need.

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**Last Updated**: 2025-12-31  
**Ready for**: Implementation and team review
