Getting started with Instagram automation: carousels and Reels

4 min readUpdated Skillshop operator and creator of the Maker Evan YouTube channel

Translated from Korean. View original. Some screenshots are available in Korean only.

Setting common rules such as dimensions and typography makes repeated Instagram production easier. For carousels, divide the message by slide; for Reels, plan scenes and subtitle timing first. Put format-specific criteria in a skill and try a new topic to see what can be automated.

Screenshot of the Skillshop design category.

View original Korean screenshot
스킬샵 디자인 카테고리 화면. 썸네일과 카드뉴스, 브랜드 자산을 다루는 스킬 카드가 놓여 있다.
스킬샵 디자인 카테고리 화면을 캡처한 이미지예요.

Define your recurring layouts first

Document carousel dimensions, margins, typeface, account-name placement and final-slide structure. If you have a recurring format, use its existing content to establish these standards.

Slide count or video duration need not be identical for every post. Use different templates when purposes differ, such as explanatory carousels and photo-focused posts.

CanvasSize, aspect ratio and margins
TextFont, size and line spacing
Account identityWhere to place a name or logo
Final slideClosing text and how to provide guidance
Take reusable standards from your existing content.
Work with images in Anthropic's English documentation
An official example of providing reference images in Claude Code.Source: Claude Code documentation
Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
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Claude Code에서 참고 이미지를 전달하는 공식 예시
Claude Code에서 참고 이미지를 전달하는 공식 예시예요.출처: 공식 문서에서 자세히 보기

How do carousels and Reels differ?

Start a carousel by dividing the message among slides. Check that no slide is overloaded and that the reading flow continues to the next.

Reels need time to read and listen. Play the video to check that captions match speech and can be read before the next scene.

Do not copy sentences unchanged between the formats even when using the same subject. Record carousel structure and Reel timing separately in the skill.

FormatPlan firstCheckWhen moving to the other format
CarouselMessage per slideInformation density and flow to the next slideCheck whether short video sentences explain enough
ReelScenes and subtitle timingSpeech/caption match and time to readShorten long slide text or divide it among scenes
Adapt the same material to the time readers or viewers need.
Carousels
  • Divide the message by slide
  • Avoid overloading one slide
  • Check the flow to the next slide
Reels
  • Plan scenes and subtitle timing together
  • Check speech against captions
  • Read at actual playback speed
Restructure even the same material for how it is read or watched.

Screenshot of the Skillshop photo and video category.

View original Korean screenshot
스킬샵 사진/영상 카테고리 화면. 영상 편집과 자막, 쇼츠 제작을 다루는 스킬 카드가 격자로 놓여 있다.
스킬샵 사진/영상 카테고리 화면을 캡처한 이미지예요.

How do you preserve your account’s personality?

Give concrete examples of recurring topics, real experience and the tone you want. Asking only for “attention-grabbing content” can produce familiar, generic wording.

When choosing AI-suggested opening text or titles, read them to see whether your account would actually say that. Check that they answer a reader’s question and do not exaggerate the body.

Reusable production standards
  • Dimensions and margins
  • Subtitle placement and text style
  • Caption format
Review each time
  • Does the topic fit the account?
  • Does the opening avoid exaggerating the body?
  • Is it supported by real experience or evidence?
Provide concrete examples of the account’s experience and voice.

Reduce repeated decisions in weekly production

After choosing a topic, try a sequence of research, drafting, image creation and review. Setting fonts, margins, filenames and storage locations in advance reduces decisions each time.

Before posting, check typos, clipped text, obscured captions and image-use conditions. Include a review on a phone screen.

PrepareOrganize the topic and references
ProduceCreate draft and images using format-specific standards
ReviewCheck typos, clipping, sources and usage conditions
A defined production sequence makes the next piece easier to start.

Tools for Instagram content production

When choosing an agent and skill, first decide whether you need card images or a video file. Image generation or video editing may require separate software or a connected service.

Check the tools, accounts and output formats a skill requires, then test it with a small example. Follow your agent’s guide for the skill installation path.

The design category contains carousel work, while photo and video includes Reel work. Check for examples in your desired output format.

CarouselsSupport for image or editable-file output
ReelsSupport for video editing and subtitles
Additional requirementsCheck required accounts, software and usage
Test with a small example to see whether it can produce the file you need.
Ask your first question in Anthropic's English documentation
See the Claude Code quickstart for the related instructions.Source: Claude Code documentation
Open full-size image (opens in a new tab)
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단계 4 첫 번째 질문 하기 문서다. 이 프로젝트는 무엇을 하나요, 주요 진입점은 어디인가요, 폴더 구조를 설명해주세요 같은 예시 질문이 카드로 쌓여 있다.
클로드 코드 공식 문서 · 빠른 시작에서 관련 내용을 확인할 수 있어요.출처: 클로드 코드 공식 문서 · 빠른 시작

Organize recurring standards into a skill

Gather your base template, tone, source-attribution method and final checklist in one place. This reduces repeated explanation for the next post.

If you use an existing skill, check what must be adjusted to your account’s standards. Add example content and try it on several pieces to identify changes.

TemplateDimensions, margins and slide structure
VoiceGood examples and expressions to avoid
SourcesHow to attribute material and check usage conditions
ReviewPre-publication checks and storage location
Choose the standards your account actually uses for the file.

Screenshot of the Skillshop help page.

View original Korean screenshot
스킬샵 도움말 화면. 설치와 사용에 관한 안내 항목이 목록으로 정리돼 있다.
스킬샵 도움말 화면을 캡처한 이미지예요.

Frequently asked questions

Can the same skill be used for Instagram carousels and Reels?

Yes, but distinguish the standards by format. Review slide content and reading flow for carousels, and scene length and subtitle timing for Reels. Adapt the material to how it is consumed instead of copying sentences unchanged.

What should I decide in advance to post weekly?

Dimensions, typography, margins, storage location and production sequence reduce repeated decisions. Prepare a pre-publication checklist too. Review the topic, sources and opening text for each piece.

What tools do I need to start Instagram automation?

First check that a tool can make the desired carousel image or video file. Even with an agent skill, you may also need image-generation or video-editing software and external accounts. Test output format and execution requirements on a small example.

Sources