WebJSON Prompting: Build an AI Carousel Generator with Claude

TL;DR

WebJSON is a prompting technique that forces AI models like Claude to search the web for real-time data, then output structured JSON you can use in applications. I used this technique to build a free, open-source carousel generator that creates professional social media carousels in seconds. In this post, I’ll teach you the WebJSON technique and show you how to download and use the tool yourself.

What Is WebJSON Prompting?

WebJSON is a prompting technique that combines two powerful capabilities: web search and structured JSON output.

Here’s the simple idea. You instruct Claude (or another AI) to first search the web for accurate, up-to-date information. Then you force it to output that information in a specific JSON structure you define.

Why does this matter?

Because once you have structured JSON, you can feed it directly into applications. No manual data entry. No copy-pasting. Just automated workflows powered by real-time web data.

I discovered this technique while building my Prompting 2.0 course, and it’s one of five advanced techniques I teach there. But WebJSON alone has helped me build multiple useful tools, including the carousel generator I’m sharing today.

How Does WebJSON Actually Work?

The technique has three core components.

First, you tell the AI to search the web. This ensures you get current, accurate information instead of outdated training data.

Second, you define a strict JSON schema. You show the AI exactly what structure you need — field names, data types, examples.

Third, you combine both in one prompt. The AI searches, gathers information, and formats everything into your schema automatically.

Here’s a simplified example of what a WebJSON output looks like:

{
  "title": "4 Rules for Vibe Coding Like a Pro",
  "accent_color": "#4ECDC4",
  "slides": [
    {
      "headline": "{Modularity} First",
      "body": "Always tell the AI to build in a {modular structure}. Small, independent pieces are easier to debug and iterate. One prompt breaks? Only one module needs fixing.",
      "visual": "2D flat illustration showing interconnected modular blocks like puzzle pieces, each block representing a code component, clean vector style with teal accents"
    },
    {
      "headline": "{Inject} the Docs",
      "body": "Using an external API? {Paste the documentation} directly into your prompt. This kills hallucinations and saves hours of debugging fake endpoints.",
      "visual": "2D flat illustration of a document being inserted into an AI chat bubble, arrows showing information flow, clean minimal vector style with teal highlights"
    },
    {
      "headline": "Know Your {Stack}",
      "body": "Understand your app's {building blocks} first — services, APIs, data flow. And know what tools exist. You don't need to master Remotion, but knowing it exists unlocks better prompts.",
      "visual": "2D flat illustration of a toolbox with architectural blueprint underneath, framework icons floating above connected by flowchart arrows, clean vector style"
    },
    {
      "headline": "Spot the {Patterns}",
      "body": "Similar layouts, styles, or logic? Tell the AI to {follow the same pattern}. Consistency means fewer bugs and a codebase that actually makes sense.",
      "visual": "2D flat illustration of repeating geometric patterns and shapes aligning perfectly, visual metaphor for code consistency, clean vector style"
    }
  ]
}

The “visual” field in my schema is particularly clever. It contains an image prompt that I can pass to any AI image generator. So Claude searches the web, writes the content, AND creates the image prompts — all in one step.

Why I Built the AI Carousel Generator

My brother creates content for social media. He was spending hours designing carousels manually.

I thought: what if I could automate this entire process?

The challenge wasn’t generating text. Any AI can do that. The challenge was getting structured output I could actually use in a design tool.

That’s when WebJSON clicked.

I could have Claude search for trending topics, generate carousel content, create image prompts, and output everything in a format my application could render instantly.

Two days of prompt engineering later, I had a working system.

What Can the Carousel Generator Do?

The tool is completely free and open-source. Here’s what you get:

AI-Powered Image Generation Connect your Google Gemini API key and the tool generates background images automatically.

Platform-Ready Export Export vertical carousels for Instagram (1080×1350) or square formats for LinkedIn and Twitter (1080×1080). Save as individual PNGs or batch export as ZIP.

Full Customization Control fonts, colors, text effects, gradient overlays, branding elements, and more. The tool includes 8 built-in themes to get you started.

Multiple Layouts Choose from intro slides, content slides, and outro slides. Four layout options let you position text and images exactly where you want them.

How to Use the Carousel Generator (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Generate Your JSON with Claude

Open Claude and use the WebJSON technique. Ask it to search the web for your topic and output content in the required JSON format.

Example prompt: “Search the web for the latest AI news this week. Create a 7-slide carousel with headlines, body text, and visual prompts for each slide. Output as JSON.”

Download the JSON file Claude generates.

Step 2: Import into the Carousel Generator

Open the application and click “Input JSON.” Select your downloaded file.

The tool instantly populates all slides with your content — headlines, body text, and image prompts ready to go.

Step 3: Generate AI Images

Click “Generate All” and watch the tool create background images for every slide. This uses Google Gemini’s image generation (you’ll need an API key).

Want it completely free? Use my alternative project that searches for real image URLs instead of generating them. Claude finds relevant images from the web and includes the URLs directly in the JSON.

Step 4: Customize and Export

Adjust fonts, colors, and layouts to match your brand. Preview changes in real-time.

Export for your platform and post.

The Free Alternative: URL-Based Images

Generating images with Gemini costs money (though it’s cheap).

I built a second version that’s completely free.

Instead of generating image prompts, this version instructs Claude to search for actual image URLs. The carousel generator then downloads these images directly into your slides.

Same workflow. Same quality. Zero cost.

Both versions are included in the download.

Why Learning WebJSON Matters for Builders

Here’s what I want you to take away from this post.

The carousel generator is cool. But the real value is the technique behind it.

WebJSON is a pattern you can apply to dozens of projects:

Research tools that gather and structure information automatically
Content generators that create blog outlines, social posts, or email sequences
Data dashboards that pull real-time information into visualizations
Automation workflows that connect AI insights to your existing tools

Once you understand how to combine web search with structured output, you can build applications that were previously impossible without complex APIs and data pipelines.

I teach this technique (along with four others) in my Advanced Prompting course on YouTube. It’s free and covers everything you need to start building AI-powered tools.

Download the Carousel Generator

No command line. No coding. Just download and run.

The download includes:

Desktop application (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Full source code
WebJSON prompt templates

I encourage you to open the source code and experiment. Add new features. Try different image models. Build new layouts.

This is how you learn — by taking working projects and making them your own.

If you want structured guidance on building projects like this, check out Solo Builder V1 Course where I teach you to go from zero to shipping your dream project in 12 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WebJSON prompting?

WebJSON is a technique that instructs AI models to search the web for current information and output results in a structured JSON format. This lets you feed AI-generated content directly into applications without manual formatting.

Can I use the carousel generator without an API key?

Yes. Use the URL-based version that searches for existing images instead of generating them. This version is completely free with no API required.

What platforms does the carousel generator support?

The tool exports Instagram vertical (1080×1350), LinkedIn square (1080×1080), and Twitter square (1080×1080) formats. You can export individual PNGs or batch download as ZIP.

Does WebJSON work with AI models other than Claude?

Yes. The technique works with any AI that supports web search and can follow JSON schema instructions. Claude, ChatGPT with browsing, and Perplexity all support this pattern.

How do I customize the carousel design?

The generator includes controls for fonts, colors, text effects, gradient overlays, layouts, and branding. Eight built-in themes provide starting points you can modify.

Start Building with WebJSON Today

Now you have both WebJSON and The Carousal Generator

Download the tool, study the prompts, and start experimenting. The best way to learn AI development is by building real projects that solve real problems.

And if you want to go deeper into advanced prompting techniques, watch my full Prompting 2.0 course on YouTube. WebJSON is just one of five techniques I cover.