feat: Add placeholder cover generator for books without covers

Generate styled placeholder covers (title, author, book icon) when a
book has no embedded cover image, instead of showing a blank rectangle.

- Add PlaceholderCoverGenerator lib with 1-bit BMP rendering, scaled
  fonts, word-wrap, and a book icon bitmap
- Integrate as fallback in Epub/Xtc/Txt reader activities and
  SleepActivity after format-specific cover generation fails
- Add fallback in HomeActivity::loadRecentCovers() so the home screen
  also shows placeholder thumbnails when cache is cleared
- Add Txt::getThumbBmpPath() for TXT thumbnail support
- Add helper scripts for icon and layout preview generation

Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com>

lib/PlaceholderCover/BookIcon.h

@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+#pragma once
+#include <cstdint>
+
+// Book icon: 48x48, 1-bit packed (MSB first)
+// 0 = black, 1 = white (same format as Logo120.h)
+static constexpr int BOOK_ICON_WIDTH = 48;
+static constexpr int BOOK_ICON_HEIGHT = 48;
+static const uint8_t BookIcon[] = {
+    0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xfc, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x1f, 0xfc, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x1f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f,
+    0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f,
+    0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff,
+    0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1c, 0x00, 0x00, 0x01, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f,
+    0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f,
+    0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1c, 0x00, 0x01,
+    0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f,
+    0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f,
+    0xfc, 0x1c, 0x00, 0x00, 0x1f, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff,
+    0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f,
+    0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f,
+    0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff,
+    0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f,
+    0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x1f, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0x9f, 0xfc, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x1f,
+    0xfc, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x1f, 0xff, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x3f, 0xff, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,
+    0x00, 0x3f, 0xff, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x3f, 0xff, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x3f, 0xff, 0xff,
+    0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff,
+};

lib/PlaceholderCover/PlaceholderCoverGenerator.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,480 @@
+#include "PlaceholderCoverGenerator.h"
+
+#include <EpdFont.h>
+#include <HalStorage.h>
+#include <Logging.h>
+#include <Utf8.h>
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <vector>
+
+// Include the UI fonts directly for self-contained placeholder rendering.
+// These are 1-bit bitmap fonts compiled from Ubuntu TTF.
+#include "builtinFonts/ubuntu_10_regular.h"
+#include "builtinFonts/ubuntu_12_bold.h"
+
+// Book icon bitmap (48x48 1-bit, generated by scripts/generate_book_icon.py)
+#include "BookIcon.h"
+
+namespace {
+
+// BMP writing helpers (same format as JpegToBmpConverter)
+inline void write16(Print& out, const uint16_t value) {
+  out.write(value & 0xFF);
+  out.write((value >> 8) & 0xFF);
+}
+
+inline void write32(Print& out, const uint32_t value) {
+  out.write(value & 0xFF);
+  out.write((value >> 8) & 0xFF);
+  out.write((value >> 16) & 0xFF);
+  out.write((value >> 24) & 0xFF);
+}
+
+inline void write32Signed(Print& out, const int32_t value) {
+  out.write(value & 0xFF);
+  out.write((value >> 8) & 0xFF);
+  out.write((value >> 16) & 0xFF);
+  out.write((value >> 24) & 0xFF);
+}
+
+void writeBmpHeader1bit(Print& bmpOut, const int width, const int height) {
+  const int bytesPerRow = (width + 31) / 32 * 4;
+  const int imageSize = bytesPerRow * height;
+  const uint32_t fileSize = 62 + imageSize;
+
+  // BMP File Header (14 bytes)
+  bmpOut.write('B');
+  bmpOut.write('M');
+  write32(bmpOut, fileSize);
+  write32(bmpOut, 0);   // Reserved
+  write32(bmpOut, 62);  // Offset to pixel data
+
+  // DIB Header (BITMAPINFOHEADER - 40 bytes)
+  write32(bmpOut, 40);
+  write32Signed(bmpOut, width);
+  write32Signed(bmpOut, -height);  // Negative = top-down
+  write16(bmpOut, 1);              // Color planes
+  write16(bmpOut, 1);              // Bits per pixel
+  write32(bmpOut, 0);              // BI_RGB
+  write32(bmpOut, imageSize);
+  write32(bmpOut, 2835);  // xPixelsPerMeter
+  write32(bmpOut, 2835);  // yPixelsPerMeter
+  write32(bmpOut, 2);     // colorsUsed
+  write32(bmpOut, 2);     // colorsImportant
+
+  // Palette: index 0 = black, index 1 = white
+  const uint8_t palette[8] = {
+      0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00,  // Black
+      0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0x00   // White
+  };
+  for (const uint8_t b : palette) {
+    bmpOut.write(b);
+  }
+}
+
+/// 1-bit pixel buffer that can render text, icons, and shapes, then write as BMP.
+class PixelBuffer {
+ public:
+  PixelBuffer(int width, int height) : width(width), height(height) {
+    bytesPerRow = (width + 31) / 32 * 4;
+    bufferSize = bytesPerRow * height;
+    buffer = static_cast<uint8_t*>(malloc(bufferSize));
+    if (buffer) {
+      memset(buffer, 0xFF, bufferSize);  // White background
+    }
+  }
+
+  ~PixelBuffer() {
+    if (buffer) {
+      free(buffer);
+    }
+  }
+
+  bool isValid() const { return buffer != nullptr; }
+
+  /// Set a pixel to black.
+  void setBlack(int x, int y) {
+    if (x < 0 || x >= width || y < 0 || y >= height) return;
+    const int byteIndex = y * bytesPerRow + x / 8;
+    const uint8_t bitMask = 0x80 >> (x % 8);
+    buffer[byteIndex] &= ~bitMask;
+  }
+
+  /// Set a scaled "pixel" (scale x scale block) to black.
+  void setBlackScaled(int x, int y, int scale) {
+    for (int dy = 0; dy < scale; dy++) {
+      for (int dx = 0; dx < scale; dx++) {
+        setBlack(x + dx, y + dy);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Draw a filled rectangle in black.
+  void fillRect(int x, int y, int w, int h) {
+    for (int row = y; row < y + h && row < height; row++) {
+      for (int col = x; col < x + w && col < width; col++) {
+        setBlack(col, row);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Draw a rectangular border in black.
+  void drawBorder(int x, int y, int w, int h, int thickness) {
+    fillRect(x, y, w, thickness);                  // Top
+    fillRect(x, y + h - thickness, w, thickness);   // Bottom
+    fillRect(x, y, thickness, h);                   // Left
+    fillRect(x + w - thickness, y, thickness, h);   // Right
+  }
+
+  /// Draw a horizontal line in black with configurable thickness.
+  void drawHLine(int x, int y, int length, int thickness = 1) {
+    fillRect(x, y, length, thickness);
+  }
+
+  /// Render a single glyph at (cursorX, baselineY) with integer scaling. Returns advance in X (scaled).
+  int renderGlyph(const EpdFontData* font, uint32_t codepoint, int cursorX, int baselineY, int scale = 1) {
+    const EpdFont fontObj(font);
+    const EpdGlyph* glyph = fontObj.getGlyph(codepoint);
+    if (!glyph) {
+      glyph = fontObj.getGlyph(REPLACEMENT_GLYPH);
+    }
+    if (!glyph) {
+      return 0;
+    }
+
+    const uint8_t* bitmap = &font->bitmap[glyph->dataOffset];
+    const int glyphW = glyph->width;
+    const int glyphH = glyph->height;
+
+    for (int gy = 0; gy < glyphH; gy++) {
+      const int screenY = baselineY - glyph->top * scale + gy * scale;
+      for (int gx = 0; gx < glyphW; gx++) {
+        const int pixelPos = gy * glyphW + gx;
+        const int screenX = cursorX + glyph->left * scale + gx * scale;
+
+        bool isSet = false;
+        if (font->is2Bit) {
+          const uint8_t byte = bitmap[pixelPos / 4];
+          const uint8_t bitIndex = (3 - pixelPos % 4) * 2;
+          const uint8_t val = 3 - ((byte >> bitIndex) & 0x3);
+          isSet = (val < 3);
+        } else {
+          const uint8_t byte = bitmap[pixelPos / 8];
+          const uint8_t bitIndex = 7 - (pixelPos % 8);
+          isSet = ((byte >> bitIndex) & 1);
+        }
+
+        if (isSet) {
+          setBlackScaled(screenX, screenY, scale);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    return glyph->advanceX * scale;
+  }
+
+  /// Render a UTF-8 string at (x, y) where y is the top of the text line, with integer scaling.
+  void drawText(const EpdFontData* font, int x, int y, const char* text, int scale = 1) {
+    const int baselineY = y + font->ascender * scale;
+    int cursorX = x;
+    uint32_t cp;
+    while ((cp = utf8NextCodepoint(reinterpret_cast<const uint8_t**>(&text)))) {
+      cursorX += renderGlyph(font, cp, cursorX, baselineY, scale);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Draw a 1-bit icon bitmap (MSB first, 0=black, 1=white) with integer scaling.
+  void drawIcon(const uint8_t* icon, int iconW, int iconH, int x, int y, int scale = 1) {
+    const int bytesPerIconRow = iconW / 8;
+    for (int iy = 0; iy < iconH; iy++) {
+      for (int ix = 0; ix < iconW; ix++) {
+        const int byteIdx = iy * bytesPerIconRow + ix / 8;
+        const uint8_t bitMask = 0x80 >> (ix % 8);
+        // In the icon data: 0 = black (drawn), 1 = white (skip)
+        if (!(icon[byteIdx] & bitMask)) {
+          const int sx = x + ix * scale;
+          const int sy = y + iy * scale;
+          setBlackScaled(sx, sy, scale);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  /// Write the pixel buffer to a file as a 1-bit BMP.
+  bool writeBmp(Print& out) const {
+    if (!buffer) return false;
+    writeBmpHeader1bit(out, width, height);
+    out.write(buffer, bufferSize);
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  int getWidth() const { return width; }
+  int getHeight() const { return height; }
+
+ private:
+  int width;
+  int height;
+  int bytesPerRow;
+  size_t bufferSize;
+  uint8_t* buffer;
+};
+
+/// Measure the width of a UTF-8 string in pixels (at 1x scale).
+int measureTextWidth(const EpdFontData* font, const char* text) {
+  const EpdFont fontObj(font);
+  int w = 0, h = 0;
+  fontObj.getTextDimensions(text, &w, &h);
+  return w;
+}
+
+/// Get the advance width of a single character.
+int getCharAdvance(const EpdFontData* font, uint32_t cp) {
+  const EpdFont fontObj(font);
+  const EpdGlyph* glyph = fontObj.getGlyph(cp);
+  if (!glyph) return 0;
+  return glyph->advanceX;
+}
+
+/// Split a string into words (splitting on spaces).
+std::vector<std::string> splitWords(const std::string& text) {
+  std::vector<std::string> words;
+  std::string current;
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < text.size(); i++) {
+    if (text[i] == ' ') {
+      if (!current.empty()) {
+        words.push_back(current);
+        current.clear();
+      }
+    } else {
+      current += text[i];
+    }
+  }
+  if (!current.empty()) {
+    words.push_back(current);
+  }
+  return words;
+}
+
+/// Word-wrap text into lines that fit within maxWidth pixels at the given scale.
+std::vector<std::string> wrapText(const EpdFontData* font, const std::string& text, int maxWidth, int scale = 1) {
+  std::vector<std::string> lines;
+  const auto words = splitWords(text);
+  if (words.empty()) return lines;
+
+  const int spaceWidth = getCharAdvance(font, ' ') * scale;
+  std::string currentLine;
+  int currentWidth = 0;
+
+  for (const auto& word : words) {
+    const int wordWidth = measureTextWidth(font, word.c_str()) * scale;
+
+    if (currentLine.empty()) {
+      currentLine = word;
+      currentWidth = wordWidth;
+    } else if (currentWidth + spaceWidth + wordWidth <= maxWidth) {
+      currentLine += " " + word;
+      currentWidth += spaceWidth + wordWidth;
+    } else {
+      lines.push_back(currentLine);
+      currentLine = word;
+      currentWidth = wordWidth;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (!currentLine.empty()) {
+    lines.push_back(currentLine);
+  }
+
+  return lines;
+}
+
+/// Truncate a string with "..." if it exceeds maxWidth pixels at the given scale.
+std::string truncateText(const EpdFontData* font, const std::string& text, int maxWidth, int scale = 1) {
+  if (measureTextWidth(font, text.c_str()) * scale <= maxWidth) {
+    return text;
+  }
+
+  std::string truncated = text;
+  const char* ellipsis = "...";
+  const int ellipsisWidth = measureTextWidth(font, ellipsis) * scale;
+
+  while (!truncated.empty()) {
+    utf8RemoveLastChar(truncated);
+    if (measureTextWidth(font, truncated.c_str()) * scale + ellipsisWidth <= maxWidth) {
+      return truncated + ellipsis;
+    }
+  }
+
+  return ellipsis;
+}
+
+}  // namespace
+
+bool PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(const std::string& outputPath, const std::string& title,
+                                         const std::string& author, int width, int height) {
+  LOG_DBG("PHC", "Generating placeholder cover %dx%d: \"%s\" by \"%s\"", width, height, title.c_str(), author.c_str());
+
+  const EpdFontData* titleFont = &ubuntu_12_bold;
+  const EpdFontData* authorFont = &ubuntu_10_regular;
+
+  PixelBuffer buf(width, height);
+  if (!buf.isValid()) {
+    LOG_ERR("PHC", "Failed to allocate %dx%d pixel buffer (%d bytes)", width, height,
+            (width + 31) / 32 * 4 * height);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  // Proportional layout constants based on cover dimensions.
+  // The device bezel covers ~2-3px on each edge, so we pad inward from the edge.
+  const int edgePadding = std::max(3, width / 48);    // ~10px at 480w, ~3px at 136w
+  const int borderWidth = std::max(2, width / 96);     // ~5px at 480w, ~2px at 136w
+  const int innerPadding = std::max(4, width / 32);    // ~15px at 480w, ~4px at 136w
+
+  // Text scaling: 2x for full-size covers, 1x for thumbnails
+  const int titleScale = (height >= 600) ? 2 : 1;
+  const int authorScale = (height >= 600) ? 2 : 1;  // Author also larger on full covers
+  // Icon: 2x for full cover, 1x for medium thumb, skip for small
+  const int iconScale = (height >= 600) ? 2 : (height >= 350 ? 1 : 0);
+
+  // Draw border inset from edge
+  buf.drawBorder(edgePadding, edgePadding, width - 2 * edgePadding, height - 2 * edgePadding, borderWidth);
+
+  // Content area (inside border + inner padding)
+  const int contentX = edgePadding + borderWidth + innerPadding;
+  const int contentY = edgePadding + borderWidth + innerPadding;
+  const int contentW = width - 2 * contentX;
+  const int contentH = height - 2 * contentY;
+
+  if (contentW <= 0 || contentH <= 0) {
+    LOG_ERR("PHC", "Cover too small for content (%dx%d)", width, height);
+    FsFile file;
+    if (!Storage.openFileForWrite("PHC", outputPath, file)) {
+      return false;
+    }
+    buf.writeBmp(file);
+    file.close();
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  // --- Layout zones ---
+  // Title zone: top 2/3 of content area (icon + title)
+  // Author zone: bottom 1/3 of content area
+  const int titleZoneH = contentH * 2 / 3;
+  const int authorZoneH = contentH - titleZoneH;
+  const int authorZoneY = contentY + titleZoneH;
+
+  // --- Separator line at the zone boundary ---
+  const int separatorWidth = contentW / 3;
+  const int separatorX = contentX + (contentW - separatorWidth) / 2;
+  buf.drawHLine(separatorX, authorZoneY, separatorWidth);
+
+  // --- Icon dimensions (needed for title text wrapping) ---
+  const int iconW = (iconScale > 0) ? BOOK_ICON_WIDTH * iconScale : 0;
+  const int iconGap = (iconScale > 0) ? std::max(8, width / 40) : 0;  // Gap between icon and title text
+  const int titleTextW = contentW - iconW - iconGap;  // Title wraps in narrower area beside icon
+
+  // --- Prepare title text (wraps within the area to the right of the icon) ---
+  const std::string displayTitle = title.empty() ? "Untitled" : title;
+  auto titleLines = wrapText(titleFont, displayTitle, titleTextW, titleScale);
+
+  constexpr int MAX_TITLE_LINES = 5;
+  if (static_cast<int>(titleLines.size()) > MAX_TITLE_LINES) {
+    titleLines.resize(MAX_TITLE_LINES);
+    titleLines.back() = truncateText(titleFont, titleLines.back(), titleTextW, titleScale);
+  }
+
+  // --- Prepare author text (multi-line, max 3 lines) ---
+  std::vector<std::string> authorLines;
+  if (!author.empty()) {
+    authorLines = wrapText(authorFont, author, contentW, authorScale);
+    constexpr int MAX_AUTHOR_LINES = 3;
+    if (static_cast<int>(authorLines.size()) > MAX_AUTHOR_LINES) {
+      authorLines.resize(MAX_AUTHOR_LINES);
+      authorLines.back() = truncateText(authorFont, authorLines.back(), contentW, authorScale);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // --- Calculate title zone layout (icon LEFT of title) ---
+  // Tighter line spacing so 2-3 title lines fit within the icon height
+  const int titleLineH = titleFont->advanceY * titleScale * 3 / 4;
+  const int iconH = (iconScale > 0) ? BOOK_ICON_HEIGHT * iconScale : 0;
+  const int numTitleLines = static_cast<int>(titleLines.size());
+  // Visual height: distance from top of first line to bottom of last line's glyphs.
+  // Use ascender (not full advanceY) for the last line since trailing line-gap isn't visible.
+  const int titleVisualH = (numTitleLines > 0)
+                               ? (numTitleLines - 1) * titleLineH + titleFont->ascender * titleScale
+                               : 0;
+  const int titleBlockH = std::max(iconH, titleVisualH);  // Taller of icon or text
+
+  int titleStartY = contentY + (titleZoneH - titleBlockH) / 2;
+  if (titleStartY < contentY) {
+    titleStartY = contentY;
+  }
+
+  // If title fits within icon height, center it vertically against the icon.
+  // Otherwise top-align so extra lines overflow below.
+  const int iconY = titleStartY;
+  const int titleTextY = (iconH > 0 && titleVisualH <= iconH)
+                             ? titleStartY + (iconH - titleVisualH) / 2
+                             : titleStartY;
+
+  // --- Horizontal centering: measure the widest title line, then center icon+gap+text block ---
+  int maxTitleLineW = 0;
+  for (const auto& line : titleLines) {
+    const int w = measureTextWidth(titleFont, line.c_str()) * titleScale;
+    if (w > maxTitleLineW) maxTitleLineW = w;
+  }
+  const int titleBlockW = iconW + iconGap + maxTitleLineW;
+  const int titleBlockX = contentX + (contentW - titleBlockW) / 2;
+
+  // --- Draw icon ---
+  if (iconScale > 0) {
+    buf.drawIcon(BookIcon, BOOK_ICON_WIDTH, BOOK_ICON_HEIGHT, titleBlockX, iconY, iconScale);
+  }
+
+  // --- Draw title lines (to the right of the icon) ---
+  const int titleTextX = titleBlockX + iconW + iconGap;
+  int currentY = titleTextY;
+  for (const auto& line : titleLines) {
+    buf.drawText(titleFont, titleTextX, currentY, line.c_str(), titleScale);
+    currentY += titleLineH;
+  }
+
+  // --- Draw author lines (centered vertically in bottom 1/3, centered horizontally) ---
+  if (!authorLines.empty()) {
+    const int authorLineH = authorFont->advanceY * authorScale;
+    const int authorBlockH = static_cast<int>(authorLines.size()) * authorLineH;
+    int authorStartY = authorZoneY + (authorZoneH - authorBlockH) / 2;
+    if (authorStartY < authorZoneY + 4) {
+      authorStartY = authorZoneY + 4;  // Small gap below separator
+    }
+
+    for (const auto& line : authorLines) {
+      const int lineWidth = measureTextWidth(authorFont, line.c_str()) * authorScale;
+      const int lineX = contentX + (contentW - lineWidth) / 2;
+      buf.drawText(authorFont, lineX, authorStartY, line.c_str(), authorScale);
+      authorStartY += authorLineH;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // --- Write to file ---
+  FsFile file;
+  if (!Storage.openFileForWrite("PHC", outputPath, file)) {
+    LOG_ERR("PHC", "Failed to open output file: %s", outputPath.c_str());
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  const bool success = buf.writeBmp(file);
+  file.close();
+
+  if (success) {
+    LOG_DBG("PHC", "Placeholder cover written to %s", outputPath.c_str());
+  } else {
+    LOG_ERR("PHC", "Failed to write placeholder BMP");
+    Storage.remove(outputPath.c_str());
+  }
+
+  return success;
+}

lib/PlaceholderCover/PlaceholderCoverGenerator.h

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <string>
+
+/// Generates simple 1-bit BMP placeholder covers with title/author text
+/// for books that have no embedded cover image.
+class PlaceholderCoverGenerator {
+ public:
+  /// Generate a placeholder cover BMP with title and author text.
+  /// The BMP is written to outputPath as a 1-bit black-and-white image.
+  /// Returns true if the file was written successfully.
+  static bool generate(const std::string& outputPath, const std::string& title, const std::string& author, int width,
+                       int height);
+};

lib/Txt/Txt.cpp

@@ -97,6 +97,9 @@ std::string Txt::findCoverImage() const {
 
 std::string Txt::getCoverBmpPath() const { return cachePath + "/cover.bmp"; }
 
+std::string Txt::getThumbBmpPath() const { return cachePath + "/thumb_[HEIGHT].bmp"; }
+std::string Txt::getThumbBmpPath(int height) const { return cachePath + "/thumb_" + std::to_string(height) + ".bmp"; }
+
 bool Txt::generateCoverBmp() const {
   // Already generated, return true
   if (Storage.exists(getCoverBmpPath().c_str())) {

lib/Txt/Txt.h

@@ -28,6 +28,10 @@ class Txt {
   [[nodiscard]] bool generateCoverBmp() const;
   [[nodiscard]] std::string findCoverImage() const;
 
+  // Thumbnail paths (matching Epub/Xtc pattern for home screen covers)
+  [[nodiscard]] std::string getThumbBmpPath() const;
+  [[nodiscard]] std::string getThumbBmpPath(int height) const;
+
   // Read content from file
   [[nodiscard]] bool readContent(uint8_t* buffer, size_t offset, size_t length) const;
 };

scripts/generate_book_icon.py

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Generate a 1-bit book icon bitmap as a C header for PlaceholderCoverGenerator.
+
+The icon is a simplified closed book with a spine on the left and 3 text lines.
+Output format matches Logo120.h: MSB-first packed 1-bit, 0=black, 1=white.
+"""
+
+from PIL import Image, ImageDraw
+import sys
+
+
+def generate_book_icon(size=48):
+    """Create a book icon at the given size."""
+    img = Image.new("1", (size, size), 1)  # White background
+    draw = ImageDraw.Draw(img)
+
+    # Scale helper
+    s = size / 48.0
+
+    # Book body (main rectangle, leaving room for spine and pages)
+    body_left = int(6 * s)
+    body_top = int(2 * s)
+    body_right = int(42 * s)
+    body_bottom = int(40 * s)
+
+    # Draw book body outline (2px thick)
+    for i in range(int(2 * s)):
+        draw.rectangle(
+            [body_left + i, body_top + i, body_right - i, body_bottom - i], outline=0
+        )
+
+    # Spine (thicker left edge)
+    spine_width = int(4 * s)
+    draw.rectangle([body_left, body_top, body_left + spine_width, body_bottom], fill=0)
+
+    # Pages at the bottom (slight offset from body)
+    pages_top = body_bottom
+    pages_bottom = int(44 * s)
+    draw.rectangle(
+        [body_left + int(2 * s), pages_top, body_right - int(1 * s), pages_bottom],
+        outline=0,
+    )
+    # Page edges (a few lines)
+    for i in range(3):
+        y = pages_top + int((i + 1) * 1 * s)
+        if y < pages_bottom:
+            draw.line(
+                [body_left + int(3 * s), y, body_right - int(2 * s), y], fill=0
+            )
+
+    # Text lines on the book cover
+    text_left = body_left + spine_width + int(4 * s)
+    text_right = body_right - int(4 * s)
+    line_thickness = max(1, int(1.5 * s))
+
+    text_lines_y = [int(12 * s), int(18 * s), int(24 * s)]
+    text_widths = [1.0, 0.7, 0.85]  # Relative widths for visual interest
+
+    for y, w_ratio in zip(text_lines_y, text_widths):
+        line_right = text_left + int((text_right - text_left) * w_ratio)
+        for t in range(line_thickness):
+            draw.line([text_left, y + t, line_right, y + t], fill=0)
+
+    return img
+
+
+def image_to_c_array(img, name="BookIcon"):
+    """Convert a 1-bit PIL image to a C header array."""
+    width, height = img.size
+    pixels = img.load()
+
+    bytes_per_row = width // 8
+    data = []
+
+    for y in range(height):
+        for bx in range(bytes_per_row):
+            byte = 0
+            for bit in range(8):
+                x = bx * 8 + bit
+                if x < width:
+                    # 1 = white, 0 = black (matching Logo120.h convention)
+                    if pixels[x, y]:
+                        byte |= 1 << (7 - bit)
+            data.append(byte)
+
+    # Format as C header
+    lines = []
+    lines.append("#pragma once")
+    lines.append("#include <cstdint>")
+    lines.append("")
+    lines.append(f"// Book icon: {width}x{height}, 1-bit packed (MSB first)")
+    lines.append(f"// 0 = black, 1 = white (same format as Logo120.h)")
+    lines.append(f"static constexpr int BOOK_ICON_WIDTH = {width};")
+    lines.append(f"static constexpr int BOOK_ICON_HEIGHT = {height};")
+    lines.append(f"static const uint8_t {name}[] = {{")
+
+    # Format data in rows of 16 bytes
+    for i in range(0, len(data), 16):
+        chunk = data[i : i + 16]
+        hex_str = ", ".join(f"0x{b:02x}" for b in chunk)
+        lines.append(f"    {hex_str},")
+
+    lines.append("};")
+    lines.append("")
+
+    return "\n".join(lines)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    size = int(sys.argv[1]) if len(sys.argv) > 1 else 48
+    img = generate_book_icon(size)
+
+    # Save preview PNG
+    preview_path = f"mod/book_icon_{size}x{size}.png"
+    img.resize((size * 4, size * 4), Image.NEAREST).save(preview_path)
+    print(f"Preview saved to {preview_path}", file=sys.stderr)
+
+    # Generate C header
+    header = image_to_c_array(img, "BookIcon")
+    output_path = "lib/PlaceholderCover/BookIcon.h"
+    with open(output_path, "w") as f:
+        f.write(header)
+    print(f"C header saved to {output_path}", file=sys.stderr)

scripts/preview_placeholder_cover.py

@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Generate a preview of the placeholder cover layout at full cover size (480x800).
+This mirrors the C++ PlaceholderCoverGenerator layout logic for visual verification.
+"""
+
+from PIL import Image, ImageDraw, ImageFont
+import sys
+import os
+
+# Reuse the book icon generator
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(__file__))
+from generate_book_icon import generate_book_icon
+
+
+def create_preview(width=480, height=800, title="The Great Gatsby", author="F. Scott Fitzgerald"):
+    img = Image.new("1", (width, height), 1)  # White
+    draw = ImageDraw.Draw(img)
+
+    # Proportional layout constants
+    edge_padding = max(3, width // 48)      # ~10px at 480w
+    border_width = max(2, width // 96)      # ~5px at 480w
+    inner_padding = max(4, width // 32)     # ~15px at 480w
+
+    title_scale = 2 if height >= 600 else 1
+    author_scale = 2 if height >= 600 else 1  # Author also larger on full covers
+    icon_scale = 2 if height >= 600 else (1 if height >= 350 else 0)
+
+    # Draw border inset from edge
+    bx = edge_padding
+    by = edge_padding
+    bw = width - 2 * edge_padding
+    bh = height - 2 * edge_padding
+    for i in range(border_width):
+        draw.rectangle([bx + i, by + i, bx + bw - 1 - i, by + bh - 1 - i], outline=0)
+
+    # Content area
+    content_x = edge_padding + border_width + inner_padding
+    content_y = edge_padding + border_width + inner_padding
+    content_w = width - 2 * content_x
+    content_h = height - 2 * content_y
+
+    # Zones
+    title_zone_h = content_h * 2 // 3
+    author_zone_h = content_h - title_zone_h
+    author_zone_y = content_y + title_zone_h
+
+    # Separator
+    sep_w = content_w // 3
+    sep_x = content_x + (content_w - sep_w) // 2
+    draw.line([sep_x, author_zone_y, sep_x + sep_w, author_zone_y], fill=0)
+
+    # Use a basic font for the preview (won't match exact Ubuntu metrics, but shows layout)
+    try:
+        title_font = ImageFont.truetype("/System/Library/Fonts/Helvetica.ttc", 12 * title_scale)
+        author_font = ImageFont.truetype("/System/Library/Fonts/Helvetica.ttc", 10 * author_scale)
+    except (OSError, IOError):
+        title_font = ImageFont.load_default()
+        author_font = ImageFont.load_default()
+
+    # Icon dimensions (needed for title text wrapping)
+    icon_w_px = 48 * icon_scale if icon_scale > 0 else 0
+    icon_h_px = 48 * icon_scale if icon_scale > 0 else 0
+    icon_gap = max(8, width // 40) if icon_scale > 0 else 0
+    title_text_w = content_w - icon_w_px - icon_gap  # Title wraps in narrower area beside icon
+
+    # Wrap title (within the narrower area to the right of the icon)
+    title_lines = []
+    words = title.split()
+    current_line = ""
+    for word in words:
+        test = f"{current_line} {word}".strip()
+        bbox = draw.textbbox((0, 0), test, font=title_font)
+        if bbox[2] - bbox[0] <= title_text_w:
+            current_line = test
+        else:
+            if current_line:
+                title_lines.append(current_line)
+            current_line = word
+    if current_line:
+        title_lines.append(current_line)
+    title_lines = title_lines[:5]
+
+    # Line spacing: 75% of advanceY (tighter so 2-3 lines fit within icon height)
+    title_line_h = 29 * title_scale * 3 // 4  # Based on C++ ubuntu_12_bold advanceY
+
+    # Measure actual single-line height from the PIL font for accurate centering
+    sample_bbox = draw.textbbox((0, 0), "Ag", font=title_font)  # Tall + descender chars
+    single_line_visual_h = sample_bbox[3] - sample_bbox[1]
+
+    # Visual height: line spacing between lines + actual height of last line's glyphs
+    num_title_lines = len(title_lines)
+    title_visual_h = (num_title_lines - 1) * title_line_h + single_line_visual_h if num_title_lines > 0 else 0
+    title_block_h = max(icon_h_px, title_visual_h)
+
+    title_start_y = content_y + (title_zone_h - title_block_h) // 2
+    if title_start_y < content_y:
+        title_start_y = content_y
+
+    # If title fits within icon height, center it vertically against the icon.
+    # Otherwise top-align so extra lines overflow below.
+    icon_y = title_start_y
+    if icon_h_px > 0 and title_visual_h <= icon_h_px:
+        title_text_y = title_start_y + (icon_h_px - title_visual_h) // 2
+    else:
+        title_text_y = title_start_y
+
+    # Horizontal centering: measure widest title line, center icon+gap+text block
+    max_title_line_w = 0
+    for line in title_lines:
+        bbox = draw.textbbox((0, 0), line, font=title_font)
+        w = bbox[2] - bbox[0]
+        if w > max_title_line_w:
+            max_title_line_w = w
+    title_block_w = icon_w_px + icon_gap + max_title_line_w
+    title_block_x = content_x + (content_w - title_block_w) // 2
+
+    # Draw icon
+    if icon_scale > 0:
+        icon_img = generate_book_icon(48)
+        scaled_icon = icon_img.resize((icon_w_px, icon_h_px), Image.NEAREST)
+        for iy in range(scaled_icon.height):
+            for ix in range(scaled_icon.width):
+                if not scaled_icon.getpixel((ix, iy)):
+                    img.putpixel((title_block_x + ix, icon_y + iy), 0)
+
+    # Draw title (to the right of the icon)
+    title_text_x = title_block_x + icon_w_px + icon_gap
+    current_y = title_text_y
+    for line in title_lines:
+        draw.text((title_text_x, current_y), line, fill=0, font=title_font)
+        current_y += title_line_h
+
+    # Wrap author
+    author_lines = []
+    words = author.split()
+    current_line = ""
+    for word in words:
+        test = f"{current_line} {word}".strip()
+        bbox = draw.textbbox((0, 0), test, font=author_font)
+        if bbox[2] - bbox[0] <= content_w:
+            current_line = test
+        else:
+            if current_line:
+                author_lines.append(current_line)
+            current_line = word
+    if current_line:
+        author_lines.append(current_line)
+    author_lines = author_lines[:3]
+
+    # Draw author centered in bottom 1/3
+    author_line_h = 24 * author_scale  # Ubuntu 10 regular advanceY ~24
+    author_block_h = len(author_lines) * author_line_h
+    author_start_y = author_zone_y + (author_zone_h - author_block_h) // 2
+
+    for line in author_lines:
+        bbox = draw.textbbox((0, 0), line, font=author_font)
+        line_w = bbox[2] - bbox[0]
+        line_x = content_x + (content_w - line_w) // 2
+        draw.text((line_x, author_start_y), line, fill=0, font=author_font)
+        author_start_y += author_line_h
+
+    return img
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    # Full cover
+    img = create_preview(480, 800, "A Really Long Book Title That Should Wrap", "Jane Doe")
+    img.save("mod/preview_cover_480x800.png")
+    print("Saved mod/preview_cover_480x800.png", file=sys.stderr)
+
+    # Medium thumbnail
+    img2 = create_preview(240, 400, "A Really Long Book Title That Should Wrap", "Jane Doe")
+    img2.save("mod/preview_thumb_240x400.png")
+    print("Saved mod/preview_thumb_240x400.png", file=sys.stderr)
+
+    # Small thumbnail
+    img3 = create_preview(136, 226, "A Really Long Book Title", "Jane Doe")
+    img3.save("mod/preview_thumb_136x226.png")
+    print("Saved mod/preview_thumb_136x226.png", file=sys.stderr)

src/activities/boot_sleep/SleepActivity.cpp

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include <GfxRenderer.h>
 #include <HalStorage.h>
 #include <Logging.h>
+#include <PlaceholderCoverGenerator.h>
 #include <Serialization.h>
 #include <Txt.h>
 #include <Xtc.h>
@@ -599,6 +600,11 @@ void SleepActivity::renderCoverSleepScreen() const {
     }
 
     if (!lastXtc.generateCoverBmp()) {
+      LOG_DBG("SLP", "XTC cover generation failed, trying placeholder");
+      PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(lastXtc.getCoverBmpPath(), lastXtc.getTitle(), lastXtc.getAuthor(), 480, 800);
+    }
+
+    if (!Storage.exists(lastXtc.getCoverBmpPath().c_str())) {
       LOG_ERR("SLP", "Failed to generate XTC cover bmp");
       return (this->*renderNoCoverSleepScreen)();
     }
@@ -614,6 +620,11 @@ void SleepActivity::renderCoverSleepScreen() const {
     }
 
     if (!lastTxt.generateCoverBmp()) {
+      LOG_DBG("SLP", "TXT cover generation failed, trying placeholder");
+      PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(lastTxt.getCoverBmpPath(), lastTxt.getTitle(), "", 480, 800);
+    }
+
+    if (!Storage.exists(lastTxt.getCoverBmpPath().c_str())) {
       LOG_ERR("SLP", "No cover image found for TXT file");
       return (this->*renderNoCoverSleepScreen)();
     }
@@ -630,6 +641,12 @@ void SleepActivity::renderCoverSleepScreen() const {
     }
 
     if (!lastEpub.generateCoverBmp(cropped)) {
+      LOG_DBG("SLP", "EPUB cover generation failed, trying placeholder");
+      PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(lastEpub.getCoverBmpPath(cropped), lastEpub.getTitle(),
+                                         lastEpub.getAuthor(), 480, 800);
+    }
+
+    if (!Storage.exists(lastEpub.getCoverBmpPath(cropped).c_str())) {
       LOG_ERR("SLP", "Failed to generate cover bmp");
       return (this->*renderNoCoverSleepScreen)();
     }

src/activities/home/HomeActivity.cpp

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include <GfxRenderer.h>
 #include <HalStorage.h>
 #include <Utf8.h>
+#include <PlaceholderCoverGenerator.h>
 #include <Xtc.h>
 
 #include <cstring>
@@ -65,45 +66,35 @@ void HomeActivity::loadRecentCovers(int coverHeight) {
     if (!book.coverBmpPath.empty()) {
       std::string coverPath = UITheme::getCoverThumbPath(book.coverBmpPath, coverHeight);
       if (!Storage.exists(coverPath.c_str())) {
-        // If epub, try to load the metadata for title/author and cover
+        if (!showingLoading) {
+          showingLoading = true;
+          popupRect = GUI.drawPopup(renderer, "Loading...");
+        }
+        GUI.fillPopupProgress(renderer, popupRect, 10 + progress * (90 / recentBooks.size()));
+
+        bool success = false;
+
+        // Try format-specific thumbnail generation first
         if (StringUtils::checkFileExtension(book.path, ".epub")) {
           Epub epub(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
-          // Skip loading css since we only need metadata here
           epub.load(false, true);
-
+          success = epub.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
-          // Try to generate thumbnail image for Continue Reading card
-          if (!showingLoading) {
-            showingLoading = true;
-            popupRect = GUI.drawPopup(renderer, "Loading...");
-          }
-          GUI.fillPopupProgress(renderer, popupRect, 10 + progress * (90 / recentBooks.size()));
-          bool success = epub.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
-          if (!success) {
-            RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, "");
-            book.coverBmpPath = "";
-          }
-          coverRendered = false;
-          updateRequired = true;
         } else if (StringUtils::checkFileExtension(book.path, ".xtch") ||
                    StringUtils::checkFileExtension(book.path, ".xtc")) {
-          // Handle XTC file
           Xtc xtc(book.path, "/.crosspoint");
           if (xtc.load()) {
-            // Try to generate thumbnail image for Continue Reading card
+            success = xtc.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
-            if (!showingLoading) {
-              showingLoading = true;
-              popupRect = GUI.drawPopup(renderer, "Loading...");
-            }
-            GUI.fillPopupProgress(renderer, popupRect, 10 + progress * (90 / recentBooks.size()));
-            bool success = xtc.generateThumbBmp(coverHeight);
-            if (!success) {
-              RECENT_BOOKS.updateBook(book.path, book.title, book.author, "");
-              book.coverBmpPath = "";
-            }
-            coverRendered = false;
-            updateRequired = true;
           }
         }
+
+        // Fallback: generate a placeholder thumbnail with title/author
+        if (!success && !Storage.exists(coverPath.c_str())) {
+          const int thumbWidth = static_cast<int>(coverHeight * 0.6);
+          PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(coverPath, book.title, book.author, thumbWidth, coverHeight);
+        }
+
+        coverRendered = false;
+        updateRequired = true;
       }
     }
     progress++;

src/activities/reader/EpubReaderActivity.cpp

@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #include <HalStorage.h>
 #include <Logging.h>
 
+#include <PlaceholderCoverGenerator.h>
+
 #include "CrossPointSettings.h"
 #include "CrossPointState.h"
 #include "EpubReaderBookmarkSelectionActivity.h"
@@ -126,15 +128,31 @@ void EpubReaderActivity::onEnter() {
 
       if (!Storage.exists(epub->getCoverBmpPath(false).c_str())) {
         epub->generateCoverBmp(false);
+        // Fallback: generate placeholder if real cover extraction failed
+        if (!Storage.exists(epub->getCoverBmpPath(false).c_str())) {
+          PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(epub->getCoverBmpPath(false), epub->getTitle(), epub->getAuthor(), 480,
+                                             800);
+        }
         updateProgress();
       }
       if (!Storage.exists(epub->getCoverBmpPath(true).c_str())) {
         epub->generateCoverBmp(true);
+        if (!Storage.exists(epub->getCoverBmpPath(true).c_str())) {
+          PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(epub->getCoverBmpPath(true), epub->getTitle(), epub->getAuthor(), 480,
+                                             800);
+        }
         updateProgress();
       }
       for (int i = 0; i < PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS_COUNT; i++) {
         if (!Storage.exists(epub->getThumbBmpPath(PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i]).c_str())) {
           epub->generateThumbBmp(PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i]);
+          // Fallback: generate placeholder thumbnail
+          if (!Storage.exists(epub->getThumbBmpPath(PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i]).c_str())) {
+            const int thumbHeight = PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i];
+            const int thumbWidth = static_cast<int>(thumbHeight * 0.6);
+            PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(epub->getThumbBmpPath(thumbHeight), epub->getTitle(),
+                                               epub->getAuthor(), thumbWidth, thumbHeight);
+          }
           updateProgress();
         }
       }

src/activities/reader/TxtReaderActivity.cpp

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 #include <Serialization.h>
 #include <Utf8.h>
 
+#include <PlaceholderCoverGenerator.h>
+
 #include "CrossPointSettings.h"
 #include "CrossPointState.h"
 #include "MappedInputManager.h"
@@ -57,13 +59,43 @@ void TxtReaderActivity::onEnter() {
 
   txt->setupCacheDir();
 
-  // Prerender cover on first open so the Sleep screen is instant.
+  // Prerender covers and thumbnails on first open so Home and Sleep screens are instant.
-  // generateCoverBmp() is a no-op if the file already exists, so this only does work once.
+  // Each generate* call is a no-op if the file already exists, so this only does work once.
-  // TXT has no thumbnail support, so only the sleep screen cover is generated.
+  {
-  if (!Storage.exists(txt->getCoverBmpPath().c_str())) {
+    int totalSteps = 0;
-    Rect popupRect = GUI.drawPopup(renderer, "Preparing book...");
+    if (!Storage.exists(txt->getCoverBmpPath().c_str())) totalSteps++;
-    txt->generateCoverBmp();
+    for (int i = 0; i < PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS_COUNT; i++) {
-    GUI.fillPopupProgress(renderer, popupRect, 100);
+      if (!Storage.exists(txt->getThumbBmpPath(PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i]).c_str())) totalSteps++;
+    }
+
+    if (totalSteps > 0) {
+      Rect popupRect = GUI.drawPopup(renderer, "Preparing book...");
+      int completedSteps = 0;
+
+      auto updateProgress = [&]() {
+        completedSteps++;
+        GUI.fillPopupProgress(renderer, popupRect, completedSteps * 100 / totalSteps);
+      };
+
+      if (!Storage.exists(txt->getCoverBmpPath().c_str())) {
+        const bool coverGenerated = txt->generateCoverBmp();
+        // Fallback: generate placeholder if no cover image was found
+        if (!coverGenerated) {
+          PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(txt->getCoverBmpPath(), txt->getTitle(), "", 480, 800);
+        }
+        updateProgress();
+      }
+      for (int i = 0; i < PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS_COUNT; i++) {
+        if (!Storage.exists(txt->getThumbBmpPath(PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i]).c_str())) {
+          // TXT has no native thumbnail generation, always use placeholder
+          const int thumbHeight = PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i];
+          const int thumbWidth = static_cast<int>(thumbHeight * 0.6);
+          PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(txt->getThumbBmpPath(thumbHeight), txt->getTitle(), "", thumbWidth,
+                                             thumbHeight);
+          updateProgress();
+        }
+      }
+    }
   }
 
   // Save current txt as last opened file and add to recent books
@@ -71,7 +103,7 @@ void TxtReaderActivity::onEnter() {
   auto fileName = filePath.substr(filePath.rfind('/') + 1);
   APP_STATE.openEpubPath = filePath;
   APP_STATE.saveToFile();
-  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(filePath, fileName, "", "");
+  RECENT_BOOKS.addBook(filePath, fileName, "", txt->getThumbBmpPath());
 
   // Trigger first update
   updateRequired = true;

src/activities/reader/XtcReaderActivity.cpp

@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 #include <GfxRenderer.h>
 #include <HalStorage.h>
 
+#include <PlaceholderCoverGenerator.h>
+
 #include "CrossPointSettings.h"
 #include "CrossPointState.h"
 #include "MappedInputManager.h"
@@ -63,11 +65,22 @@ void XtcReaderActivity::onEnter() {
 
       if (!Storage.exists(xtc->getCoverBmpPath().c_str())) {
         xtc->generateCoverBmp();
+        // Fallback: generate placeholder if first-page cover extraction failed
+        if (!Storage.exists(xtc->getCoverBmpPath().c_str())) {
+          PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(xtc->getCoverBmpPath(), xtc->getTitle(), xtc->getAuthor(), 480, 800);
+        }
         updateProgress();
       }
       for (int i = 0; i < PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS_COUNT; i++) {
         if (!Storage.exists(xtc->getThumbBmpPath(PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i]).c_str())) {
           xtc->generateThumbBmp(PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i]);
+          // Fallback: generate placeholder thumbnail
+          if (!Storage.exists(xtc->getThumbBmpPath(PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i]).c_str())) {
+            const int thumbHeight = PRERENDER_THUMB_HEIGHTS[i];
+            const int thumbWidth = static_cast<int>(thumbHeight * 0.6);
+            PlaceholderCoverGenerator::generate(xtc->getThumbBmpPath(thumbHeight), xtc->getTitle(), xtc->getAuthor(),
+                                               thumbWidth, thumbHeight);
+          }
           updateProgress();
         }
       }