Simon Willison’s examples and observations · Published 2026-09-05
Astra pelicans: what to test beyond one example
Simon Willison uses one pelican-on-a-bicycle SVG prompt to compare Astra and three GPT-5.6 models across reasoning settings, graphics, token usage and example cost.
One fixed prompt across different models
Simon Willison’s personal experiment asks models to produce an SVG of a pelican riding a bicycle. The record compares GPT-6 Astra with GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra and Luna at different reasoning settings.
- Inspect the original SVGs and usageCompare models and reasoning settings on one prompt. Costs are the author’s recorded examples, not current subscription prices.
Inspect output, usage and example cost together
The author shows the generated graphics alongside input and output token counts and example cost. The retained original grid has four model columns and three rows—MAX, XHIGH and HIGH—so readers can inspect each output and its recorded usage.
The author preferred Astra’s overall drawings, while noting that levels below max still do not reliably place the legs on opposite sides of the frame. Inspecting the actual SVGs makes this spatial difference visible beyond simply recognizing a bicycle.
Keep the context of this experiment
The images and numbers belong to this single-prompt personal experiment. Sol rates differ between the article and comparison grid; the amounts are preserved as the author’s examples rather than converted into a current price ranking.
The source is dated September 4, 2026. The following appendix reuses the retained original image, without regenerating pelicans or cropping comparison entries. A transcript preserves its small print.
Important additions and corrections
Dates below mark changes to our coverage.
- Addition ·
Clarified the sample and cost limits: one SVG comparison cannot establish general ability, and differing rates in the post and grid make the sample costs unsuitable as current quotes.
Sources and notes
sources中文
Sources and notes
- Read the originalSimon Willison’s examples and observations
- Original SVG examples and cost table
Retained summary and context
A visual example can inform model choice; your own tasks still need testing.
This creator self-report is not proof of general ability. The post and grid give different Sol rates, so sample costs are not a current price quote. We have not reproduced the comparison.
Sources and evidence · 3 links
Each link has a purpose and scope. Link counts do not establish independent confirmation; direct support applies only to the statements specified below.
- Simon Willison’s examples and observationsDirect support
The author’s prompt, observations and interpretation.
Limits: One example and personal judgment.
- Original SVG examples and cost tableDirect support
Comparison of images, usage and sample costs.
Limits: Rates differ from the post; no bill or current pricing check.
Source timeline
- · Found this reading link via Simon Willison's weblog.
Collection record
First discovered: ; added to the library:
Collection and source publication have distinct dates.
Editorial record
Sources reviewed
· Beijing time (UTC+8)
Read source materials to clarify purpose and limits. Discovery and event dates are retained; editorial review is not an independent experiment.
Sources and full record
This dates our review of the wording and sources, not a project release or product update.
Full record: before, after and sources (JSON)