Image Generation with Gemini, OpenAI, and xAI

Generate and edit images using Google Gemini, OpenAI GPT Image 1.5, and xAI Grok Image APIs via shell scripts.

Available Providers

Google Gemini

• Model: gemini-2.5-flash-image (default)
• Strengths: Fast generation, multi-turn editing, aspect ratio control
• Aspect ratios: 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4, 3:2, 2:3, 4:5, 5:4, 21:9
• Env var: GEMINI_API_KEY

OpenAI GPT Image 1.5

• Model: gpt-image-1.5
• Strengths: Superior text rendering, transparent backgrounds, up to 16 input images for editing, quality tiers
• Sizes: 1024x1024, 1536x1024 (landscape), 1024x1536 (portrait)
• Quality: low (fast/cheap), medium, high (best fidelity)
• Env var: OPENAI_API_KEY

xAI Grok Image

• Model: grok-imagine-image (default), grok-2-image (basic generation only)
• Strengths: Prompt revision by chat model, flat per-image pricing, diverse style range, many aspect ratios
• Aspect ratios: 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4, 3:2, 2:3, 2:1, 1:2, 19.5:9, 9:19.5, 20:9, 9:20, auto
• Editing: Same endpoint as generation; source image passed as data URI
• Env var: XAI_API_KEY or GROK_API_KEY

Usage

Text-to-Image Generation

Use the scripts at ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/:

# Gemini
bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/gemini.sh" \
  --mode generate \
  --prompt "a serene mountain landscape at sunset" \
  --output ./generated.png

# OpenAI
bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/openai.sh" \
  --mode generate \
  --prompt "a serene mountain landscape at sunset" \
  --output ./generated.png

# xAI
bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/xai.sh" \
  --mode generate \
  --prompt "a serene mountain landscape at sunset" \
  --output ./generated.png

Image Editing

# Gemini
bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/gemini.sh" \
  --mode edit \
  --prompt "change the sky to a starry night" \
  --input-image ./original.png \
  --output ./edited.png

# OpenAI
bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/openai.sh" \
  --mode edit \
  --prompt "change the sky to a starry night" \
  --input-image ./original.png \
  --output ./edited.png

# xAI
bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/xai.sh" \
  --mode edit \
  --prompt "change the sky to a starry night" \
  --input-image ./original.png \
  --output ./edited.png

Parallel Generation

To generate with multiple providers simultaneously using the streaming display pane:

1. Create a task per provider with TaskCreate, using activeForm for spinner text:
   • "Generate image with Gemini" (activeForm: "Generating image with Gemini...")
   • "Generate image with OpenAI" (activeForm: "Generating image with OpenAI...")
   • "Generate image with xAI" (activeForm: "Generating image with xAI...")
2. Mark all tasks in_progress with TaskUpdate
3. Open a streaming display pane (single Bash call, capture the output path):

   source "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/display.sh" && display_pane_open
   # outputs: /tmp/display_pane.XXXXXX
   

4. Launch Task subagents (subagent_type: Bash) in the same message so they run concurrently. Pass DISPLAY_PANE_DIR so images appear in the shared pane as each provider finishes:

   DISPLAY_PANE_DIR=/tmp/display_pane.XXXXXX bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/gemini.sh" \
     --mode generate --prompt "<prompt>" --output hero-gemini.png
   

5. As each subagent returns, mark its task completed via TaskUpdate
6. After all providers complete, close the streaming pane to show controls:

   DISPLAY_PANE_DIR=/tmp/display_pane.XXXXXX bash -c \
     'source "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/display.sh" && display_pane_close'
   

7. Present all output file paths to the user

Prompting Tips

General

• Be specific and descriptive: "a golden retriever puppy playing in autumn leaves, soft afternoon light" beats "dog in park"
• Specify style explicitly: "watercolor painting", "photorealistic", "flat vector illustration"
• Include composition details: "close-up", "aerial view", "centered", "rule of thirds"

Text in Images

• OpenAI GPT Image 1.5 is significantly better at rendering text
• Put text in quotes or ALL CAPS in the prompt: a sign that reads "OPEN 24 HOURS"
• Specify typography details: font style, size, color, placement

Editing

• Describe what to change, not the whole image
• Be specific about which elements to preserve vs modify
• For Gemini: supports iterative multi-turn refinement
• For OpenAI: can accept up to 16 reference images
• For xAI: prompts are revised by a chat model before generation

Error Handling

• Scripts exit with code 1 on failure and print error details to stderr
• If an API key is missing, the script exits immediately with a clear message
• HTTP errors include the status code and API error message
• If multiple providers are used in parallel and one fails, report the error and present the successful results
• Rate limit errors (HTTP 429) mean the provider's quota is exhausted - try again later or use the other provider

Script Options Reference

gemini.sh

Flag	Values	Default
--mode	generate, edit	(required)
--prompt	text	(required)
--output	file path	(required)
--input-image	file path	(edit only)
--aspect-ratio	1:1, 16:9, etc.	1:1
--model	gemini model name	gemini-2.5-flash-image

openai.sh

Flag	Values	Default
--mode	generate, edit	(required)
--prompt	text	(required)
--output	file path	(required)
--input-image	file path	(edit only)
--size	1024x1024, 1536x1024, 1024x1536	1024x1024
--quality	low, medium, high	high
--background	transparent, opaque, auto	auto
--model	OpenAI model name	gpt-image-1.5

xai.sh

Flag	Values	Default
--mode	generate, edit	(required)
--prompt	text	(required)
--output	file path	(required)
--input-image	file path	(edit only)
--aspect-ratio	1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4, etc.	(none)
--model	xAI model name	grok-imagine-image