image-generation

Image Generation & Editing Skill

Generate and edit images using AI (Google Gemini Nano Banana Pro, OpenAI DALL-E 3).

Capabilities:

• 🎨 Generate: Create new images from text descriptions
• ✏️ Edit: Modify existing images (add/remove elements, change colors)
• 🛍️ Product Placement: Put products into scenes
• 🎭 Style Transfer: Apply artistic styles to photos
• 🖼️ Composite: Combine multiple images into one

Quick Examples

Users can specify what they want:

User Says	Mode	What Happens
"Generate an image of a sunset"	Generate	Text-to-image, no reference needed
"Create a logo for my coffee shop"	Generate	Text-to-image with text rendering
"Edit this image: add a hat to the cat"	Edit	User provides image, AI modifies it
"Remove the background from this photo"	Edit	User provides image, AI edits it
"Put this product on a kitchen counter"	Product	User provides product + optional scene
"Make this photo look like Van Gogh painted it"	Style	User provides photo, AI applies style
"Combine these photos into a group shot"	Composite	User provides multiple images

Prerequisites

Environment variables must be configured for the APIs to work. At least one API key is required:

• OPENAI_API_KEY - For OpenAI DALL-E 3 image generation
• GOOGLE_API_KEY - For Google Gemini (Nano Banana / Nano Banana Pro)

See the repository README for setup instructions.

Available APIs

OpenAI GPT Image (Recommended for pure generation)

• Models:
  • gpt-image-1.5 (state of the art, best quality)
  • gpt-image-1 (great quality, cost-effective)
  • gpt-image-1-mini (fastest, most affordable)
• Best for: High-quality generation, transparency, text rendering, image editing
• Sizes: 1024x1024 (square), 1536x1024 (landscape), 1024x1536 (portrait), or auto
• Quality: low (fast), medium (balanced), high (best), or auto
• Background: transparent, opaque, or auto
• Output formats: png (default), jpeg (faster), webp
• Compression: 0-100% (for jpeg/webp)
• Features:
  • Image editing with up to 16 input images
  • Transparent backgrounds
  • Streaming with partial images
  • High input fidelity for preserving faces/logos
  • Inpainting with masks
  • 32,000 character prompts

⚠️ Note: DALL-E 2 and DALL-E 3 are deprecated and will stop being supported on 05/12/2026.

Google Gemini Native Image Generation (Recommended for editing)

• Nano Banana (gemini-2.5-flash-image): Fast, efficient, 1K resolution, up to 3 reference images
• Nano Banana Pro (gemini-3-pro-image-preview): Professional quality, up to 4K, thinking mode, up to 14 reference images (default)
• Aspect ratios: 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9
• Resolutions (Pro only): 1K, 2K, 4K
• Features:
  • Image editing (add/remove elements, color changes)
  • Product placement and composition
  • Style transfer
  • Advanced text rendering
  • Google Search grounding (Pro only)
  • Thinking mode for complex prompts (Pro only)

Workflow

Step 1: Gather Requirements (REQUIRED)

⚠️ Use interactive questioning — ask ONE question at a time.

Question Flow

⚠️ Use the AskUserQuestion tool for each question below. Do not just print questions in your response — use the tool to create interactive prompts with the options shown.

Q0: Model Selection

"Which image generation model would you like to use?

• Google Gemini (Nano Banana Pro) - Up to 4K, 14 reference images, style transfer, thinking mode (Recommended)
• OpenAI GPT Image 1.5 - State of the art, transparency, streaming, up to 16 input images
• OpenAI GPT Image 1 - Great quality, transparency, image editing
• OpenAI GPT Image 1 Mini - Fastest, most affordable"

Wait for response. If user doesn't have a preference, recommend Gemini for editing/reference tasks or GPT Image 1.5 for pure generation.

Q1: Reference

"I'll generate that image for you! First — do you have any reference images?

• Product photos to include
• Style references
• Images to edit
• No, generate from scratch"

Wait for response.

Q2: Aspect Ratio

"What aspect ratio?

• 1:1 (square)
• 16:9 (landscape/widescreen)
• 9:16 (portrait/vertical)
• 4:3 / 3:4 (classic)
• Other (2:3, 3:2, 4:5, 5:4, 21:9)
• Or specify"

Wait for response.

Q3: Resolution

"What resolution?

• 1K (fast)
• 2K (balanced)
• 4K (highest quality)"

Wait for response.

Q4: Style

"Any style preferences?

• Photorealistic
• Artistic/painterly
• Cartoon/illustration
• 3D render
• Or describe your own"

Wait for response.

Quick Reference

Question	Determines
Reference	Generation vs editing mode
Aspect Ratio	Image dimensions
Resolution	Quality level
Style	Prompt enhancement direction

Parsing:

• If user provides reference images → use image editing mode
• If user doesn't answer all questions → use sensible defaults and note assumptions
• Parse: subject, style, mood, special requirements (colors, text, composition)

Step 2: Craft the Prompt

Transform the user request into an effective image generation prompt:

1. Be specific: Add details the user might not have mentioned
2. Describe style: "digital art", "oil painting", "photograph", "3D render"
3. Include lighting: "soft lighting", "dramatic shadows", "golden hour"
4. Specify quality: "highly detailed", "8k", "professional"

Example transformation:

• User: "a cat in space"
• Enhanced: "A majestic orange tabby cat floating in outer space, surrounded by colorful nebulae and distant stars, wearing a small astronaut helmet, digital art style, highly detailed, vibrant colors, cinematic lighting"

Step 3: Select the API

Use the model selected by the user in Q0:

1. Check which API keys are configured in environment:

   • OPENAI_API_KEY → GPT Image models available
   • GOOGLE_API_KEY → Gemini (Nano Banana Pro) available

2. If the user's selected model isn't available: Inform them and offer alternatives.

3. Model mapping from Q0:

   • "Google Gemini (Nano Banana Pro)" → Use gemini.py with gemini-3-pro-image-preview
   • "OpenAI GPT Image 1.5" → Use openai_image.py with gpt-image-1.5
   • "OpenAI GPT Image 1" → Use openai_image.py with gpt-image-1
   • "OpenAI GPT Image 1 Mini" → Use openai_image.py with gpt-image-1-mini

Step 4: Generate the Image

Execute the appropriate script from ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/:

For OpenAI GPT Image - Text to Image:

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/openai_image.py \
  --prompt "your enhanced prompt" \
  --model "gpt-image-1" \
  --size "1024x1024" \
  --quality "high" \
  --output "/path/to/output.png"

For OpenAI GPT Image - With Transparent Background:

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/openai_image.py \
  --prompt "A product icon with no background" \
  --model "gpt-image-1" \
  --background "transparent" \
  --quality "high" \
  --output "/path/to/output.png"

For OpenAI GPT Image - Image Editing (with reference images):

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/openai_image.py \
  --prompt "Add a wizard hat to this cat" \
  --model "gpt-image-1" \
  --image "/path/to/cat.jpg" \
  --input-fidelity "high" \
  --output "/path/to/output.png"

For OpenAI GPT Image - Multiple Reference Images:

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/openai_image.py \
  --prompt "Create a gift basket containing these items" \
  --model "gpt-image-1" \
  --image "/path/to/item1.png" \
  --image "/path/to/item2.png" \
  --image "/path/to/item3.png" \
  --output "/path/to/output.png"

For OpenAI GPT Image - With Mask (Inpainting):

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/openai_image.py \
  --prompt "Replace the pool with a garden" \
  --model "gpt-image-1" \
  --image "/path/to/scene.jpg" \
  --mask "/path/to/mask.png" \
  --output "/path/to/output.png"

For OpenAI GPT Image - Streaming with Partial Images:

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/openai_image.py \
  --prompt "A beautiful sunset over mountains" \
  --model "gpt-image-1" \
  --stream \
  --partial-images 2 \
  --output "/path/to/output.png"

For Google Gemini (Nano Banana Pro) - Text to Image:

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/gemini.py \
  --prompt "your enhanced prompt" \
  --model "gemini-3-pro-image-preview" \
  --aspect-ratio "1:1" \
  --resolution "2K" \
  --output "/path/to/output.png"

For Google Gemini - With Reference Images (editing, product placement, etc.):

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/gemini.py \
  --prompt "Add a wizard hat to this cat" \
  --image "/path/to/cat.jpg" \
  --aspect-ratio "1:1" \
  --resolution "2K"

For Google Gemini - Multiple Reference Images (composition, style transfer):

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/gemini.py \
  --prompt "Place this product on the kitchen counter in this scene" \
  --image "/path/to/product.png" \
  --image "/path/to/kitchen.jpg" \
  --aspect-ratio "16:9" \
  --resolution "2K"

For Google Gemini (Nano Banana - faster, fewer features):

python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/image-generation/scripts/gemini.py \
  --prompt "your enhanced prompt" \
  --model "gemini-2.5-flash-image" \
  --aspect-ratio "1:1"

Step 5: Deliver the Result

1. Show the generated image to the user
2. Provide the enhanced prompt used (so they can iterate)
3. Offer to:
   • Generate variations
   • Try a different style
   • Use a different API/model
   • Refine the prompt

Error Handling

Missing API key: Inform the user which key is needed and how to set it up:

• OpenAI: https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
• Google: https://aistudio.google.com/apikey

API rate limit: Suggest waiting or trying the other API.

Content policy violation: Rephrase the prompt to be more appropriate.

Generation failed: Retry with simplified prompt or different API.

Reference Image Use Cases

Both OpenAI GPT Image and Google Gemini support reference images for advanced editing:

OpenAI GPT Image: Up to 16 input images, with input_fidelity: high for preserving faces/logos Google Gemini: Nano Banana (up to 3), Nano Banana Pro (up to 14)

Image Editing

• "Add a santa hat to this person" + person.jpg
• "Remove the background and replace with a beach scene" + product.jpg
• "Change the sofa color to blue" + living_room.jpg

Product Placement

• "Place this product on a marble kitchen counter" + product.png + kitchen.jpg
• "Show this watch on a person's wrist" + watch.png + arm.jpg

Style Transfer

• "Transform this photo into Van Gogh's Starry Night style" + photo.jpg
• "Make this look like a watercolor painting" + landscape.jpg

Multi-Image Composition

• "Create a group photo of these people in an office" + person1.jpg + person2.jpg + person3.jpg
• "Combine these elements into a cohesive scene" + element1.png + element2.png + background.jpg

Character Consistency

• "Show this character from a different angle" + character.jpg
• "Put this person in a superhero costume" + person.jpg

Tip: For best results with reference images, be specific about what you want to preserve vs. change.

Prompt Engineering Tips

For Photorealism

• Include "photograph", "DSLR", "35mm film"
• Specify camera settings: "shallow depth of field", "bokeh"
• Add lighting: "natural light", "studio lighting"

For Artistic Styles

• Reference art movements: "impressionist", "art nouveau", "cyberpunk"
• Name artist styles: "in the style of Studio Ghibli", "Moebius style"
• Specify medium: "watercolor", "oil painting", "pencil sketch"

For Consistency

• Use seed values when available
• Save successful prompts for reference
• Note which API produced best results for similar requests

API Comparison

Feature	GPT Image 1.5	GPT Image 1	GPT Image 1 Mini	Nano Banana	Nano Banana Pro
Provider	OpenAI	OpenAI	OpenAI	Google	Google
Model ID	gpt-image-1.5	gpt-image-1	gpt-image-1-mini	gemini-2.5-flash-image	gemini-3-pro-image-preview
Best for	State of the art	Quality + value	Speed + cost	Fast generation	Professional assets
Sizes	1024², 1536x1024, 1024x1536, auto	Same	Same	1K only	Up to 4K
Quality options	low, medium, high, auto	Same	Same	N/A	N/A
Aspect ratios	3 + auto	Same	Same	10 options	10 options
Reference images	Up to 16	Up to 16	Up to 16	Up to 3	Up to 14
Image editing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Inpainting (mask)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Transparent background	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Streaming	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Input fidelity	high/low	high/low	low only	N/A	N/A
Output formats	png, jpeg, webp	Same	Same	png	png
Compression	0-100%	Same	Same	No	No
Text rendering	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Good	Excellent
Thinking mode	No	No	No	No	Yes
Max prompt length	32,000 chars	32,000 chars	32,000 chars	N/A	N/A
Speed	~30-60s	~20-40s	~10-20s	~10-20s	~30-60s

⚠️ DALL-E 2 and DALL-E 3 are deprecated and will stop being supported on 05/12/2026. Use GPT Image models instead.