| name | nano-banana |
| description | REQUIRED for all image generation requests. Generate and edit images using Nano Banana (Gemini CLI). Handles blog featured images, YouTube thumbnails, icons, diagrams, patterns, illustrations, photos, visual assets, graphics, artwork, pictures. Use this skill whenever the user asks to create, generate, make, draw, design, or edit any image or visual content. |
| allowed-tools | Bash(gemini:*) |
Nano Banana Image Generation
Generate professional images via the Gemini CLI's nanobanana extension.
When to Use This Skill
ALWAYS use this skill when the user:
- Asks for any image, graphic, illustration, or visual
- Wants a thumbnail, featured image, or banner
- Requests icons, diagrams, or patterns
- Asks to edit, modify, or restore a photo
- Uses words like: generate, create, make, draw, design, visualize
Do NOT attempt to generate images through any other method.
Before First Use
- Verify extension is installed:
gemini extensions list | grep nanobanana
- If missing, install it:
gemini extensions install https://github.com/gemini-cli-extensions/nanobanana
- Verify API key is set:
[ -n "$GEMINI_API_KEY" ] && echo "API key configured" || echo "Missing GEMINI_API_KEY"
Command Selection
| User Request | Command |
|---|
| "make me a blog header" | /generate |
| "create an app icon" | /icon |
| "draw a flowchart of..." | /diagram |
| "fix this old photo" | /restore |
| "remove the background" | /edit |
| "create a repeating texture" | /pattern |
| "make a comic strip" | /story |
Available Commands
Note: Always use the --yolo flag to automatically approve all tool actions.
| Command | Use Case |
|---|
gemini --yolo "/generate 'prompt'" | Text-to-image generation |
gemini --yolo "/edit file.png 'instruction'" | Modify existing image |
gemini --yolo "/restore old_photo.jpg 'fix scratches'" | Repair damaged photos |
gemini --yolo "/icon 'description'" | App icons, favicons, UI elements |
gemini --yolo "/diagram 'description'" | Flowcharts, architecture diagrams |
gemini --yolo "/pattern 'description'" | Seamless textures and patterns |
gemini --yolo "/story 'description'" | Sequential/narrative images |
gemini --yolo "/nanobanana prompt" | Natural language interface |
Common Options
--yolo - Required. Auto-approve all tool actions (no confirmation prompts)--count=N - Generate N variations (1-8)--preview - Auto-open generated images--styles="style1,style2" - Apply artistic styles--format=grid|separate - Output arrangement
Common Sizes
| Use Case | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|
| YouTube thumbnail | 1280x720 | --aspect=16:9 |
| Blog featured image | 1200x630 | Social preview friendly |
| Square social | 1080x1080 | Instagram, LinkedIn |
| Twitter/X header | 1500x500 | Wide banner |
| Vertical story | 1080x1920 | --aspect=9:16 |
Model Selection
Default: gemini-2.5-flash-image (~$0.04/image)
For higher quality (4K, better reasoning):
export NANOBANANA_MODEL=gemini-3-pro-image-preview
Blog Featured Image Examples
gemini --yolo "/generate 'modern flat illustration of developer coding at laptop, purple and blue gradient background, minimalist style, no text' --preview"
gemini --yolo "/generate 'professional editorial photo of coffee cup next to laptop on wooden desk, morning sunlight, shallow depth of field, no text' --count=3"
gemini --yolo "/generate 'abstract visualization of neural network connections, dark background with glowing blue nodes, futuristic style' --preview"
Icon Generation
gemini --yolo "/icon 'minimalist app logo for productivity tool' --sizes='64,128,256,512' --type='app-icon' --corners='rounded'"
Diagram Generation
gemini --yolo "/diagram 'user authentication flow with OAuth' --type='flowchart' --style='modern'"
Output Location
All generated images are saved to ./nanobanana-output/ in the current directory.
Presenting Results
After generation completes:
- List contents of
./nanobanana-output/ to find generated files
- Present the most recent image(s) to the user
- Offer to regenerate with variations if needed
Refinements and Iterations
When the user asks for changes:
- "Try again" / "Give me options": Regenerate with
--count=3
- "Make it more [adjective]": Adjust prompt and regenerate
- "Edit this one": Use
gemini --yolo "/edit nanobanana-output/filename.png 'adjustment'"
- "Different style": Add
--styles="requested_style" to the command
Prompt Tips
- Be specific: Include style, mood, colors, composition details
- Add "no text": If you don't want text rendered in the image
- Reference styles: "editorial photography", "flat illustration", "3D render", "watercolor"
- Specify aspect ratio context: "wide banner", "square thumbnail", "vertical story"
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|
GEMINI_API_KEY not set | export GEMINI_API_KEY="your-key" |
| Extension not found | Run install command from setup section |
| Quota exceeded | Wait for reset or switch to flash model |
| Image generation failed | Check prompt for policy violations, simplify request |
| Output directory missing | Will be created automatically on first run |
