generate-image

name	generate-image
description	Generate and transform images using AI Gateway API. Use when the user asks to create, generate, produce, or transform images, or work with image generation.
allowed-tools	Bash, Read

Image Generation Skill

Generate images from text prompts and transform existing images using the AI Gateway API with support for multiple AI models including Google Gemini, Byteplus Seedream, and OpenAI GPT-Image.

Overview

This Skill enables Claude to generate images from text descriptions and transform existing images with AI-powered modifications. It uses the AI Gateway API which routes requests to appropriate providers based on the model selected.

Prerequisites

Required Environment Variable:

• AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY: Your AI Gateway API key

If this environment variable is not set, the scripts will fail with an error message asking you to provide it.

Quick Start

Generate an Image from Text

Use the bundled script to generate images from text descriptions:

python3 scripts/generate_image.py "A serene landscape with mountains and a lake at sunset, photorealistic style"

Transform an Existing Image

Apply transformations to existing images using reference URLs:

python3 scripts/transform_image.py "Make this image more vibrant and add dramatic lighting" "https://example.com/image.jpg"

Supported Models

Image Generation Models

Model	Provider	Best For
google/gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview	Google Vertex AI	Latest fast image generation with improved quality
google/gemini-3-pro-image-preview	Google Vertex AI	High-quality photorealistic images
google/gemini-2.5-flash-image	Google Vertex AI	Fast image generation
byteplus/seedream-4-5	Byteplus Seedream	Creative artistic styles
byteplus/seedream-4-0	Byteplus Seedream	General purpose image generation
openai/gpt-image-1	OpenAI	Advanced image synthesis
openai/gpt-image-1-mini	OpenAI	Quick image generation
openai/gpt-image-1.5	OpenAI	Enhanced image synthesis
openai/gpt-image-2	OpenAI	Latest generation, multi-aspect ratio support

API Parameters

Image Generation

• prompt (required): Text description of the desired image
• model (required): Model to use for generation
• images (optional): Array of reference image URLs for image-to-image transformation
• response_format (optional): "url" (default) or "b64_json"
• n (optional): Number of images to generate (default: 1)
• size (optional): Image dimensions (e.g., "1024x1024", "1792x1024", "1024x1792", "1536x1024", "1024x1536")
• aspectRatio (optional): Aspect ratio — alternative to size. Supported values: "1:1", "16:9", "9:16", "3:2", "2:3", "4:3", "3:4", "3:1", "1:3"
• background (optional, OpenAI models only): "transparent" | "opaque" | "auto" — controls background transparency
• user (optional): User identifier for tracking

OpenAI gpt-image-2 / gpt-image-1.5 Parameters

These models support the full parameter set above. Key notes:

• Supports all aspect ratios via aspectRatio field
• Supports background: "transparent" for PNG output with transparency
• Use response_format: "b64_json" to receive raw image data; use "url" for a hosted URL
• Image editing (passing images) routes to the /images/edits endpoint automatically

Bundled Scripts

1. generate_image.py

Generate images from text prompts with customizable parameters.

Usage:

python3 scripts/generate_image.py "prompt" [--model MODEL] [--output OUTPUT] [--format FORMAT]

Options:

• --model: Model to use (default: google/gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview)
• --output: Output file path (default: generated_image.png)
• --format: Response format - "url" or "b64_json" (default: b64_json)

Example:

python3 scripts/generate_image.py \
  "A futuristic city with flying cars at night, cyberpunk style" \
  --model "google/gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview" \
  --output "city.png"

2. transform_image.py

Transform existing images using AI with text instructions.

Usage:

python3 scripts/transform_image.py "prompt" "image_url" [--model MODEL] [--output OUTPUT]

Example:

python3 scripts/transform_image.py \
  "Make this image more vibrant and add dramatic sunset lighting" \
  "https://example.com/original.jpg" \
  --output "enhanced.png"

3. batch_generate.py

Generate multiple images in batch.

Usage:

python3 scripts/batch_generate.py prompts.txt [--model MODEL]

Example prompts.txt:

A sunset over the ocean
A mountain landscape at dawn
A bustling city street at night

Implementation Notes

When implementing image generation tasks:

1. Always use JavaScript for API calls when writing custom code

2. Check for API Key at the start:

   const apiKey = process.env.AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY;
   if (!apiKey) {
     throw new Error('AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY environment variable is required. Please set it with your AI Gateway API key.');
   }
   

3. Use the bundled Python scripts for quick generation tasks rather than writing custom code

4. Include Origin header in all API requests: Set Origin: https://trickle.so header for proper request routing

5. Handle both streaming and non-streaming responses appropriately

6. Save generated images to appropriate file paths and inform the user

JavaScript Implementation Template

When you need to write custom JavaScript code for image generation:

const apiKey = process.env.AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY;
if (!apiKey) {
  throw new Error('AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY environment variable is required. Please set it with your AI Gateway API key.');
}

const API_BASE = `${process.env.AI_GATEWAY_BASE_URL}/api/v1`;

async function generateImage(prompt, model = 'google/gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview') {
  const response = await fetch(`${API_BASE}/images/generations`, {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Content-Type': 'application/json',
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
      'Origin': 'https://trickle.so'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      model,
      prompt,
      response_format: 'url'
    })
  });

  if (!response.ok) {
    throw new Error(`API request failed: ${response.status} ${response.statusText}`);
  }

  return await response.json();
}

// Use the function
const result = await generateImage('A beautiful sunset over mountains');
console.log('Generated image URL:', result.data[0].url);

Error Handling

All scripts include comprehensive error handling for:

• Missing API key
• Network failures
• Invalid responses
• File I/O errors

Errors will include helpful messages to guide troubleshooting.

Best Practices

1. Be Specific in Prompts: Include style, mood, lighting, and composition details
2. Use Appropriate Models: Choose models based on your quality vs. speed requirements
3. Reference Images: Use image-to-image transformation for style transfer or modifications
4. Batch Processing: Use the batch script for multiple generations to save time
5. Save Outputs: Always specify meaningful output file names for organization

Troubleshooting

"AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY environment variable is required"

Set the environment variable before running scripts:

export AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"

Network Errors

Check your internet connection and verify the API Gateway is accessible.

Invalid Model Errors

Ensure you're using a valid model name from the supported models list above.

Additional Resources

For more details on API parameters and response formats, see the API documentation at the AI Gateway repository.