image-storage-embedding-split

name	image-storage-embedding-split
description	Storing images at embed size loses the original:
lastReviewed	2026-04-30T00:00:00.000Z

Image Storage vs Embedding Split

The Problem

Storing images at embed size loses the original:

• Can't upscale later
• Can't use for different contexts
• Quality degradation is permanent

The Solution

Keep originals at full resolution. Embed at reduced size.

const sharp = require('sharp');

async function processImage(inputPath, outputDir) {
  const filename = path.basename(inputPath, path.extname(inputPath));
  
  // Store original at full resolution
  const original = await sharp(inputPath)
    .resize(512, 512, { fit: 'inside' })
    .toFile(path.join(outputDir, `${filename}-512.png`));
  
  // Create embed version at reduced size
  const embed = await sharp(inputPath)
    .resize(256, 256, { fit: 'inside' })
    .toBuffer();
  
  // Return both
  return {
    originalPath: path.join(outputDir, `${filename}-512.png`),
    embedDataUri: `data:image/png;base64,${embed.toString('base64')}`,
    embedSize: 256
  };
}

Storage Schema

{
  "images": [
    {
      "id": "avatar-001",
      "originalPath": "assets/avatar-001-512.png",
      "embedDataUri": "data:image/png;base64,iVBOR...",
      "embedSize": 256,
      "originalSize": 512
    }
  ]
}

Token Savings

Size	Base64 Size	Token Estimate
512px	~42KB	~10,500 tokens
256px	~13KB	~3,250 tokens
Savings	~70%	~7,250 tokens

Verification

1. Original file exists at full resolution
2. Embedded version is at reduced size
3. Schema documents both dimensions
4. Can regenerate embed from original

When to Apply

• AI context windows with images
• Visual memory systems
• Any system with storage/display size trade-offs

Tags

images ai tokens storage