Generate and edit images using Gemini's image generation API (Imagen 3). This skill should be used when creating images, illustrations, diagrams, editing existing images, or iteratively refining visual content through multi-turn conversations.
Resources
2Install
npx skillscat add roasbeef/claude-files/nano-banana Install via the SkillsCat registry.
Nano Banana - Gemini Image Generation
This skill provides comprehensive access to Gemini's image generation capabilities, including text-to-image generation, image editing, multi-turn refinement, batch processing, and high-resolution output.
Prerequisites
- API key set as
GOOGLE_API_KEYorGEMINI_API_KEYenvironment variable - The scripts include a bundled virtual environment (
.venv/) withgoogle-genaipre-installed - Scripts can be called directly:
~/.claude/skills/nano-banana/scripts/generate_image.py
Available Models
| Model | ID | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Flash | gemini-2.5-flash-image |
Fast generation, high volume, low latency |
| Pro | gemini-3-pro-image-preview |
Professional quality, 4K, advanced reasoning |
Capabilities Overview
| Capability | Script | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Image Generation | generate_image.py |
Create images from text prompts |
| Image Editing | edit_image.py |
Modify existing images with instructions |
| Batch Generation | batch_generate.py |
Generate multiple images in parallel |
| Multi-turn Editing | chat_session.py |
Iterative refinement via conversation |
Quick Start
Generate a Single Image
python scripts/generate_image.py "a sunset over mountains" sunset.pngWith options:
python scripts/generate_image.py "modern office" office.png --model pro --aspect 16:9 --size 4KEdit an Existing Image
python scripts/edit_image.py photo.png "remove the background" result.pngBatch Generation
Create a prompts file (prompts.json):
[
{"prompt": "slide 1: intro graphic", "filename": "slide_01.png", "aspect": "16:9"},
{"prompt": "slide 2: data visualization", "filename": "slide_02.png", "aspect": "16:9"}
]Generate all:
python scripts/batch_generate.py prompts.json ./output/ --parallel 3Or use a simple text file (one prompt per line):
python scripts/batch_generate.py prompts.txt ./output/ --aspect 16:9Multi-turn Editing Session
Start an interactive session:
python scripts/chat_session.py --output-dir ./images/Resume a previous session:
python scripts/chat_session.py --session-file session.jsonSend a single refinement:
python scripts/chat_session.py --session-file session.json --message "make it more vibrant"Script Reference
generate_image.py
Generate a single image from a text prompt.
Usage: python scripts/generate_image.py "prompt" output.png [options]
Options:
--model, -m Model: flash (default) or pro
--aspect, -a Aspect ratio: 1:1 (default), 16:9, 9:16, 21:9, 4:3, 3:4
--size, -s Resolution (pro only): 1K, 2K, 4Kedit_image.py
Edit an existing image using text instructions.
Usage: python scripts/edit_image.py input.png "instructions" output.png [options]
Options:
--model, -m Model: flash (default) or probatch_generate.py
Generate multiple images from a prompts file.
Usage: python scripts/batch_generate.py prompts.json output_dir/ [options]
Options:
--model, -m Model: flash (default) or pro
--aspect, -a Default aspect ratio: 1:1 (default)
--parallel, -p Number of parallel workers: 1 (default)
--json Output results as JSONchat_session.py
Multi-turn image generation/editing session.
Usage: python scripts/chat_session.py [options]
Options:
--model, -m Model: flash (default) or pro
--session-file, -s Path to session state file (JSON)
--output-dir, -o Directory for output images: . (default)
--initial, -i Initial prompt to start with
--message Send single message (non-interactive)Best Practices
Prompting Tips
- Be specific: "A red sports car on a mountain road at sunset" works better than "a car".
- Describe style: Include art style, mood, lighting, and camera angle.
- Use negative space: Describe what should NOT be in the image when needed.
Editing Tips
- Target specific elements: "Change only the sky to purple" is better than "make it purple".
- Reference the original: "Keep the composition but change the color scheme".
- Iterative refinement: Use multi-turn sessions for complex edits.
Performance
- Use
flashmodel for quick iterations and high volume. - Use
promodel for final production assets and 4K output. - Use batch generation with
--parallelfor multiple images.
Additional Resources
For detailed API documentation, see references/gemini-api.md.
For prompting techniques, see references/prompt-guide.md.
For common editing patterns, see references/editing-patterns.md.