google-image-creator

1. Present Model Options

When a user wants to generate images, first show them the top 3 options:

```bash

npx tsx .claude/skills/google-image-creator/scripts/list-models.ts

```

This displays:

• Gemini 2.5 Flash Image ($0.039/image) - Best value, fastest
• Imagen 4 Fast ($0.020/image) - Photorealistic quality
• Imagen 4 Ultra ($0.060/image) - Highest quality

Let the user choose, or recommend Gemini 2.5 Flash for most use cases.

2. Generate Image

```bash

npx tsx .claude/skills/google-image-creator/scripts/generate-image.ts \

"prompt here" \

"model-id" \

"./output.png"

```

Example:

```bash

npx tsx .claude/skills/google-image-creator/scripts/generate-image.ts \

"sunset over mountains, photorealistic" \

"gemini-2.5-flash-image" \

"./sunset.png"

```

3. Report Cost

The script automatically reports:

• Images generated
• Model used
• Estimated cost

Example output:

```

✅ Image generated successfully!

Model: Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (gemini-2.5-flash-image)

Prompt: "sunset over mountains"

Saved to: ./sunset.png

Images: 1

Cost: $0.0390

```

API Key Required:

User must have GOOGLE_API_KEY or GEMINI_API_KEY set:

```bash

export GOOGLE_API_KEY="user-api-key-here"

```

Get key at: https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey

Note: All Google image generation is paid tier only (no free quota).

Standard Workflow

1. User Request: "Generate an image of X"

1. Ask Model Preference: "Which model would you like to use?" Then run:

```bash

npx tsx .claude/skills/google-image-creator/scripts/list-models.ts

```

1. User Chooses: User selects model or you recommend based on needs

1. Generate: Run generation script with chosen model

1. Report: Display cost and save location

Quick Workflow (Skip Selection)

If user says "use the cheapest" or doesn't specify:

• Default to gemini-2.5-flash-image
• Generate immediately
• Report cost afterward

Use Gemini 2.5 Flash when:

• User wants lowest cost
• High volume generation
• Speed is priority
• General-purpose images

Use Imagen 4 Fast when:

• User needs photorealism
• Balance of quality and cost
• Simple text-to-image only

Use Imagen 4 Ultra when:

• User explicitly requests highest quality
• Client-facing deliverables
• Budget allows premium pricing

Always report costs after generation. For multiple images, sum costs:

```

Image 1: $0.039

Image 2: $0.039

Image 3: $0.039

-----------------

Total: $0.117

```

Common Errors:

| Error | Solution |

|-------|----------|

| "API key not set" | Tell user to set GOOGLE_API_KEY |

| "Unknown model" | Run list-models.ts to show valid models |

| "API Error 401" | API key invalid - user needs to verify key |

| "API Error 429" | Rate limit - wait and retry |

| "Quota exceeded" | Gemini image generation requires billing-enabled API key (free tier = 0 quota) |

| "Imagen API is only accessible to billed users" | Enable billing on your Google Cloud project |

For generating multiple images, run script multiple times and sum costs:

```bash

for i in {1..5}; do

npx tsx .claude/skills/google-image-creator/scripts/generate-image.ts \

"landscape $i" \

"gemini-2.5-flash-image" \

"./landscape_$i.png"

done

echo "Total: 5 images × $0.039 = $0.195"

```

To update pricing or add new models:

1. Check official pricing: https://ai.google.dev/pricing
2. Update references/models.md
3. Update scripts/generate-image.ts MODEL_PRICING
4. Update scripts/list-models.ts TOP_3_MODELS
5. Repackage skill

Files to update:

• references/models.md - Full documentation
• references/api-guide.md - API patterns
• scripts/generate-image.ts - MODEL_PRICING object
• scripts/list-models.ts - TOP_3_MODELS array

Detailed Documentation:

• [references/models.md](references/models.md) - All 6 models with full specs
• [references/api-guide.md](references/api-guide.md) - API setup and patterns

Official Links:

• Pricing: https://ai.google.dev/pricing
• Imagen Docs: https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/imagen
• Gemini Image Docs: https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/image-generation
• Get API Key: https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey

Example 1: Basic Generation

User: "Generate a sunset image"

You:

"I'll generate a sunset image. Which model would you like?"

```

npx tsx .claude/skills/google-image-creator/scripts/list-models.ts

```

User: "Use the recommended one"

You:

```

npx tsx .claude/skills/google-image-creator/scripts/generate-image.ts \

"beautiful sunset over ocean, warm colors, photorealistic" \

"gemini-2.5-flash-image" \

"./sunset.png"

```

"✅ Generated sunset.png using Gemini 2.5 Flash Image. Cost: $0.0390"

---

Example 2: High-Quality Request

User: "Generate a professional product photo, highest quality"

You:

"For highest quality, I recommend Imagen 4 Ultra ($0.06/image). Proceed?"

User: "Yes"

You:

```

npx tsx .claude/skills/google-image-creator/scripts/generate-image.ts \

"professional product photo of ceramic mug, studio lighting, high detail" \

"imagen-4.0-ultra-generate-001" \

"./product.png"

```

"✅ Generated product.png using Imagen 4 Ultra. Cost: $0.0600"

---

Example 3: Budget-Conscious

User: "Generate 10 landscape images, keep it cheap"

You:

"I'll use Gemini 2.5 Flash ($0.039/image). Total cost: $0.39 for 10 images."

```

# Generate 10 images

# Sum costs

```

"✅ Generated 10 landscapes. Total cost: $0.3900"

Prompt Engineering:

• Be specific: "sunset over mountains, warm colors, golden hour"
• Mention style: "photorealistic", "watercolor", "3D render"
• Include lighting: "soft natural light", "studio lighting"
• Specify details: "high resolution", "shallow depth of field"

Cost Optimization:

• Use Gemini 2.5 Flash for testing prompts
• Only use Imagen 4 Ultra for final deliverables
• Batch mode available for Gemini models (50% discount)
• Iterate on cheaper models first

File Management:

• Always specify output path
• Use descriptive filenames
• Organize by project/date
• Keep generated images for reference