Google AI Image Generation

Generate images using Google’s Imagen and Gemini models with automatic cost tracking.

Quick Start

1. Present Model Options

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

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

npx tsx .claude/skills/google-image-creator/scripts/generate-image.ts \
  "prompt here" \
  "model-id" \
  "./output.png"

Example:

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

Prerequisites

API Key Required:

User must have GOOGLE_API_KEY or GEMINI_API_KEY set:

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).

Workflow

Standard Workflow

1. User Request: “Generate an image of X”

2. Ask Model Preference: “Which model would you like to use?” Then run:

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

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

4. Generate: Run generation script with chosen model

5. 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

Model Selection Guide

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

Cost Tracking

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

Error Handling

Common Errors:

Advanced: Multiple Images

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

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"

Updating Model Information

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

References

Detailed Documentation:

• references/models.md – All 6 models with full specs
• 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

Examples

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”

Tips

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