Image Gen

Generates AI images via Gemini Imagen 4, OpenRouter (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image / GPT-5-image), Z.ai GLM-image, or OpenAI DALL-E 3. Applies anti-AI-slop prompt prefixes per style. Four modes: generate, edit, config, update.

Arguments: $ARGUMENTS

Mode Routing

CONTEXT-AWARE MODE DETECTION (CRITICAL): Mode is detected from BOTH explicit flags AND natural language context. Priority:

1. Explicit flags: --edit, --config, --update -> override everything
2. Context analysis of $ARGUMENTS text:
   • Edit signals: "edit this", "modify image", "change the", "add to image" + image path present -> edit
   • Config signals: "setup", "configure", "set key", "add token" -> config
   • Update signals: "check providers", "update models", "latest API" -> update
   • Everything else -> generate (this is 99% of cases)
3. Default: generate — just a prompt, generate the image

FAST PATH (99% case): When $ARGUMENTS is just a prompt text (no flags, no mode signals):

• Skip Steps 3-6 in Phase 1 (count, service, style, output questions)
• Use defaults: count=1, service=gemini, style=photo, output=.claude/reports/images/
• Go straight to config table (Step 7) + confirmation (Step 8)
• Only AskUserQuestion if API key is missing

AGENT INVOCATION: This skill can be called by agents (not just users). When called from an agent:

• Treat all provided args as final — do NOT ask for confirmation of values already specified
• Only AskUserQuestion for truly missing required values (prompt, API key)
• The config table is still mandatory but confirmation step can be skipped if all params are explicit

API KEY PRIORITY (check in order, first found wins):

1. Explicit key in $ARGUMENTS text (user pasted inline)
2. .env in project root (source .env 2>/dev/null)
3. Shell environment variable
4. AskUserQuestion (redirect to Phase C)

MANDATORY: Before ANY API call, display the full resolved configuration table. User must see exactly what will be sent.

Phase 0: Parse Arguments

Step 1: Parse Flags

EXECUTE using Bash tool:

bash "${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/parse-args.sh" $ARGUMENTS && echo "OK" || echo "FAILED"

Output: KEY=VALUE pairs. Store all values.

Also scan $ARGUMENTS raw text for inline values not captured by flags:

• API key pasted in prompt text -> extract and use (overrides .env)
• Service/style mentioned in free text -> treat as flags

STOP if FAILED -- check parse-args.sh output for error details.

Step 2: Route to Mode

Phase 1: Validate and Gather

Step 1: Load Environment and Check API Key

EXECUTE using Bash tool:

[ -f .env ] && set -a && . .env && set +a; bash "${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/validate-key.sh" "SERVICE_HERE" && echo "OK" || echo "FAILED"

Replace SERVICE_HERE with the resolved SERVICE value.

If FAILED (INVALID): Redirect to Phase C (config mode). Tell the user: "No valid API key found for {SERVICE}. Let's configure it."

Step 2: Gather Missing Parameters

If MODE=generate and PROMPT_MISSING=true:

ASK using AskUserQuestion:

What image do you need? Describe the scene, subject, and mood.

Options:

• "Describe your image (e.g., 'a cozy coffee shop at sunset with warm lighting')"
• "Cancel"

Store response as PROMPT.

FAST PATH CHECK: If PROMPT is provided (not missing) AND no explicit --service/--style/--count/--output flags were given: → Skip Steps 3-6 entirely. Use defaults (count=1, service=gemini, style=photo, output=.claude/reports/images/). → Jump to Step 7 (config table). This is the 99% path — user just wants an image from their prompt.

Step 3: Confirm Image Count (skip on fast path)

ASK using AskUserQuestion:

How many images to generate?

Options:

• "1 (default, fastest)"
• "2-3 (compare variations)"
• "4+ (batch generation, up to 10)"

Update COUNT with the number. Default: 1.

Provider limit: DALL-E 3 supports only 1 image per request. If SERVICE=openai and COUNT>1, generate COUNT sequential requests.

Step 4: Confirm Service (skip on fast path)

ASK using AskUserQuestion:

Which image generation service?

| Service | Model | Speed | Quality | Cost |
|---------|-------|-------|---------|------|
| openrouter | Gemini 2.5 Flash Image | Fast | High | ~$0.001/image |
| zai | GLM-image | Fast | **Very High** | ~$0.015/image |
| gemini | Imagen 4 | Fast | Very High | Paid plan required |
| openrouter-gpt5 | GPT-5 Image | Medium | **Highest** | ~$0.01/image |
| openai | DALL-E 3 | Medium | High | $0.04-0.12/image |

Options:

• "openrouter (Gemini 2.5 Flash -- cheapest, default)"
• "zai (GLM-image -- flagship Z.ai, high quality)"
• "gemini (Imagen 4 -- high quality, paid plan)"
• "openrouter-gpt5 (GPT-5 Image -- highest quality, ~$0.01/img)"
• "openai (DALL-E 3 -- reliable, most expensive)"
• "Keep current: {SERVICE}"

Update SERVICE if changed. Re-validate key if service changed.

Step 5: Confirm Style (skip on fast path)

ASK using AskUserQuestion:

Image style? This controls anti-slop prompt engineering.

- photo: Physically accurate photography -- real lighting, correct anatomy, natural materials
- illustration: Professional illustration -- clean line work, proper color theory, organic imperfections
- art: Consistent artistic medium -- unified brushwork, intentional composition, coherent color temperature

Options:

• "photo (realistic photography)"
• "illustration (clean vector/drawn style)"
• "art (painterly/artistic medium)"
• "Keep current: {STYLE}"

Step 6: Confirm Output Directory (skip on fast path)

ASK using AskUserQuestion:

Where to save generated images?

Options:

• ".claude/reports/images/ (default)"
• "Current directory (.)"
• "Custom path (type your preferred directory)"

Update OUTPUT with chosen path.

Step 7: Display Resolved Configuration (MANDATORY)

Output this table before proceeding. Do NOT skip this step.

=== Image Generation Config ===
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Prompt | {PROMPT (first 80 chars)}... |
| Service | {SERVICE} ({model name}) |
| Style | {STYLE} |
| Count | {COUNT} |
| Size | {SIZE} |
| Output | {OUTPUT} |
| API Key | {first 8 chars}...{last 4 chars} |
| Est. Cost | {estimate based on service and count} |
================================

Step 8: Final Confirmation

ASK using AskUserQuestion:

Proceed with generation?

Options:

• "Yes, generate"
• "No, change settings"
• "Cancel"

If "change settings" -> go back to Step 4. If "Cancel" -> STOP with message "Image generation cancelled."

Phase 2: Build Payload and Generate

Step 1: Load Anti-Slop Instructions

Read the anti-slop reference for the resolved STYLE: Read file: ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/anti-slop.md

Extract the section matching STYLE (photo, illustration, or art). Store as ANTI_SLOP_PREFIX.

Step 2: Build Enhanced Prompt

Combine anti-slop prefix with user prompt:

ENHANCED_PROMPT = ANTI_SLOP_PREFIX + "\n\n" + PROMPT