---
name: gen-image
description: Generate images via Banatie API — text-to-image with optional reference images, aspect ratios, and enhancement templates
---

# Image Generation Skill

Generate images using the Banatie API. Parses user arguments, validates inputs, and runs the generation script.

## Arguments

Parse these from the user's message. Use `AskUserQuestion` for any missing required arguments.

| Argument | Required | Default | Description |
|----------|----------|---------|-------------|
| **Prompt** | Yes | — | Image description |
| **Output path** | Yes | — | Where to save the file (e.g. `assets/icons/star.png`) |
| **Aspect ratio** | No | `1:1` | `1:1`, `16:9`, `9:16`, `3:2`, `4:3`, `3:4`, `21:9` |
| **Reference images** | No | — | Local file paths or `@alias` names (max 3) |
| **Enhancement template** | No | `general` | `general`, `photorealistic`, `illustration`, `minimalist`, `sticker`, `product`, `comic` |

## Workflow

1. **Parse arguments** from the user's message. Extract prompt, output path, aspect ratio, references, and template inline where provided.

2. **Fill missing required arguments** using `AskUserQuestion`. Suggest an output path based on context (e.g. `assets/backgrounds/` for backgrounds, `assets/icons/` for icons).

3. **Validate** that any referenced local files exist before proceeding.

4. **Read API docs** from `docs/` subfolder when the user needs advanced features (references, flows, aliases). The docs are:
   - `docs/image-generation.md` — basic generation, aspect ratios, prompt enhancement, templates
   - `docs/image-generation-advanced.md` — reference images, aliases, flows, regeneration
   - `docs/images-upload.md` — image upload, alias management

5. **Run generation**:
   ```bash
   node .claude/skills/gen-image/banatie-gen.mjs --prompt "<prompt>" --output <path> [--aspect-ratio <ratio>] [--ref <file_or_alias>]...
   ```

6. **Report results**: output file path, image dimensions, and the full command for reproducibility.

## Environment

The script reads `BANATIE_KEY` from `.env` in the project root. Rate limit: 100 requests/hour.