Content
<!-- Updated: 2026-03-19v2 -->
# Banana Claude
AI image generation skill for Claude Code where **Claude acts as Creative Director** using Google's Gemini Nano Banana models.
Unlike simple API wrappers, Claude interprets your intent, selects domain expertise, constructs optimized prompts using Google's official 5-component formula, and orchestrates Gemini for the best possible results.
[](https://claude.ai/claude-code)
[](CHANGELOG.md)
[](LICENSE)
<details>
<summary>Table of Contents</summary>
- [Installation](#installation)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Commands](#commands)
- [How It Works](#how-it-works)
- [What Makes This Different](#what-makes-this-different)
- [The 5-Component Prompt Formula](#the-5-component-prompt-formula)
- [Domain Modes](#domain-modes)
- [Models](#models)
- [Architecture](#architecture)
- [Requirements](#requirements)
- [Changelog](CHANGELOG.md)
- [Contributing](#contributing)
- [License](#license)
</details>
## Installation
### Recommended Install (Unix/macOS/Linux)
```bash
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/banana-claude.git
bash banana-claude/install.sh
```
<details>
<summary>One-liner (curl)</summary>
```bash
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AgriciDaniel/banana-claude/main/install.sh | bash
```
Prefer to review the script before running?
```bash
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AgriciDaniel/banana-claude/main/install.sh > install.sh
cat install.sh # review
bash install.sh # run when satisfied
rm install.sh
```
</details>
### With MCP Setup
```bash
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/banana-claude.git
cd banana-claude
./install.sh --with-mcp YOUR_API_KEY
```
Get a free API key at [Google AI Studio](https://aistudio.google.com/apikey).
## Quick Start
```bash
# Start Claude Code
claude
# Generate an image
/banana generate "a hero image for a coffee shop website"
# Edit an existing image
/banana edit ~/photo.png "remove the background"
# Multi-turn creative session
/banana chat
# Browse 2,500+ prompt database
/banana inspire
```
Claude will ask about your brand, select the right domain mode (Cinema, Product, Portrait, Editorial, UI, Logo, Landscape, Infographic, Abstract), construct a detailed prompt with lighting and composition, set the right aspect ratio, and generate.
## Commands
| Command | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| `/banana` | Interactive -- Claude detects intent and guides you |
| `/banana generate <idea>` | Full Creative Director pipeline |
| `/banana edit <path> <instructions>` | Intelligent image editing |
| `/banana chat` | Multi-turn visual session (maintains consistency) |
| `/banana inspire [category]` | Browse 2,500+ prompt database |
| `/banana batch <idea> [N]` | Generate N variations (default: 3) |
| `/banana setup` | Configure MCP and API key |
| `/banana preset [list\|create\|show\|delete]` | Manage brand/style presets |
| `/banana cost [summary\|today\|estimate]` | View cost tracking and estimates |
## How It Works
## What Makes This Different
- **Intent Analysis** -- Understands *what you actually need* (blog header? app icon? product shot?)
- **Domain Expertise** -- Selects the right creative lens (Cinema, Product, Portrait, Editorial, UI, Logo, Landscape, Infographic, Abstract)
- **5-Component Prompt Formula** -- Constructs prompts with Subject + Action + Location/Context + Composition + Style (includes lighting)
- **Prompt Adaptation** -- Translates patterns from a 2,500+ curated prompt database to Gemini's natural language format
- **Post-Processing** -- Crops, removes backgrounds, converts formats, resizes for platforms
- **Batch Variations** -- Generates N variations rotating different components
- **Session Consistency** -- Maintains character/style across multi-turn conversations
- **4K Resolution Output** -- Up to 4096×4096 with `imageSize` control
- **14 Aspect Ratios** -- Including ultra-wide 21:9 for cinematic compositions
## The 5-Component Prompt Formula
Instead of sending "a cat in space" to Gemini, Claude constructs:
> A medium shot of a tabby cat floating weightlessly inside the cupola module
> of the International Space Station, paws outstretched toward a floating
> droplet of water, Earth visible through the circular windows behind. Soft
> directional light from the windows illuminates the cat's fur with a
> blue-white rim light, while the interior has warm amber instrument panel
> glow. Captured with a Canon EOS R5, 35mm f/2.0 lens, slight barrel
> distortion emphasizing the curved module interior. In the style of a
> National Geographic cover story on the ISS, with the sharp documentary
> clarity of NASA mission photography.
**Components used:** Subject (tabby cat, physical detail) → Action (floating, paw gesture) → Location/Context (ISS cupola, Earth visible) → Composition (medium shot, curved framing) → Style (Canon R5, National Geographic documentary, directional window light + amber instruments)
## Domain Modes
| Mode | Best For | Example |
|------|----------|---------|
| **Cinema** | Dramatic, storytelling | "A noir detective scene in a rain-soaked alley" |
| **Product** | E-commerce, packshots | "Photograph my handmade candle for Etsy" |
| **Portrait** | People, characters | "A cyberpunk character portrait for my game" |
| **Editorial** | Fashion, lifestyle | "Vogue-style fashion shot for my brand" |
| **UI/Web** | Icons, illustrations | "A set of onboarding illustrations" |
| **Logo** | Branding, identity | "A minimalist logo for a tech startup" |
| **Landscape** | Backgrounds, wallpapers | "A misty mountain sunrise for my desktop" |
| **Infographic** | Data, diagrams | "Visualize our Q1 sales growth" |
| **Abstract** | Generative art, textures | "Voronoi tessellation in neon gradients" |
## Models
| Model | ID | Notes |
|-------|----|-------|
| Flash 3.1 (default) | `gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview` | Fastest, newest, 14 aspect ratios, up to 4K |
| Flash 2.5 | `gemini-2.5-flash-image` | Stable fallback |
## Architecture
```
~/.claude/skills/banana/ # The skill (installed location)
├── SKILL.md # Creative Director orchestration (v1.4)
├── references/
│ ├── prompt-engineering.md # 5-component formula, banned keywords, safety rephrase
│ ├── gemini-models.md # Model specs, rate limits, capabilities
│ ├── mcp-tools.md # MCP tool parameters and responses
│ ├── post-processing.md # ImageMagick/FFmpeg pipelines, green screen
│ ├── cost-tracking.md # Pricing table, usage guide
│ └── presets.md # Brand preset schema and examples
└── scripts/
├── setup_mcp.py # Configure MCP in Claude Code
├── validate_setup.py # Verify installation
├── generate.py # Direct API fallback -- generation
├── edit.py # Direct API fallback -- editing
├── cost_tracker.py # Cost logging and summaries
├── presets.py # Brand/style preset management
└── batch.py # CSV batch workflow parser
```
## Requirements
- [Claude Code](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code)
- Node.js 18+ (for npx)
- Google AI API key (free tier: ~5-15 RPM / ~20-500 RPD, cut ~92% Dec 2025)
- ImageMagick (optional, for post-processing)
## Uninstall
```bash
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/AgriciDaniel/banana-claude.git
bash banana-claude/install.sh --uninstall
```
## Contributing
Contributions welcome! Please open an issue or submit a pull request.
## License
MIT License -- see [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.
---
Built for Claude Code by [@AgriciDaniel](https://github.com/AgriciDaniel)
