REQUIRED for all image generation requests. Generate and edit images using Nano Banana (Gemini CLI). Handles blog featured images, YouTube thumbnails, icons, diagrams, patterns, illustrations, photos, visual assets, graphics, artwork, pictures. Use this skill whenever the user asks to create, generate, make, draw, design, or edit any image or visual content.
Generate professional images via the Gemini CLI's nanobanana extension.
ALWAYS use this skill when the user:
Do NOT attempt to generate images through any other method.
| User Request | Command |
|---|---|
| "make me a blog header" | /generate |
| "create an app icon" | /icon |
| "draw a flowchart of..." | /diagram |
| "fix this old photo" |
/restore |
| "remove the background" | /edit |
| "create a repeating texture" | /pattern |
| "make a comic strip" | /story |
Note: Always use the --yolo flag to automatically approve all tool actions and
the --allowed-mcp-server-names nanobanana flag to auto-enable the required MCP.
| Command | Use Case |
|---|---|
gemini "/generate 'prompt'" | Text-to-image generation |
gemini "/edit file.jpg 'instruction'" | Modify existing image |
gemini "/restore old_photo.jpg 'fix scratches'" | Repair damaged photos |
gemini "/icon 'description'" | App icons, favicons, UI elements |
gemini "/diagram 'description'" | Flowcharts, architecture diagrams |
gemini "/pattern 'description'" | Seamless textures and patterns |
gemini "/story 'description'" | Sequential/narrative images |
gemini "/nanobanana prompt" | Natural language interface |
--yolo - Required. Auto-approve all tool actions (no confirmation prompts)--allowed-mcp-server-names nanobanana Required.--count=N - Generate N variations (1-8)--preview - Auto-open generated images--styles="style1,style2" - Apply artistic styles--format=grid|separate - Output arrangement| Use Case | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube thumbnail | 1280x720 | --aspect=16:9 |
| Blog featured image | 1200x630 | Social preview friendly |
| Square social | 1080x1080 | Instagram, LinkedIn |
| Twitter/X header | 1500x500 | Wide banner |
| Vertical story | 1080x1920 | --aspect=9:16 |
Default: gemini-2.5-flash-image (~$0.04/image)
For higher quality (4K, better reasoning):
export NANOBANANA_MODEL=gemini-3-pro-image-preview
# Modern illustration style
gemini --allowed-mcp-server-names nanobanana --yolo "/generate 'modern flat illustration of developer coding at laptop, purple and blue gradient background, minimalist style, no text' --preview --count=3"
gemini --allowed-mcp-server-names nanobanana --yolo "/icon 'minimalist app logo for productivity tool' --sizes='64,128,256,512' --type='app-icon' --corners='rounded'"
gemini --allowed-mcp-server-names nanobanana --yolo "/diagram 'user authentication flow with OAuth' --type='flowchart' --style='modern'"
All generated images are saved to ./nanobanana-output/ in the current directory.
After generation completes:
./nanobanana-output/ to find generated files.file <path> that the image is valid and the image type matches the file extension. Rename the file if the extension doesn't match.When the user asks for changes:
--count=3gemini --allowed-mcp-server-names nanobanana --yolo "/edit nanobanana-output/filename.jpg 'adjustment'"--styles="requested_style" to the command| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Extension not found | Run install command from setup section |
| Quota exceeded | Wait for reset or switch to flash model |
| Image generation failed | Check prompt for policy violations, simplify request |
| Output directory missing | Will be created automatically on first run |