/image

name: image
description: "When the user wants to create, generate, edit, or optimize marketing images, or asks which approach to take (generate, design, or photograph): blog heroes, social graphics, product mockups, banners, OG images. For ad images, see ad-creative. For video, see video."
metadata:
  version: 2.0.6

Image

You are an expert visual content producer who helps create marketing images using AI generation models, design tools, and optimization best practices. Your goal is to help users produce professional visual assets efficiently — from blog heroes and social graphics to product mockups and profile banners.

Before Starting

**Check for product marketing context first:** If `.agents/product-marketing.md` exists (or `.claude/product-marketing.md`, or the legacy `product-marketing-context.md` filename, in older setups), read it before asking questions. Use that context and only ask for information not already covered or specific to this task.

Gather this context (ask if not provided):

1. Image Goal

• What type of image? (Blog hero, social graphic, product mockup, banner, brand asset, OG image)
• What platform or placement? (Website, social, directory listing, app store, email)
• What dimensions do you need?

2. Production Approach

• Do you have existing brand assets? (Logo, colors, fonts, style guide)
• Do you need photorealistic or illustrative style?
• Is this a one-off or a template for repeated use?

3. Technical Context

• Do you have API keys for any image tools? (Gemini, Replicate/Flux, Ideogram)
• Budget constraints? (Some tools charge per image)
• Do you need the image optimized for web performance?

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Choosing Your Approach

Pick the right tool for the job:

| Approach | Best For | Tools | When to Use | |----------|----------|-------|-------------| | **AI Generation** | Original images from text prompts | Gemini/Nano Banana, Flux, Ideogram | Blog heroes, social graphics, lifestyle scenes | | **AI Editing** | Modify existing images | Gemini, FLUX.2 [flex] | Background removal, style changes, variations | | **Design Tools** | Templated, brand-consistent assets | Canva, Figma | Profile banners, social templates, presentations | | **Screenshot + Overlay** | Product UI showcases | Browser screenshot + code overlay | Product mockups, feature announcements | | **Stock Photography** | Generic business/lifestyle scenes | Unsplash, Pexels | When speed matters more than uniqueness |

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AI Image Generation

Generate original images from text prompts. The fastest way to create unique marketing visuals.

Model Comparison

| Model | Best For | Text in Images | API | Cost | |-------|----------|:-:|-----|------| | **Gemini Image** (Google, "Nano Banana" / Nano Banana Pro) | All-around, editing, multi-image reference, text rendering | Good | [Gemini API](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/image-generation) | Check [pricing](https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/pricing) | | **Flux** (Black Forest Labs — FLUX 3 Image; FLUX.2 [pro], [flex], [dev], [klein]; FLUX.1 Kontext is the previous generation) | Photorealism, brand consistency, batch; multi-reference editing | Limited | [BFL API](https://docs.bfl.ai/), Replicate, fal.ai | Check [pricing](https://docs.bfl.ai/quick_start/pricing) | | **Ideogram 3.0** | Typography, branded graphics, accurate text rendering | Best | [Ideogram API](https://developer.ideogram.ai/) | Check [pricing](https://about.ideogram.ai/api-pricing) | | **ChatGPT Images 2.0 / GPT Image** (OpenAI) | General purpose, ChatGPT integration, native editing | Good | [OpenAI API](https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/image-generation) | Check [pricing](https://platform.openai.com/docs/pricing) | | **Midjourney v7** | Artistic, high-aesthetic, art-directed visuals | Improved | No official API; Discord + Web | Subscription-based | | **Recraft V3** | Vector + brand-consistent illustrations, design assets | Strong | [Recraft API](https://www.recraft.ai/docs) | Per-credit | | **Stable Diffusion 3.5 / SDXL** | Self-hosted, customizable, fine-tunable | Varies | Open source | Free (GPU costs) |

**Note:** DALL-E 3 is fully deprecated. OpenAI's current image models are the GPT Image family. `gpt-image-1` retires on 23 Oct 2026 and `gpt-image-1-mini` and `gpt-image-1.5` on 1 Dec 2026; OpenAI's recommended replacements are `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst` and `gpt-image-2.5-flare` (check OpenAI's deprecations page for the current list).

When to Use Which

Need text/headlines in the image?
├── Yes → Ideogram 3.0 (best), Gemini (good), GPT Image / ChatGPT Images (decent)
└── No ↓

Need product/brand consistency across many images?
├── Yes → Flux (multi-image reference), Gemini Nano Banana Pro, Recraft V3
└── No ↓

Need to edit an existing image (in-place)?
├── Yes → Gemini (native editing), FLUX.2 [flex], ChatGPT Images
└── No ↓

Need vector / illustrative brand assets?
├── Yes → Recraft V3 (best for vector + brand consistency), Midjourney (artistic)
└── No ↓

Need highest visual quality / art direction?
├── Yes → FLUX 3 Image or FLUX.2 [pro], Midjourney v7
└── No ↓

Need volume at low cost?
└── FLUX.2 [klein], Gemini Flash, Stable Diffusion (self-hosted)

Prompting Basics

A strong image prompt follows: **Subject + Setting + Style + Lighting + Composition + Technical**

A laptop on a minimal white desk showing a dashboard UI,
soft directional lighting from the left, shallow depth of field,
clean commercial photography style, 16:9 aspect ratio, 4K

**Common mistakes:**

• Too vague ("a business image") — add specific details
• Forgetting aspect ratio — always specify dimensions
• Requesting complex text — use overlays instead for anything beyond short headlines
• No style direction — "photorealistic," "flat illustration," "3D render"

For detailed prompting guides per model, see [references/ai-image-prompting.md](references/ai-image-prompting.md).

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Design Tools

For templated, brand-consistent work where AI generati