OpenAI Image Generation — Iterative Workflow

Two-phase workflow: fast drafts for iteration, high-quality final render on approval.

Cost per successful session: ~$0.21 (3 draft iterations + 1 final render)

---

Phase 1: Clarify Before Generating

Before touching the script, ask targeted questions to nail the prompt. Typical clarifiers:

• Subject/scene: What's in the image? Who or what is the focus?
• Style: Photorealistic, illustration, watercolor, vector, cinematic, cartoon?
• Composition: Wide shot, close-up, overhead, centered?
• Mood/lighting: Warm/cool, dramatic/bright, moody/clean?
• Background: Specific setting or transparent/solid color?
• Text content: Any words/labels to include?
• Aspect ratio: Square (1:1), landscape (3:2), portrait (2:3)?

Don't over-ask — 2-3 targeted questions if the prompt is ambiguous. Clear prompts skip directly to generation.

---

Phase 2: Draft Iterations

Model: gpt-image-1-mini at high quality — fast (~10s), good quality, cheap ($0.052/image)

.claude/scripts/generate-image.sh "<prompt>" [output_dir] [filename]
# Uses defaults: model=gpt-image-1-mini, quality=high, size=auto

After each generation:

1. Read the saved PNG with the Read tool to view it
2. Assess against the user's intent — composition, style, accuracy
3. Note what's working and what needs refinement
4. Adjust the prompt and regenerate (target 2-3 iterations max)

If the draft is clearly far off (wrong style, wrong subject), surface that before burning more iterations — a prompt restart is cheaper than 3 bad drafts.

---

Phase 3: Present for Approval

After 2-3 draft iterations, present to [Your Name]:

• Display the best draft
• Note what changed across iterations
• Identify any remaining gaps

Two outcomes:

• Approved → proceed to Phase 4 (final render)
• Major changes needed → restart from Phase 1 with new direction

---

Phase 4: Final Render

On approval, generate the high-quality final:

.claude/scripts/generate-image.sh "<refined-prompt>" [output_dir] [filename] gpt-image-1 high

Model options for final:

Model	Cost	Best for
gpt-image-1 high	~$0.167	Highest OpenAI quality, transparent PNG support
gpt-image-1-mini high	$0.052	When draft quality is already sufficient

Note: Google imagen-4.0-ultra ($0.060) delivers better quality per dollar for final renders and supports 4K output — but requires a separate script (not yet implemented). OpenAI gpt-image-1 is the current final-render default.

---

Script Reference

.claude/scripts/generate-image.sh "<prompt>" [output_dir] [filename] [model] [quality] [size]

Parameter	Default	Options
prompt	required	Text description
output_dir	current dir	Any path
filename	auto from prompt	Custom (no extension)
model	gpt-image-1-mini	gpt-image-1-mini, gpt-image-1
quality	high	low, medium, high, auto
size	auto	1024x1024, 1536x1024, 1024x1536, auto

---

Prompt Tips

• Style: "watercolor", "photorealistic", "vector logo", "cyberpunk", "flat illustration"
• Composition: "overhead shot", "close-up portrait", "centered on white background"
• Lighting: "warm amber lighting", "moody cinematic", "soft diffused light"
• Text: explicitly state the text content and typography style
• Negative space: "minimal", "clean background", "product on white"