imagencn - Multi-Cloud Text-to-Image Skill

Overview

imagencn — Image Generation, Cloud-Native: one CLI, every image cloud. The project started with China-friendly clouds and now covers international providers as well.

Generate images using Alibaba Cloud Bailian API. Default endpoint is China region.

Supports nine platforms across fourteen model families:

• Alibaba Cloud Bailian (DashScope): Qwen-Image 2.0, Qwen-Image Edit, Qwen-Image legacy, Wan Series, Z-Image
• ByteDance Volcano Ark: Doubao-Seedream series (OpenAI-compatible REST)
• Tencent Hunyuan: Hunyuan Image 3.0 (OpenAI-compatible REST)
• Zhipu / BigModel: CogView-4 and GLM-Image (OpenAI-compatible REST)
• StepFun / 阶跃星辰: Step-2X and Step-Image-Edit (OpenAI-compatible REST)
• Google Gemini (international): Gemini 3 Pro Image / 3.1 Flash Image (generateContent REST)
• Grok / xAI (international): Grok Imagine (OpenAI-compatible REST)
• OpenAI (international): GPT Image 1 / 2 (Images API)
• Black Forest Labs / FLUX (international): FLUX.2 Pro / Max (async REST)

Cross-platform support: Windows, macOS, Linux

When to Use This Skill

Automatically activate this skill when:

• User requests image generation with Chinese text or calligraphy
• Need photorealistic images or photography-style visuals
• Creating commercial posters, illustrations, or digital art
• User mentions any of these: Alibaba Cloud / Bailian / Qwen / Wan / DashScope, ByteDance / Volcano Ark / Seedream / Doubao, Tencent / Hunyuan, Google / Gemini / Nano Banana, Grok / xAI, OpenAI / GPT Image, FLUX / Black Forest Labs
• User wants an international (non-China) image provider — use the Gemini / Grok / OpenAI / FLUX platforms
• Any task where AI-generated image with strong Chinese support would be helpful

Model Reference

When the user wants to compare models, check pricing, or browse options before choosing, open the local model reference page in their browser:

open ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/docs/models.html

This page shows all 44 models across 9 platforms with pricing, resolution, feature highlights, and a quick-reference guide. On Linux use xdg-open; the file also works from file:// with no server needed.

Workflow

Step 1 — Refine the prompt (interactive, never skip)

Users often give short, casual descriptions ("生成一只猫"). Before calling the API, present 3 refined prompt options with different style directions. Add, as appropriate:

• Subject details (shape, colour, material, expression, pose)
• Lighting (golden hour, studio, rim light, soft diffused, neon, cinematic)
• Composition (rule of thirds, shallow depth of field, wide shot, close-up)
• Style / medium (photorealistic, oil painting, watercolour, 3D render, vector)
• Mood / atmosphere (serene, dramatic, whimsical, dystopian, elegant)
• Quality keywords (8K, hyperdetailed, award-winning, professional photography)
• For Chinese text on images: text content, placement, font style, colour, size

Label the options clearly (e.g. A / B / C) with a one-line summary of each direction. Let the user pick one, combine elements from multiple, or request a new direction. Iterate until they confirm ("go", "generate", "ok", etc.), then proceed to generation.

Step 2 — Pick a model

Choose based on the request (see Model Selection Guide below). Default to qwen-image-2.0-pro if unsure. Mention your choice to the user.

Step 3 — Pick a size

Native 2K for Qwen-Image 2.0, 1K/2K/4K for Wan2.7, or an aspect-ratio preset (16:9, 1:1, etc.).

Step 4 — Generate

Run scripts/generate_image.py with the confirmed prompt and output path.

Step 5 — Save

If the output path was implicit, save into the user's current working directory.

Models

Qwen-Image 2.0 family - Latest Flagship (MultiModalConversation API)

Model	Description
qwen-image-2.0-pro	Default. Latest flagship, native 2K, strongest typography and detail
qwen-image-2.0-pro-2026-06-22	Latest snapshot (Jun 2026): generation + editing fusion, better text rendering and prompt adherence
qwen-image-2.0	Standard 2.0 tier, native 2K
qwen-image-max	Previous-gen flagship (Dec 2025)
qwen-image-max-2025-12-30	qwen-image-max snapshot: improved realism, fewer AI artifacts

Qwen-Image Edit family - Image Editing (MultiModalConversation API)

Editing models require an input image via --image (local path or URL). Omit --size to match the input image dimensions.

Model	Description
qwen-image-edit-max	Flagship editing model, strongest instruction following
qwen-image-edit-max-2026-01-16	Latest max snapshot (Jan 2026)
qwen-image-edit-plus	Faster, lower-cost editing

Qwen-Image legacy (ImageSynthesis API)

Model	Description
qwen-image-plus	Distilled accelerated version of qwen-image-max
qwen-image-plus-2026-01-09	qwen-image-plus snapshot (Jan 2026): faster high-quality generation
qwen-image	Base model

Wan Series - Photorealistic Generation (ImageGeneration API)

Model	Description
wan2.7-image-pro	Latest. Up to 4K output, unified architecture (T2I + edit + multi-image)
wan2.7-image	Wan 2.7 standard, up to 2K
wan2.6-t2i	Wan 2.6, flexible sizing
wan2.5-t2i-preview	High quality, up to 768x2700
wan2.2-t2i-flash	Speed-optimized
wan2.2-t2i-plus	Professional tier
wanx2.1-t2i-turbo	Fast execution
wanx2.1-t2i-plus	Professional tier
wanx2.0-t2i-turbo	Earlier generation

Z-Image - Lightweight & Fast (MultiModalConversation API)

Model	Description
z-image-turbo	Fast, low-cost generation; bilingual (CN/EN) text rendering, high-fidelity portraits and product images. Pixel area 512x512 to 2048x2048

Volcano Ark - ByteDance Seedream (OpenAI-compatible API)

Model	Description
doubao-seedream-5-0-260128	Ark default. Latest, up to 3K, PNG/JPEG output, best text rendering
doubao-seedream-4-5-251128	Seedream 4.5, up to 4K
doubao-seedream-4-0-250828	Seedream 4.0, up to 4K, budget-friendly

Tencent Hunyuan (OpenAI-compatible API)

Model	Description
hy-image-v3.0	Hunyuan default. Flagship 3.0, strong composition awareness, handles complex Chinese prompts up to 8K chars

Zhipu / BigModel - CogView-4 & GLM-Image (OpenAI-compatible API)

Model	Description
cogview-4	Zhipu default. Stable alias for latest CogView-4, native Chinese text rendering
cogview-4-250304	CogView-4 fixed snapshot (Mar 2025), reproducible results
glm-image	GLM-Image flagship, up to 2048x2048, hybrid autoregressive/diffusion

StepFun / 阶跃星辰 - Step-2X (OpenAI-compatible API)

Model	Description
step-2x-large	StepFun default. High quality (0.1 RMB/image), up to 1024x1024
step-image-edit-2	Fast & cheap (0.02 RMB/image), supports negative prompts, 8 inference steps

Google Gemini - International (generateContent API)

Model	Description
gemini-3-pro-image-preview	Gemini default. Google flagship image model, 512/1K/2K named sizes plus aspect-ratio presets
gemini-3-pro-image	Stable flagship (Nano Banana Pro), 1K/2K/4K
gemini-3.1-flash-image	Nano Banana 2: fast generalist, 512/1K/2K/4K, strong text rendering
gemini-3.1-flash-lite-image	Nano Banana 2 Lite: fastest/cheapest, 1K only

Grok / xAI - International (OpenAI-compatible API)

Model	Description
grok-imagine-image-quality	Grok default. High-quality Grok image model, aspect-ratio + resolution presets (up to 4K)
grok-imagine-image	Standard Grok image model (alias grok-imagine-image-2026-03-02)
grok-2-image	Legacy JPG model, no size control

OpenAI - GPT Image (Images API)

Model	Description
gpt-image-1	OpenAI default. Multimodal image model; 1024x1024 / 1536x1024 / 1024x1536 only
gpt-image-1-mini	Fast, cheap GPT image variant
gpt-image-1.5	Improved GPT image generation quality
gpt-image-2	Latest flagship; arbitrary WxH sizes (edges divisible by 16) up to 4K

Black Forest Labs / FLUX - International (async REST API)

FLUX uses an asynchronous API: submit a request, poll for completion, then save. Prompt upsampling is built in (disable with disable_pup when needed).

Model	Description
flux-2-pro-preview	FLUX default. Latest rolling FLUX.2 Pro, recommended for new use cases
flux-2-pro	Fixed snapshot of FLUX.2 Pro for reproducible workflows
flux-2-max	Highest quality FLUX.2, search-grounding for real-time information

FLUX 3: image generation is not yet publicly available via API (early access only, no public endpoint as of Aug 2026). Watch bfl.ai for the general release.

Usage

Basic Usage

# Default model (qwen-image-2.0-pro, native 2K output)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py "A cute cat" output.png

# Photorealistic with Wan model (Wan2.7 supports 4K)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --model wan2.7-image-pro --size 4K "Realistic photo of mountains at sunset" photo.png

# Edit an existing image (requires --image; local path or URL)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --model qwen-image-edit-max --image input.png "Change the background to a beach at sunset" edited.png

Size Options

# Use ratio preset
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --size 16:9 "Wide landscape" landscape.png

# Use exact dimensions
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --size 1280*720 "Custom size" custom.png

Size Presets

Qwen-Image 2.0 (native 2K):

• 1:1 -> 2048x2048 (default)
• 16:9 -> 2688x1536
• 9:16 -> 1536x2688
• 4:3 -> 2304x1728
• 3:4 -> 1728x2304
• 1K -> 1024x1024
• 2K -> 2048x2048

Qwen-Image legacy:

• 1:1 -> 1328x1328
• 16:9 -> 1664x928
• 9:16 -> 928x1664
• 4:3 -> 1472x1104
• 3:4 -> 1104x1472

Z-Image (pixel area 512x512 to 2048x2048):

• 1:1 -> 1024x1024 (default)
• 16:9 -> 1280x720
• 9:16 -> 720x1280
• 2:3 -> 1024x1536
• 3:2 -> 1536x1024
• 1K -> 1024x1024

Wan Series (Wan2.7 also accepts 1K/2K/4K):

• 1:1 -> 1024x1024
• 1:1-large -> 1280x1280
• 16:9 -> 1280x720
• 9:16 -> 720x1280
• 4:3 -> 1200x900
• 3:4 -> 900x1200
• 2:1 -> 1440x720

Volcano Ark (Seedream):

• 1:1 -> 2048x2048
• 16:9 -> 2848x1600
• 9:16 -> 1600x2848
• 4:3 -> 2304x1728
• 3:4 -> 1728x2304
• 3:2 -> 2496x1664
• 2:3 -> 1664x2496
• 1K / 2K / 3K / 4K (model-dependent max resolution)

Tencent Hunyuan (colon-separated format):

• 1:1 -> 1024:1024
• 16:9 -> 1920:1080
• 9:16 -> 1080:1920
• 4:3 -> 1600:1200
• 3:4 -> 1200:1600

Zhipu (CogView-4 / GLM-Image):

• 1:1 -> 1024x1024 (default)
• 16:9 -> 1344x768
• 9:16 -> 768x1344
• 4:3 -> 1152x864
• 3:4 -> 864x1152
• 2:1 -> 1440x720
• 1:2 -> 720x1440

StepFun (Step-2X):

• 1:1 -> 1024x1024 (default)
• 1:1-small -> 512x512
• 16:9 -> 1280x800
• 9:16 -> 800x1280

Google Gemini (named sizes + aspect ratios):

• 512 / 1K (default) / 2K / 4K -> named output size (4K on Pro / 3.1 Flash; Lite is 1K only)
• 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4 -> aspect ratio (no exact pixel sizes)

Grok / xAI (aspect ratio + resolution):

• 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4, 2:1 -> sent as aspect_ratio (default: 1:1)
• 1K / 2K / 4K -> sent as resolution

OpenAI (GPT Image):

• 1:1 -> 1024x1024 (default)
• 16:9 -> 1536x1024, 9:16 -> 1024x1536
• 4:3 -> 1344x1024, 3:4 -> 1024x1344
• 1K -> 1024x1024, 2K -> 2048x2048 (gpt-image-2 only), 4K -> 3840x2160 (gpt-image-2 only)

FLUX (Black Forest Labs):

• 1:1 -> 1024x1024 (default)
• 16:9 -> 1344x768, 9:16 -> 768x1344
• 4:3 -> 1152x864, 3:4 -> 864x1152
• 2:1 -> 1440x720, 1:2 -> 720x1440
• 1K -> 1024x1024, 2K -> 2048x2048 (flexible WxH also accepted)

Advanced Options

# With negative prompt
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --negative "blurry, low quality" "High quality portrait" portrait.png

# Disable automatic prompt extension (DashScope only)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --no-extend "A photorealistic cat" cat.png

# Set random seed for reproducibility
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --seed 42 "A cat" cat.png

# Rendering quality (OpenAI only: low / medium / high / auto)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --platform openai --quality high "A cat" cat.png

# Guidance scale (Volcano Ark only)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --platform ark --guidance-scale 7.5 "Portrait" portrait.png

# Disable watermark (Volcano Ark only)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --platform ark --no-watermark "Artwork" art.png

# Auto-enhance prompt on/off (Tencent Hunyuan only, --revise 0=off 1=on)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --platform hunyuan --revise 0 "A cat" cat.png

# Add AI logo (Tencent Hunyuan only, --logo 0=no 1=yes)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --platform hunyuan --logo 1 "Poster" poster.png

# Dry run (preview without making API call)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --dry-run --platform ark "Test prompt"

# List all models
python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py --list-models

Requirements

pip install dashscope requests

# Optional: for coloured output and styled tables
pip install rich

Environment Variables

# Alibaba Cloud Bailian (DashScope)
export DASHSCOPE_API_KEY="your_api_key"        # Required
export DASHSCOPE_MODEL="wan2.7-image-pro"       # Optional default model
export DASHSCOPE_API_BASE="cn"                  # Optional: cn, sg, us

# ByteDance Volcano Ark
export ARK_API_KEY="your_api_key"               # Required for Ark
export ARK_MODEL="doubao-seedream-5-0-260128"   # Optional default model

# Tencent Hunyuan (TokenHub)
export HUNYUAN_API_KEY="your_api_key"           # Required for Hunyuan
export HUNYUAN_MODEL="hy-image-v3.0"            # Optional default model

# Zhipu / BigModel
export ZHIPUAI_API_KEY="your_api_key"           # Required for Zhipu
export ZHIPUAI_MODEL="cogview-4"                # Optional default model

# StepFun / 阶跃星辰
export STEP_API_KEY="your_api_key"              # Required for StepFun
export STEP_MODEL="step-2x-large"               # Optional default model

# Google Gemini (international)
export GEMINI_API_KEY="your_api_key"            # Required for Gemini
export GEMINI_MODEL="gemini-3-pro-image-preview" # Optional default model

# Grok / xAI (international)
export XAI_API_KEY="your_api_key"                # Required for Grok
export XAI_MODEL="grok-imagine-image-quality"    # Optional default model

# OpenAI (international)
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your_api_key"             # Required for OpenAI
export OPENAI_MODEL="gpt-image-1"                # Optional default model

# Black Forest Labs / FLUX (international)
export BFL_API_KEY="your_api_key"                # Required for FLUX
export BFL_MODEL="flux-2-pro-preview"            # Optional default model

Get API Keys:

• DashScope: https://bailian.console.aliyun.com/
• Volcano Ark: https://console.volcengine.com/ark/region:ark+cn-beijing/apikey
• Tencent Hunyuan: https://console.cloud.tencent.com/tokenhub/apikey
• Zhipu: https://bigmodel.cn
• StepFun: https://platform.stepfun.com/interface-key
• Google Gemini: https://aistudio.google.com/
• Grok / xAI: https://console.x.ai/
• OpenAI: https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
• Black Forest Labs / FLUX: https://api.bfl.ai/

Config File (Optional)

Create ~/.imagencn.json for personal defaults, or .imagencn.json in a project directory for per-project overrides. API keys stay in environment variables for security.

{
  "platform": "ark",
  "model": "doubao-seedream-5-0-260128",
  "size": "2K"
}

All keys are optional. Priority (highest first):

1. CLI arguments (--platform, --model, --size)
2. Project config (.imagencn.json in current directory)
3. User config (~/.imagencn.json)
4. Environment variables (DASHSCOPE_MODEL, ARK_MODEL, HUNYUAN_MODEL, ZHIPUAI_MODEL, STEP_MODEL, GEMINI_MODEL, XAI_MODEL, OPENAI_MODEL, BFL_MODEL)
5. Built-in defaults

API Endpoints

Region	Alias	URL
China (default)	cn	https://dashscope.aliyuncs.com/api/v1
Singapore	sg	https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1
Virginia	us	https://dashscope-us.aliyuncs.com/api/v1

# Switch to Singapore endpoint
export DASHSCOPE_API_BASE="sg"

# Or use full URL
export DASHSCOPE_API_BASE="https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1"

Model Selection Guide

Quick Pick — You Only Need Nine

What you want	Model	Platform
Default / general (posters, text)	qwen-image-2.0-pro	DashScope
Photorealistic (portraits, landscapes)	wan2.7-image-pro	DashScope
Edit an image	qwen-image-edit-max	DashScope
Cheap & fast	z-image-turbo	DashScope
Photo + text combo	doubao-seedream-5-0-260128	Volcano Ark
Complex Chinese composition	hy-image-v3.0	Tencent Hunyuan
Chinese text in images	cogview-4	Zhipu
Ultra-cheap volume gen	step-image-edit-2	StepFun
International (non-China)	gemini-3-pro-image-preview	Google Gemini
International / Grok	grok-imagine-image-quality	Grok / xAI
International / OpenAI	gpt-image-1	OpenAI
International / FLUX	flux-2-pro-preview	Black Forest Labs

All other models are legacy/snapshot variants.

Full Reference

Use Case	Recommended Model
General high-quality (default)	qwen-image-2.0-pro
Chinese text/calligraphy	qwen-image-2.0-pro
English text on images	qwen-image-2.0-pro
Posters with typography	qwen-image-2.0-pro
Photorealistic photos (4K)	wan2.7-image-pro
Photorealistic photos (2K)	wan2.7-image
Portrait photography	wan2.7-image-pro
Image editing (best quality)	qwen-image-edit-max
Image editing (fast, low-cost)	qwen-image-edit-plus
Fast, low-cost generation	z-image-turbo
High-fidelity portraits / product shots (fast)	z-image-turbo
Fast photorealistic (Wan)	wan2.2-t2i-flash
Lower-cost text rendering	qwen-image-plus
ByteDance best quality	doubao-seedream-5-0-260128
Budget-friendly 4K (ByteDance)	doubao-seedream-4-0-250828
Complex Chinese prompts (Tencent)	hy-image-v3.0

Platform Quick Comparison

Feature	DashScope	Ark	Hunyuan	Zhipu	StepFun	Gemini	Grok	OpenAI	FLUX
Best for	Text, variety	Photo+text	Complex CN	CN text in image	Ultra-cheap	International	International	International	International
Max res	4K	4K	2K	2K	1K	4K	4K	4K (gpt-image-2)	2K
SDK	dashscope	None	None	None	None	None	None	None	None
Price	Varies	~0.22	~0.20	~0.06	~0.02	~$0.13	~$0.14	~$0.04	~$0.03
Env var	DASHSCOPE_API_KEY	ARK_API_KEY	HUNYUAN_API_KEY	ZHIPUAI_API_KEY	STEP_API_KEY	GEMINI_API_KEY	XAI_API_KEY	OPENAI_API_KEY	BFL_API_KEY

Examples

Volcano Ark (ByteDance)

# Default Ark model (Seedream 5.0)
ARK_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
  --platform ark \
  "A vibrant close-up editorial portrait, Vogue magazine cover style" \
  portrait.png

# With 4K output
ARK_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
  --platform ark --model doubao-seedream-4-5-251128 --size 4K \
  "Breathtaking mountain sunset, golden hour, professional photography" \
  landscape.png

Tencent Hunyuan

# Default Hunyuan model (Image 3.0)
HUNYUAN_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
  --platform hunyuan \
  "An astronaut riding a horse on the moon, cinematic lighting, 8K detail" \
  scifi.png

# With prompt auto-enhance disabled
HUNYUAN_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
  --platform hunyuan --revise 0 \
  "A cute orange cat napping in sunlight, oil painting style" \
  cat.png

Google Gemini (international)

# Default Gemini model (Gemini 3 Pro Image)
GEMINI_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
  --platform gemini --size 2K \
  "A serene Japanese garden with koi pond, soft morning light" \
  garden.png

Grok / xAI (international)

# Default Grok model (Grok Imagine Image Quality)
XAI_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
  --platform grok --size 16:9 \
  "A cinematic cyberpunk city street at night, neon reflections" \
  city.png

OpenAI (international)

# Default OpenAI model (GPT Image 1), high quality
OPENAI_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
  --platform openai --quality high \
  "Minimalist product shot of a ceramic teapot on linen, soft studio light" \
  teapot.png

Black Forest Labs / FLUX (international)

# Default FLUX model (FLUX.2 Pro Preview); async API — polls until ready
BFL_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
  --platform bfl --size 16:9 \
  "A dramatic volcanic coastline at dusk, long exposure photography" \
  coast.png

# Pinned snapshot for reproducible results
BFL_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
  --platform bfl --model flux-2-pro --seed 42 \
  "An astronaut walking through a bioluminescent jungle" \
  jungle.png

Chinese New Year Poster (DashScope)

python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py \
  "A beautiful Chinese New Year poster with red background, golden text, fireworks and firecrackers" \
  new_year_poster.png

Photorealistic Landscape (4K)

python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py \
  --model wan2.7-image-pro \
  --size 4K \
  "Breathtaking sunset over mountain range, golden hour, professional photography" \
  landscape.png

Product Shot

python ~/.claude/skills/imagencn/scripts/generate_image.py \
  --model wan2.7-image \
  --size 2K \
  "Professional product photography of a coffee cup on marble surface, studio lighting" \
  product.png