Banana skill for Claude Code: Gemini (Nano Banana) image generation

Makes Claude Code plan, create, edit and check images with Google's Gemini (Nano Banana) models, and asks you to approve every paid request.

Installs: 926; on skills.sh
Stars: 1.2K; on GitHub
Files: 20; besides SKILL.md
Updated: Nov 2026; last repo commit

banana makes Claude Code plan, create, edit and check images with Google's Gemini (Nano Banana) models, and shows you the plan and a cost estimate before every paid request.

It needs a Gemini API key from a billing-enabled Google account, because Google's pricing page (updated Oct 30, 2026) lists no free tier for its image models. Install it as a plugin, which also sets up its own local MCP server and two read-only review agents. It runs on Linux, macOS and WSL, not on native Windows.

Good for

Developers who want README, repo and docs hero images without leaving Claude Code
Founders and marketers making launch, blog and landing page visuals
Designers who want a written brief, model comparison and exact text on images
Anyone who wants a cost estimate and a yes/no gate before paying for each image

Install banana

Claude Code

Copy this prompt.

Install the banana skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

/plugin marketplace add AgriciDaniel/banana-claude
/plugin install banana-claude@banana-claude-marketplace
/plugin enable banana-claude@banana-claude-marketplace
/reload-plugins

Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.

2
Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Requires Claude Code 2.1.199 or newer, Python 3.11 or newer with python3 on PATH, Gemini API key for a billing-enabled Google AI project, Linux, macOS or WSL for generation.

Pick the plugin. It is the only route that adds the local MCP server, the two review agents and a private place for your key. The plugin installs disabled because it calls a paid service, and the enable step is when Claude Code asks for your Gemini API key. Type the key into that prompt, not into chat. Then run it as /banana-claude:banana <request>.

It needs a Google AI project with billing on, so set a monthly spend cap in AI Studio before you start. Native Windows cannot generate images yet, so use WSL. The standalone route gives you /banana and the scripts only, and reads GEMINI_API_KEY from your environment. If you used version 1.4.1 or 2.1.0, run the cleanup scan from the guide first.

From the project README. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

Plan, generate, edit, compare, and review images with Google Gemini (Nano Banana) image models, with an exact plan and explicit approval before every paid call. Use when the user asks to create or edit an image, picture, photo, illustration, logo, thumbnail, poster, banner, product shot, mockup, character sheet, infographic, or diagram; keep a character or product consistent across images; add exact text to an image; or compare image models.

Sections in SKILL.md

Non-negotiable boundaries
Route and disclose progressively
Freeze a visual brief
Route the model
Plan, approve, execute
One image or edit
Stored continuation
Multi-model portfolio
Presets
Exact copy and trusted assets
Grounding, provenance, and review
Agent authority
Direct utilities

Key facts

Author: Agrici Daniel (AgriciDaniel)
License: MIT
Version: 3.1.0, released Oct 21, 2026
Installs on skills.sh: 926 (Nov 2, 2026)
GitHub stars: 1,168 (Nov 2, 2026)
Contents: 1 skill, 2 agents, 1 MCP server (7 tools, 3 paid), 12 Python scripts, 0 hooks
Needs: Claude Code 2.1.199+, Python 3.11+ as python3, a Gemini API key with billing; Linux, macOS or WSL
Works in: Claude Code (plugin or standalone skill); no other client documented
Cost per image: About $0.03 to $0.24, author's estimates for Oct 20, 2026

What it includes

Plans a new image from your request, then creates it after you approve the plan
Turns a plain request into a visual brief and exact prompt, shows the model, settings and estimate, and only calls Gemini once you say yes.
Try: “/banana-claude:banana generate an urban 16:9 GitHub hero with clean left-side copy space”
Write · generate
Makes one stated change to an existing image while keeping the rest untouched
Sends your source image and a precise change to Gemini; if identity or geometry drifts it restarts from the original instead of editing the failed output.
Try: “/banana-claude:banana edit /path/to/source.png change only the jacket to rust orange”
Write · edit
Iterates on a previous result using Google's stored session (Nano Banana 2.1 or Pro)
Picks up a prior image turn by ID so changes stay consistent; needs you to accept that Google keeps the session (55 days by default). Lite reattaches the last image instead.
Write · continue
Compares up to three prompts across up to three models in one approved run
Runs a capped comparison (nine paid requests at most, three at once), labels every result and recommends a winner.
Try: “/banana-claude:banana portfolio compare a direct direction and one justified risk on Nano Banana 2.1 and Pro”
Write · portfolio
Adds exact text, fonts and logos on top of an image locally, no Google call
Builds an SVG layer with your exact copy and trusted raster logos over the generated image, so spelling is guaranteed in the vector layer.
Write · typeset
Saves and reuses a visual style as input to the brief
Lists, shows, saves and deletes private style presets under ~/.banana/presets; a preset feeds the brief you review, it is not a hidden prompt add-on.
Delete · preset
Shows estimated spend from a private local ledger, no Google call
Summarizes recorded image-output estimates (summary, today, estimate); the Google bill stays the real number.
Write · cost
Read-only check of Python version, install layout, model catalog and leftover old installs
Confirms Python 3.11+, whether the plugin or standalone layout is present, whether a key is configured, and flags residue from 1.4.1 or 2.1.0.
Files · doctor
Read-only helper that writes the visual brief and prompt for complex or branded work
Given your request and model limits, returns a structured brief and compiled prompt, or BLOCKED with one question. It cannot generate, edit files or approve spend.
Read · visual-architect (agent)
Read-only helper that inspects the generated images against the brief
Opens each returned image and tries to find where it misses the brief (copy, crop, identity, artifacts); it never generates or rewrites files.
Read · visual-critic (agent)
Bundled Python server with 7 tools: 4 offline planning tools, 3 paid ones
Runs python3 skills/banana/scripts/mcp_server.py with your key as GEMINI_API_KEY. banana_models, banana_plan, banana_portfolio_plan and banana_typeset stay offline; banana_generate, banana_edit and banana_portfolio_generate call Google.
Runs code · banana MCP server

From the official docs

Permissions

Medium risk

banana sends your prompts and images to Google and bills your Google account for every image it makes. Set a monthly spend cap in Google AI Studio and read each plan before you approve it.

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only modeHow to turn it on

Watch out for

It spends money on your Google account
Generate, edit and portfolio calls are billed to your Google project. Each paid attempt needs your approval of an exact plan, and one approval covers one attempt for 30 minutes. Estimates are not a spend cap, so set a monthly cap in Google AI Studio first. github.com
Your API key is kept as a private plugin setting
Claude Code stores it as a sensitive value and never puts it in chat or on a command line. Versions 1.4.1 and 2.1.0 could leave a raw key in ~/.claude/settings.json, so scan with the cleanup script in the guide and rotate the key. github.com
Google may keep some requests for weeks
One-shot requests ask Google not to store them. Continuing an image from a stored session keeps data at Google for 55 days by default, and Search-grounded requests are kept for 30 days. github.com
skills.sh: Snyk warn
The listing shows a warning with no detail on what triggered it. skills.sh
Your prompts and images go to Google
Paid calls send your prompt and any reference images to the Gemini API. Do not use uploads you lack the rights to send; the skill asks you to confirm rights before it plans. github.com
It runs a local server and Python scripts
The plugin starts a Python 3.11+ MCP server on your machine that uses only the standard library to call Google over HTTPS. The standalone install runs the same scripts directly. github.com
It saves files on your machine
Images and a metadata file go to ~/Documents/banana-claude by default. A private cost ledger, approvals and style presets live in ~/.banana. github.com
Image generation fails on native Windows
Planning stops with an error before anything reaches Google. Run Claude Code inside WSL instead. github.com
skills.sh: Gen Agent Trust Hub pass
The skills.sh listing shows a pass for this check. skills.sh
skills.sh: Socket pass
The skills.sh listing shows a pass for this check. skills.sh

Security advisories

No published security advisories as of Nov 2, 2026.

Technical details

Turning on read-only	Planning, prompt work, model inspection, cost estimates and doctor do not call Google. Paid generate, edit and portfolio calls run only after you approve the exact plan, and the plugin installs disabled until you enable it.
Talks to	Google Gemini API over HTTPS, with your API key sent in a request header
Sign-in and keys	Plugin setting google_ai_api_key, stored by Claude Code as a sensitive value and passed to the bundled server as GEMINI_API_KEY. The standalone install reads GEMINI_API_KEY from your environment.
Data retention	One-shot requests send store: false. Stored continuation is kept by Google for 55 days by default (7, 14, 28 or 55 configurable); Search-grounded requests are kept for 30 days.
Scopes	Runs python3 scripts and a local MCP server Reads source images you point it at Writes images and metadata to ~/Documents/banana-claude and records to ~/.banana

Examples

GitHub repo hero image
/banana-claude:banana generate an urban 16:9 GitHub hero with clean left-side copy space
Plans the image, shows an estimate, then creates it after you approve.
Source
Website hero for a small business
/banana-claude:banana generate a restrained 16:9 hero image for a ceramics studio
Plans the image, shows an estimate, then creates it after you approve.
Source
Product launch visual with room for copy
/banana-claude:banana generate a product launch visual with exact left-side copy space
Leaves clean space you can fill with exact text from the typeset step.
Source
Change one detail of an existing photo
/banana-claude:banana edit /path/to/source.png change only the jacket to rust orange
Changes the one thing you name and keeps the rest of the image.
Source
Compare models before you commit
/banana-claude:banana portfolio compare a direct direction and one justified risk on Nano Banana 2.1 and Pro
Runs one approved comparison and labels each result.
Source

Questions

How do I install banana?

Use the plugin route in the install box above. It adds the author's marketplace, installs and enables the plugin, then Claude Code asks for your Gemini API key. Pick the plugin over the standalone skill unless you only want the /banana command.

Do I need a Gemini API key? Is banana free?

Yes, you need a key, and image calls are not free. The plugin is MIT licensed, but Google's Gemini API pricing page (last updated Oct 30, 2026) lists the free tier as "Not available" for Nano Banana 2.1, Nano Banana Pro and the other Gemini image models. You can create a key for free, but image calls need a Google AI project with billing turned on.

How much does an image cost?

About $0.03 to $0.24 per image. The author's estimates are $0.0336 for a 1K image on the default Nano Banana 2.1 model and $0.24 for a 4K image on Nano Banana Pro, checked against Google pricing on October 20, 2026. These are estimates, not a cap: input text, thinking tokens and extra images can add charges, so the Google bill is the real number.

Does banana work in Claude.ai, Codex or Cursor?

Not as documented. The author documents Claude Code only, as a plugin or as a standalone skill. The plugin also needs Claude Code 2.1.199 or newer.

Does banana work on Windows?

Not natively. Image generation fails at the planning step with an error before anything reaches Google, and the issue is still open. Linux, macOS and WSL work, so run Claude Code inside WSL on Windows.

Is banana safe?

Mostly, if you accept what it does. It runs local Python scripts, sends your prompts and images to Google, and spends money on your account, but only after you approve each plan. On skills.sh, Gen Agent Trust Hub and Socket show pass and Snyk shows warn with no detail. No security advisories are published. The permissions section above has the rest.

Can banana spend money without asking?

No. Every paid attempt shows the exact plan and needs your approval. One approval covers one attempt and expires after 30 minutes, and a retry needs a new plan. The paid tools are also marked so Claude Code's allow rules, Auto mode and Bypass mode cannot run them silently.

What is the difference between the plugin and the standalone skill?

The plugin adds the local MCP server, the visual-architect and visual-critic agents, and stores your key as a sensitive setting. The standalone skill gives you /banana and the scripts only, and reads GEMINI_API_KEY from your environment.

I used an older version. Do I need to clean up?

Yes, if you used 1.4.1 or 2.1.0. Those versions could leave a raw Google key in ~/.claude/settings.json and an unpinned npx MCP entry. Run the legacy cleanup scan from the guide and rotate the key in AI Studio.

Are there other Nano Banana tools for Claude Code?

Yes. Community Claude Code skills such as cc-nano-banana and claude-code-nano-banana also call Nano Banana, and Google publishes a Nano Banana extension for Gemini CLI. banana's own pitch is the plan, approval and cost-ledger steps before every paid request.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: agricidaniel/banana-claude
Folder: skills/banana

agricidaniel/banana-claude skills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 19

banana-claude README · github.com
banana-claude user guide · github.com
Gemini Developer API pricing · ai.google.dev
banana SKILL.md · github.com
Cost tracking reference · github.com
banana on skills.sh · skills.sh
banana-claude repository · github.com
banana-claude v3.1.0 · github.com
MCP tools reference · github.com
visual-architect agent · github.com
visual-critic agent · github.com
banana-claude .mcp.json · github.com
Image generation fails on Windows · github.com
banana-claude SECURITY.md · github.com
banana-claude CHANGELOG · github.com
Nano Banana extension for Gemini CLI · github.com
cc-nano-banana · github.com
claude-code-nano-banana · github.com
banana_core.py · github.com