image-sprout

name: image-sprout description: > Use image-sprout to create and manage image generation projects with consistent style and subject identity. Use this skill when the user asks to generate images with saved context, iteratively refine image outputs, manage image projects with references and guides, or run image-sprout CLI commands in a workflow.

Generate and iterate on images with consistent style and subject identity. Image Sprout turns reusable project context — reference images, derived guides, and persistent instructions — into repeatable outputs you can build on across runs.

Use this skill when:

The user asks to generate images and wants results that stay consistent across multiple runs
The user wants to iterate on outputs from a previous generation
The user needs to set up or manage an image project with references or style context
The workflow requires structured, scriptable image generation with --json output

1. Installation

Install globally from npm:

npm install -g image-sprout

Or run without installing — prefer this in Codex sandbox environments where PATH is unreliable:

npx image-sprout help

All examples below use npx image-sprout. Substitute image-sprout directly if you have a global install.

2. OpenRouter Key Setup

Image Sprout stores its OpenRouter key on disk. Set it once per machine:

npx image-sprout config set apiKey <your-openrouter-key>
npx image-sprout config show    # confirm key is set (does not reveal the raw key)

3. The Project Model

Three context layers drive every generation:

Visual Style — consistent look and feel across outputs
Subject Guide — consistent subject identity across outputs
Instructions — persistent generation constraints (watermarks, framing, branding)

Two reference pools:

Shared refs — drive both guides (default, simplest)
Split refs — separate style and subject pools (advanced; use --role style or --role subject when adding)

Understanding this model prevents the most common agent mistake: generating without saved context and wondering why outputs are inconsistent.

4. Core CLI Workflow

# Create a project
npx image-sprout project create <name>

# Add references (3+ recommended; more refs = better derivation)
npx image-sprout ref add --project <name> ./ref1.png ./ref2.png ./ref3.png

# Optional: persistent instructions
npx image-sprout project update <name> --instructions "Watermark bottom-right: subtle."

# Derive guides from refs
npx image-sprout project derive <name> --target both   # or: style, subject

# Check readiness before generating
npx image-sprout project status <name> --json

# Generate (--count controls images per run: 1, 2, 4, 6; default is 4)
npx image-sprout project generate <name> --prompt "hero in neon rain"
npx image-sprout project generate <name> --prompt "hero in neon rain" --count 1

# Inspect results
npx image-sprout run latest --project <name> --json

# Delete a session and all its runs/images
npx image-sprout session delete --project <name> <session-id>

Top-level aliases:

npx image-sprout generate --project <name> --prompt "hero in neon rain"   # same as project generate
npx image-sprout analyze --project <name> --target both                    # same as project derive

5. JSON Output — the Agent Pattern

Always use --json for structured output:

npx image-sprout project show <name> --json
npx image-sprout project status <name> --json
npx image-sprout run latest --project <name> --json
npx image-sprout run list --project <name> --json --limit 5

Use --value PATH to pluck a single field:

npx image-sprout run latest --project <name> --json --value images[0].path

This is how agents hand image paths to downstream tools. Run images land in image-sprout's internal app data directory — use run latest --json --value images[0].path to get the path and leave what to do with it to the calling workflow.

6. Parallel-Safe Usage

npx image-sprout project use <name> sets a shared "current project" state on disk. In multi-agent workflows, this state can collide across concurrent processes. Always pass --project <name> explicitly — never rely on the current project shortcut.

7. Web UI — Agent Awareness

The web app runs over the same on-disk store as the CLI. Agents won't use it directly, but should surface it to users when interactive review is appropriate.

npx image-sprout web              # launches local app
npx image-sprout web --open       # also opens in default browser
npx image-sprout web --port 8080  # custom port (default: 4310)

Useful for:

reviewing and comparing generated images visually
setting up a project interactively before handing off to CLI/agent use
iterating on outputs via the canvas interface

Security: do not expose the web UI to the public internet. The server has no authentication. Safe options are localhost only, or a private network like Tailscale. The risk is public internet exposure — LAN and tailnet access are fine.

8. Model Management

npx image-sprout model list
npx image-sprout model set-default google/gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview
npx image-sprout model add openai/gpt-5-image
npx image-sprout model restore-defaults

Default generation model is Nano Banana 2 (google/gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview). Custom models must accept image input and produce image output via OpenRouter.

Guide derivation uses a separate configurable analysis model (default: google/gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview):

# Set a persistent analysis model
npx image-sprout config set analysisModel google/gemini-2.5-flash

# Override per-derive
npx image-sprout project derive <name> --target both --analysis-model google/gemini-2.5-flash