Claude Image Generation Skill: What Works on Each Claude Surface
A Skill can organize prompts, run scripts, name files, and coordinate an image workflow. Whether it can call an external API directly depends on where the Skill runs: Claude Code has full network access, claude.ai varies by settings, and Claude API Skill containers have no network access.
A remote MCP connector provides a consistent way to expose image-generation tools to Claude.
Network Access Depends on Where the Skill Runs
Anthropic documents different runtime constraints for Claude Code, claude.ai, and Claude API Skills.
Claude Code: Full Network Access
Claude Code Skills run with the same network access as other programs on your computer. A Skill can call an external API if its scripts and credentials are configured safely.
claude.ai: Access Varies
On claude.ai, a Skill may have full, partial, or no network access depending on the account and administrator's network-egress settings.
Claude API: No Skill Network Access
Skills used through the Claude API run in a code-execution container without internet access, so the Skill itself cannot call an external image API.
MCP Exposes a Consistent Tool
Claude Imagine's remote MCP server exposes generate_image, list_models, and get_credits without requiring the Skill to contain the image service itself.
Set Up a Skill + MCP Image Workflow
Keep repeatable workflow instructions in the Skill and image generation in a purpose-built connector.
Choose the Claude Surface
Decide whether the workflow will run in Claude Code, claude.ai, or through the Claude API because the network rules are different.
Add the MCP Connector
In Claude Code, run one command to add the Claude Imagine MCP server. In claude.ai or Desktop, add it as a custom connector by URL.
Let the Skill Define the Workflow
Use SKILL.md to define prompt structure, file naming, review steps, and when Claude should call generate_image.
Pick a Model Per Call
Pass a model — nano-banana-2, gpt-image-2, seedream-4.5, flux-2-pro, or z-image — or let the default handle it. Credits come out of your shared balance.
Claude Skills and Image Generation, In Detail
Have another question? Email us at support@claudeimagine.com.
Runtime details verified July 10, 2026. Sources: Anthropic Agent Skills documentation and Claude custom connector documentation.
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