A Nano Banana Skill for Claude Code, Without a Google API Key
Most Nano Banana Skills for Claude ask you to open a Google AI Studio project, create a Gemini key, and attach a billing account before the first image.
This one runs on a single Claude Imagine key — and the same account works through MCP with no key at all.
What This Skill Removes
The friction in a Nano Banana Skill is rarely the Skill itself — it's everything you have to set up before it runs.
No Google Cloud Setup
No AI Studio project, no Gemini API key, no Google billing account attached to your card before the first render.
One Key, Five Models
The same key reaches Nano Banana 2, GPT Image 2.5, Seedream 4.5, Flux 2 Pro, and Z-Image. Switch with a flag instead of signing up somewhere new.
Prepaid Credits, Not Metered Billing
You spend a credit balance you already bought. A runaway loop drains credits and stops — it can't run up an open-ended bill.
Automatic Refunds
A generation that fails upstream is refunded to your balance without you filing anything.
Setup, Start to First Image
Two minutes, once per machine.
1. Create an API key
Sign in to Claude Imagine and generate a key at /settings/apikeys. It's shown once and stored only as a hash, so copy it right away. New accounts get 9 signup credits, enough for a first Nano Banana 2 image (5 credits at 1K).
2. Export it in your shell
Add 'export CLAUDEIMAGINE_API_KEY="sk-..."' to your shell profile so Claude Code sessions inherit it.
3. Clone the Skill into your project
Run 'git clone https://github.com/lumian2015/nano-banana-claude-skill .claude/skills/nano-banana-claude'. It's MIT-licensed and dependency-free — a SKILL.md plus one standard-library Python script.
4. Ask Claude for an image
Say what you want in plain language. Claude picks up the Skill, expands your prompt, runs the script, and saves the file into your project.
Skill or MCP — Which One Do You Want?
Both end with Claude producing an image. They differ in where the code runs and what you have to hold.
Skill: Runs on Your Machine
A folder of instructions and a script inside your project. It needs an API key in your environment, and it works anywhere Claude Code can run a command — including offline-ish, scripted, and CI-style workflows.
MCP: Runs on Our Server
A hosted connector Claude talks to over HTTP. Authentication is OAuth, so there's no key to store at all, and it works in claude.ai and Claude Desktop — not just Claude Code.
Same Credits Either Way
One balance covers the Skill, the MCP connector, and the web generator. Nothing is priced differently by route.
You Can Run Both
Nothing conflicts. Use MCP in claude.ai for quick one-offs and the Skill in Claude Code when you want images written straight into a repo.
Models and What They Cost
Credit costs are per generated image. Nano Banana 2 is the default when you don't name a model.
Nano Banana 2 — 5 credits
The default. Available on every plan including free, with no tier gate.
GPT Image 2.5 — available on every plan
The alternative general-purpose model, selectable with the same key on any plan.
Z-Image — fastest and cheapest
The draft model. It becomes free to generate on the Pro and Studio plans.
Seedream 4.5 and Flux 2 Pro — Pro and up
These two require a Pro or Studio plan. On lower plans the API returns a clear upgrade message rather than silently substituting a model.
Nano Banana Claude Skill Questions
Have another question? Email us at support@claudeimagine.com.
Start With 9 Signup Credits
Create an account, generate a key, and the first Nano Banana images are on the house.