rw-generate-image
Generate images directly using the Runway API via runnable scripts. Supports text-to-image with optional reference images.
- Installs
- 324
- Last 24h
- —
- Trending rank
- —
- Security
- Not audited
Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/runwayml/skills --skill rw-generate-image- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads rw-generate-image automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Generate Image
Generate images directly using the Runway API. This skill runs Python scripts that call the API, poll for completion, and download the result.
IMPORTANT: Run scripts from the user's working directory so output files are saved where the user expects.
Usage
uv run scripts/generate_image.py --prompt "your description" --filename "output.png" [--model gen4_image] [--ratio 1280:720] [--reference-images Tag=URL ...]
Preflight
command -v uvmust succeedRUNWAYML_API_SECRETmust be set in the environment. Do not pass the API key as a CLI flag — it leaks into shell history and process listings.
Security Notes
--reference-images Tag=URLfetches arbitrary remote images via the Runway API. Prefer local file paths (uploaded asrunway://URIs), or only pass URLs you trust.- Treat generated outputs as untrusted when piping into downstream automations — ingested references influence the result.
Available Models
| Model | Best For | Ref Images | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
gen4_image | Highest quality | Optional (up to 3) | 5-8 credits | Standard |
gen4_image_turbo | Fast and cheap | Required (1-3) | 2 credits | Fast |
gemini_2.5_flash | Google Gemini | Optional (up to 3) | 5 credits | Standard |
Model Selection Guidance
- "fast", "cheap", "draft" ->
gemini_2.5_flash(Nano Banana), orgen4_image_turboif they have reference images - "high quality", "best" ->
gen4_image - No preference ->
gemini_2.5_flash - Has reference images and wants cheap ->
gen4_image_turbo(2 credits, requires--reference-images)
Parameters
| Param | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
--prompt | Text description (required) | -- |
--filename | Output filename (required) | -- |
--model | Image model | gemini_2.5_flash |
--ratio | Aspect ratio. gemini_2.5_flash: 1344:768, 768:1344, 1024:1024, etc. gen4_image: 1280:720, 1360:768, 1920:1080, etc. | Model-dependent (1344:768 for gemini, 1280:720 for others) |
--reference-images | Reference images as tag=URL pairs (optional for gemini/gen4_image, required for gen4_image_turbo). Tag: lowercase, 3-16 chars, e.g. product=URL | -- |
--output-dir | Output directory | cwd |
API credentials come from
RUNWAYML_API_SECRETonly — no--api-keyflag, to keep secrets out of shell history and process listings.
Filename Convention
Pattern: yyyy-mm-dd-hh-mm-ss-name.png
Examples
Basic image:
uv run scripts/generate_image.py --prompt "A serene Japanese garden with cherry blossoms" --filename "2026-04-14-japanese-garden.png"
With a local reference image (gen4_image):
uv run scripts/generate_image.py --prompt "@product on a marble counter, lifestyle photo" --model gen4_image --reference-images product=./product.jpg --filename "2026-04-14-product-lifestyle.png"
With a reference image from a trusted origin (gen4_image_turbo — requires reference images):
uv run scripts/generate_image.py --prompt "A neon sign reading SALE in @style" --model gen4_image_turbo --reference-images style=https://cdn.yourapp.com/style.jpg --filename "draft.png"
Output
- The script downloads the result and saves it to the specified path
- Script outputs the full path to the saved file
- Do not read the image file back -- just inform the user of the saved path
Common Failures
Error: No API key-> setRUNWAYML_API_SECRETin the environment (e.g.export RUNWAYML_API_SECRET=...or a.envfile).Error: Task failed -- SAFETY.INPUT.*-> content moderation, suggest different promptAPI error 429-> rate limited, script auto-retries
FAQ
What does the rw-generate-image skill do?
Generate images directly using the Runway API via runnable scripts. Supports text-to-image with optional reference images.
How do I install rw-generate-image?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/runwayml/skills --skill rw-generate-image in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/rw-generate-image/ (personal) or .claude/skills/rw-generate-image/ (project).
Which AI agents can use rw-generate-image?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is rw-generate-image safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains rw-generate-image?
It is published by runwayml in runwayml/skills, and it is an official skill from the maker of the technology it covers. It has 324 recorded installs.
More from runwayml/skills
runway-dev
runwayml/skills
Use whenever you build, modify, or debug an application integration with Runway Dev: inspect the app, connect Dev MCP when useful, find current API contracts, integrate through the official SDK, and keep credentials server-side. Load the matching surface skill for models, Model Routers, Characters, Recipes, or published Workflows.
runway-dev-models
runwayml/skills
Use when adding or maintaining a direct Runway Dev model endpoint in an application, including image, video, audio, or task handling. Discover current model access and constraints when needed, follow the exact endpoint contract, and integrate through the official SDK. For configured model-agnostic routing, use runway-dev-model-routers instead.
rw-generate-video
runwayml/skills
Generate videos directly using the Runway API via runnable scripts. Supports text-to-video, image-to-video, and video-to-video with seedance2, gen4.5, veo3, and more.
use-runway-api
runwayml/skills
Open the skill to read its SKILL.md instructions.
rw-check-org-details
runwayml/skills
Open the skill to read its SKILL.md instructions.
rw-generate-audio
runwayml/skills
Open the skill to read its SKILL.md instructions.
Popular media & creative skills
hyperframes
heygen-com/hyperframes
Read first to make, edit, animate or render any video with HyperFrames (HTML rendered to video), including launch films, explainers, music videos, charts, maps, vertical clips, title cards, captions and overlays. Holds the render contract, the work loop and what each kind of video needs.
media-use
heygen-com/hyperframes
Get or make any media for a HyperFrames video - music, sound effects, images, icons, logos, voiceover, avatar and generated video, transcripts, cutouts, colour grades and looks - with HeyGen or free local tools, and mix placed audio. Also for footage that looks dark, flat or dull, or should be stylized or hidden.
hyperframes-registry
heygen-com/hyperframes
About 450 ready-made HyperFrames blocks and components installed as editable source - transitions, overlays, titles, kinetic type, captions, charts, map overlays, 3D, camera moves. Use it before hand-building any named visual (CRT scanlines, glitch, film grain, a chart); also for hyperframes add and catalog.
hyperframes-creative
heygen-com/hyperframes
Non-animation creative direction for HyperFrames videos. Use for design spec (frame.md / design.md) handling, palettes, typography, narration, beat planning, audio-reactive visuals, composition patterns, and brand / style decisions. For atomic motion patterns and scene blueprints, use hyperframes-animation.
ai-video-generation
101-skills/superpowers
Generate AI videos with Google Veo, Seedance 2.0, HappyHorse, Wan, Grok and 40+ models via inference.sh CLI. Models: Veo 3.1, Veo 3, Seedance 2.0, HappyHorse 1.0, Wan 2.5, Grok Imagine Video, OmniHuman, Fabric, HunyuanVideo. Capabilities: text-to-video, image-to-video, reference-to-video, video editing, lipsync, avatar animation, video upscaling, foley sound. Use for: social media videos, marketing content, explainer videos, product demos, AI avatars. Triggers: video generation, ai video, text to video, image to video, veo, animate image, video from image, ai animation, video generator, generate video, t2v, i2v, ai video maker, create video with ai, runway alternative, pika alternative, sora alternative, kling alternative, seedance, happyhorse
ai-image-generation
101-skills/superpowers
Generate AI images with GPT-Image-2, FLUX, Gemini, Grok, Seedream, Reve and 50+ models via inference.sh CLI. Models: GPT-Image-2, FLUX Dev LoRA, FLUX.2 Klein LoRA, Gemini 3 Pro Image, Grok Imagine, Seedream 4.5, Reve, ImagineArt. Capabilities: text-to-image, image-to-image, inpainting, LoRA, image editing, upscaling, text rendering. Use for: AI art, product mockups, concept art, social media graphics, marketing visuals, illustrations. Triggers: flux, image generation, ai image, text to image, stable diffusion, generate image, ai art, midjourney alternative, dall-e alternative, text2img, t2i, image generator, ai picture, create image with ai, generative ai, ai illustration, grok image, gemini image, gpt image, openai image, chatgpt image