git:20261102.2d07c3d to git:20261105.4e4821d

36 added, 30 removed. Audit A to A.

---

name: codex-imagegen

- description: Create and refine image files from Claude Code using a Codex subscription. Handles short creative interviews, distinct visual directions, reference-based edits, consistent asset sets, and verified transparent PNGs. Use for image generation, imagegen, GPT Image, hero art, product photos, icons, posters, 이미지 생성, 시안, 이미지 수정, or 투명 배경. Exclude image analysis and code-native SVG edits.

+ description: Create and refine raster image files (PNG) from Claude Code using the user's Codex subscription. Handles short creative interviews, distinct visual directions, reference-based edits, style-matched asset sets, and verified transparent PNGs. Use whenever the user wants a new or changed bitmap image, such as hero art, product photos, illustrations, posters, app icons, or UI assets; also for imagegen, GPT Image, 이미지 생성, 이미지 시안, 앱 아이콘, 에셋, 이미지 수정, 투명 배경, 画像生成, 生成图片. Not for image analysis, SVG/vector or code-drawn graphics, animation, or code that calls an image API.

---

# Codex Imagegen

Claude directs and reviews; Codex only generates. Use the user's Codex subscription;

never use a separately billed image API. Requires Python 3.9+, macOS/Linux, and

logged-in Codex CLI 0.164.0+ (`codex login`). Resolve `<SKILL_DIR>` from this file.

## Route by intent

| Request | Action | Read only if needed |

|---|---|---|

| Clear request / “just make it” | Generate one image immediately | No extra reference |

| Unclear direction / “interview me” | Ask 1–3 consequential questions together | [interview.md](references/interview.md) |

| “Options”, “시안”, multiple directions | Default to 3 distinct candidates if count is unspecified | [directions.md](references/directions.md) |

| Change an existing image | Inspect it, state change + preserve list, attach it | [editing.md](references/editing.md) |

- | Exact text, photography, complex composition | Add only the relevant craft details | [prompting-guide.md](references/prompting-guide.md) |

+ | A set that must match (icons, UI assets, series) | Settle the style on one sample, then reuse a style lock | [prompting-guide.md](references/prompting-guide.md) |

+ | Styled art, exact text, photography | Add only the relevant craft details | [prompting-guide.md](references/prompting-guide.md) |

| Model question or execution failure | Run `scripts/codex_status.py` (no model call), then explain or fix | [cli-reference.md](references/cli-reference.md) |

Do not load every reference, repository documentation, or launcher source. Reuse

answers and relevant project style facts already in context. Read `DESIGN.md` only

when matching this project's style. Do not run Codex to interview, plan, or judge.

## Make the brief

Use the user's language. Specify intended use, subject, medium, framing, light,

palette, and constraints only where they affect this image. Preserve detailed

- user direction; omit irrelevant fields. Aim for 80–180 words for a normal image,

- shorter for a local edit; exact copy and necessary preservation rules take priority.

+ user direction; omit irrelevant fields. For styled or illustrated images, set value

+ contrast, palette roles, and one focal subject first (prompting-guide.md). Aim for

+ 80–180 words for a normal image, shorter for a local edit; exact copy and necessary

+ preservation rules take priority.

```text

- Asset: website hero, landscape 16:9, one image

- Request: a handmade terracotta cup on pale limestone

+ Asset: website hero for a notes app, landscape 16:9, one image

+ Request: an open notebook and a few index cards on a clean desk

Look: editorial product photograph; soft window light from the left;

- matte glaze, natural surface imperfections; warm ivory and rust palette

- Composition: cup in the right third; quiet empty left half for page copy

- Constraints: no text, watermark, border, or extra objects

+ matte paper texture, natural shadows; warm ivory and ink-blue palette

+ Composition: subject in the right third; quiet empty left half for page copy

+ Constraints: no readable writing, logos, watermark, border, or extra objects

```

Quote exact text with its placement and one occurrence. For references add

`Image 1: base to edit; Image 2: material reference only` in attachment order.

Send only this final brief and necessary images to Codex, never the conversation,

interview answers, research, this skill, or a whole design document.

## Generate and inspect

Write a UTF-8 brief using the host's file-write tool, then start in the background:

```bash

python3 "<SKILL_DIR>/scripts/image_project.py" --prompt-file "<BRIEF>" --out-dir "<NEW_DIR>" --background

# Attach inputs with --image "<BASE.png>" (repeat in reference order).

```

This returns a job directory immediately. Continue independent requested work;

check later with `image_project.py --out-dir "<DIR>" --status` (no Codex call).

- Do not repeatedly poll or claim completion while status is queued/running. Read

- completed paths from the manifest, then inspect them. If images are the only work,

- wait using the host's background-task mechanism and check at sensible intervals.

- Multi-image plans use two workers by default (1–4 configurable); see directions.md.

- The underlying `run_codex_imagegen.py` remains available for foreground execution.

+ Do not poll repeatedly or claim completion while queued/running. If images are the

+ only work, wait with the host's background-task mechanism. Read completed paths from

+ the manifest, then inspect them. Multi-image plans: directions.md. For foreground

+ execution use `run_codex_imagegen.py`.

- The launcher defaults to the lightweight `gpt-6-luna` relay with reasoning `none`,

- compact relay instructions, no skills catalog, and unrelated tools disabled.

- `--model` selects the text relay, NOT an image model. Flare favors speed; Sunburst

- favors demanding quality and precise edits. The Codex built-in tool manages its

- image backend and this launcher cannot pin either. Do not claim a specific image

- model, API quality setting, native 4K, or pixel-perfect preservation was used.

+ The default and recommended relay is `gpt-6-luna` with reasoning `none`, compact

+ instructions, no skills catalog, and unrelated tools disabled.

+ Both scripts accept `--model` and `--reasoning-effort` to change it; that is the

+ text relay, NOT an image model. Codex's server picks the image model, quality, and

+ size; no flag, brief wording, or output metadata selects or reveals it. Never call

+ an output a specific GPT Image version or variant; if asked, say Codex chose the

+ model server-side. Do not claim an API quality setting, native 4K, or pixel-perfect

+ preservation.

- Copy only validated stdout PNG paths to the user's destination or

- `output/imagegen/<purpose>/`. Preserve originals; use versioned filenames for edits.

- Keep the final brief as `output/imagegen/<purpose>/<image-name>.md` so it can be

- reproduced, even when the PNG goes elsewhere. Never write briefs into the user's

+ Copy only completed manifest images (or launcher-printed paths) to the user's

+ destination or `output/imagegen/<purpose>/`. Preserve originals; version edits.

+ Keep the final brief as `output/imagegen/<purpose>/<image-name>.md`, even when the

+ PNG goes elsewhere. Never write briefs into the user's

destination; asset folders such as `public/` are often served. Skip confidential briefs.

Inspect the image using Claude's image-reading tool at full view and relevant detail.

Check intent, composition, literal text, anatomy/product geometry, preserved details,

and edges. A valid path is not a quality pass. State any visible unresolved defect.

- If transparency is requested, say "transparent background" in the brief (the relay

- then sets the tool's `transparent_background` flag), and afterwards run:

+ If transparency is requested, describe only the isolated subject and say

+ "transparent background" (the relay then sets the tool's `transparent_background`

+ flag). A described backdrop, floor, or scene can override the flag. Then run:

```bash

- python3 "<SKILL_DIR>/scripts/verify_png_alpha.py" --require-transparent-corners "<PNG>"

+ python3 "<SKILL_DIR>/scripts/verify_png_alpha.py" "<PNG>" # add --require-transparent-corners for isolated cutouts

```

If the subject must be fully solid (alpha is often 250–254), write a copy with

- `scripts/solidify_png_alpha.py <PNG> <OUT.png>`. Use the corners flag for isolated cutouts only. Do not mistake checkerboard pixels

- for alpha. See editing.md for transparent edits. Measure actual dimensions before

- export; 0.153.2 and 0.164.0 both returned ≈1.57 MP, which is not a resolution guarantee.

+ `scripts/solidify_png_alpha.py <PNG> <OUT.png>`. Do not mistake checkerboard pixels

+ for alpha. A cutout of an existing photo is re-rendered: compare labels, text, and

+ framing with the source (editing.md). Measure actual dimensions before export;

+ codex-cli 0.153.2–0.166.0 returned ≈1.57 MP, which is not a resolution guarantee.

Resize proportionally; crop/pad intentionally, never stretch. Label upscaling honestly.

Generate only the requested count. Allow at most one targeted repair per rejected

image; do not automatically polish accepted work, retry timeouts, or rerun a whole

set. User-requested revisions begin a new edit. Return previews, usable file paths,

and one useful next step, such as “pick 2 and tell me what to change.”