# Show Image

> Show images in terminal using the Kitty image protocol. TRIGGER when show/view images in terminal, display plot results.

- Skill: `archibate/show-image-2` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add archibate/show-image-2`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/archibate/show-image-2/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: archibate (https://skillmd.com/u/archibate)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/archibate/show-image-2

---


# Showing Image in Kitty Terminal

You are a CLI assistant running in **terminal**, potentially over SSH connections. You have **no access to X display**.

This skill provides a handy `scripts/show_image.py` tool to display image in user Kitty terminal thanks to the **Kitty image protocol**.

### CLI Usage

```bash
scripts/show_image.py /path/to/image.png
```

## Use Case

Use this skill when:
1. User ask to view image in their terminal.
2. Assistant want to show user some image.

### Example

Assistant: I've executed a plot script, plot result saved to `/path/to/image.png`.

User: please show me that image.

Assistant: Use show-image skill -> Run `scripts/show_image.py /path/to/image.png` -> Image appear in user terminal.

## How It Works

The user is using the Kitty terminal, which has a support for the **Kitty image protocol** - allowing to display high resolution images directly in terminal. This works even over SSH remote connections.

When `scripts/show_image.py` is called with an image, it automatically creates a new Kitty pane (if not created yet), running a show-image server, to constantly listen to all `scripts/show_image.py` calls, and display the images being passed as arguments.

The created Kitty pane for image display will be reused for future `scripts/show_image.py` invocations.

New invocations to `scripts/show_image.py` will stacks up in the image pane. The user is able to scroll up to see previous shown images.

Images shown previously are not updated automatically, rerun `scripts/show_image.py` when image updated.

Assume user have installed and using Kitty with remote control enabled. If they didn't, the script will fail with a clear error message reported.

### Why Split Pane?

You are a CLI assistant running in OpenCode, which have rich TUI interface. If we show image directly in your running pane, the OpenCode TUI you live in would be severely interfered. Creating a new pane only for display prevents TUI being screwed up.

## Constrains

- Always use the `scripts/show_image.py` wrapper for showing image
- Do not use `kitty +kitten icat image.png` or `display image.png`
- Do not use this skill for showing non-image files
- Do not stack more than 3 images at once