# Upscale Image

> This skill should be used when the user asks to "upscale an image", "increase image resolution", "make image bigger", "enlarge image", or "enhance image resolution". Requires Vertex AI credentials.

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

---


# Upscale Image

Upscale images using Imagen on Vertex AI.

## Prerequisites

This skill requires Vertex AI credentials (not GEMINI_API_KEY).

### Check Current Setup

```bash
echo "Project: ${GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT:-NOT SET}"
gcloud auth application-default print-access-token &>/dev/null && echo "Auth: OK" || echo "Auth: NOT CONFIGURED"
```

### First-Time Setup

If credentials are not configured, guide the user through these steps:

1. **Get a Google Cloud Project**
   - Go to: https://console.cloud.google.com/projectcreate
   - Create a new project or use an existing one
   - Note the Project ID (not the project name)

2. **Enable Vertex AI API**
   - Go to: https://console.cloud.google.com/apis/library/aiplatform.googleapis.com
   - Click "Enable"

3. **Enable Billing**
   - Go to: https://console.developers.google.com/billing/enable?project=YOUR_PROJECT_ID
   - Link a billing account

4. **Install gcloud CLI** (if not installed)
   - Go to: https://cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install
   - Or on macOS: `brew install google-cloud-sdk`

5. **Authenticate**
   ```bash
   gcloud auth application-default login
   ```
   This opens a browser for Google sign-in.

6. **Set Environment Variable**
   ```bash
   echo 'export GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT=your-project-id' >> ~/.zshenv
   ```

## Usage

```bash
bun run ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/upscale-image/scripts/upscale.ts <input-image> [options]
```

### Options

- `--factor <x2|x4>` - Upscale factor (default: x2)
- `--format <png|jpeg|webp>` - Output format
- `--quality <n>` - JPEG quality (1-100)
- `--output <path>` - Output path
- `--project <id>` - Google Cloud project (overrides env var)
- `--location <region>` - Vertex AI location (default: us-central1)

### Examples

```bash
# 2x upscale
bun run ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/upscale-image/scripts/upscale.ts photo.jpg

# 4x upscale
bun run ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/upscale-image/scripts/upscale.ts photo.jpg --factor x4

# Upscale and save as PNG
bun run ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/upscale-image/scripts/upscale.ts photo.jpg --factor x4 --format png --output hires.png

# Specify project explicitly
bun run ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/upscale-image/scripts/upscale.ts photo.jpg --project my-gcp-project --factor x4
```

## Context Discipline

**Do not read generated images back into context.** The script outputs only the file path. Ask the user to visually inspect the result. Upscaled images are especially large (2x/4x resolution) and will quickly exhaust the context window.

## Model

Uses `imagen-3.0-generate-002` via Vertex AI upscaleImage API.

## Why Vertex AI?

The Imagen upscaling API is only available through Vertex AI, not the standard Gemini API. This is a Google limitation - the `upscaleImage` method in the @google/genai SDK only works with Vertex AI backend.