Cursor Image Generation

Cursor image generation (Nano Banana Pro)

Generate images in the Cursor agent using the GenerateImage tool. Image generation is backed by Google Nano Banana Pro. Previews are saved under assets/ by default unless you specify otherwise.

This skill is about prompting and workflow, not about replacing Figma or vector code (use other skills for those).

Rough prompt in, strong prompt out

The user may give a short or vague request (“a hero for the login page”, “cyberpunk icon”). Do not pass that string raw to GenerateImage when it lacks the layers this skill describes. Instead:

1. Infer or ask for missing constraints (medium, aspect ratio, style, brand colors, text to render).
2. Rewrite the ask into one structured prompt (or a tight second pass) using the principles below.
3. Call GenerateImage with the rewritten prompt only.

The skill is the contract: the agent’s job is to expand and sharpen the user’s intent before generation, then iterate with deltas.

When to use this skill

• User asks for an image, icon, hero visual, diagram look, mockup still, or iteration on an existing generated image.
• You need text in the image (titles, labels, buttons in a mockup).
• User uploads a reference image and wants a variation or edit-style direction.

Core principles (Nano Banana / Gemini image family)

The bullets below are a condensed synthesis of common guidance for Nano Banana Pro / Gemini image models — not verbatim quotes. For authoritative wording and edge cases, use the References below.

They align with the spirit of Google’s public guides (prompt tips, Google Cloud guide, DeepMind prompt guide):

1. Brief a human artist — Use clear, grammatical sentences. Avoid keyword soup ("cyber, 4k, hdr, epic") unless you deliberately want a tag-like aesthetic.
2. Layer the description — Subject → action/pose → environment → camera (wide shot, isometric, macro) → lighting (soft window light, neon rim, overcast) → materials (brushed aluminum, matte paper, glass) → style (editorial photo, flat illustration, low-poly 3D render).
3. Text in images — Put exact wording in double quotes and specify typography feel (e.g. "bold geometric sans", "narrow serif for headlines"). Ask for legibility and high contrast if the text is important.
4. Aspect ratio and framing — State orientation (square, 16:9 landscape, 9:16 story) and safe margins if the asset will be cropped (e.g. app icon: centered subject, padding).
5. Edit, don't always re-roll — If the image is roughly right, ask for specific changes ("change the background to warm beige", "make the logo 20% larger", "remove the extra person on the left") instead of a full new prompt.
6. Reference images — When the user supplies a reference, describe what to keep (palette, mood, composition) and what to change so the model does not drift.

Anti-patterns

• Vague superlatives with no visual anchor: “make it more beautiful / premium / modern” — always attach concrete cues (materials, palette, era, reference).
• Contradictory constraints in one shot: “minimalist” + “dense infographic” + “single hero object” — split into steps or iterations.
• Ignoring the use case: icon vs hero vs print — state target size or viewing distance when it matters.

Workflow

1. Capture — Accept the user’s brief even if it is one line; note gaps.
2. Clarify — Output medium (icon, social, slide, mockup), rough dimensions or aspect ratio, brand colors if any, and must-have vs nice-to-have (ask only when blocking).
3. Rewrite — Produce the full prompt using the layering order above (this is the “good practices” step).
4. Generate — Call GenerateImage with the rewritten description. Prefer saving to assets/ with a descriptive filename (e.g. assets/hero-spring-campaign.png).
5. Iterate — If close: issue a delta prompt; if wrong: adjust the layer that failed (camera, lighting, style) before scrapping everything.
6. Report — Return file path(s), the final prompt (or summary), and optional next iterations.

Prompting patterns (copy and adapt)

Square brackets [like-this] mark placeholders to fill in. Double quotes "..." mark exact text the model should render in the image.

App icon (square, legible at small size)

Square app icon, centered symbol of [subject], flat vector style with subtle depth, limited palette [colors], 10% safe margin from edges, no tiny text, crisp edges, high contrast on [background tone].

UI mockup still (marketing)

Photorealistic product screenshot of a [mobile/web] app, [screen name] view, centered device, soft studio lighting, neutral background, clean sans UI. Render the following text exactly: headline "[headline text]", button label "[CTA text]". Modern SaaS aesthetic.

Illustration (not photo)

Editorial illustration of [subject], [mood], limited palette [colors], visible brush texture or clean vector shapes (pick one), generous whitespace, no photorealistic faces unless requested.

Diagram / concept

Isometric diagram of [system], simple shapes, light grid, high contrast lines, no clutter, presentation slide style. Label the zones exactly: "[zone A label]", "[zone B label]".

Examples: weak vs stronger

References

• Google — Prompt tips (Nano Banana Pro)
• Google Cloud — Ultimate prompting guide (Nano Banana)
• DeepMind — Gemini image prompt guide