xai-image-gen

Generate images using xAI's Grok API (grok-imagine-image model).

Description

Production-ready CLI tool for generating images via xAI's image generation API. Supports multiple output formats, resolutions, and batch generation. Automatically outputs MEDIA: paths for OpenClaw auto-attachment.

Features:

• 🎨 Simple CLI interface: xai-gen "<prompt>"
• 🖼️ Multiple output formats: URL download, base64 encoding
• 🔢 Batch generation (multiple images per prompt)
• ⚡ Fast, pure API implementation (Pi-safe)
• 🛡️ Robust error handling with user-friendly messages
• 📎 Auto-attaches generated images in OpenClaw
• 🎯 Uses xAI's native resolution (no size parameter needed)

Installation

# Navigate to skills directory
cd ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills

# Clone or copy this skill
# (or install via clawhub when published)

# Install dependencies
pip3 install requests

# Ensure the script is executable
chmod +x xai-image-gen/xai-gen

Set your xAI API key:

export XAI_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"

Add to your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc) to persist:

echo 'export XAI_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"' >> ~/.bashrc

Usage

Basic Usage

# Generate with simple prompt
xai-gen "sunset over mountains"

# Custom filename
xai-gen "cyberpunk city" --filename city.png

# Generate multiple images
xai-gen "futuristic vehicle" --n 3

# Base64 output (no download)
xai-gen "logo design" --format b64

# Verbose mode
xai-gen "space station" --verbose

Options

positional arguments:
  prompt                Text description of the image to generate

options:
  -h, --help            Show help message
  --model MODEL         Model name (default: grok-imagine-image)
  --filename FILENAME   Output filename (default: out.png)
  --format {url,png,b64}
                        Response format: url (download), png (alias), b64 (base64)
  --n N                 Number of images to generate (default: 1)
  --verbose, -v         Show detailed progress

Examples

Generate a meme:

xai-gen "dumbest trade meme: YOLO panic fail" --filename trade_meme.png

Batch generation:

xai-gen "logo variations for tech startup" --n 5
# Outputs: out_1.png, out_2.png, out_3.png, out_4.png, out_5.png

High-quality artwork:

xai-gen "photorealistic portrait of a cat astronaut" --filename cat_astronaut.png

Integration with OpenClaw

The tool outputs MEDIA: /path/to/image.png which OpenClaw automatically detects and attaches to messages. Use in agent workflows:

# In an agent skill or automation
xai-gen "chart showing Q1 sales data" --filename sales_chart.png
# → Image auto-attaches to response

API Details

• Endpoint: https://api.x.ai/v1/images/generations
• Model: grok-imagine-image
• Authentication: Bearer token via XAI_API_KEY
• Rate Limits: Subject to xAI API limits (check xAI docs)
• Timeout: 60s for generation, 30s for download

Error Handling

The tool handles common errors gracefully:

• ❌ Missing API key → Clear instructions
• ❌ Network errors → Descriptive messages
• ❌ API timeouts → Retry suggestions
• ❌ Invalid parameters → Usage hints
• ❌ File write errors → Permission checks

Requirements

• Python: 3.7+
• Dependencies: requests
• API Key: xAI API key (get from https://console.x.ai)
• Network: Internet connection required

Platform Compatibility

• ✅ Linux (tested on Raspberry Pi)
• ✅ macOS
• ✅ Windows (via WSL or native Python)
• ✅ ARM64 / ARMv7 (Pi-safe, pure API calls)

Troubleshooting

"XAI_API_KEY not found"

export XAI_API_KEY="xai-..."

"requests library not found"

pip3 install requests

Permission denied

chmod +x xai-gen

API errors

• Check API key validity
• Verify account has credits
• Check xAI status page

License

MIT License - Free to use and modify

Author

Built for OpenClaw by subagent xAI Image Gen Skill Builder

Version

1.0.0 - Initial release