npx skills add ...
npx skills add runwayml/skills --skill rw-generate-image
npx skills add runwayml/skills --skill rw-generate-image
Generate images directly using the Runway API via runnable scripts. Supports text-to-image with optional reference images.
Generate images directly using the Runway API. This skill runs Python scripts that call the API, poll for completion, and download the result.
IMPORTANT: Run scripts from the user's working directory so output files are saved where the user expects.
command -v uv must succeedRUNWAYML_API_SECRET must be set in the environment. Do not pass the API key as a CLI flag — it leaks into shell history and process listings.--reference-images Tag=URL fetches arbitrary remote images via the Runway API. Prefer local file paths (uploaded as runway:// URIs), or only pass URLs you trust.| Model | Best For | Ref Images | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
gen4_image | Highest quality | Optional (up to 3) | 5-8 credits | Standard |
gen4_image_turbo | Fast and cheap | Required (1-3) | 2 credits | Fast |
gemini_2.5_flash | Google Gemini | Optional (up to 3) | 5 credits | Standard |
gemini_2.5_flash (Nano Banana), or gen4_image_turbo if they have reference imagesgen4_imagegemini_2.5_flashgen4_image_turbo (2 credits, requires --reference-images)| Param | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
--prompt | Text description (required) | -- |
--filename | Output filename (required) | -- |
--model | Image model | gemini_2.5_flash |
--ratio | Aspect ratio. gemini_2.5_flash: 1344:768, 768:1344, 1024:1024, etc. gen4_image: 1280:720, 1360:768, 1920:1080, etc. | Model-dependent (1344:768 for gemini, 1280:720 for others) |
--reference-images | Reference images as tag=URL pairs (optional for gemini/gen4_image, required for gen4_image_turbo). Tag: lowercase, 3-16 chars, e.g. product=URL | -- |
--output-dir | Output directory | cwd |
API credentials come from
RUNWAYML_API_SECRETonly — no--api-keyflag, to keep secrets out of shell history and process listings.
Pattern: yyyy-mm-dd-hh-mm-ss-name.png
Basic image:
With a local reference image (gen4_image):
With a reference image from a trusted origin (gen4_image_turbo — requires reference images):
Error: No API key -> set RUNWAYML_API_SECRET in the environment (e.g. export RUNWAYML_API_SECRET=... or a .env file).Error: Task failed -- SAFETY.INPUT.* -> content moderation, suggest different promptAPI error 429 -> rate limited, script auto-retriesuv run scripts/generate_image.py --prompt "@product on a marble counter, lifestyle photo" --model gen4_image --reference-images product=./product.jpg --filename "2026-04-14-product-lifestyle.png"uv run scripts/generate_image.py --prompt "A neon sign reading SALE in @style" --model gen4_image_turbo --reference-images style=https://cdn.yourapp.com/style.jpg --filename "draft.png"