Nanobanana API MCP

MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for generating and editing images using Google Gemini API.

Features

• generate_image: Generate images from text prompts using Google Gemini AI
• edit_image: Edit existing images based on text descriptions
• Support for reference images to guide generation/editing
• Multiple model options (Pro and Normal)
• Built with TypeScript for type safety
• Flexible configuration via CLI arguments or environment variables

Installation

NPM

npm install -g nanobanana-api-mcp

Smithery

To install Nanobanana MCP Server for any client automatically via Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli@latest install nanobanana-api-mcp --client <CLIENT_NAME>

Available clients: cursor, claude, vscode, windsurf, cline, zed, etc.

Example for Cursor:

npx -y @smithery/cli@latest install nanobanana-api-mcp --client cursor

This will automatically configure the MCP server in your chosen client.

Prerequisites

You need a Google API key with access to Gemini models. Get your API key from Google AI Studio.

You can provide the API key via CLI argument:

nanobanana-api-mcp --apiKey "your-api-key-here"

Or set it as an environment variable:

export GOOGLE_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
nanobanana-api-mcp

MCP Client Integration

Nanobanana MCP can be integrated with various AI coding assistants and IDEs that support the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Requirements

• Node.js >= v18.0.0
• Google API key with Gemini access
• An MCP-compatible client (Cursor, Claude Code, VS Code, Windsurf, etc.)

Go to: Settings -> Cursor Settings -> MCP -> Add new global MCP server

Add the following configuration to your ~/.cursor/mcp.json file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nanobanana": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nanobanana-api-mcp", "--apiKey", "your-api-key-here"]
    }
  }
}

Optionally, you can fix the model to use for all operations:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nanobanana": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nanobanana-api-mcp", "--apiKey", "your-api-key-here", "--model", "pro"]
    }
  }
}

Run this command:

claude mcp add nanobanana -- npx -y nanobanana-api-mcp

Make sure to set your GOOGLE_API_KEY environment variable before starting Claude Code.

Add this to your VS Code MCP config file. See VS Code MCP docs for more info.

"mcp": {
  "servers": {
    "nanobanana": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nanobanana-api-mcp", "--apiKey", "your-api-key-here"]
    }
  }
}

Add this to your Windsurf MCP config file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nanobanana": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nanobanana-api-mcp", "--apiKey", "your-api-key-here"]
    }
  }
}

1. Open Cline
2. Click the hamburger menu icon (☰) to enter the MCP Servers section
3. Choose Remote Servers tab
4. Click the Edit Configuration button
5. Add nanobanana to mcpServers:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nanobanana": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nanobanana-api-mcp", "--apiKey", "your-api-key-here"]
    }
  }
}

Open Claude Desktop developer settings and edit your claude_desktop_config.json file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nanobanana": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nanobanana-api-mcp", "--apiKey", "your-api-key-here"]
    }
  }
}

Add this to your Zed settings.json:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "nanobanana": {
      "source": "custom",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nanobanana-api-mcp", "--apiKey", "your-api-key-here"]
    }
  }
}

Add this to your Roo Code MCP configuration file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nanobanana": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "nanobanana-api-mcp", "--apiKey", "your-api-key-here"]
    }
  }
}

Available Tools

Nanobanana MCP provides the following tools that can be used by LLMs:

generate_image

Generates an image based on a text prompt using Google Gemini API.

Parameters:

• prompt (string, required): Text description of the image to generate
• output_path (string, optional): Absolute path where the generated image will be saved. If not provided, returns base64 encoded image data instead
• model (enum, optional): Model to use - "pro" (default) or "normal" (not shown if --model is provided via CLI)
  • pro: gemini-3-pro-image-preview (higher quality)
  • normal: gemini-2.5-flash-image (faster)
• reference_images_path (string[], optional): Array of absolute reference image paths to guide the generation
• aspect_ratio (enum, optional): Aspect ratio for the image - "1:1", "2:3", "3:2", "3:4", "4:3", "4:5", "5:4", "9:16", "16:9" (default), "21:9"

Example (save to file):

{
  "prompt": "A serene mountain landscape at sunset with a lake in the foreground",
  "output_path": "/absolute/path/to/generated_image.png",
  "model": "pro",
  "aspect_ratio": "16:9"
}

Example (return base64):

{
  "prompt": "A serene mountain landscape at sunset with a lake in the foreground",
  "model": "pro",
  "aspect_ratio": "16:9"
}

With reference images:

{
  "prompt": "An office group photo of these people, they are making funny faces",
  "output_path": "/absolute/path/to/group_photo.png",
  "model": "pro",
  "reference_images_path": ["/absolute/path/to/person1.jpg", "/absolute/path/to/person2.jpg"]
}

edit_image

Edits an existing image based on a text prompt using Google Gemini API.

Parameters:

• path (string, optional): Absolute path to the image to edit. Either path or image_base64 must be provided
• image_base64 (string, optional): Base64 encoded image data to edit. Either path or image_base64 must be provided
• mime_type (string, optional): MIME type of the base64 image (e.g., "image/png", "image/jpeg"). Required when using image_base64
• prompt (string, required): Text description of the edits to make
• output_path (string, optional): Absolute path where the edited image will be saved. If not provided:
  • When using path: defaults to overwriting the input file
  • When using image_base64: returns base64 encoded image data instead
• model (enum, optional): Model to use - "pro" (default) or "normal" (not shown if --model is provided via CLI)
• reference_images_path (string[], optional): Array of absolute additional reference image paths to guide the editing
• aspect_ratio (enum, optional): Aspect ratio for the image - "1:1", "2:3", "3:2", "3:4", "4:3", "4:5", "5:4", "9:16", "16:9" (default), "21:9"

Example (path input, save to file):

{
  "path": "/absolute/path/to/original_image.png",
  "prompt": "Add a blue sky with fluffy clouds in the background",
  "output_path": "/absolute/path/to/edited_image.png",
  "model": "pro"
}

Example (path input, overwrite original):

{
  "path": "/absolute/path/to/image.png",
  "prompt": "Make the colors more vibrant and increase contrast"
}

Example (base64 input, return base64):

{
  "image_base64": "iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAA...",
  "mime_type": "image/png",
  "prompt": "Add a sunset filter to this image"
}

Example (base64 input, save to file):

{
  "image_base64": "iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAA...",
  "mime_type": "image/png",
  "prompt": "Add a sunset filter to this image",
  "output_path": "/absolute/path/to/output.png"
}

With reference images:

{
  "path": "/absolute/path/to/portrait.jpg",
  "prompt": "Apply the style and lighting from these reference images",
  "output_path": "/absolute/path/to/styled_portrait.jpg",
  "reference_images_path": ["/absolute/path/to/style_ref1.jpg", "/absolute/path/to/style_ref2.jpg"]
}

Usage Examples

Example 1: Generate a simple image

In Cursor/Claude Code:

Generate an image of a futuristic cityscape with flying cars and save it to ./cityscape.png

Example 2: Edit an existing image

In Cursor/Claude Code:

Edit the image at ./photo.jpg and add a sunset sky background, save it as ./photo_sunset.jpg

Example 3: Generate with reference images

In Cursor/Claude Code:

Create an office group photo using the face images at ./face1.jpg, ./face2.jpg, and ./face3.jpg.
Make them look like they're at a fun team meeting. Save to ./team_photo.png

Command Line Usage

Run the server directly:

# Using CLI argument for API key (recommended)
nanobanana-api-mcp --apiKey "your-api-key-here"

# Using environment variable for API key
export GOOGLE_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
nanobanana-api-mcp

# Fix model for all operations
nanobanana-api-mcp --apiKey "your-api-key-here" --model pro

# Using HTTP transport
nanobanana-api-mcp --apiKey "your-api-key-here" --transport http --port 5000

CLI Options:

• --apiKey <key>: Google API key for image generation (can also use GOOGLE_API_KEY env var)
• --model <pro|normal>: Fix the model for all operations (optional, hides model parameter from tools)
• --transport <stdio|http>: Transport type (default: stdio)
• --port <number>: Port for HTTP transport (default: 5000)

Development

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Run in development mode
npm run dev

# Run tests
npm test

# Build
npm run build

# Type check
npm run typecheck

# Lint
npm run lint

Architecture

The project follows a modular architecture:

• services/: Image generation and editing service using Google Gemini API
• tools/: MCP tool implementations (generate_image, edit_image)
• types/: TypeScript type definitions
• server.ts: Main MCP server setup and configuration

Supported Image Formats

• JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg)
• PNG (.png)
• GIF (.gif)
• WebP (.webp)

License

MIT

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

Author

choesumin

Acknowledgments

This project uses the Google Generative AI SDK for image generation and editing capabilities.