ImagenCN - Alibaba Cloud Bailian Text-to-Image Skill
Overview
Generate images using Alibaba Cloud Bailian API. Default endpoint is China region.
Supports five platforms across nine model families:
- Alibaba Cloud Bailian (DashScope): Qwen-Image 2.0, Qwen-Image Edit, Qwen-Image legacy, Wan Series, Z-Image
- ByteDance Volcano Ark: Doubao-Seedream series (OpenAI-compatible REST)
- Tencent Hunyuan: Hunyuan Image 3.0 (OpenAI-compatible REST)
- Zhipu / BigModel: CogView-4 and GLM-Image (OpenAI-compatible REST)
- StepFun / 阶跃星辰: Step-2X and Step-Image-Edit (OpenAI-compatible REST)
Cross-platform support: Windows, macOS, Linux
When to Use This Skill
Automatically activate this skill when:
- User requests image generation with Chinese text or calligraphy
- Need photorealistic images or photography-style visuals
- Creating commercial posters, illustrations, or digital art
- User mentions any of these: Alibaba Cloud / Bailian / Qwen / Wan / DashScope, ByteDance / Volcano Ark / Seedream / Doubao, Tencent / Hunyuan
- Any task where AI-generated image with strong Chinese support would be helpful
Workflow
Step 1 — Refine the prompt (interactive, never skip)
Users often give short, casual descriptions ("生成一只猫"). Before calling the API, present 3 refined prompt options with different style directions. Add, as appropriate:
- Subject details (shape, colour, material, expression, pose)
- Lighting (golden hour, studio, rim light, soft diffused, neon, cinematic)
- Composition (rule of thirds, shallow depth of field, wide shot, close-up)
- Style / medium (photorealistic, oil painting, watercolour, 3D render, vector)
- Mood / atmosphere (serene, dramatic, whimsical, dystopian, elegant)
- Quality keywords (8K, hyperdetailed, award-winning, professional photography)
- For Chinese text on images: text content, placement, font style, colour, size
Label the options clearly (e.g. A / B / C) with a one-line summary of each direction. Let the user pick one, combine elements from multiple, or request a new direction. Iterate until they confirm ("go", "generate", "ok", etc.), then proceed to generation.
Step 2 — Pick a model
Choose based on the request (see Model Selection Guide below). Default to
qwen-image-2.0-pro if unsure. Mention your choice to the user.
Step 3 — Pick a size
Native 2K for Qwen-Image 2.0, 1K/2K/4K for Wan2.7, or an aspect-ratio
preset (16:9, 1:1, etc.).
Step 4 — Generate
Run scripts/generate_image.py with the confirmed prompt and output path.
Step 5 — Save
If the output path was implicit, save into the user's current working directory.
Models
Qwen-Image 2.0 family - Latest Flagship (MultiModalConversation API)
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
qwen-image-2.0-pro | Default. Latest flagship, native 2K, strongest typography and detail |
qwen-image-2.0-pro-2026-06-22 | Latest snapshot (Jun 2026): generation + editing fusion, better text rendering and prompt adherence |
qwen-image-2.0 | Standard 2.0 tier, native 2K |
qwen-image-max | Previous-gen flagship (Dec 2025) |
qwen-image-max-2025-12-30 | qwen-image-max snapshot: improved realism, fewer AI artifacts |
Qwen-Image Edit family - Image Editing (MultiModalConversation API)
Editing models require an input image via --image (local path or URL). Omit --size to match the input image dimensions.
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
qwen-image-edit-max | Flagship editing model, strongest instruction following |
qwen-image-edit-max-2026-01-16 | Latest max snapshot (Jan 2026) |
qwen-image-edit-plus | Faster, lower-cost editing |
Qwen-Image legacy (ImageSynthesis API)
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
qwen-image-plus | Distilled accelerated version of qwen-image-max |
qwen-image-plus-2026-01-09 | qwen-image-plus snapshot (Jan 2026): faster high-quality generation |
qwen-image | Base model |
Wan Series - Photorealistic Generation (ImageGeneration API)
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
wan2.7-image-pro | Latest. Up to 4K output, unified architecture (T2I + edit + multi-image) |
wan2.7-image | Wan 2.7 standard, up to 2K |
wan2.6-t2i | Wan 2.6, flexible sizing |
wan2.5-t2i-preview | High quality, up to 768x2700 |
wan2.2-t2i-flash | Speed-optimized |
wan2.2-t2i-plus | Professional tier |
wanx2.1-t2i-turbo | Fast execution |
wanx2.1-t2i-plus | Professional tier |
wanx2.0-t2i-turbo | Earlier generation |
Z-Image - Lightweight & Fast (MultiModalConversation API)
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
z-image-turbo | Fast, low-cost generation; bilingual (CN/EN) text rendering, high-fidelity portraits and product images. Pixel area 512x512 to 2048x2048 |
Volcano Ark - ByteDance Seedream (OpenAI-compatible API)
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
doubao-seedream-5-0-260128 | Ark default. Latest, up to 3K, PNG/JPEG output, best text rendering |
doubao-seedream-4-5-251128 | Seedream 4.5, up to 4K |
doubao-seedream-4-0-250828 | Seedream 4.0, up to 4K, budget-friendly |
Tencent Hunyuan (OpenAI-compatible API)
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
hy-image-v3.0 | Hunyuan default. Flagship 3.0, strong composition awareness, handles complex Chinese prompts up to 8K chars |
Zhipu / BigModel - CogView-4 & GLM-Image (OpenAI-compatible API)
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
cogview-4 | Zhipu default. Stable alias for latest CogView-4, native Chinese text rendering |
cogview-4-250304 | CogView-4 fixed snapshot (Mar 2025), reproducible results |
glm-image | GLM-Image flagship, up to 2048x2048, hybrid autoregressive/diffusion |
StepFun / 阶跃星辰 - Step-2X (OpenAI-compatible API)
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
step-2x-large | StepFun default. High quality (0.1 RMB/image), up to 1024x1024 |
step-image-edit-2 | Fast & cheap (0.02 RMB/image), supports negative prompts, 8 inference steps |
Usage
Basic Usage
# Default model (qwen-image-2.0-pro, native 2K output)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py "A cute cat" output.png
# Photorealistic with Wan model (Wan2.7 supports 4K)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py --model wan2.7-image-pro --size 4K "Realistic photo of mountains at sunset" photo.png
# Edit an existing image (requires --image; local path or URL)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py --model qwen-image-edit-max --image input.png "Change the background to a beach at sunset" edited.png
Size Options
# Use ratio preset
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py --size 16:9 "Wide landscape" landscape.png
# Use exact dimensions
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py --size 1280*720 "Custom size" custom.png
Size Presets
Qwen-Image 2.0 (native 2K):
1:1-> 2048x2048 (default)16:9-> 2688x15369:16-> 1536x26884:3-> 2304x17283:4-> 1728x23041K-> 1024x10242K-> 2048x2048
Qwen-Image legacy:
1:1-> 1328x132816:9-> 1664x9289:16-> 928x16644:3-> 1472x11043:4-> 1104x1472
Z-Image (pixel area 512x512 to 2048x2048):
1:1-> 1024x1024 (default)16:9-> 1280x7209:16-> 720x12802:3-> 1024x15363:2-> 1536x10241K-> 1024x1024
Wan Series (Wan2.7 also accepts 1K/2K/4K):
1:1-> 1024x10241:1-large-> 1280x128016:9-> 1280x7209:16-> 720x12804:3-> 1200x9003:4-> 900x12002:1-> 1440x720
Volcano Ark (Seedream):
1:1-> 2048x204816:9-> 2848x16009:16-> 1600x28484:3-> 2304x17283:4-> 1728x23043:2-> 2496x16642:3-> 1664x24961K/2K/3K/4K(model-dependent max resolution)
Tencent Hunyuan (colon-separated format):
1:1-> 1024:102416:9-> 1920:10809:16-> 1080:19204:3-> 1600:12003:4-> 1200:1600
Zhipu (CogView-4 / GLM-Image):
1:1-> 1024x1024 (default)16:9-> 1344x7689:16-> 768x13444:3-> 1152x8643:4-> 864x11522:1-> 1440x7201:2-> 720x1440
StepFun (Step-2X):
1:1-> 1024x1024 (default)1:1-small-> 512x51216:9-> 1280x8009:16-> 800x1280
Advanced Options
# With negative prompt
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py --negative "blurry, low quality" "High quality portrait" portrait.png
# List all models
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py --list-models
Requirements
pip install dashscope requests
# Optional: for coloured output and styled tables
pip install rich
Environment Variables
# Alibaba Cloud Bailian (DashScope)
export DASHSCOPE_API_KEY="your_api_key" # Required
export DASHSCOPE_MODEL="wan2.7-image-pro" # Optional default model
export DASHSCOPE_API_BASE="cn" # Optional: cn, sg, us
# ByteDance Volcano Ark
export ARK_API_KEY="your_api_key" # Required for Ark
export ARK_MODEL="doubao-seedream-5-0-260128" # Optional default model
# Tencent Hunyuan (TokenHub)
export HUNYUAN_API_KEY="your_api_key" # Required for Hunyuan
export HUNYUAN_MODEL="hy-image-v3.0" # Optional default model
# Zhipu / BigModel
export ZHIPUAI_API_KEY="your_api_key" # Required for Zhipu
export ZHIPUAI_MODEL="cogview-4" # Optional default model
# StepFun / 阶跃星辰
export STEP_API_KEY="your_api_key" # Required for StepFun
export STEP_MODEL="step-2x-large" # Optional default model
Get API Keys:
- DashScope: https://bailian.console.aliyun.com/
- Volcano Ark: https://console.volcengine.com/ark/region:ark+cn-beijing/apikey
- Tencent Hunyuan: https://console.cloud.tencent.com/tokenhub/apikey
- Zhipu: https://bigmodel.cn
- StepFun: https://platform.stepfun.com/interface-key
Config File (Optional)
Create ~/.imagenCN.json for personal defaults, or .imagenCN.json in a project
directory for per-project overrides. API keys stay in environment variables for
security.
{
"platform": "ark",
"model": "doubao-seedream-5-0-260128",
"size": "2K"
}
All keys are optional. Priority (highest first):
- CLI arguments (
--platform,--model,--size) - Project config (
.imagenCN.jsonin current directory) - User config (
~/.imagenCN.json) - Environment variables (
DASHSCOPE_MODEL,ARK_MODEL,HUNYUAN_MODEL) - Built-in defaults
API Endpoints
| Region | Alias | URL |
|---|---|---|
| China (default) | cn | https://dashscope.aliyuncs.com/api/v1 |
| Singapore | sg | https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1 |
| Virginia | us | https://dashscope-us.aliyuncs.com/api/v1 |
# Switch to Singapore endpoint
export DASHSCOPE_API_BASE="sg"
# Or use full URL
export DASHSCOPE_API_BASE="https://dashscope-intl.aliyuncs.com/api/v1"
Model Selection Guide
Quick Pick — You Only Need Eight
| What you want | Model | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Default / general (posters, text) | qwen-image-2.0-pro | DashScope |
| Photorealistic (portraits, landscapes) | wan2.7-image-pro | DashScope |
| Edit an image | qwen-image-edit-max | DashScope |
| Cheap & fast | z-image-turbo | DashScope |
| Photo + text combo | doubao-seedream-5-0-260128 | Volcano Ark |
| Complex Chinese composition | hy-image-v3.0 | Tencent Hunyuan |
| Chinese text in images | cogview-4 | Zhipu |
| Ultra-cheap volume gen | step-image-edit-2 | StepFun |
All other models are legacy/snapshot variants.
Full Reference
| Use Case | Recommended Model |
|---|---|
| General high-quality (default) | qwen-image-2.0-pro |
| Chinese text/calligraphy | qwen-image-2.0-pro |
| English text on images | qwen-image-2.0-pro |
| Posters with typography | qwen-image-2.0-pro |
| Photorealistic photos (4K) | wan2.7-image-pro |
| Photorealistic photos (2K) | wan2.7-image |
| Portrait photography | wan2.7-image-pro |
| Image editing (best quality) | qwen-image-edit-max |
| Image editing (fast, low-cost) | qwen-image-edit-plus |
| Fast, low-cost generation | z-image-turbo |
| High-fidelity portraits / product shots (fast) | z-image-turbo |
| Fast photorealistic (Wan) | wan2.2-t2i-flash |
| Lower-cost text rendering | qwen-image-plus |
| ByteDance best quality | doubao-seedream-5-0-260128 |
| Budget-friendly 4K (ByteDance) | doubao-seedream-4-0-250828 |
| Complex Chinese prompts (Tencent) | hy-image-v3.0 |
Platform Quick Comparison
| Feature | DashScope | Ark | Hunyuan | Zhipu | StepFun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Text, variety | Photo+text | Complex CN | CN text in image | Ultra-cheap |
| Max res | 4K | 4K | 2K | 2K | 1K |
| SDK | dashscope | None | None | None | None |
| Price | Varies | ~0.22 | ~0.20 | ~0.06 | ~0.02 |
| Env var | DASHSCOPE_API_KEY | ARK_API_KEY | HUNYUAN_API_KEY | ZHIPUAI_API_KEY | STEP_API_KEY |
Comparison with Imagen (Gemini)
| Feature | ImagenCN (Bailian) | Imagen (Gemini) |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese text rendering | Excellent | Good |
| English text rendering | Excellent | Good |
| Photorealistic images | Excellent | Good |
| Speed | Medium | Fast |
| Model variety | 15+ models | 3 models |
| Max resolution | 4K (Wan2.7-Pro) | 2K |
Examples
Volcano Ark (ByteDance)
# Default Ark model (Seedream 5.0)
ARK_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
--platform ark \
"A vibrant close-up editorial portrait, Vogue magazine cover style" \
portrait.png
# With 4K output
ARK_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
--platform ark --model doubao-seedream-4-5-251128 --size 4K \
"Breathtaking mountain sunset, golden hour, professional photography" \
landscape.png
Tencent Hunyuan
# Default Hunyuan model (Image 3.0)
HUNYUAN_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
--platform hunyuan \
"An astronaut riding a horse on the moon, cinematic lighting, 8K detail" \
scifi.png
# With prompt auto-enhance disabled
HUNYUAN_API_KEY="xxx" python scripts/generate_image.py \
--platform hunyuan --revise 0 \
"A cute orange cat napping in sunlight, oil painting style" \
cat.png
Chinese New Year Poster (DashScope)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py \
"A beautiful Chinese New Year poster with red background, golden text, fireworks and firecrackers" \
new_year_poster.png
Photorealistic Landscape (4K)
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py \
--model wan2.7-image-pro \
--size 4K \
"Breathtaking sunset over mountain range, golden hour, professional photography" \
landscape.png
Product Shot
python ~/.claude/skills/imagenCN/scripts/generate_image.py \
--model wan2.7-image \
--size 2K \
"Professional product photography of a coffee cup on marble surface, studio lighting" \
product.png