Google Image Search Skill Skill

Google Image Search Skill

Search for images using Google Custom Search API with intelligent scoring and LLM-based selection.

When to Use

Finding images to illustrate technical articles or research
Adding visuals to presentations
Enriching Obsidian notes with relevant images
Batch image search for multiple topics
Generating image search configs from plain text lists

Requirements

Google Custom Search API key and Search Engine ID
OpenRouter API key (for LLM selection)
llm CLI installed at /opt/homebrew/bin/llm

Store credentials in .env:

Google-Custom-Search-JSON-API-KEY=your_key
Google-Custom-Search-CX=your_cx
OPENROUTER_API_KEY=your_openrouter_key

Modes of Operation

1. Simple Query

Search for a single term:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-image-search/scripts/google_image_search.py \
  --query "neural interface wearable device" \
  --output-dir ./images \
  --num-results 5

2. Batch Processing

Process multiple queries from JSON config:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-image-search/scripts/google_image_search.py \
  --config image_queries.json \
  --output-dir ./images \
  --llm-select

3. Generate Config from Terms

Create JSON config from a list of terms using LLM:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-image-search/scripts/google_image_search.py \
  --generate-config \
  --terms "AlterEgo wearable" "sEMG electrodes" "BCI headset" \
  --output my_queries.json

4. Enrich Obsidian Note

Extract visual terms from note, find images, and insert below headings:

python3 ~/.claude/skills/google-image-search/scripts/google_image_search.py \
  --enrich-note ~/Brains/brain/Research/neural-interfaces.md

This mode:

Detects Obsidian vault and attachments folder
Uses LLM to extract visual-worthy terms from note
Searches for images for each term
Downloads best images to attachments folder
Inserts image embeds below relevant headings
Creates backup before modifying note

Key Options

| Option | Description | |--------|-------------| | --query TEXT | Simple single query | | --config FILE | JSON config for batch | | --generate-config | Generate config from --terms | | --enrich-note FILE | Enrich Obsidian note | | --output-dir DIR | Where to save images | | --urls-only | Return URLs only, no download | | --llm-select | Use LLM to pick best image (default: on) | | --no-llm-select | Disable LLM selection | | --num-results N | Results per query (default: 5) | | --dry-run | Show what would be done |

JSON Config Format

Each entry supports:

{
  "id": "unique-id",
  "heading": "Display Heading",
  "description": "Context for what image to find",
  "query": "Google search query",
  "numResults": 5,
  "selectionCriteria": "What makes a good image",
  "requiredTerms": ["must", "have"],
  "optionalTerms": ["bonus", "terms"],
  "excludeTerms": ["stock", "clipart"],
  "preferredHosts": ["official-site.com"],
  "selectionCount": 2
}

See references/api_config_reference.md for full documentation.

Scoring System

Images are scored based on:

Required terms: -80 if missing, +30 if all present
Optional terms: +5 per match
Exclude terms: -50 per match
Preferred hosts: +25 if trusted, -5 if unknown
MIME type: +5 for PNG/JPEG, -10 for GIF
Resolution: +10 for high res, -10 for low res
File size: -5 if very small

LLM Selection

After scoring, LLM picks the best image from top candidates based on:

Title and URL metadata
Scoring reasons
Selection criteria

The LLM evaluates authenticity, clarity, and relevance for technical audiences.

Obsidian Integration

When in an Obsidian vault:

Auto-detects vault root via .obsidian folder
Uses configured attachments folder (default: Attachments)
Generates Obsidian-style embeds: ![[image.png|alt text]]
Creates backup before modifying notes

Script Files

| File | Purpose | |------|---------| | google_image_search.py | Main entry point | | api.py | Google Custom Search API | | config.py | Credentials and config handling | | download.py | Image download with magic bytes | | evaluate.py | Keyword-based scoring | | llm_select.py | LLM selection and term extraction | | obsidian.py | Vault detection and enrichment | | output.py | Markdown output generation |

Agent Skills: Google Image Search Skill

Skill Files