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Google Image Search

  • 606 installs
  • 339 repo stars
  • Updated August 4, 2026
  • glebis/claude-skills

google-image-search is a Claude Code skill that finds, scores, and downloads rights-aware images for articles, decks, or Obsidian notes using Google Custom Search API plus LLM selection for developers who need automated

About

google-image-search is a Claude Code skill from glebis/claude-skills that searches and downloads images via the Google Custom Search API with intelligent scoring and LLM-based selection. The skill supports simple keyword queries, batch processing from JSON config files, automatic config generation from search terms, and full Obsidian note enrichment with images inserted below headings. Developers reach for google-image-search when illustrating technical articles, research documents, or presentations without manually browsing stock sites, and when bulk-enriching knowledge bases stored in Obsidian. Triggers include finding images for articles, adding visuals to presentations, enriching notes, or running batch image downloads from a JSON configuration. The workflow combines API search results with LLM ranking so chosen images match article context while respecting rights-aware selection criteria stated in the skill documentation.

  • Four modes: simple query, JSON batch config, auto config from term lists, and full Obsidian note enrichment under headin
  • Google Custom Search API retrieval with LLM-powered selection via OpenRouter and the llm CLI
  • Configurable result count, output directory, and batch workflows for many topics at once
  • Designed for technical articles, presentations, and research docs—not generic stock browsing
  • Credentials loaded from .env: Google API key, Search CX, and OPENROUTER_API_KEY

Google Image Search by the numbers

  • 606 all-time installs (skills.sh)
  • Ranked #380 of 2,715 Automation & Workflows skills by installs in the Skillselion catalog
  • Security screen: MEDIUM risk (skills.sh audit)
  • Data as of Aug 5, 2026 (Skillselion catalog sync)
npx skills add https://github.com/glebis/claude-skills --skill google-image-search

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Listed on Skillselion
Installs606
repo stars339
Security audit2 / 3 scanners passed
Last updatedAugust 4, 2026
Repositoryglebis/claude-skills

How do you find rights-aware images for technical docs?

Find, score, and download rights-aware images for articles, decks, or Obsidian notes using Google Custom Search plus LLM picking.

Who is it for?

Developers authoring technical articles, presentations, or Obsidian vaults who need API-driven image search with LLM-ranked selection.

Skip if: Design teams building original brand illustration systems or workflows that cannot use Google Custom Search API credentials.

When should I use this skill?

The user needs images for articles, presentations, research docs, Obsidian note enrichment, or batch image search from JSON config.

What you get

Downloaded image files, JSON batch configs, and Obsidian notes with images inserted below headings.

  • downloaded image files
  • JSON search configs
  • enriched Obsidian notes

Files

SKILL.mdMarkdownGitHub ↗

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: 1. Detects Obsidian vault and attachments folder 2. Uses LLM to extract visual-worthy terms from note 3. Searches for images for each term 4. Downloads best images to attachments folder 5. Inserts image embeds below relevant headings 6. Creates backup before modifying note

Key Options

OptionDescription
--query TEXTSimple single query
--config FILEJSON config for batch
--generate-configGenerate config from --terms
--enrich-note FILEEnrich Obsidian note
--output-dir DIRWhere to save images
--urls-onlyReturn URLs only, no download
--llm-selectUse LLM to pick best image (default: on)
--no-llm-selectDisable LLM selection
--num-results NResults per query (default: 5)
--dry-runShow 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

FilePurpose
google_image_search.pyMain entry point
api.pyGoogle Custom Search API
config.pyCredentials and config handling
download.pyImage download with magic bytes
evaluate.pyKeyword-based scoring
llm_select.pyLLM selection and term extraction
obsidian.pyVault detection and enrichment
output.pyMarkdown output generation

Related skills

How it compares

Choose google-image-search over manual stock-site browsing when you need API-driven batch downloads and LLM-ranked picks wired into Obsidian or article workflows.

FAQ

What API does google-image-search use?

google-image-search uses the Google Custom Search API to retrieve image candidates, then applies intelligent scoring and LLM-based selection before download. Developers need valid Custom Search API credentials configured for the skill’s search and batch workflows.

Can google-image-search enrich Obsidian notes in bulk?

google-image-search supports full Obsidian note enrichment with automatic image insertion below headings, plus batch processing from JSON config files. The skill can also auto-generate search configs from supplied terms for large vault updates.

Is Google Image Search safe to install?

skills.sh reports 2 of 3 security scanners passed. Review the Security Audits panel on this page before installing in production.

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