Nano Banana MCP Server 🍌

A production-ready Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides AI-powered image generation capabilities through Google's Gemini models with intelligent model selection.

⭐ NEW: Gemini 3 Pro Image Support! 🚀

Now featuring Nano Banana Pro - Google's latest and most powerful image generation model:

• 🏆 Professional 4K Quality: Generate stunning images up to 3840px resolution

• 🌐 Google Search Grounding: Access real-world knowledge for factually accurate images

• 🧠 Advanced Reasoning: Configurable thinking levels for complex compositions

• 🎯 Superior Text Rendering: Crystal-clear text in images at high resolution

• 🎨 Enhanced Understanding: Better context comprehension for complex prompts

Related MCP server: MCP Gemini API Server

✨ Features

• 🎨 Multi-Model AI Image Generation: Intelligent selection between Flash (speed) and Pro (quality) models

• ⚡ Gemini 2.5 Flash Image: Fast generation (1024px) for rapid prototyping

• 🏆 Gemini 3 Pro Image: High-quality up to 4K with Google Search grounding

• 🤖 Smart Model Selection: Automatically chooses optimal model based on your prompt

• 📐 Aspect Ratio Control ⭐ NEW: Specify output dimensions (1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 21:9, and more)

• 📋 Smart Templates: Pre-built prompt templates for photography, design, and editing

• 📁 File Management: Upload and manage files via Gemini Files API

• 🔍 Resource Discovery: Browse templates and file metadata through MCP resources

• 🛡️ Production Ready: Comprehensive error handling, logging, and validation

• ⚡ High Performance: Optimized architecture with intelligent caching

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

1. Google Gemini API Key - Get one free here

2. Python 3.11+ (for development only)

Installation

Option 1: From MCP Registry (Recommended) This server is available in the Model Context Protocol Registry. Search for "nanobanana" or use the MCP name below with your MCP client.

mcp-name: io.github.zhongweili/nanobanana-mcp-server

Option 2: Using uvx

Option 3: Using pip

🔧 Configuration

Claude Desktop

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json:

Configuration file locations:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

Claude Code (VS Code Extension)

Install and configure in VS Code:

1. Install the Claude Code extension

2. Open Command Palette (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P)

3. Run "Claude Code: Add MCP Server"

4. Configure:

   { "name": "nanobanana", "command": "uvx", "args": ["nanobanana-mcp-server@latest"], "env": { "GEMINI_API_KEY": "your-gemini-api-key-here" } }

Cursor

Add to Cursor's MCP configuration:

Continue.dev (VS Code/JetBrains)

Add to your config.json:

Open WebUI

Configure in Open WebUI settings:

Gemini CLI / Generic MCP Client

🤖 Model Selection

Nano Banana supports two Gemini models with intelligent automatic selection:

🏆 Pro Model - Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image) ⭐ NEW!

Google's latest and most advanced image generation model

• Quality: Professional-grade, production-ready

• Resolution: Up to 4K (3840px) - highest available

• Speed: ~5-8 seconds per image

• Special Features:

  • 🌐 Google Search Grounding: Leverages real-world knowledge for accurate, contextual images

  • 🧠 Advanced Reasoning: Configurable thinking levels (LOW/HIGH) for complex compositions

  • 📐 Media Resolution Control: Fine-tune vision processing detail (LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH/AUTO)

  • 📝 Superior Text Rendering: Exceptional clarity for text-in-image generation

  • 🎨 Enhanced Context Understanding: Better interpretation of complex, narrative prompts

• Best for: Production assets, marketing materials, professional photography, high-fidelity outputs, images requiring text, factual accuracy

• Cost: Higher per image (premium quality)

⚡ Flash Model (Gemini 2.5 Flash Image)

Fast, reliable model for rapid iteration

• Speed: Very fast (2-3 seconds)

• Resolution: Up to 1024px

• Quality: High quality for everyday use

• Best for: Rapid prototyping, iterations, high-volume generation, drafts, sketches

• Cost: Lower per image

🤖 Automatic Selection (Recommended)

By default, the server uses AUTO mode which intelligently analyzes your prompt and requirements:

Pro Model Selected When:

• Quality keywords detected: "4K", "professional", "production", "high-res", "HD"

• High resolution requested: resolution="4k" or resolution="high"

• Google Search grounding enabled: enable_grounding=True

• High thinking level requested: thinking_level="HIGH"

• Multi-image conditioning with multiple input images

Flash Model Selected When:

• Speed keywords detected: "quick", "draft", "sketch", "rapid"

• High-volume batch generation: n > 2

• Standard or lower resolution requested

• No special Pro features required

Usage Examples

📐 Aspect Ratio Control ⭐ NEW!

Control the output image dimensions with the aspect_ratio parameter:

Supported Aspect Ratios:

• 1:1 - Square (Instagram, profile pictures)

• 4:3 - Classic photo format

• 3:4 - Portrait orientation

• 16:9 - Widescreen (YouTube thumbnails, presentations)

• 9:16 - Mobile portrait (phone wallpapers, stories)

• 21:9 - Ultra-wide cinematic

• 2:3, 3:2, 4:5, 5:4 - Various photo formats

Note: Aspect ratio works with both Flash and Pro models. For best results with specific aspect ratios at high resolution, use the Pro model with resolution="4k".

⚙️ Environment Variables

Configuration options:

🐛 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"GEMINI_API_KEY not set"

• Add your API key to the MCP server configuration in your client

• Get a free API key at Google AI Studio

"Server failed to start"

• Ensure you're using the latest version: uvx nanobanana-mcp-server@latest

• Check that your client supports MCP (Claude Desktop 0.10.0+)

"Permission denied" errors

• The server creates images in ~/nanobanana-images by default

• Ensure write permissions to your home directory

Development Setup

For local development:

📄 License

MIT License - see LICENSE for details.

🆘 Support

• Issues: GitHub Issues

• Discussions: GitHub Discussions