Vision Helper — AI Image Analysis

Analyze images using local or cloud vision models via Ollama to identify content, UI elements, screenshots, or extract text with OCR support.

📸 Vision Helper — Image Analysis

Analyze images using vision models via Ollama, with extended timeout support for cloud-based models.

Why Not Use the Built-in image Tool?

The built-in image tool has limited timeout settings that cause failures with cloud vision models (which often need 40–120 seconds). This skill calls the Ollama API directly with a 180-second timeout, supporting both local and cloud models reliably.

It also bypasses the built-in tool's file path restrictions, allowing analysis of images from any readable directory.

Usage

Basic

# Analyze an image (default: English description)
python3 <skill-dir>/scripts/analyze_image.py <image_path>

# With a custom prompt
python3 <skill-dir>/scripts/analyze_image.py <image_path> "Is this a chess game? Describe the board state"

# With a specific model
python3 <skill-dir>/scripts/analyze_image.py <image_path> "Describe content" kimi-k2.5:cloud

<skill-dir> resolves to your OpenClaw skill installation directory, typically ~/.openclaw/workspace/skills/vision-helper/.

In Conversation

When you need to analyze an image, use the exec tool:

exec: python3 <skill-dir>/scripts/analyze_image.py /path/to/image.png "What do you see?"

Important: Set exec timeout to 120–180 seconds, as cloud vision models are slow.

Screenshot + Analysis Workflow

Option A: Browser screenshot → analyze

1. browser(action="screenshot") → get screenshot path (MEDIA: xxx)
2. exec("<skill-dir>/scripts/analyze_image.py <screenshot_path> 'Describe this UI'")
3. Act on the analysis result

Option B: Desktop screenshot → analyze

macOS:

1. exec("screencapture -x /tmp/screen.png")
2. exec("<skill-dir>/scripts/analyze_image.py /tmp/screen.png 'Describe the desktop'")

Linux:

1. exec("gnome-screenshot -f /tmp/screen.png")
   — or —
   exec("import /tmp/screen.png")  # ImageMagick
   — or —
   exec("scrot /tmp/screen.png")
2. exec("<skill-dir>/scripts/analyze_image.py /tmp/screen.png 'Describe the desktop'")

Option C: Game/App UI → analyze → act

1. Screenshot the current screen
2. Use vision-helper to identify UI elements, buttons, text
3. Execute clicks/input based on the analysis

Environment Variables

Variable	Default	Description
VISION_MODEL	gemma4:31b	Default vision model
VISION_TIMEOUT	180	Request timeout in seconds
OLLAMA_API_URL	http://localhost:11434/api/chat	Ollama API endpoint

Supported Models

Model	Vision	Speed	Recommendation
gemma4:31b	✅	Local, fast	⭐ Primary (privacy, no API needed)
kimi-k2.6:cloud	✅	40–120s	🔬 Advanced (high quality, cloud)
kimi-k2.5:cloud	✅	40–90s	Alternative cloud option
qwen3.5:cloud	✅	30–60s	Fast cloud recognition
qwen3.5:397b-cloud	✅	40–90s	High quality cloud
gemma4:31b	✅	Local, fast	Privacy-first (runs offline)

Note: Cloud models require the model to be available in your Ollama instance. Use VISION_MODEL env var to switch.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the built-in image tool instead?

A: It works for local models but will time out on cloud vision models. Always prefer this skill's script for reliable results.

Q: What image formats are supported?

A: PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF, WebP, BMP, TIFF, SVG. Maximum file size: 20 MB.

Q: Where should I save screenshots?

A: Any readable directory works — /tmp/, your workspace, etc. This script has no path restrictions.

Q: How do I use a Chinese prompt?

A: Pass it as the second argument: python3 <skill-dir>/scripts/analyze_image.py /tmp/img.png "请描述这张图片的内容"

Automation Ideas

• Game automation: Screenshot → analyze game state → decide next action
• Browser verification: Screenshot → verify page loaded correctly
• Desktop monitoring: Periodic screenshots → detect changes
• UI testing: Screenshot → verify rendered output
• OCR: Extract text content from images