image-skill 0.1.53 → 0.1.55

package/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -4,6 +4,26 @@ This changelog tracks the public `image-skill` CLI package and public skill
 mirror. The npm package metadata remains the authority for tarball integrity and
 provenance; this file is the human- and agent-readable release map.
 
+## 0.1.55 - 2026-06-16
+
+- Release (activation/self-fund): mirror top-up urgency and the first no-spend
+  inspection command into `create --guide` quota-required
+  `data.self_fund_handoff`, so agents that hit the quota wall can see blocked
+  or near-wall priority and start with `credits methods` before quote/buy
+  payment steps. No payment caps, auth semantics, provider routing, wallet
+  action, provider spend, media spend, hosted deploy, or production write
+  changed in this release bump.
+
+## 0.1.54 - 2026-06-16
+
+- Release (activation/self-fund): add explicit `urgency`,
+  `urgency_score`, and `urgency_reasons` to quota top-up data and
+  `data.next_actions.self_fund`, so activated agents can distinguish
+  browserless top-up availability from near-wall or blocked top-up urgency
+  without reverse-engineering recommendation reasons. No payment caps, auth
+  semantics, provider routing, wallet action, provider spend, media spend,
+  hosted deploy, or production write changed in this release bump.
+
 ## 0.1.53 - 2026-06-16
 
 - Release (activation): align `create --guide` `auth_required` blocker copy

package/SKILL.md

@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ npm_config_update_notifier=false npx -y image-skill@latest create --guide --prom
 
 The guide is a free, zero-spend planning call. Given current auth, quota, and payment state, it returns `data.next_command`, `data.next_command_copy_runnable`, `data.next_command_missing_inputs`, `data.stage`, `data.guide_warning`, `data.next_command_effect`, `data.auth_ready`, `data.no_spend_evaluation`, `data.guide_recovery`, `data.recommended_no_spend_command` (alias of `data.no_spend_next_command`), `data.no_spend_next_command_effect`, `data.self_fund_next_command`, `data.self_fund_handoff`, `data.self_fund_preparation`, `data.auth_handoff`, and `data.mutation`. It also preserves `data.checks.quota.top_up`, the same quota top-up recommendation returned by `usage quota`, so wallet-capable agents can see whether a browserless x402 top-up is recommended before the hard wall. Read `data.guide_warning` before running `data.next_command`: `next_command_safety` names whether the command is no-spend setup, read-only inspection, live-money payment action, or live media create. Run that next command only when `data.next_command_copy_runnable` is `true` and the warning says it is safe for your spend policy; when it is `false`, fill `data.next_command_missing_inputs` first. Prefer `data.guide_recovery` for no-doc recovery loops: it names the safest no-spend command and field, the live create or payment field that would spend, and the double-spend guard to check before any live retry. Repeat until `data.stage` is `ready_to_create`. At `ready_to_create`, `data.auth_ready.ready` and `data.auth_ready.next_command_auth_ready` are `true`: the returned create can reuse saved config, env token, or stdin token context without exposing a raw token. Read `data.self_fund_preparation` in this stage before spending the remaining free allowance: when `available` and `recommended` are true, `quote_command` creates an authenticated live-money quote/payment object but does not pay, settle a wallet transfer, debit credits, call a provider, or write media. Only a later buy/payment step can spend money. When `data.guide_warning.next_command_safety` is `live_media_create_credit_debit` and `data.no_spend_evaluation.stop_here` is `true`, `data.next_command` is the live create: run it only if media spend is allowed, otherwise stop before it and run `data.recommended_no_spend_command` for no-spend proof. The no-spend command is an authenticated hosted dry-run: it may create a recoverable `job.planned` receipt, but it has no provider call, credit debit, downloadable asset, or media write.
 
+When `data.stage` is `quota_required`, `data.self_fund_handoff` mirrors top-up `urgency`, `urgency_score`, and `urgency_reasons`, and exposes `first_safe_command` with a no-spend inspection effect. Run that no-spend command first when you need to inspect rails or stay below delegated spend authority before opening the live-money quote path.
+
 Minimum success envelope on a create or edit:
 
 ```json
@@ -184,6 +186,9 @@ reaches `quota_required`, read
 `data.checks.payments.preferred_method_summary.top_up_path` before quoting:
 `browserless_agent_self_fund` is the autonomous wallet path, while
 `human_payment_handoff` means a human/browser completion step is still required.
+The quota-required `data.self_fund_handoff` also mirrors the top-up urgency and
+exposes `first_safe_command`, usually `image-skill credits methods --json`, for
+no-spend payment-method inspection before quote/buy steps.
 When `create --guide` reaches `ready_to_create`, inspect
 `data.self_fund_preparation` before consuming the remaining free allowance. If
 it is available and recommended, `quote_command` is the pre-wall browserless

package/bin/image-skill.mjs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import { Readable } from "node:stream";
 import { pipeline } from "node:stream/promises";
 import os from "node:os";
 
-const VERSION = "0.1.53";
+const VERSION = "0.1.55";
 const PACKAGE_NAME = "image-skill";
 const DEFAULT_API_BASE_URL = "https://api.image-skill.com";
 const DEFAULT_DOCS_BASE_URL = "https://image-skill.com";
@@ -1882,6 +1882,7 @@ async function createGuide(args, options = {}) {
     afterNext,
     tokenSource: publicTokenSource,
     commandPrefix: guideCommandPrefix,
+    quotaTopUp: quota?.envelope.data?.top_up ?? null,
   });
   const selfFundPreparation = createGuideSelfFundPreparation(stage, {
     paymentSummary,
@@ -2918,10 +2919,21 @@ function createGuideSelfFundHandoff(stage, input) {
     input.paymentSummary.suggested_commands,
     "status",
   );
+  const inspectMethodsCommand = guidePaymentInspectionCommand(
+    input.paymentSummary.suggested_commands,
+    "methods",
+  );
+  const inspectPacksCommand = guidePaymentInspectionCommand(
+    input.paymentSummary.suggested_commands,
+    "packs",
+  );
 
   return {
     required: true,
     preferred_method: preferredMethod,
+    urgency: input.quotaTopUp?.urgency ?? null,
+    urgency_score: input.quotaTopUp?.urgency_score ?? null,
+    urgency_reasons: input.quotaTopUp?.urgency_reasons ?? [],
     live_money:
       preferredMethod !== null &&
       input.paymentSummary.live_money_methods.includes(preferredMethod),
@@ -2929,6 +2941,19 @@ function createGuideSelfFundHandoff(stage, input) {
     agent_initiated: agentInitiated,
     agent_settleable: agentSettleable,
     human_handoff_required: humanHandoffRequired,
+    first_safe_command: inspectMethodsCommand,
+    first_safe_command_effect: {
+      label: "inspect_payment_methods_no_spend",
+      no_spend: true,
+      live_money: false,
+      provider_call: false,
+      hosted_create: false,
+      payment_object: false,
+      credit_debit: false,
+      media_write: false,
+    },
+    inspect_methods_command: inspectMethodsCommand,
+    inspect_packs_command: inspectPacksCommand,
     payment_commands: {
       quote: guidePaymentCommandByKind(
         input.paymentSummary.suggested_commands,
@@ -2959,8 +2984,8 @@ function createGuideSelfFundHandoff(stage, input) {
       },
     },
     warning: agentSettleable
-      ? "data.self_fund_next_command starts a browserless live-money quote. Preserve auth with data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command, then follow payment_commands.buy, pay exactly what wallet_settlement points to, run payment_commands.status, and rerun after_next."
-      : "data.self_fund_next_command starts a live-money payment handoff. Preserve auth with data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command, complete the payment, then rerun after_next.",
+      ? "Start with data.self_fund_handoff.first_safe_command for no-spend inspection, then data.self_fund_next_command for the browserless live-money quote when delegated spend is allowed. Preserve auth with data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command, follow payment_commands.buy, pay exactly what wallet_settlement points to, run payment_commands.status, and rerun after_next."
+      : "Start with data.self_fund_handoff.first_safe_command for no-spend inspection, then data.self_fund_next_command for the live-money payment handoff when delegated spend is allowed. Preserve auth with data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command, complete the payment, then rerun after_next.",
   };
 }
 
@@ -6132,6 +6157,7 @@ function quotaTopUpNextActions(topUp) {
       available: true,
       recommended: topUp.recommended === true,
       recommendation_reason: topUp.recommendation_reason ?? "available",
+      ...quotaTopUpUrgencyFields(topUp),
       path: topUp.path,
       first_safe_command: commands.inspect_methods,
       first_safe_command_effect: {
@@ -6162,6 +6188,44 @@ function quotaTopUpNextActions(topUp) {
   };
 }
 
+function quotaTopUpUrgencyFields(topUp) {
+  const reason = topUp?.recommendation_reason ?? "available";
+  const fallback = quotaTopUpUrgencyFromReason(reason);
+  const urgency =
+    typeof topUp?.urgency === "string" && topUp.urgency.length > 0
+      ? topUp.urgency
+      : fallback.urgency;
+  const urgencyScore =
+    typeof topUp?.urgency_score === "number"
+      ? topUp.urgency_score
+      : fallback.score;
+  const urgencyReasons = Array.isArray(topUp?.urgency_reasons)
+    ? topUp.urgency_reasons
+        .filter((entry) => typeof entry === "string" && entry.length > 0)
+        .map((entry) => entry)
+    : reason === "available"
+      ? []
+      : [reason];
+  return {
+    urgency,
+    urgency_score: urgencyScore,
+    urgency_reasons: urgencyReasons,
+  };
+}
+
+function quotaTopUpUrgencyFromReason(reason) {
+  if (reason === "credits_depleted" || reason === "daily_job_cap_reached") {
+    return { urgency: "blocked", score: 100 };
+  }
+  if (reason === "low_remaining_credits") {
+    return { urgency: "near_wall", score: 80 };
+  }
+  if (reason === "self_fund_setup_missing") {
+    return { urgency: "setup_recommended", score: 60 };
+  }
+  return { urgency: "available", score: 0 };
+}
+
 function failure(command, exitCode, code, message, retryable, recovery) {
   return {
     exitCode,

package/cli.md

@@ -217,7 +217,11 @@ step.
 - `quota_required`: fill `data.next_command_missing_inputs` when present, then
   run `data.self_fund_next_command` to start the top-up.
   It aliases `data.next_command` and is the first payment command, usually an
-  x402 or Stripe quote. If the guide authenticated from env or stdin, prefer
+  x402 or Stripe quote. First inspect
+  `data.self_fund_handoff.urgency`, `urgency_score`, and `urgency_reasons`; run
+  `data.self_fund_handoff.first_safe_command` for no-spend payment-method
+  inspection when you need rail state before opening a quote. If the guide
+  authenticated from env or stdin, prefer
   `data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command.with_env` or
   `data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command.with_stdin` so auth follows the
   payment command. Then follow `data.self_fund_handoff.payment_commands.buy`
@@ -627,7 +631,9 @@ wallet private keys, seed phrases, x402 payment headers, deposit client
 secrets, card data, Stripe secrets, or provider receipts to Image Skill.
 When `create --guide` enters `quota_required` for this rail, it returns
 `data.self_fund_handoff.wallet_settlement` with the buy/status response fields
-to inspect: `data.stripe_x402.payable_instructions` after `credits buy`, or
+to inspect, plus `data.self_fund_handoff.first_safe_command` for no-spend rail
+inspection before quote/buy: `data.stripe_x402.payable_instructions` after
+`credits buy`, or
 `data.payment_attempt.stripe_x402.payable_instructions` after `credits status`.
 
 ```bash

package/llms.txt

@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ First-run guide loop:
 3. If data.stage is prompt_required, rerun data.next_command with the real prompt.
 4. If data.stage is auth_required, data.auth_ready.ready is false and data.guide_warning.next_command_safety is hosted_signup_no_spend_setup. Run data.next_command, then rerun the guide once. Hosted signup saves the restricted token to the public CLI config by default with 0600 permissions. If the configured config path is blocked, data.next_command sets IMAGE_SKILL_CONFIG_PATH="$PWD/.image-skill/config.json" and still runs a saved-config signup; do not switch to raw-token handoff unless recovery explicitly requires it. If the runtime intentionally uses --no-save --show-token, store the returned token in the agent runtime secret store, then rerun with IMAGE_SKILL_TOKEN or --token-stdin; data.auth_handoff.rerun_guide.with_env and data.auth_handoff.rerun_guide.with_stdin are copy-safe templates for that mode. Signup is anonymous by default: no contact inbox is required to get a restricted token. The optional --agent-contact flag takes an email-shaped durable contact inbox for the restricted agent identity, not a requirement to find an individual human; attach one later with image-skill claim request --contact INBOX --json when funding or durability makes it worth having. Hosted signup returns the raw restricted token only when --show-token is set, and only once. When providing a contact, use an agent-owned inbox when available; otherwise use an operator, team, or sponsor inbox that can receive future claim, billing, or abuse notices. Never invent an inbox or borrow an unrelated human email just to fill the flag — omit it instead. example.invalid addresses are only appropriate inside documented harness or proof runs. --human-email remains accepted as a compatibility alias, but the guide must not teach it. Anonymous signups mint a fresh agent identity on every call; reuse the saved config instead of re-running signup. --save is accepted as a compatibility no-op for the default save behavior; use --no-save only when the runtime has a separate secret store and does not want local config.
 5. At any guide stage, read data.checks.quota.top_up. When recommended is true, it includes recommendation_reason, preferred_payment_method, quote_command, quote_command_copy_runnable, quote_command_effect, and quote/buy/status command templates for the browserless x402 top-up path. On quota/payment recovery errors, read error.recovery.top_up: when delegated live-money quoting is allowed, prefer error.recovery.top_up.quote_command to open the top-up path, and use error.recovery.suggested_command for no-spend payment-method inspection. If data.stage is quota_required, data.guide_warning.next_command_safety is live_money_payment_action and data.guide_warning.payment_top_up_path summarizes the live-money path. Run data.self_fund_next_command to start the top-up. It aliases data.next_command and is the first payment command, usually an x402 or Stripe quote. First read data.checks.payments.preferred_method_summary.top_up_path: browserless_agent_self_fund means a wallet-equipped agent can complete the preferred live-money rail without a browser; human_payment_handoff means the agent can create the payment attempt but a human/browser step must complete before credits are granted. If the guide authenticated from env or stdin, prefer data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command.with_env or data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command.with_stdin so auth follows the payment command. Then follow data.self_fund_handoff.payment_commands.buy and status, and rerun data.self_fund_handoff.after_next once credits are granted. If data.stage is ready_to_create, inspect data.self_fund_preparation before consuming the remaining free allowance. When available and recommended are true, data.self_fund_preparation.quote_command is the pre-wall browserless x402 quote: it creates an authenticated live-money quote/payment object, but data.self_fund_preparation.quote_command_effect must show no provider call, no hosted create, no credit debit, no media write, and no wallet settlement until a later buy/payment step. One Image Skill credit is $0.01. Credit quotes grant prepaid value units; create/edit operations debit model-priced credits reported as cost.credit_pricing. Starter preview currently gives bounded free-preview credits plus a four-job daily cap.
+5a. When data.stage is quota_required, data.self_fund_handoff mirrors top-up urgency, urgency_score, and urgency_reasons, and exposes first_safe_command plus first_safe_command_effect. Run first_safe_command, usually image-skill credits methods --json, for no-spend rail inspection before quote/buy when delegated spend authority is absent or unclear.
 6. If data.stage is ready_to_create, data.next_command is the first bounded live create. data.guide_warning.next_command_safety must be live_media_create_credit_debit, data.guide_warning.no_spend_safe must be false, data.guide_warning.spend_required must be true, and data.guide_warning.recommended_command_field must be recommended_no_spend_command. data.auth_ready.ready and data.auth_ready.next_command_auth_ready must be true; data.auth_ready.next_command_requires_auth must be true, and the command can reuse saved config, IMAGE_SKILL_TOKEN, or --token-stdin context without exposing a raw token. data.next_command_effect.label must be live_media_create_credit_debit and its provider_call, hosted_create, credit_debit, and media_write flags are true. data.no_spend_evaluation.stop_here must be true, data.no_spend_evaluation.next_command_is_live_create must be true, and data.no_spend_evaluation.recommended_command_field must be recommended_no_spend_command. Run data.next_command only when media spend is allowed. In no-spend evaluations, or when you only need to prove readiness without media/provider work, stop before data.next_command and run data.recommended_no_spend_command instead. data.recommended_no_spend_command must equal data.no_spend_next_command. data.no_spend_next_command_effect.label must be dry_run_planned_job_no_provider_call_no_credit_debit_no_media_write: no_spend, hosted_create_dry_run, planned_job, and plan_receipt are true; activity_event is job.planned; provider_call, credit_debit, and media_write are false. This dry-run may create a recoverable planned job/activity receipt but no provider execution, debit, downloadable asset, or media write. If the guide authenticated from env or stdin, prefer data.auth_handoff.next_command.with_env or data.auth_handoff.next_command.with_stdin so auth follows the live create. In guide cost output, cost.estimated_usd_per_image and cost.estimated_debit_usd_per_image are the Image Skill debit dollars for one output; cost.estimated_provider_usd_per_image is only the upstream provider estimate. Use the guide's returned max_estimated_usd_per_image because it is sized to the credit debit the agent funds. Add --output-count N only after models show confirms the selected create model supports more than one output; credit_pricing.credits_required is the total debit across outputs, while max_estimated_usd_per_image remains a per-image Image Skill debit guard.
 7. After create, prefer data.next_actions when present: inspect_job and inspect_asset are copy-runnable no-spend recovery commands, iterate_edit is the reusable-asset edit template, and self_fund is the promoted top-up quote handoff when quota.top_up.recommended is true. self_fund.quote_command is copy-runnable and omits --idempotency-key so the public CLI generates and returns one for retry safety; follow the quote response into buy/status. Otherwise use image-skill jobs show JOB_ID to recover status, cost, safety, timestamps, and final assets; image-skill assets get ASSET_URL_OR_ID --output ./result.png to fetch the generated asset without repeating provider work; and image-skill activity list --subject JOB_ID to find ledger events, trace, usage, and asset links to cite.
 8. Leave image-skill feedback create if the first-run flow is confusing, blocked, missing an affordance, or easier through a direct provider than through Image Skill. Feedback auth uses saved config from default signup, IMAGE_SKILL_TOKEN, or --token-stdin; if signup or guide already saved config, run feedback create normally and do not copy a raw token. Never paste tokens into feedback title, body, evidence, issues, or logs. Use image-skill activity show FEEDBACK_ID only when you need to confirm the feedback entered the hosted ledger.

package/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "image-skill",
-  "version": "0.1.53",
+  "version": "0.1.55",
   "description": "Zero-setup durable creative-media CLI for agents (image + video + audio + 3D): guide-first creation, model and cost inspection, owned URLs, JSON recovery, payments, reusable assets, and feedback.",
   "type": "module",
   "private": false,

package/skill.md

@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ npm_config_update_notifier=false npx -y image-skill@latest create --guide --prom
 
 The guide is a free, zero-spend planning call. Given current auth, quota, and payment state, it returns `data.next_command`, `data.next_command_copy_runnable`, `data.next_command_missing_inputs`, `data.stage`, `data.guide_warning`, `data.next_command_effect`, `data.auth_ready`, `data.no_spend_evaluation`, `data.guide_recovery`, `data.recommended_no_spend_command` (alias of `data.no_spend_next_command`), `data.no_spend_next_command_effect`, `data.self_fund_next_command`, `data.self_fund_handoff`, `data.self_fund_preparation`, `data.auth_handoff`, and `data.mutation`. It also preserves `data.checks.quota.top_up`, the same quota top-up recommendation returned by `usage quota`, so wallet-capable agents can see whether a browserless x402 top-up is recommended before the hard wall. Read `data.guide_warning` before running `data.next_command`: `next_command_safety` names whether the command is no-spend setup, read-only inspection, live-money payment action, or live media create. Run that next command only when `data.next_command_copy_runnable` is `true` and the warning says it is safe for your spend policy; when it is `false`, fill `data.next_command_missing_inputs` first. Prefer `data.guide_recovery` for no-doc recovery loops: it names the safest no-spend command and field, the live create or payment field that would spend, and the double-spend guard to check before any live retry. Repeat until `data.stage` is `ready_to_create`. At `ready_to_create`, `data.auth_ready.ready` and `data.auth_ready.next_command_auth_ready` are `true`: the returned create can reuse saved config, env token, or stdin token context without exposing a raw token. Read `data.self_fund_preparation` in this stage before spending the remaining free allowance: when `available` and `recommended` are true, `quote_command` creates an authenticated live-money quote/payment object but does not pay, settle a wallet transfer, debit credits, call a provider, or write media. Only a later buy/payment step can spend money. When `data.guide_warning.next_command_safety` is `live_media_create_credit_debit` and `data.no_spend_evaluation.stop_here` is `true`, `data.next_command` is the live create: run it only if media spend is allowed, otherwise stop before it and run `data.recommended_no_spend_command` for no-spend proof. The no-spend command is an authenticated hosted dry-run: it may create a recoverable `job.planned` receipt, but it has no provider call, credit debit, downloadable asset, or media write.
 
+When `data.stage` is `quota_required`, `data.self_fund_handoff` mirrors top-up `urgency`, `urgency_score`, and `urgency_reasons`, and exposes `first_safe_command` with a no-spend inspection effect. Run that no-spend command first when you need to inspect rails or stay below delegated spend authority before opening the live-money quote path.
+
 Minimum success envelope on a create or edit:
 
 ```json
@@ -184,6 +186,9 @@ reaches `quota_required`, read
 `data.checks.payments.preferred_method_summary.top_up_path` before quoting:
 `browserless_agent_self_fund` is the autonomous wallet path, while
 `human_payment_handoff` means a human/browser completion step is still required.
+The quota-required `data.self_fund_handoff` also mirrors the top-up urgency and
+exposes `first_safe_command`, usually `image-skill credits methods --json`, for
+no-spend payment-method inspection before quote/buy steps.
 When `create --guide` reaches `ready_to_create`, inspect
 `data.self_fund_preparation` before consuming the remaining free allowance. If
 it is available and recommended, `quote_command` is the pre-wall browserless

package/skills/image-skill/SKILL.md

@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ npm_config_update_notifier=false npx -y image-skill@latest create --guide --prom
 
 The guide is a free, zero-spend planning call. Given current auth, quota, and payment state, it returns `data.next_command`, `data.next_command_copy_runnable`, `data.next_command_missing_inputs`, `data.stage`, `data.guide_warning`, `data.next_command_effect`, `data.auth_ready`, `data.no_spend_evaluation`, `data.guide_recovery`, `data.recommended_no_spend_command` (alias of `data.no_spend_next_command`), `data.no_spend_next_command_effect`, `data.self_fund_next_command`, `data.self_fund_handoff`, `data.self_fund_preparation`, `data.auth_handoff`, and `data.mutation`. It also preserves `data.checks.quota.top_up`, the same quota top-up recommendation returned by `usage quota`, so wallet-capable agents can see whether a browserless x402 top-up is recommended before the hard wall. Read `data.guide_warning` before running `data.next_command`: `next_command_safety` names whether the command is no-spend setup, read-only inspection, live-money payment action, or live media create. Run that next command only when `data.next_command_copy_runnable` is `true` and the warning says it is safe for your spend policy; when it is `false`, fill `data.next_command_missing_inputs` first. Prefer `data.guide_recovery` for no-doc recovery loops: it names the safest no-spend command and field, the live create or payment field that would spend, and the double-spend guard to check before any live retry. Repeat until `data.stage` is `ready_to_create`. At `ready_to_create`, `data.auth_ready.ready` and `data.auth_ready.next_command_auth_ready` are `true`: the returned create can reuse saved config, env token, or stdin token context without exposing a raw token. Read `data.self_fund_preparation` in this stage before spending the remaining free allowance: when `available` and `recommended` are true, `quote_command` creates an authenticated live-money quote/payment object but does not pay, settle a wallet transfer, debit credits, call a provider, or write media. Only a later buy/payment step can spend money. When `data.guide_warning.next_command_safety` is `live_media_create_credit_debit` and `data.no_spend_evaluation.stop_here` is `true`, `data.next_command` is the live create: run it only if media spend is allowed, otherwise stop before it and run `data.recommended_no_spend_command` for no-spend proof. The no-spend command is an authenticated hosted dry-run: it may create a recoverable `job.planned` receipt, but it has no provider call, credit debit, downloadable asset, or media write.
 
+When `data.stage` is `quota_required`, `data.self_fund_handoff` mirrors top-up `urgency`, `urgency_score`, and `urgency_reasons`, and exposes `first_safe_command` with a no-spend inspection effect. Run that no-spend command first when you need to inspect rails or stay below delegated spend authority before opening the live-money quote path.
+
 Minimum success envelope on a create or edit:
 
 ```json
@@ -184,6 +186,9 @@ reaches `quota_required`, read
 `data.checks.payments.preferred_method_summary.top_up_path` before quoting:
 `browserless_agent_self_fund` is the autonomous wallet path, while
 `human_payment_handoff` means a human/browser completion step is still required.
+The quota-required `data.self_fund_handoff` also mirrors the top-up urgency and
+exposes `first_safe_command`, usually `image-skill credits methods --json`, for
+no-spend payment-method inspection before quote/buy steps.
 When `create --guide` reaches `ready_to_create`, inspect
 `data.self_fund_preparation` before consuming the remaining free allowance. If
 it is available and recommended, `quote_command` is the pre-wall browserless

package/skills/image-skill/references/cli.md

@@ -217,7 +217,11 @@ step.
 - `quota_required`: fill `data.next_command_missing_inputs` when present, then
   run `data.self_fund_next_command` to start the top-up.
   It aliases `data.next_command` and is the first payment command, usually an
-  x402 or Stripe quote. If the guide authenticated from env or stdin, prefer
+  x402 or Stripe quote. First inspect
+  `data.self_fund_handoff.urgency`, `urgency_score`, and `urgency_reasons`; run
+  `data.self_fund_handoff.first_safe_command` for no-spend payment-method
+  inspection when you need rail state before opening a quote. If the guide
+  authenticated from env or stdin, prefer
   `data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command.with_env` or
   `data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command.with_stdin` so auth follows the
   payment command. Then follow `data.self_fund_handoff.payment_commands.buy`
@@ -627,7 +631,9 @@ wallet private keys, seed phrases, x402 payment headers, deposit client
 secrets, card data, Stripe secrets, or provider receipts to Image Skill.
 When `create --guide` enters `quota_required` for this rail, it returns
 `data.self_fund_handoff.wallet_settlement` with the buy/status response fields
-to inspect: `data.stripe_x402.payable_instructions` after `credits buy`, or
+to inspect, plus `data.self_fund_handoff.first_safe_command` for no-spend rail
+inspection before quote/buy: `data.stripe_x402.payable_instructions` after
+`credits buy`, or
 `data.payment_attempt.stripe_x402.payable_instructions` after `credits status`.
 
 ```bash

package/skills/image-skill/references/llms.txt

@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ First-run guide loop:
 3. If data.stage is prompt_required, rerun data.next_command with the real prompt.
 4. If data.stage is auth_required, data.auth_ready.ready is false and data.guide_warning.next_command_safety is hosted_signup_no_spend_setup. Run data.next_command, then rerun the guide once. Hosted signup saves the restricted token to the public CLI config by default with 0600 permissions. If the configured config path is blocked, data.next_command sets IMAGE_SKILL_CONFIG_PATH="$PWD/.image-skill/config.json" and still runs a saved-config signup; do not switch to raw-token handoff unless recovery explicitly requires it. If the runtime intentionally uses --no-save --show-token, store the returned token in the agent runtime secret store, then rerun with IMAGE_SKILL_TOKEN or --token-stdin; data.auth_handoff.rerun_guide.with_env and data.auth_handoff.rerun_guide.with_stdin are copy-safe templates for that mode. Signup is anonymous by default: no contact inbox is required to get a restricted token. The optional --agent-contact flag takes an email-shaped durable contact inbox for the restricted agent identity, not a requirement to find an individual human; attach one later with image-skill claim request --contact INBOX --json when funding or durability makes it worth having. Hosted signup returns the raw restricted token only when --show-token is set, and only once. When providing a contact, use an agent-owned inbox when available; otherwise use an operator, team, or sponsor inbox that can receive future claim, billing, or abuse notices. Never invent an inbox or borrow an unrelated human email just to fill the flag — omit it instead. example.invalid addresses are only appropriate inside documented harness or proof runs. --human-email remains accepted as a compatibility alias, but the guide must not teach it. Anonymous signups mint a fresh agent identity on every call; reuse the saved config instead of re-running signup. --save is accepted as a compatibility no-op for the default save behavior; use --no-save only when the runtime has a separate secret store and does not want local config.
 5. At any guide stage, read data.checks.quota.top_up. When recommended is true, it includes recommendation_reason, preferred_payment_method, quote_command, quote_command_copy_runnable, quote_command_effect, and quote/buy/status command templates for the browserless x402 top-up path. On quota/payment recovery errors, read error.recovery.top_up: when delegated live-money quoting is allowed, prefer error.recovery.top_up.quote_command to open the top-up path, and use error.recovery.suggested_command for no-spend payment-method inspection. If data.stage is quota_required, data.guide_warning.next_command_safety is live_money_payment_action and data.guide_warning.payment_top_up_path summarizes the live-money path. Run data.self_fund_next_command to start the top-up. It aliases data.next_command and is the first payment command, usually an x402 or Stripe quote. First read data.checks.payments.preferred_method_summary.top_up_path: browserless_agent_self_fund means a wallet-equipped agent can complete the preferred live-money rail without a browser; human_payment_handoff means the agent can create the payment attempt but a human/browser step must complete before credits are granted. If the guide authenticated from env or stdin, prefer data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command.with_env or data.self_fund_handoff.auth.next_command.with_stdin so auth follows the payment command. Then follow data.self_fund_handoff.payment_commands.buy and status, and rerun data.self_fund_handoff.after_next once credits are granted. If data.stage is ready_to_create, inspect data.self_fund_preparation before consuming the remaining free allowance. When available and recommended are true, data.self_fund_preparation.quote_command is the pre-wall browserless x402 quote: it creates an authenticated live-money quote/payment object, but data.self_fund_preparation.quote_command_effect must show no provider call, no hosted create, no credit debit, no media write, and no wallet settlement until a later buy/payment step. One Image Skill credit is $0.01. Credit quotes grant prepaid value units; create/edit operations debit model-priced credits reported as cost.credit_pricing. Starter preview currently gives bounded free-preview credits plus a four-job daily cap.
+5a. When data.stage is quota_required, data.self_fund_handoff mirrors top-up urgency, urgency_score, and urgency_reasons, and exposes first_safe_command plus first_safe_command_effect. Run first_safe_command, usually image-skill credits methods --json, for no-spend rail inspection before quote/buy when delegated spend authority is absent or unclear.
 6. If data.stage is ready_to_create, data.next_command is the first bounded live create. data.guide_warning.next_command_safety must be live_media_create_credit_debit, data.guide_warning.no_spend_safe must be false, data.guide_warning.spend_required must be true, and data.guide_warning.recommended_command_field must be recommended_no_spend_command. data.auth_ready.ready and data.auth_ready.next_command_auth_ready must be true; data.auth_ready.next_command_requires_auth must be true, and the command can reuse saved config, IMAGE_SKILL_TOKEN, or --token-stdin context without exposing a raw token. data.next_command_effect.label must be live_media_create_credit_debit and its provider_call, hosted_create, credit_debit, and media_write flags are true. data.no_spend_evaluation.stop_here must be true, data.no_spend_evaluation.next_command_is_live_create must be true, and data.no_spend_evaluation.recommended_command_field must be recommended_no_spend_command. Run data.next_command only when media spend is allowed. In no-spend evaluations, or when you only need to prove readiness without media/provider work, stop before data.next_command and run data.recommended_no_spend_command instead. data.recommended_no_spend_command must equal data.no_spend_next_command. data.no_spend_next_command_effect.label must be dry_run_planned_job_no_provider_call_no_credit_debit_no_media_write: no_spend, hosted_create_dry_run, planned_job, and plan_receipt are true; activity_event is job.planned; provider_call, credit_debit, and media_write are false. This dry-run may create a recoverable planned job/activity receipt but no provider execution, debit, downloadable asset, or media write. If the guide authenticated from env or stdin, prefer data.auth_handoff.next_command.with_env or data.auth_handoff.next_command.with_stdin so auth follows the live create. In guide cost output, cost.estimated_usd_per_image and cost.estimated_debit_usd_per_image are the Image Skill debit dollars for one output; cost.estimated_provider_usd_per_image is only the upstream provider estimate. Use the guide's returned max_estimated_usd_per_image because it is sized to the credit debit the agent funds. Add --output-count N only after models show confirms the selected create model supports more than one output; credit_pricing.credits_required is the total debit across outputs, while max_estimated_usd_per_image remains a per-image Image Skill debit guard.
 7. After create, prefer data.next_actions when present: inspect_job and inspect_asset are copy-runnable no-spend recovery commands, iterate_edit is the reusable-asset edit template, and self_fund is the promoted top-up quote handoff when quota.top_up.recommended is true. self_fund.quote_command is copy-runnable and omits --idempotency-key so the public CLI generates and returns one for retry safety; follow the quote response into buy/status. Otherwise use image-skill jobs show JOB_ID to recover status, cost, safety, timestamps, and final assets; image-skill assets get ASSET_URL_OR_ID --output ./result.png to fetch the generated asset without repeating provider work; and image-skill activity list --subject JOB_ID to find ledger events, trace, usage, and asset links to cite.
 8. Leave image-skill feedback create if the first-run flow is confusing, blocked, missing an affordance, or easier through a direct provider than through Image Skill. Feedback auth uses saved config from default signup, IMAGE_SKILL_TOKEN, or --token-stdin; if signup or guide already saved config, run feedback create normally and do not copy a raw token. Never paste tokens into feedback title, body, evidence, issues, or logs. Use image-skill activity show FEEDBACK_ID only when you need to confirm the feedback entered the hosted ledger.