Claude skill compresses images by 70% with one command

Optimizing images no longer requires tedious manual steps. A new Claude skill named tiny automates compression with a straightforward command, reducing file sizes by up to 70% while preserving visual quality. The process integrates seamlessly with TinyPNG’s service, offering a reliable solution for developers who frequently handle large images.

The hidden cost of unoptimized images

Uncompressed images inflate website load times and consume unnecessary bandwidth. Consider a typical cover image: the original file may measure 70 KB, but its optimized version could be as small as 20 KB. The difference might seem trivial for a single file, yet when multiplied across hundreds of images, the cumulative impact on performance becomes significant. Manual optimization interrupts workflows, requiring separate tools, uploads, and file replacements—steps that are often skipped in favor of speed.

How the tiny skill streamlines compression

The tiny skill automates the entire process with a single instruction. Users simply pass the target image file, and the tool handles the rest:

• Submits the image to TinyPNG’s API
• Replaces the original file with the compressed version
• Displays the before-and-after size reduction

tiny cover.png

Supported formats include PNG, JPEG, and WebP. The operation is non-destructive: if any step fails, the original file remains untouched. The tool also tracks usage against TinyPNG’s free plan, which allows 500 compressions per month. Once the limit nears exhaustion, the skill warns users:

only 3 free compression(s) left this month but 5 requested. Compress fewer, or pass --force (may incur charges).

This safeguard prevents accidental overages, as the free tier does not auto-convert to a paid plan.

Setting up the skill in under two minutes

Getting started with tiny is quick and requires minimal configuration:

1. Navigate to your skills directory and clone the repository:

cd ~/.claude/skills
git clone  tiny

1. Generate a free API key from TinyPNG’s developer portal and register it once:

tiny/tiny.sh set-key YOUR_API_KEY

Claude will automatically detect the skill in your next session. To update later, pull the latest changes:

cd ~/.claude/skills/tiny && git pull

Users can compress single files, multiple files, or entire directories using glob patterns:

tiny assets/*.png
tiny usage

Note that the tool overwrites files in place. For safety, always create a backup before running the command.

A smarter way to manage image assets

For developers tired of juggling image optimization tools, tiny offers a frictionless alternative. By integrating directly into Claude, it eliminates the need for external workflows, reducing setup time and cognitive load. The built-in usage tracker adds an extra layer of security, ensuring users stay within free tier limits without manual monitoring.

With image compression now reduced to a single command, teams can prioritize performance without sacrificing productivity. The skill’s simplicity and reliability make it an ideal addition to any developer’s toolkit, especially those working on bandwidth-sensitive projects.