Introducing LeoAndRuby: Simplifying AI-Powered Image Generation for Ruby Developers

Richard Baldwin's Technical Blog

Introducing LeoAndRuby: Simplifying AI-Powered Image Generation for Ruby Developers

Leo and Ruby: a RubyGem for the Leonardo.ai API in Ruby Gem Version

Today, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of LeoAndRuby, a brand-new Ruby gem that makes it easier than ever to harness the power of AI for image generation. With just a few lines of code, developers can integrate cutting-edge image generation capabilities from the Leonardo.ai API into their Ruby applications.

Whether you’re building a Rails application, a standalone script, or exploring the creative possibilities of AI-generated art, LeoAndRuby is here to simplify your workflow.


Why LeoAndRuby?

The rise of generative AI has opened up incredible possibilities, but integrating these tools into your Ruby projects hasn’t always been straightforward. With LeoAndRuby, I set out to solve that problem by providing:

  • Simplicity: A clean, intuitive API that works seamlessly with Ruby and Rails.
  • Flexibility: Full access to Leonardo.ai’s powerful image generation capabilities, including custom prompts, model selection, and resolution settings.
  • Efficiency: A lightweight gem that takes care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on building great software.

What Can You Do With LeoAndRuby?

Here are just a few of the exciting possibilities:

  • Generate stunning visuals for your web or mobile applications.
  • Experiment with AI creativity, crafting unique prompts to explore new ideas.
  • Incorporate AI-generated images into Rails workflows, from product galleries to dynamic user-generated content.

With the versatility of the Leonardo.ai API and the power of Ruby, the possibilities are endless.


Key Features

  1. Simple API Integration
    Quickly connect to Leonardo.ai with your API key and start generating images in minutes.
  2. Customizable Parameters
    Define the prompt, model, resolution, and more to tailor the results to your needs.
  3. Asynchronous Workflows
    LeoAndRuby handles the waiting game for image generation, making it easy to poll for results when they’re ready.
  4. Rails-Friendly
    Designed with Rails in mind, the gem works seamlessly with service objects, controllers, and background jobs.

How to Get Started

Getting started with LeoAndRuby is quick and easy:

  1. Install the Gem Add the gem to your project by running:
   gem install leoandruby

Or include it in your Gemfile:

   gem 'leoandruby'

Then, run:

   bundle install
  1. Set Up Your API Key Sign up at Leonardo.ai and get your API key. Store it securely in your environment:
   export LEOANDRUBY_API_KEY=your_api_key
  1. Generate Your First Image Use the gem to generate your first image:
   require 'leoandruby'

   client = LeoAndRuby::Client.new(ENV['LEOANDRUBY_API_KEY'])

   response = client.generate_image(
     prompt: 'A futuristic cityscape at sunset',
     model_id: '6bef9f1b-29cb-40c7-b9df-32b51c1f67d3',
     width: 1024,
     height: 768
   )

   puts response

Behind the Scenes: The Journey to Launch

Building LeoAndRuby was a labor of love. I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and creativity, and this project gave me a chance to combine my passion for Ruby development with the cutting-edge capabilities of AI. From designing the gem’s architecture to testing it in Rails applications, every step of the journey was about making AI image generation accessible to Ruby developers.


What’s Next for LeoAndRuby?

This is just the beginning! Future updates will include:

  • Support for advanced API features like fine-tuned models and custom training.
  • Background job integration, making it easy to generate images asynchronously in Rails apps.
  • Enhanced error handling and logging for more robust workflows.

I’m excited to see how the community uses LeoAndRuby, and I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback.


Join the Community

LeoAndRuby is open source and hosted on GitHub. I’d love for you to join the community:


Let’s Build the Future of AI-Powered Ruby Apps Together

LeoAndRuby is more than just a gem—it’s a step toward making generative AI accessible to the Ruby community. Whether you’re a developer, a creator, or an AI enthusiast, I hope this gem inspires you to experiment, innovate, and create something amazing.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I can’t wait to see what you build with LeoAndRuby!


Ready to dive in? Install the gem and get started today! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, feel free to reach out—I’d love to hear from you. 😊