---
summary: "Generate and edit images using configured providers (OpenAI, Google Gemini, fal, MiniMax, ComfyUI, Vydra)"
read_when:
  - Generating images via the agent
  - Configuring image generation providers and models
  - Understanding the image_generate tool parameters
title: "Image Generation"
---

# Image Generation

The `image_generate` tool lets the agent create and edit images using your configured providers. Generated images are delivered automatically as media attachments in the agent's reply.

<Note>
The tool only appears when at least one image generation provider is available. If you don't see `image_generate` in your agent's tools, configure `agents.defaults.imageGenerationModel` or set up a provider API key.
</Note>

## Quick start

1. Set an API key for at least one provider (for example `OPENAI_API_KEY` or `GEMINI_API_KEY`).
2. Optionally set your preferred model:

```json5
{
  agents: {
    defaults: {
      imageGenerationModel: {
        primary: "openai/gpt-image-1",
      },
    },
  },
}
```

3. Ask the agent: _"Generate an image of a friendly lobster mascot."_

The agent calls `image_generate` automatically. No tool allow-listing needed — it's enabled by default when a provider is available.

## Supported providers

| Provider | Default model                    | Edit support                       | API key                                               |
| -------- | -------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| OpenAI   | `gpt-image-1`                    | Yes (up to 5 images)               | `OPENAI_API_KEY`                                      |
| Google   | `gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview` | Yes                                | `GEMINI_API_KEY` or `GOOGLE_API_KEY`                  |
| fal      | `fal-ai/flux/dev`                | Yes                                | `FAL_KEY`                                             |
| MiniMax  | `image-01`                       | Yes (subject reference)            | `MINIMAX_API_KEY` or MiniMax OAuth (`minimax-portal`) |
| ComfyUI  | `workflow`                       | Yes (1 image, workflow-configured) | `COMFY_API_KEY` or `COMFY_CLOUD_API_KEY` for cloud    |
| Vydra    | `grok-imagine`                   | No                                 | `VYDRA_API_KEY`                                       |

Use `action: "list"` to inspect available providers and models at runtime:

```
/tool image_generate action=list
```

## Tool parameters

| Parameter     | Type     | Description                                                                           |
| ------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `prompt`      | string   | Image generation prompt (required for `action: "generate"`)                           |
| `action`      | string   | `"generate"` (default) or `"list"` to inspect providers                               |
| `model`       | string   | Provider/model override, e.g. `openai/gpt-image-1`                                    |
| `image`       | string   | Single reference image path or URL for edit mode                                      |
| `images`      | string[] | Multiple reference images for edit mode (up to 5)                                     |
| `size`        | string   | Size hint: `1024x1024`, `1536x1024`, `1024x1536`, `1024x1792`, `1792x1024`            |
| `aspectRatio` | string   | Aspect ratio: `1:1`, `2:3`, `3:2`, `3:4`, `4:3`, `4:5`, `5:4`, `9:16`, `16:9`, `21:9` |
| `resolution`  | string   | Resolution hint: `1K`, `2K`, or `4K`                                                  |
| `count`       | number   | Number of images to generate (1–4)                                                    |
| `filename`    | string   | Output filename hint                                                                  |

Not all providers support all parameters. When a fallback provider supports a nearby geometry option instead of the exact requested one, OpenClaw remaps to the closest supported size, aspect ratio, or resolution before submission. Truly unsupported overrides are still reported in the tool result.

Tool results report the applied settings. When OpenClaw remaps geometry during provider fallback, the returned `size`, `aspectRatio`, and `resolution` values reflect what was actually sent, and `details.normalization` captures the requested-to-applied translation.

## Configuration

### Model selection

```json5
{
  agents: {
    defaults: {
      imageGenerationModel: {
        primary: "openai/gpt-image-1",
        fallbacks: ["google/gemini-3.1-flash-image-preview", "fal/fal-ai/flux/dev"],
      },
    },
  },
}
```

### Provider selection order

When generating an image, OpenClaw tries providers in this order:

1. **`model` parameter** from the tool call (if the agent specifies one)
2. **`imageGenerationModel.primary`** from config
3. **`imageGenerationModel.fallbacks`** in order
4. **Auto-detection** — uses auth-backed provider defaults only:
   - current default provider first
   - remaining registered image-generation providers in provider-id order

If a provider fails (auth error, rate limit, etc.), the next candidate is tried automatically. If all fail, the error includes details from each attempt.

Notes:

- Auto-detection is auth-aware. A provider default only enters the candidate list
  when OpenClaw can actually authenticate that provider.
- Auto-detection is enabled by default. Set
  `agents.defaults.mediaGenerationAutoProviderFallback: false` if you want image
  generation to use only the explicit `model`, `primary`, and `fallbacks`
  entries.
- Use `action: "list"` to inspect the currently registered providers, their
  default models, and auth env-var hints.

### Image editing

OpenAI, Google, fal, MiniMax, and ComfyUI support editing reference images. Pass a reference image path or URL:

```
"Generate a watercolor version of this photo" + image: "/path/to/photo.jpg"
```

OpenAI and Google support up to 5 reference images via the `images` parameter. fal, MiniMax, and ComfyUI support 1.

MiniMax image generation is available through both bundled MiniMax auth paths:

- `minimax/image-01` for API-key setups
- `minimax-portal/image-01` for OAuth setups

## Provider capabilities

| Capability            | OpenAI               | Google               | fal                 | MiniMax                    | ComfyUI                            | Vydra   |
| --------------------- | -------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ------- |
| Generate              | Yes (up to 4)        | Yes (up to 4)        | Yes (up to 4)       | Yes (up to 9)              | Yes (workflow-defined outputs)     | Yes (1) |
| Edit/reference        | Yes (up to 5 images) | Yes (up to 5 images) | Yes (1 image)       | Yes (1 image, subject ref) | Yes (1 image, workflow-configured) | No      |
| Size control          | Yes                  | Yes                  | Yes                 | No                         | No                                 | No      |
| Aspect ratio          | No                   | Yes                  | Yes (generate only) | Yes                        | No                                 | No      |
| Resolution (1K/2K/4K) | No                   | Yes                  | Yes                 | No                         | No                                 | No      |

## Related

- [Tools Overview](/tools) — all available agent tools
- [fal](/providers/fal) — fal image and video provider setup
- [ComfyUI](/providers/comfy) — local ComfyUI and Comfy Cloud workflow setup
- [Google (Gemini)](/providers/google) — Gemini image provider setup
- [MiniMax](/providers/minimax) — MiniMax image provider setup
- [OpenAI](/providers/openai) — OpenAI Images provider setup
- [Vydra](/providers/vydra) — Vydra image, video, and speech setup
- [Configuration Reference](/gateway/configuration-reference#agent-defaults) — `imageGenerationModel` config
- [Models](/concepts/models) — model configuration and failover
