# openrouter-image-gen-mcp

Give your AI assistant the ability to generate and edit images. One install, multiple models, no vendor lock-in.

Works with Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, and any MCP client.

## Why This

- **One API key, every image model.** Gemini, GPT-5, and more through [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai). Switch models with a word, not a code change.
- **Generate, edit, and batch.** Text-to-image, image editing with references, and batch operations (up to 20 parallel tasks).
- **Style presets.** Say "in watercolor style" or "as pixel art" and get consistent results. 8 built-in styles.
- **Variations.** Generate up to 4 takes from one prompt. Pick the best one.
- **Smart file output.** Save to a path or a directory. Files get descriptive names automatically.
- **Pay for what you use.** OpenRouter's per-token and per-image pricing means no subscriptions.

## How to Install

Get an [OpenRouter API key](https://openrouter.ai/keys), then add the server to your client.

### Claude Code

```bash
# macOS / Linux
claude mcp add openrouter-image-gen-mcp -s user -e OPENROUTER_API_KEY=YOURAPIKEY -- npx -y openrouter-image-gen-mcp@latest

# Windows
claude mcp add openrouter-image-gen-mcp -s user -e OPENROUTER_API_KEY=YOURAPIKEY -- cmd /c npx -y openrouter-image-gen-mcp@latest
```

### Claude Desktop / Cursor / VS Code / Windsurf

Add to your MCP config JSON:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openrouter-image-gen-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "openrouter-image-gen-mcp@latest"],
      "env": {
        "OPENROUTER_API_KEY": "YOURAPIKEY"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## What You Can Do

Simply chat with your assistant:

```
Generate a product photo of a ceramic mug on a wooden table, warm lighting
```

```
Generate 3 variations of a logo concept for a coffee brand, pixel-art style
```

```
Edit /path/to/headshot.png: make the background a gradient, keep the subject
```

```
Batch generate 5 social media banners: summer sale, back to school, holiday promo,
new arrivals, free shipping. All in illustration style, 16:9, save to ./banners/
```

```
List image models. What's cheapest for quick drafts?
```

## Quality Presets

Skip the model IDs. Just say "fast", "balanced", or "quality":

| Preset | Model | When to use |
|--------|-------|-------------|
| `fast` | Gemini 2.5 Flash | Drafts, iteration, keeping costs low |
| `balanced` | Gemini 3 Pro | Day-to-day use (default) |
| `quality` | GPT-5 Image | Final deliverables, max fidelity |

Or pass any [OpenRouter model ID](https://openrouter.ai/models?modality=image) directly:

```
Generate a cat using model google/gemini-2.5-flash-image
```

## Style Presets

Keywords modifies the style:

| Style | What you get |
|-------|-------------|
| `photo` | Photorealistic, DSLR, natural lighting |
| `illustration` | Clean digital art, vibrant colors |
| `watercolor` | Soft washes, paper texture |
| `pixel-art` | Retro 16-bit, limited palette |
| `3d-render` | Studio-lit, physically based rendering |
| `anime` | Cel-shaded, Japanese animation |
| `sketch` | Pencil on paper, monochrome |
| `oil-painting` | Brushstrokes, impasto, classical |

## Tools Reference

Convenient tools:

| Tool | What it does |
|------|-------------|
| `generate_image` | Text-to-image with quality/style presets, variations (1-4), aspect ratio, file output |
| `edit_image` | Transform images with a prompt + up to 12 reference images (files, URLs, data URIs) |
| `batch_images` | Run up to 20 generate/edit tasks in parallel with concurrency control |
| `list_image_models` | Browse available models with pricing |
| `check_balance` | Check your OpenRouter credit balance |

Supported output: `1:1`, `2:3`, `3:2`, `16:9`, `9:16`, `4:3`, `3:4` aspect ratios. `0.5K`, `1K`, `2K`, `4K` sizes. PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF inputs.

## Headless Configuration

| Flag | Env Var | Default |
|------|---------|---------|
| `--api-key` | `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` | (required) |
| `--default-model` | `OPENROUTER_IMG_DEFAULT_MODEL` | `google/gemini-3-pro-image-preview` |
| `--batch-concurrency` | `OPENROUTER_IMG_BATCH_CONCURRENCY` | `3` |
| `--cache-ttl` | `OPENROUTER_IMG_CACHE_TTL` | `300000` (5 min) |
| `--log-level` | `OPENROUTER_IMG_LOG_LEVEL` | `warn` |

## Security

API keys never appear in logs or error messages. File paths block directory traversal. Image URLs are validated against SSRF patterns. Batch operations are memory-capped at 200MB. All inputs are schema-validated.

## For Developers

To build for devs:

```bash
pnpm install && pnpm build && pnpm test  # 57 tests
```

## License

MIT

---

Made with <3 at Bitcoin.com