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Use Image Generation when you want a workflow step to create images from a prompt and reuse the generated assets later in the workflow. Supports OpenAI (gpt-image-2), xAI Grok Imagine (grok-imagine-image-quality, grok-imagine-image), and hosted Google Gemini (gemini-2.5-flash-image). Select the model in the Model dropdown at the top of the settings form. OpenAI-specific options (Size, Quality, Background, Moderation, Output Format, Output Compression) are hidden when a Grok or Gemini model is selected. Gemini shows aspect-ratio choices instead of OpenAI size tiles.

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Configuration

OptionRequiredDescription
NameNoLabel for the step in the workflow canvas.
ModelNoImage model to use. Default: gpt-image-2.
PromptYesThe text entered in Prompt.
Image Size / Aspect RatioNoOpenAI uses size tiles. Gemini uses aspect ratios such as 1:1, 16:9, or 9:16.
Image CountNoNumber of images to generate.
Image QualityNoQuality level for the generated images (OpenAI only).
Image BackgroundNoBackground mode for the image output (OpenAI only).
Image ModerationNoModeration setting for the generation request (OpenAI only).
Output FormatNoOutput file format (OpenAI only).
Output CompressionNoCompression level for formats that support it (OpenAI only).
Charge TypeNoWhether the step uses Hosted or Personal billing.
When the step failsNoControls whether the workflow should Terminate Workflow or Continue if this step fails.
Use the Insert Variable button next to Prompt when part of the image description should come from workflow inputs or earlier steps. This step uses Settings and Output tabs. The Output tab shows the generated images as a gallery after a successful test run.

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Output

This step outputs an object with:
  • settings: the selected model plus provider-specific image generation settings used for the call
  • assets: an array of generated asset records
Each asset item includes uploaded asset data such as:
  • id
  • file_url
  • file_name
  • file_size
  • file_type
Use the base output reference to pass the full object forward: 
{{STEP_IDENTIFIER.output}}
To reference a specific generated image field, use an indexed path such as: 
{{step_2.output.assets.0.file_url}}
{{step_2.output.assets.0.file_name}}
To reference settings used by the step: 
{{step_2.output.settings.model}}
{{step_2.output.settings.image_size}}
The exact settings keys depend on the selected provider. OpenAI outputs include OpenAI-specific fields such as image_quality, image_background, image_output_format, and image_output_compression. Gemini outputs include the selected aspect ratio in image_size. xAI outputs include the model, provider, and image count. Use the variable picker after a test run to confirm the exact path you want to insert.

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Example

Add Image Generation to your workflow. Write a detailed Prompt such as Create a product hero image for a blue insulated water bottle on a clean studio background. Choose a Size or Aspect Ratio, set Image Count, then adjust the provider-specific options that are visible. If you want smaller JPEG or WebP output, lower Output Compression. If you keep Output Format set to PNG, that compression control stays disabled. Click Run in the step header. After the run finishes, open Output to review the returned images and use the variable picker to reference the generated asset fields in later steps.

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Notes

  • If Output Format is JPEG, Transparent is not available in Background (OpenAI only).
  • If Output Format is PNG, Output Compression is disabled in the editor (OpenAI only).
  • When using a Grok Imagine model, images are always returned as PNG regardless of the Output Format setting.
  • Gemini image generation is hosted-only in this workflow step. Personal/BYOK Gemini image generation is not supported in v1.
  • xAI Grok Imagine is billed at a fixed rate per image (not per token). OpenAI gpt-image-2 is billed per token. Gemini is billed from input tokens plus generated-image output tokens.
  • This step returns uploaded asset records, not just raw image bytes.
  • Before the image provider is called, Fetch Hive checks whether your account has reached its plan storage limit. If the limit is reached, the step fails without generating or uploading new images.
  • Generated file URLs are useful when a later step needs to pass an image reference forward.
See also: Creating and Editing and Testing and Iteration