Image MCP + Claude Code

Add AI image generation to Anthropic's official Claude CLI

🔑 API Key Required: Get your API key from the Dashboard to start generating images. Replace YOUR_API_KEY in the configuration below.

⚡ Quick Setup

Add Image MCP to Claude Code in seconds

Terminal Command:

claude mcp add --transport http --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" image-mcp https://imagemcp.io/api/mcp

Or add to ~/.config/claude/mcp.json:

# Alternative: Manual configuration
# Add to ~/.config/claude/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "image-mcp": {
      "transport": "http",
      "url": "https://imagemcp.io/api/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

One-command setup

Works in terminal workflows

API key for authentication

Integrates with Claude's capabilities

Generate images while coding

CDN-backed image delivery

Step-by-Step Guide

Get Your API Key

First, create an account and get your API key from the Dashboard. Each image generation costs 10 credits.

💡 New accounts receive free credits to get started.

Install Claude Code CLI

If you haven't already, install the Claude Code CLI. It's Anthropic's official command-line interface for Claude.

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

💡 Requires Node.js 18 or later.

Add Image MCP Server

Use the claude mcp add command with your API key to register Image MCP. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual key.

claude mcp add --transport http --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" image-mcp https://imagemcp.io/api/mcp

Verify Installation

List your configured MCP servers to confirm Image MCP is registered correctly.

claude mcp list

Generate Images

Start Claude Code and ask it to generate images. The generate_image tool will be available automatically.

claude chat
> Generate an image of a cosmic nebula with stars

🎨 Usage Example

Once connected, just ask Claude Code to generate images

You:

"Generate an image of a futuristic city at sunset with flying cars"

Claude Code (using Image MCP):

I'll generate that image for you using the generate_image tool...

generate_image({ prompt: "A futuristic city at sunset with flying cars, cyberpunk aesthetic, vibrant colors" })

Here's your generated image: [Image URL returned]

🔧 Troubleshooting

Tool not showing up?

Restart Claude Code after adding the configuration. MCP servers are loaded at startup.

Connection errors?

Make sure you have internet access. Image MCP is a hosted service at imagemcp.io.

Image generation fails?

Try a different model or simplify your prompt. Check our error documentation for details.

Authentication errors?

Make sure you've added your API key correctly. Get your key from the Dashboard.

Download Claude Code

Need help? View full documentation