Image MCP + Zed

Add AI image generation to the fastest code editor

🔑 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 Zed in seconds

Or add to settings.json:
{
  "context_servers": {
    "image-mcp": {
      "url": "https://imagemcp.io/api/mcp",
      "transport": "http",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}
Native Rust performance
Built-in AI assistant
Lightning-fast operations
API key authentication
Multiple AI models
CDN-backed images

Step-by-Step Guide

1

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.
2

Open Zed Settings

Open Zed and go to Settings (Cmd+,) or open the settings.json file directly.

// Open via command palette:
// Cmd+Shift+P > 'Open Settings'
3

Configure MCP Servers

Add Image MCP to your context_servers configuration with your API key. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual key.

{
  "context_servers": {
    "image-mcp": {
      "url": "https://imagemcp.io/api/mcp",
      "transport": "http",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}
4

Restart Zed

Restart Zed to load the new MCP server. The image generation tool will be available in the AI assistant.

💡 Zed's native performance means fast MCP operations.
5

Use in Assistant

Open the AI Assistant panel and ask it to generate images. Zed will use Image MCP automatically.

🎨 Usage Example

Once connected, just ask Zed to generate images

You:

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

Zed (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 Zed 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 Zed

Need help? View full documentation