---
ref: tool:openai/create-image
name: Create an image
company: company:openai
workflows: []
access: [cli, api]
tags: [capability:design-assets, category:ai-model, has:api, has:cli]
docs: https://developers.openai.com/api/reference/resources/images/methods/generate
updated: 2026-09-26
---

# Create an image

Generates images from a text prompt; GPT image models return them base64-encoded.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### CLI (official)

Install the command, then confirm it runs.

```sh
brew install openai/tools/openai
openai --version
```

Run `openai images generate`.

Set `$OPENAI_API_KEY` in your environment first (get a key: https://platform.openai.com/api-keys).

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.openai.com/v1
- Endpoint: `POST /images/generations`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $OPENAI_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
- Docs: https://developers.openai.com/api/reference/overview

Before doing anything else, make one read-only call to confirm access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data.
- Never print API keys.