> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.modelslab.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Get started with ModelsLab API in under 5 minutes. Generate your first AI image with a simple API call using cURL, Python, or JavaScript.

## Overview

This guide will help you make your first API call to ModelsLab and generate an AI image. By the end, you'll have a working integration.

<Info>
  **Time to complete**: 5 minutes

  **What you'll need**:

  * A ModelsLab account ([sign up free](https://modelslab.com))
  * An API key ([get one here](https://modelslab.com/dashboard/api-keys))
</Info>

## Step 1: Get Your API Key

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in to ModelsLab">
    Go to [modelslab.com](https://modelslab.com) and log in to your account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to API Keys">
    Open your [API Keys Dashboard](https://modelslab.com/dashboard/api-keys).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a New Key">
    Click **Create New Key** and copy the generated key.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Save your API key securely. You won't be able to see it again after leaving the page.
</Warning>

## Step 2: Make Your First API Call

Choose your preferred language and run the code:

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python theme={null}
  import requests

  response = requests.post(
      "https://modelslab.com/api/v6/images/text2img",
      json={
          "key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
          "prompt": "A majestic lion in a savanna at sunset, photorealistic, 8k",
          "model_id": "flux",
          "width": 512,
          "height": 512,
          "samples": 1,
          "num_inference_steps": 30,
          "guidance_scale": 7.5
      }
  )

  data = response.json()
  print(data)

  # If successful, the image URL will be in data["output"]
  if data.get("status") == "success":
      print(f"Image URL: {data['output'][0]}")
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  const response = await fetch("https://modelslab.com/api/v6/images/text2img", {
    method: "POST",
    headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      key: "YOUR_API_KEY",
      prompt: "A majestic lion in a savanna at sunset, photorealistic, 8k",
      model_id: "flux",
      width: 512,
      height: 512,
      samples: 1,
      num_inference_steps: 30,
      guidance_scale: 7.5
    })
  });

  const data = await response.json();
  console.log(data);

  // If successful, the image URL will be in data.output
  if (data.status === "success") {
    console.log(`Image URL: ${data.output[0]}`);
  }
  ```

  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X POST "https://modelslab.com/api/v6/images/text2img" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
      "prompt": "A majestic lion in a savanna at sunset, photorealistic, 8k",
      "model_id": "flux",
      "width": 512,
      "height": 512,
      "samples": 1,
      "num_inference_steps": 30,
      "guidance_scale": 7.5
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Tip>
  Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with your actual API key from Step 1.
</Tip>

## Step 3: Understanding the Response

### Success Response

When your image is generated successfully:

```json theme={null}
{
  "status": "success",
  "generationTime": 2.45,
  "id": "abc123-def456",
  "output": [
    "https://pub-3626123a908346a7a8be8d9295f44e26.r2.dev/generations/abc123.png"
  ],
  "meta": {
    "prompt": "A majestic lion in a savanna at sunset, photorealistic, 8k",
    "model_id": "flux",
    "width": 512,
    "height": 512,
    "seed": 12345
  }
}
```

Open the URL in `output` to see your generated image!

### Processing Response (Async)

For complex generations, you may receive a processing status:

```json theme={null}
{
  "status": "processing",
  "id": "abc123-def456",
  "eta": 15,
  "message": "Your request is being processed"
}
```

If this happens, use the fetch endpoint to check the status:

```python theme={null}
# Poll for results
fetch_response = requests.post(
    f"https://modelslab.com/api/v6/images/fetch/{data['id']}",
    json={"key": "YOUR_API_KEY"}
)
print(fetch_response.json())
```

## Key Parameters Explained

| Parameter             | Description                              | Default |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------- |
| `key`                 | Your API key (required)                  | -       |
| `prompt`              | Text description of the image (required) | -       |
| `model_id`            | AI model to use (e.g., "flux", "sdxl")   | "flux"  |
| `width`               | Image width in pixels (256-1024)         | 512     |
| `height`              | Image height in pixels (256-1024)        | 512     |
| `samples`             | Number of images to generate (1-4)       | 1       |
| `num_inference_steps` | Quality/detail level (20-50)             | 30      |
| `guidance_scale`      | How closely to follow prompt (1-20)      | 7.5     |

## Pro Tips for Better Results

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Write Detailed Prompts">
    Be specific about what you want:

    * ❌ "a dog"
    * ✅ "A golden retriever puppy playing in autumn leaves, soft natural lighting, shallow depth of field, professional photography"
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Style Keywords">
    Add style modifiers to guide the output:

    * "photorealistic", "8k", "detailed"
    * "oil painting", "watercolor", "digital art"
    * "cinematic lighting", "studio photography"
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Experiment with Guidance Scale">
    * **Lower (3-7)**: More creative, varied results
    * **Higher (8-15)**: Closer to your prompt, more literal
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Choose the Right Model">
    * **flux**: Best for photorealistic images
    * **sdxl**: Great for artistic and stylized images
    * Browse [all models](https://modelslab.com/models) to find the perfect fit
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

Now that you've made your first API call, explore more:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Image Generation" icon="image" href="/image-generation/overview">
    Explore all image generation options
  </Card>

  <Card title="Video Generation" icon="video" href="/video-api/overview">
    Create AI-generated videos
  </Card>

  <Card title="Voice Cloning" icon="microphone" href="/voice-cloning/overview">
    Generate speech and clone voices
  </Card>

  <Card title="Image Editing" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/image-editing/overview">
    Edit and enhance images with AI
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Invalid API Key Error">
    * Double-check your API key is copied correctly
    * Ensure you're including it in the `key` field of the request body
    * Verify your key hasn't been revoked in the dashboard
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Rate Limit Exceeded">
    You've hit your queue limit. Wait for current requests to complete or upgrade your plan.
    See [Rate Limits](/rate-limits) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Request Timeout">
    Some generations take longer. Use the async pattern with the fetch endpoint to handle long-running requests.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  Need help? Join our [Discord community](https://discord.com/invite/modelslab-1033301189254729748) or contact [support@modelslab.com](mailto:support@modelslab.com).
</Note>