Etch Image

Etch Image: Command-line tool for generating and editing AI images with multiple providers.

Etch is a scriptable command-line interface tool designed for generating and editing images using popular artificial intelligence providers. Users supply API keys for OpenAI, Gemini, or FLUX, and run commands from the terminal to create new PNG images from text prompts or modify existing image files. The tool supports numerous models across all three providers, allowing customization of size, quality, output paths, and background styles. It automatically handles file naming and can output results as plain text paths or JSON objects for easy scripting integration. Additionally, it includes plugins for Claude Code and Codex agents to generate images during chat sessions.

Etch Image at a glance

Best for: Software engineer, Designer
Runs on: CLI
Pricing: Free
Released: November 2026
Category: AI image tool
Website: github.com/michaeldmueller/etch-image

Key features

Generate new images from text prompts
Edit existing images using prompts
Support OpenAI, Gemini, and FLUX models
Output results as PNG files
Configure default settings via JSON file
Output results in JSON format
Include Claude Code and Codex plugins

Use it for

Generate images directly from terminal scripts
Edit existing images with text prompts via CLI
Automate batch image generation with custom counts
Integrate image generation into Claude Code sessions

Companions

Tools that articles about Etch Image recommend using with it, each with its job.

Gemini — Built to work with Gemini.
Gemini Notebook — Answers cite only the uploaded sources, with podcast-style summaries
Google Workspace
Perplexity — Perplexity when an answer needs citations.
Claude Code — Claude Code for development work.

Alternatives to Etch Image

ABrush — Generate and edit with many AI models without leaving Photoshop
Doop — Design side by side with AI agents on a shared, live canvas.
GPT Image 2 Skill — It provides ready-to-use prompt libraries and agent skills for OpenAI image models.
Claude Pxl — Generates PNGs, sprite sheets, animated GIFs, and live previews from code.
Photoshop MCP — Enables AI models to inspect, edit, and export Photoshop files locally.
Palette From Image AI — Runs completely offline with regional awareness and twelve export formats.
img2threejs — Generates code-only, animation-ready Three.js models from a single image.
OpenPencil — Generates editable, multi-screen UI designs and code from text prompts.
Artly — It combines over fifteen editing tools and eighty styles in a single application.
CADAM — Integrates directly into SolidWorks, Onshape, and Fusion.
Invoke — Offers an industry-leading web UI and a fully integrated unified canvas.
Photocraft Companion — Runs local GPU-accelerated AI models directly on active canvas layers without sandboxing

All Etch Image alternatives