fal-mcp

Image generation for Claude — every model fal.ai has, inline in your conversation.

ChatGPT has DALL-E built in. Claude doesn't — yet. This MCP server closes the gap, and then some: instead of one model, you get FLUX Schnell, FLUX Pro, Ideogram, Recraft, SDXL, and more. Privacy option via Venice.ai (prompts never logged).

You: generate an image of a red fox sitting in snow, golden hour
Claude: [image appears inline]

---

Install

git clone https://github.com/yourname/fal-mcp
cd fal-mcp
pip install -r requirements.txt

Get a fal.ai key at fal.ai — free tier available.

---

Add to Claude Code

claude mcp add fal-image python /full/path/to/fal-mcp/server.py --env FAL_KEY=your-key

Test it: start a new Claude Code session and say "generate an image of a moonlit forest".

---

Add to Claude Desktop

Edit claude_desktop_config.json (find it via Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "fal-image": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/full/path/to/fal-mcp/server.py"],
      "env": {
        "FAL_KEY": "your-fal-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop. A small plug icon appears when the MCP is active.

---

Smoke test (no Claude needed)

FAL_KEY=your-key python server.py --test "a red fox in snow"
# saves test-output.jpg in current directory

---

Models

Key	Model	Best for
flux-schnell	FLUX Schnell	Fast generation, everyday use (default)
flux-dev	FLUX Dev	Higher quality, worth the wait
flux-pro	FLUX Pro	Best FLUX quality
flux-realism	FLUX Realism	Photorealistic images
ideogram	Ideogram v2	Text inside images, logos, typography
recraft	Recraft v3	Design, vector, illustration style
sdxl	Stable Diffusion XL	Classic, reliable
sana	Sana	Fast high-resolution

Just ask Claude to use a specific model: "generate with recraft, a minimalist poster of..."

---

Privacy mode (Venice.ai)

Venice routes generation through decentralized GPUs and does not log prompts. Add VENICE_KEY to your env — Claude will automatically route privacy-sensitive requests through Venice when you ask for it.

(Venice support: coming in v1.1)

---

Usage examples

Once installed, just talk to Claude naturally:

• "Draw me a portrait of a Victorian octopus with a monocle"
• "Generate 4 variations of a logo concept: geometric mountain, minimal, dark background"
• "Make an image of Einstein riding a bicycle through Aarau, impressionist style"
• "What models are available?" → Claude lists them
• "Use flux-pro for the best quality version of..."

---

Cost

fal.ai bills per image. Rough guide:

• FLUX Schnell: ~$0.003/image
• FLUX Dev: ~$0.025/image
• FLUX Pro: ~$0.05/image

Free tier available at fal.ai. No subscription required.

---

Why not just use ChatGPT?

You're already using Claude. This gives you image generation without switching apps, with your choice of model instead of one locked option, and with the option to keep your prompts private.

---

License

Do with it what thou willst. (MIT)