Setting	Type	Description
`api_key`	Required	Your VLM Run API key (required)
`base_url`	Optional	Base URL (default: `https://api.vlm.run/v1`)
`cache_dir`	Optional	Cache directory (default: `~/.vlmrun/cache/artifacts/`)

Command

vlmrun chat "<prompt>" -i input.jpg [options]

Options

Flag	Description
`-p, --prompt`	Prompt text, file path, or `stdin`
`-i, --input`	Input file(s) - images, videos, docs (repeatable)
`-o, --output`	Artifact directory (default: `~/.vlmrun/cache/artifacts/`)
`-m, --model`	`vlmrun-orion-1:fast`, `vlmrun-orion-1:auto` (default), `vlmrun-orion-1:pro`
`-k, --skill`	Path to a local skill directory (inline). Repeatable. Cannot be used with `--skill-id`.
`--skill-id`	Server-side skill as `<name>:<version>` (e.g. `my-skill:latest`). Repeatable. Cannot be used with `--skill`.
`-t, --toolset`	Tool category to enable (repeatable): `core`, `image`, `image-gen`, `world-gen`, `viz`, `document`, `video`, `web`
`-s, --session-id`	Session UUID to continue a previous session
`-f, --format`	Output format (`json` for JSON output)
`-ns, --no-stream`	Disable streaming
`-nd, --no-download`	Skip artifact download

Examples

Images

vlmrun chat "Describe what you see in this image in detail" -i photo.jpg
vlmrun chat "Detect and list all objects visible in this scene" -i scene.jpg
vlmrun chat "Extract all text and numbers from this document image" -i document.png
vlmrun chat "Compare these two images and describe the differences" -i before.jpg -i after.jpg

Image Generation

vlmrun chat "Generate a photorealistic image of a cozy cabin in a snowy forest at sunset" -o ./generated
vlmrun chat "Remove the background from this product image and make it transparent" -i product.jpg -o ./output

Video

vlmrun chat "Summarize the key points discussed in this meeting video" -i meeting.mp4
vlmrun chat "Find the top 3 highlight moments and create short clips from them" -i sports.mp4
vlmrun chat "Transcribe this lecture with timestamps for each section" -i lecture.mp4 --json

Video Generation

vlmrun chat "Generate a 5-second video of ocean waves crashing on a rocky beach at golden hour" -o ./videos
vlmrun chat "Create a smooth slow-motion video from this image" -i ocean.jpg -o ./output

Documents

vlmrun chat "Extract the vendor name, line items, and total amount" -i invoice.pdf --json
vlmrun chat "Summarize the key terms and obligations in this contract" -i contract.pdf

Prompt Sources

# Direct prompt
vlmrun chat "What objects and people are visible in this image?" -i photo.jpg

# Prompt from file
vlmrun chat -p long_prompt.txt -i photo.jpg

# Prompt from stdin
echo "Describe this image in detail" | vlmrun chat - -i photo.jpg

Continuing a previous session

If you want to keep the past conversation and generated artifacts in context, you can use the -s flag to continue a previous session using the session ID generated when you started the session.

# Start a new session of an image generation task where a new character is generated
vlmrun chat "Create an iconic scene of a ninja in a forest, practicing his skills with a katana?" -i photo.jpg

# Use the previous chat session in context to retain the same character and scene context (where the session ID is <session_id>)
vlmrun chat "Create a new scene with the same character meditating under a tree" -i photo.jpg -s <session_id>

Skipping artifact download

If you want to skip the artifact download, you can use the -nd flag.

vlmrun chat "What objects and people are visible in this image?" -i photo.jpg -nd

Inline Skills

Inline skills let you attach a local skill directory directly to a chat request using the --skill (-k) flag. The directory is bundled and sent with the request — no server-side upload needed. Each skill directory must contain a SKILL.md file (with optional YAML frontmatter for name/description) and may include additional files (schemas, scripts, assets).

# Use a local skill to process an image
vlmrun chat "Extract the key fields from this receipt" -i receipt.jpg --skill ./receipt-extraction-skill

# Use a local skill to process a document
vlmrun chat "Parse this invoice" -i invoice.pdf --skill ./invoice-skill --format json

# Combine an inline skill with a specific model
vlmrun chat "Analyze this chart" -i chart.png --skill ./chart-analysis-skill -m vlmrun-orion-1:pro

# Use multiple inline skills in a single request
vlmrun chat "Summarize and extract tables" -i report.pdf --skill ./summarize-skill --skill ./table-extraction-skill

# Let the skill's built-in prompt drive the request (empty prompt)
vlmrun chat "" -i form.pdf --skill ./form-extraction-skill

# Inline skill with a toolset for visualization output
vlmrun chat "Detect objects and visualize" -i photo.jpg --skill ./detection-skill -t viz

Skill directory structure:

my-skill/
├── SKILL.md        # Required — instructions + optional YAML frontmatter
├── schema.json     # Optional — output JSON schema
└── assets/         # Optional — additional resources
    └── examples.md

Example SKILL.md frontmatter:

---
name: receipt-extraction
description: Extract vendor, line items, and totals from receipt images
---

# Receipt Extraction

Extract structured data from receipt images...

Tip: Use --skill for rapid local development and iteration. Once your skill is ready, upload it with vlmrun skills upload ./my-skill so it can be referenced by name using --skill-id.

Server-side Skills

Reference previously uploaded skills by name and version using the --skill-id flag.

# Use a server-side skill by name (defaults to latest version)
vlmrun chat "Extract the key fields" -i receipt.jpg --skill-id receipt-extraction:latest

# Pin a specific skill version
vlmrun chat "Parse this document" -i doc.pdf --skill-id invoice-parser:20260312-abc

# Combine a server-side skill with JSON output
vlmrun chat "Analyze this form" -i form.pdf --skill-id form-analysis:latest --format json

Skills Management

Manage reusable skills via vlmrun skills.

# List / inspect
vlmrun skills list
vlmrun skills list --grouped
vlmrun skills get my-skill
vlmrun skills get my-skill -V 20260312-abc

# Upload a skill folder (name/description from SKILL.md frontmatter)
vlmrun skills upload ./my-skill

# Download a skill
vlmrun skills download my-skill
vlmrun skills download my-skill -o ./local-dir

# Create from prompt or session
vlmrun skills create --prompt "Extract invoice fields"
vlmrun skills create --session-id <session-uuid>

Notes

Use -o ./<directory> to save generated artifacts (images, videos) relative to your current working directory
Without -o, artifacts save to ~/.vlmrun/cache/artifacts/<session_id>/
Multiple input files upload concurrently

vlmrun-cli-skill

VLM Run CLI

Setup

Configuration

More from vlm-run/skills

mm-cli-skill