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Get your API key from the dashboard

export FAL_KEY="your-api-key"

Important: When using $VAR in a command that pipes to another command, wrap the command containing $VAR in bash -c '...'. Due to a Claude Code bug, environment variables are silently cleared when pipes are used directly.
bash -c 'curl -s "https://api.example.com" -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY"'

How to Use

1. Generate Image (nano-banana-pro - fast)

Write to /tmp/fal_request.json:

{
  "prompt": "A futuristic city at sunset, cyberpunk style"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://fal.run/fal-ai/nano-banana-pro" --header "Authorization: Key ${FAL_KEY}" --header "Content-Type: application/json" -d @/tmp/fal_request.json' | jq -r '.images[0].url'

2. Generate Image (flux/schnell - fast)

Write to /tmp/fal_request.json:

{
  "prompt": "A cute cat eating a cookie"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://fal.run/fal-ai/flux/schnell" --header "Authorization: Key ${FAL_KEY}" --header "Content-Type: application/json" -d @/tmp/fal_request.json' | jq -r '.images[0].url'

3. Generate Image (recraft-v3 - high quality)

Write to /tmp/fal_request.json:

{
  "prompt": "Abstract art, vibrant colors"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://fal.run/fal-ai/recraft-v3" --header "Authorization: Key ${FAL_KEY}" --header "Content-Type: application/json" -d @/tmp/fal_request.json' | jq -r '.images[0].url'

4. Generate with Custom Size

Write to /tmp/fal_request.json:

{
  "prompt": "Mountain landscape",
  "image_size": "landscape_16_9"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://fal.run/fal-ai/nano-banana-pro" --header "Authorization: Key ${FAL_KEY}" --header "Content-Type: application/json" -d @/tmp/fal_request.json' | jq -r '.images[0].url'

5. Download Generated Image

Write to /tmp/fal_request.json:

{
  "prompt": "A minimalist workspace"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://fal.run/fal-ai/nano-banana-pro" --header "Authorization: Key ${FAL_KEY}" --header "Content-Type: application/json" -d @/tmp/fal_request.json' | jq -r '.images[0].url' | xargs curl -sL -o /tmp/image.png

6. Pipe Prompt from Echo (JSON escaped)

echo "A dragon breathing fire, epic fantasy art" | jq -Rs '{prompt: .}' > /tmp/fal_request.json
bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://fal.run/fal-ai/nano-banana-pro" --header "Authorization: Key ${FAL_KEY}" --header "Content-Type: application/json" -d @/tmp/fal_request.json' | jq -r '.images[0].url'

7. Pipe Prompt from File (JSON escaped)

cat /tmp/prompt.txt | jq -Rs '{prompt: .}' > /tmp/fal_request.json
bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://fal.run/fal-ai/nano-banana-pro" --header "Authorization: Key ${FAL_KEY}" --header "Content-Type: application/json" -d @/tmp/fal_request.json' | jq -r '.images[0].url'

8. Pipe with Additional Parameters

echo "Neon city at night" | jq -Rs '{prompt: ., image_size: "landscape_16_9"}' > /tmp/fal_request.json
bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://fal.run/fal-ai/nano-banana-pro" --header "Authorization: Key ${FAL_KEY}" --header "Content-Type: application/json" -d @/tmp/fal_request.json' | jq -r '.images[0].url'

Available Models

Model	Description
`nano-banana-pro`	Fast, good quality (recommended)
`flux/schnell`	Fast generation
`flux-pro`	High quality
`recraft-v3`	High quality vector/illustration

See more at: https://fal.ai/models

Image Sizes

Size	Aspect Ratio
`square`	1:1
`square_hd`	1:1 (high res)
`portrait_4_3`	4:3
`portrait_16_9`	16:9
`landscape_4_3`	3:4
`landscape_16_9`	9:16

Prompt Guidelines

For best results:

Be specific - Describe the subject clearly
Add style hints - "modern", "minimalist", "photorealistic", "digital art", "cinematic"
Specify colors/mood - "blue and purple gradient", "warm tones", "dark and moody"
Keep it concise - Clear and focused descriptions work better

fal.ai

fal.ai Image Generator

When to Use

Prerequisites

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