About imagegen-mcp
imagegen-mcp is an AI image-generation service for MCP clients, with text-to-image, background removal, 4x upscaling, and photo transformations that preserve subject identity. It charges per call in USDC on Base through x402 and handles payment automatically.
Key features
- 01Generate images from prompts
- 02Generate images with background removal
- 03Upscale images to 4x HD
- 04List identity-preserving transform presets
- 05Transform photos while preserving subject identity
Use cases
- 01Create prompt-based images in selected aspect ratios
- 02Produce product images with transparent backgrounds
- 03Apply presets to photos and upscale the results
MCP support
The MCP server provides clients with image generation, editing, and transformation tools. Calls are paid in USDC on Base through x402; the server signs and broadcasts payment before retrying the request.
Configuration
Local server config is the same for every client. Copy it into your client’s MCP config file.
npx -y forgemesh-imagegenWALLET_PRIVATE_KEYSecretBase wallet private key for x402 USDC micropayments. Use a dedicated low-balance wallet.Local servers need a runtime on your machine (e.g. Node.js 18+). Config file locations differ by client; see your client’s docs.
Tools
Local servers expose tools only once running on your machine, and the maintainer has not provided a tool list.
Details
From the project READMEforgemesh-imagegen
MCP server for AI image generation. Generate images, remove backgrounds, upscale to 4x HD — all from a single MCP tool call. Payments handled automatically in USDC on Base mainnet via x402. No API key. No subscription. Pay per image.
Part of the ForgeMesh ecosystem — infrastructure for autonomous agents.
Tools
| Tool | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|
generate_image | Standard text-to-image generation | $0.25 USDC |
generate_clean | Generate + background removal | $0.35 USDC |
generate_hd | Premium generate + 4x upscale (HD) | $0.50 USDC |
generate_pro | Top-tier generate + bg removal + 4x upscale | $0.75 USDC |
list_presets | List the 58 identity-preserving transform presets (person or pet) | $0.005 USDC |
transform_image | Transform a photo with a preset while keeping the subject's identity (FLUX Kontext Max) | $0.75 USDC |
The four generate_* tools accept prompt (required) and aspect (optional: 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3).
transform_image takes a public image_url, a preset id from list_presets, an optional aspect (match_input_image default, or 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, 4:3, 3:4) and wait (default true: polls the free status URL until the PNG is ready, usually 15-30s). Submit only images you have rights to; no minors; the provider safety filter applies.
Install
Claude Desktop
Add to claude_desktop_config.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"forgemesh-imagegen": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "forgemesh-imagegen"],
"env": {
"WALLET_PRIVATE_KEY": "0x..."
}
}
}
}
Claude Code
claude mcp add forgemesh-imagegen -- npx -y forgemesh-imagegen
Then set the env var:
export WALLET_PRIVATE_KEY=0x...
Requirements
- A dedicated, low-balance Base mainnet wallet private key with USDC (never your primary wallet: the server signs USDC transfers autonomously)
- $1 USDC ≈ 4 base images, 2 clean, 2 HD, or 1 pro, or 1 transform
- No other API keys needed
Get USDC on Base: Coinbase → Bridge to Base, or buy directly on Base.
Example usage
generate_image(prompt="a red panda in a spacesuit", aspect="1:1")
→ { image_url: "https://...", prompt: "...", aspect: "1:1", tier: "image" }
generate_clean(prompt="a product photo of a ceramic mug")
→ { image_url: "https://...", tier: "clean" } // transparent PNG
generate_hd(prompt="a futuristic city at night, cyberpunk style")
→ { image_url: "https://...", tier: "hd" } // 4096x4096
generate_pro(prompt="a logo mark, geometric eagle")
→ { image_url: "https://...", tier: "pro" } // transparent + HD
list_presets()
→ { count: 58, presets: [{ id: "pet-royal", title: "Pet Royalty", subject: "pet", ... }, ...] }
transform_image(image_url="https://example.com/my-dog.jpg", preset="pet-royal")
→ { job_id: "...", status: "succeeded", preset: "pet-royal", image_url: "https://..." }
How it works
Each tool call makes an HTTP request to the ForgeMesh imagegen service gated by the x402 protocol. If payment is required, the MCP automatically signs and broadcasts a USDC transfer from your wallet on Base mainnet — then retries the request. You see the result, your wallet is charged, no manual steps.
- Network: Base mainnet (eip155:8453)
- Token: USDC
- Protocol: x402
- The server only ever connects to
https://imagegen.coinopai.com; every request has a 60s timeout and a 1 MB response cap; no third-party payment routers or affiliate hops.
Links
- ForgeMesh — ecosystem overview
- npm
- x402 Protocol
License
MIT © ForgeMesh Labs
Comments
New to MCP?
From what the protocol is to installing your first server, these answers cover most first questions.
An open protocol that defines how AI applications connect to external tools and data in a uniform way. Clients talk to the model; MCP servers provide tools, resources and prompt templates. They exchange standard messages, so one server can be reused by many clients.