How to Make Images & Videos Using Claude 🛠️

Claude is incredible at text, but it cannot natively generate images or videos. That changes when you connect it to the Picsart CLI. Once installed, Claude gets access to over 130 AI models for generating images (Flux, Recraft, Nano Banana), videos (Kling, Veo, Runway), and audio (ElevenLabs). All from a single setup that takes about 5 minutes.

The best part? Everything happens right inside the Claude desktop app. No terminal, no separate installs, no config files. Just open Claude, go to the Code tab, paste one command, and you are done.

• A computer (Mac, Windows, or Linux)
• The Claude desktop app (free at claude.ai/download)
• A Picsart account (free, comes with starter credits)
• About 5 minutes

Picsart gives you free starter credits when you sign up - enough for 10-20 image generations or 1-2 short videos. After that, you buy credits as needed. No monthly subscription. Image generations cost 1-4 credits. Videos cost 20-50 credits. Way cheaper than subscribing to each AI model individually.

1. Download the Claude Desktop App

Get it from claude.ai/download. The browser version does not have the Code tab, so you need the desktop app.

2. Open the Code Tab

At the top of the chat window, click Code. This is Claude's built-in coding environment - think of it as a terminal that lives inside Claude.

3. Paste the Install Command

In the Code tab, type:

Install the Picsart CLI: npm install -g @picsart/gen-ai

Claude runs the install in the background. Takes about 10-30 seconds.

4. Verify the Installation

Run: gen-ai --version

If you see a version number, you are ready for Part 2.

5. Create a Picsart Account

Go to picsart.com and sign up. Email, Google, or Apple. New accounts come with free starter credits.

6. Run the Login Command in Claude

Run: gen-ai login

Your browser opens automatically.

7. Authorize in Your Browser

Sign in, click Allow, then switch back to Claude. You will see a confirmation that you are logged in.

8. Verify Your Login

Run: gen-ai whoami

Run: gen-ai credits

First shows your email. Second shows your remaining credits. You only need to log in once - the token is saved.

Open the Claude desktop app, go to the Code tab, and describe what you want in plain English. Claude picks the right model and generates it.

Generate an image of a golden retriever sitting in a field of sunflowers

Takes 5-15 seconds. The image appears in the chat - right-click to save, or Claude will give you the file path.

If the first result is not right, just tell Claude what to change: "make the lighting warmer," "change the background to a city skyline," "same thing but in vertical format." Claude refines for you.

Image Models

• Flux 2 Pro (2-4 credits) - Photorealistic images, product shots, detailed scenes
• Recraft V4 (2-4 credits) - Vector art, illustrations, logos, graphic design
• Nano Banana (1-2 credits) - Quick drafts, concept art, cheapest option

Video Models

• Kling (20-40 credits) - Short-form video, product demos, social content
• Veo (25-45 credits) - High-quality cinematic video, realistic motion

Audio Models

• ElevenLabs (3-10 credits) - Voiceovers, text-to-speech, narration, podcast audio

Other Tools

• Background Removal (1-3 credits)
• 4x Upscaling up to 4096x4096 (1-3 credits)
• Object Erasure (1-3 credits)

Product Shot

Generate a professional product photo of a white coffee mug on a marble countertop with soft natural lighting. Clean background, high resolution.

Social Media Graphic

Create an Instagram post graphic with bold text that says 'NEW DROP' on a gradient background going from deep purple to electric blue.

Landscape

Generate a photorealistic image of a misty mountain lake at sunrise with pine trees reflected in the still water. Golden hour lighting.

Product Demo Video

Create a 5-second video of a sneaker rotating slowly on a white background with soft studio lighting.

Social Video

Generate a short video of ocean waves crashing on a sandy beach at sunset. Cinematic, slow motion feel.

Voiceover

Generate a professional male voiceover that says: "Welcome to our brand. We make products that change the way you live." Warm, confident tone.

• Be specific. Instead of "image of a dog," say "photorealistic golden retriever puppy in a sunlit park, shallow depth of field, shot on a 50mm lens."
• Specify the model. "Use Flux for a photorealistic portrait" or "Use Recraft for a vector logo."
• Iterate freely. Tell Claude what to change and it refines.
• Check credits. Run gen-ai credits anytime. Run gen-ai pricing to see costs before generating.
• Use background removal and upscaling. Some of the most useful tools - only 1-3 credits each.
• Save your favorites immediately before moving on to the next generation.

• Claude says it cannot generate images - Run gen-ai login.
• The install command did not work - Make sure you are in the Code tab, not regular chat.
• Out of credits - Run gen-ai credits to check, then top up at picsart.com.

Download the PDF below for the complete walkthrough including the quick command reference and full setup instructions.