> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ironlabs.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Generate your first image

> A 5-minute walkthrough — open Image Mode, prompt, iterate, save.

By the end of this tutorial you'll have a hero image you wrote, generated, refined, and saved — all without leaving chat.

## Before you start

* An IronLabs account at [chat.ironlabs.ai](https://chat.ironlabs.ai).
* That's it.

<Note>
  **Screenshot coming.** Each step gets a captured screenshot in the next pass.
</Note>

## 1. Switch into Image Mode

In the composer, hit `/`. Pick **Image** from the mode switcher.

You'll see the **Image controls** appear above the composer: model, quantity, aspect ratio, quality.

## 2. Pick your model

The model dropdown lists three. For this tutorial, pick **Nano Banana 2** — it has the widest control surface.

## 3. Set the shape

* **Aspect ratio:** **16:9** (great for hero images).
* **Quality:** **HD** (4K).
* **Quantity:** **2** (so you can pick the better of two).

## 4. Prompt

Type:

```
A bonsai pine in a hand-thrown ceramic pot, on weathered oak,
watercolor wash, soft natural side-light from the left.
```

Hit **Enter**.

## 5. Wait the seconds

Generations stream into the chat — usually 5–15 seconds for 4K. You'll see both images appear.

## 6. Refine inline

Don't restart. Reply:

```
Now make the pot a deeper indigo blue and shift the bonsai
slightly to the right of frame.
```

Foundry edits from your last generation. Iterate as many times as you like — the chat preserves every version so you can scroll back to the one you liked best.

## 7. Save

Right-click → **Save image** on the version you want.

## What's next

* **Try different models.** Switch to Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview and compare the same prompt.
* **Iterate without losing context.** Long chats build up a style. The next image you ask for inherits the aesthetic of the previous.
* **Pair with [Fal AI](/foundry/connectors/pre-installed)** if you need batch generation at scale.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Image Mode reference" icon="image" href="/foundry/modes/image">
    Every model, every control.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build a 3D site" icon="cube" href="/foundry/tutorials/build-a-3d-site">
    The next mode to explore.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>