Do I need to write code to use it?

No. You type commands in a terminal. It is the quickest way to try models and prices before anyone builds an integration.

Is there a login command?

No. The CLI reads your key from the SPICY_API_KEY environment variable and nowhere else, so the key never appears in a command line or a config file.

Can it charge me by accident?

Only tasks create and tasks retry spend money, and both show the exact price and ask for confirmation before anything is charged. Browsing, quoting and downloading are free.

Does it work on Windows?

Yes. It runs anywhere Node.js 22.13 or later runs, including PowerShell on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Where do the finished files go?

tasks create --wait prints the result links. Download them with curl or open them in a browser. Links expire, so ask for a fresh one later with files download-url.

Can I use my own picture as input?

Yes. files upload sends a local picture, video or audio file, and you put the reference it returns into your input file.

Command line

Generate images and video from your terminal

The spicyapi command lets you browse models, check an exact price, start a generation and download the result, without writing any code. Paid commands always stop and ask first.

Create an API key Full guide in the docs

What the CLI is for

It is the fastest way to try a model: type a command, see the exact price, say yes, get the file. No project, no code.

You type a commandTerminal or PowerShell
spicyapiShows the exact price and asks first
Your resultA download link, or JSON for scripts

Browsing, quoting and downloading are free. Only creating or retrying a task spends money.

Good for

Trying models fastCompare models and prices before anyone writes code.
Shell scriptsPipe --json output into jq, scheduled jobs or CI steps.
Coding agentsAgents can run commands and read the JSON result.

Set it up in two minutes

Step 1
Install Node.js 22.13 or later
Run node -v. If it prints an older version, install the LTS release from nodejs.org and reopen the terminal.
terminal
```
node -v
```
Step 2
Put your key in SPICY_API_KEY
The CLI reads the key from the environment only. It is never accepted as an argument and never printed, so it cannot leak through your shell history.
```
export SPICY_API_KEY="sk-spicy-..."   # paste your own key
```
```
$env:SPICY_API_KEY = "sk-spicy-..."
```
Step 3
Run it with npx, or install it once
npx runs the latest version without installing anything. Install it globally if you use it every day.
```
npx @spicyapi/cli status
```
```
npm install -g @spicyapi/cli
spicyapi status
```

Your first image from the terminal

Find a model you can call, check the exact price, then create the task and wait for it. Put the input in a file to avoid shell quoting problems.

Step 1
Find a model
List the image models you can call, with their prices.
models list
```
spicyapi models list --modality image --json
```

Step 2

Check the price

Put your prompt in a file and get the exact cost. Nothing is charged.

tasks quote

echo '{ "prompt": "A cinematic night portrait" }' > input.json
spicyapi tasks quote --model MODEL_ID_FROM_CATALOG --input-file input.json

Step 3
Create and wait
The CLI shows the price, asks for your yes, then waits for the result.
tasks create
```
spicyapi tasks create \
  --model MODEL_ID_FROM_CATALOG \
  --input-file input.json \
  --wait
```
Step 4
Download it
Save the file from the result link before it expires.
download
```
curl -L -o result.png "PASTE_THE_URL_HERE"
```

What you can do

Only two commands spend money, and both show the price and wait for your yes.

Explore
01
- spicyapi status
  Check that SpicyAPI is reachable
  Free
- spicyapi models list
  List the models you can use, with prices
  Free
- spicyapi models get <model>
  Show the exact settings one model accepts
  Free
- spicyapi balance
  Check your balance
  Free
Price
02
- spicyapi tasks quote
  Get the exact price before starting
  Free
Generate
03
- spicyapi tasks create
  Start an image or video generation
  Asks before charging
- spicyapi tasks wait <task-id>
  Wait for a generation to finish
  Free
- spicyapi tasks get <task-id>
  Show a generation and its result links
  Free
Files
04
- spicyapi files upload <path>
  Upload a picture, video or audio file as input
  Free
- spicyapi files download-url <task-id>
  Get a fresh download link for a result
  Free

Built for scripts and AI agents too

Add --json to any command for the complete result as JSON, with errors as one JSON line on stderr and a non-zero exit status on failure. Coding agents can run the CLI directly, or use the MCP server for a richer integration.

MCP & agents Open package View source

--json

spicyapi --json tasks get <task-id> > task.json

Fix common errors

Most first-time problems are one of these three. Each card shows what you see and the one thing to change.

$
command not found: spicyapi
The global install is not on your PATH. Run npx @spicyapi/cli instead, or reinstall with npm install -g @spicyapi/cli.
key
Key not set
SPICY_API_KEY only lasts for the window where you set it. Set it again, or add it to your shell profile.
node
Node.js is too old
The CLI needs Node.js 22.13 or later. Check with node -v and install the current LTS release.

Generate images and video from your terminal

What the CLI is for

Set it up in two minutes

Install Node.js 22.13 or later

Put your key in SPICY_API_KEY

Run it with npx, or install it once

Your first image from the terminal

Find a model

Check the price

Create and wait

Download it

What you can do

Explore

Price

Generate

Files

Built for scripts and AI agents too

Fix common errors

command not found: spicyapi

Key not set

Node.js is too old

Questions people ask

Do I need to write code to use it?+

Is there a login command?+

Can it charge me by accident?+

Does it work on Windows?+

Where do the finished files go?+

Can I use my own picture as input?+