---
title: "Use Recraft in OpenClaw via RunAPI — Upscale & Background Removal"
url: "https://runapi.ai/openclaw-recraft.md"
canonical: "https://runapi.ai/openclaw-recraft"
locale: "en"
model: "recraft"
---

# Use Recraft in OpenClaw.

Recraft provides crisp neural image upscaling that recovers fine detail without artifacts, and precise background removal that preserves hair strands and transparent edges. OpenClaw agents call both endpoints through the same RunAPI key used for chat — send a source image URL, choose upscale or background removal, and poll for the processed result.

## API example

```bash
curl -X POST https://runapi.ai/api/v1/recraft/upscale_image \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $RUNAPI_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "recraft-crisp-upscale",
    "source_image_url": "https://example.com/product-photo.jpg"
  }'

```

### Response

```json
{
  "task_id": "tsk_abc123",
  "status": "pending",
  "model": "recraft-crisp-upscale"
}

```

## How it works

1. **Configure RunAPI** — If you have not set up RunAPI in OpenClaw yet, follow the OpenClaw setup guide. Set the RUNAPI_API_KEY environment variable and add RunAPI as an OpenAI-compatible provider with baseUrl https://runapi.ai/v1.
2. **Call Recraft upscale or remove background** — Send a POST request to the upscale_image endpoint with model set to recraft-crisp-upscale and provide the source_image_url. For background removal, POST to the remove_background endpoint with model recraft-remove-background instead. Both require only source_image_url.
3. **Poll for the result** — Both endpoints return a task_id with status pending. Poll the task status endpoint until the status changes to completed, then retrieve the processed image URL from the response. RunAPI SDKs and the CLI handle polling automatically.

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `model` | `string` | Required. recraft-crisp-upscale for upscaling, recraft-remove-background for background removal. |
| `source_image_url` | `string` | Required. URL of the source image to process. |
| `callback_url` | `string` | Optional. Webhook URL for async completion notification. |

## FAQ

### Can I chain Recraft background removal and upscaling in one OpenClaw workflow?

Yes. Both endpoints are stateless and accept standard image URLs. Instruct the OpenClaw agent to first call remove_background with the original image, then pass the output URL to upscale_image. The same RUNAPI_API_KEY handles both calls.

### What image formats does Recraft accept and output?

Recraft accepts JPEG, PNG, and WebP inputs. Background removal outputs PNG with alpha transparency. Upscale output matches the input format.

### How does Recraft crisp upscale differ from Topaz upscale on RunAPI?

Both use neural networks, but Recraft crisp upscale is optimized for clean edge recovery on design assets and product photos with lower per-task cost. Topaz offers configurable 2x/4x/8x scale factors and is better suited for photographic detail at extreme enlargements. Both are async and share the same RunAPI key.

### Is Recraft processing async or sync?

Both Recraft endpoints are async. The API returns a task_id immediately. Poll the task status endpoint until the result is ready. RunAPI SDKs and the CLI handle polling automatically.

### What does Recraft cost on RunAPI?

Recraft uses per-task billing — upscaling and background removal are priced separately per image processed. Check the RunAPI pricing page for current rates. No subscription or minimum spend required.


## Links

- [OpenClaw setup guide →](https://runapi.ai/openclaw)
- [Recraft models →](https://runapi.ai/models/recraft)
- [Model catalog](https://runapi.ai/models)
- [API docs](https://runapi.ai/docs)