Can I use Z Image in WorkBuddy?

Yes. WorkBuddy speaks MCP natively. Add RunAPI as an MCP server pointing at https://runapi.ai/mcp with your RUNAPI_API_KEY, and the workbench agent can call the text-to-image tool with model set to z-image.

Do I need a separate API key for Z Image?

No. The same RUNAPI_API_KEY behind the runapi MCP server also covers Z Image. All RunAPI models share one key and one credits balance, so nothing extra to configure per model.

Is Z Image async or sync?

Z Image is async. The tool call returns a task_id immediately, and the WorkBuddy agent handles the follow-up for you — it waits for the task to complete and returns the image URL in the conversation.

What does Z Image cost?

Z Image uses pay-as-you-go pricing at around $0.004 per image, making it one of the cheapest options on RunAPI. Check the RunAPI pricing page for the current rate. There is no monthly subscription or minimum spend.

How does Z Image compare to Flux or Nano Banana?

Z Image wins on speed and cost — sub-second generation at a fraction of a cent per image. Flux 2 and Nano Banana produce higher-fidelity output but cost 5-10x more and take longer. Use Z Image for volume work and concept exploration, then switch models in the same MCP server for final selects.

Claude visitors: new accounts receive $1.00 in bonus API credit within 30 days. One per person; usage credits only.

WORKBUDDY + Z IMAGE

Use Z Image in WorkBuddy.

Z Image is Alibaba's fast image generation model with bilingual text rendering in Chinese and English. WorkBuddy speaks MCP natively — add RunAPI as an MCP server once, and the workbench agent can call Z Image as a tool with the same RUNAPI_API_KEY used for every other model.

Get API Key Read the docs

one MCP server · one API key · async task handled by the agent

Use the runapi MCP server to generate an image with Z Image.

Requirements:
- Call the RunAPI text-to-image tool with model set to "z-image".
- Prompt: "A neon-lit Tokyo street at night with Japanese shop signs, cinematic lighting, 8K detail".
- Wait until the task completes, then give me the final image URL.

{
  "mcp_servers": {
    "runapi": {
      "url": "https://runapi.ai/mcp",
      "transport": "streamable_http",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${RUNAPI_API_KEY}"
      }
    }
  }
}

{
  "task_id": "tsk_abc123",
  "status": "completed",
  "model": "z-image",
  "output": {
    "image_url": "https://runapi.ai/files/tsk_abc123.png"
  }
}

Copy the MCP config to connect z-image

HOW IT WORKS

Use Z Image in WorkBuddy in three steps

Add the RunAPI MCP server

Register an MCP server named runapi in WorkBuddy pointing at https://runapi.ai/mcp over streamable HTTP, with the Authorization header reading your key from RUNAPI_API_KEY. If RunAPI is already connected for other models, skip this step — the same server exposes Z Image.

url: https://runapi.ai/mcp

Prompt the workbench agent

Paste the prompt into WorkBuddy and ask it to use the runapi MCP server with model set to z-image. Z Image accepts prompts in Chinese, English, or both, and renders text in either script accurately.

model: z-image

Let the agent return the result

WorkBuddy calls the RunAPI text-to-image tool, which creates an async task. The agent handles the waiting for you and drops the finished image URL back into the conversation when the task completes.

task_id: tsk_abc123

PARAMETERS

Z Image API parameters

Parameter	Type	Description
`model`	`string`	Required. Use z-image.
`prompt`	`string`	Text description. Supports Chinese and English.
`negative_prompt`	`string`	Optional. What to avoid in the image.
`size`	`string`	Optional. Output dimensions, e.g. 1024x1024.
`callback_url`	`string`	Optional. Webhook URL for async completion notification.

What is Z Image on WorkBuddy?

Z Image is the speed-optimized image model that users call "amazing" for its sub-second generation and ultra-realistic output. It runs on Apache 2.0 open source, renders bilingual text in Chinese and English, and captures subtle facial details that other fast models miss. At around $0.004 per image through RunAPI, it is one of the cheapest options available. In WorkBuddy it appears as a tool on the runapi MCP server, so the workbench agent can generate images mid-task without leaving the conversation.

Z Image use cases

Concept exploration and rapid prototyping

Ask WorkBuddy for a dozen visual directions and get them back in seconds at fractions of a cent each — explore broadly before committing a more expensive model to final output.

Bilingual marketing campaigns

Create marketing visuals with accurately rendered Chinese and English text in a single image, useful for cross-border e-commerce and multilingual social media produced straight from the workbench.

Fashion and product photography mockups

Generate realistic product photography mockups with accurate material textures and lighting, fast enough to iterate on compositions live while you refine the brief with the agent.

FAQ

Z Image + WorkBuddy questions

WorkBuddy general setup

Not connected yet? Start with the RunAPI MCP setup guide for WorkBuddy.

WorkBuddy setup guide →

Z Image model catalog

See all Z Image variants, pricing, and API docs.

Z Image models →

Try Z Image in WorkBuddy today.

Get a free RunAPI key, add the MCP server to WorkBuddy, and start generating images with bilingual text rendering from the workbench.

Browse models →