Codex (OpenAI)

Codex supports Picsart through two paths: MCP (the primary method for direct tool-call access) and Skills (for a conversational generation experience). MCP connects Codex to the hosted Picsart MCP server at https://api.picsart.com/gen-ai/mcp, with nothing to install locally. Skills drive the gen-ai CLI on your machine.

Prerequisites

1. A Picsart account with credits for generations.
2. A recent version of the Codex CLI. Remote MCP servers and OAuth sign-in need a current release, so update Codex if codex mcp login is not available.

That is all for MCP: the server is hosted by Picsart and you sign in from Codex. You do not need the gen-ai CLI or gen-ai login. Those are needed only for the Skills method.

Method 1: MCP (recommended)

Configure

codex mcp add picsart-gen-ai --url https://api.picsart.com/gen-ai/mcp

Or add it manually to ~/.codex/config.toml:

[mcp_servers.picsart-gen-ai]
url = "https://api.picsart.com/gen-ai/mcp"

No API key or bearer token is needed. Older Codex versions also required experimental_use_rmcp_client = true in config.toml. Update Codex instead of adding that flag.

Sign in to Picsart

codex mcp login picsart-gen-ai

A browser window opens on the Picsart sign-in page. Sign in with your Picsart account, then return to the terminal. Run /mcp inside Codex to confirm picsart-gen-ai is connected and its tools are listed.

Use it

Once connected, Codex can call any Picsart MCP tool:

• "Generate a 16:9 hero image for a Q4 campaign using Flux 2 Pro."
• "Create a 9:16 social clip from this product image using Wan 2.7."
• "Quote the credit cost of an 8-second Veo 3.1 clip at 1080p."

See picsart_generate, picsart_preflight, picsart_remove_bg, picsart_credits, and the full tool list in the MCP Quickstart.

Method 2: Skills

Skills need the gen-ai CLI

Skills run the gen-ai CLI on your machine. Before adding a skill, install the CLI and run gen-ai login once. Check with gen-ai --version and gen-ai credits. The MCP method does not need this.

Add the skill via npx:

npx skills add PicsArt/gen-ai-skills

Or download the .zip from picsart.com/gen-ai-skills and attach it to your Codex session.

Troubleshooting

The sign-in window did not open.

Run codex mcp login picsart-gen-ai again. If the browser still does not open, copy the sign-in URL Codex prints and open it manually.

The server is configured but tools do not appear.

Run /mcp in Codex to check the server status. If it needs authentication, run codex mcp login picsart-gen-ai. Then restart Codex so it reloads the tool list. Check that config.toml uses url, not command.

Generation fails with "unauthorized".

Your Picsart session has expired or was revoked. Run codex mcp logout picsart-gen-ai, then codex mcp login picsart-gen-ai, and restart Codex.

Generation fails with "insufficient credits".

Ask Codex "What's my Picsart credit balance?" (it calls picsart_credits). Top up at picsart.com.

The connection fails on a corporate network.

Codex must reach https://api.picsart.com over HTTPS, and your browser must reach the Picsart sign-in page. Ask your network admin to allow both.

FAQ

What is the difference between MCP and Skills in Codex?

MCP gives Codex direct tool-call access to the full Picsart catalog through the hosted Picsart MCP server. It is precise and scriptable. Skills give the agent pre-built generation instructions and run the gen-ai CLI locally, so you can drive it in plain English. Both draw from the same Picsart credit balance.

Do I need the gen-ai CLI for MCP?

No. The CLI and gen-ai login are needed only for the Skills method.

Does connecting Picsart to Codex cost extra?

No. The MCP server and Skills are free to add. Generations consume Picsart credits.

Start creating

Click below to open ChatGPT with a ready-to-run Picsart prompt. It works once the Picsart connector is added to ChatGPT. See ChatGPT.

Ready to generate?

Start creating in Codex