Pollinations CLI
The polli command-line tool generates text, images, audio and video on Pollinations models and wires up coding agents.
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Extended access
Why this level
- Requests go to an external service billed in credits; `polli harness` edits third-party agent configs.
Install
- Works in
Manual install
npx @pollinations/cliRuns without installing, as in the README. The short `polli` command appears after `npm install -g @pollinations/cli`.
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- Requests go to an external service billed in credits; `polli harness` edits third-party agent configs.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Pollinations, an open generative platform with one API, publishes the `@pollinations/cli` CLI. The `npx @pollinations/cli gen image|text|audio|video|transcribe` command makes an image, text, speech, video or a transcript. After `npm install -g @pollinations/cli` the short `polli` command is available: `polli models` lists models and `polli auth login` signs in. The `polli harness` command switches coding agents such as Hermes Agent, OpenCode and Pi to Pollinations models and restores the previous config with `off`. The package ships a `SKILL.md` for agents.
Who it is for. Developers and creators who need media and text generation from a terminal or script, including inside an agent session.
Good fit when
- An agent makes an image for a page with `gen image` and saves the file.
- A script voices text with the `nova` voice or transcribes audio.
- A coding agent is temporarily moved to Pollinations models through `polli harness`.
- The list of available models needs a quick comparison with `polli models`.
Not a fit when
- Generation cannot be sent to an external service.
- An offline tool with no account or key is required.
- There is no budget for paid requests.
Example request
Generate `cover.png` with `gen image` on the `flux.1-schnell` model from the article summary and place it in `public/`.Limitations
Generation goes through the `gen.pollinations.ai` service and spends Pollen credits (about $1 per Pollen in the README). An API key from `enter.pollinations.ai` is required. The `polli harness` command edits a third-party agent's config, so keep a backup before the first run. The set of models and prices changes; `polli models` returns the current list. The platform is large and the CLI is only one part of it: some README features, such as hosted agents, belong to the service itself rather than to the tool.
How to disable. Restore the agent's settings with `polli harness <name> off`, run `npm uninstall -g @pollinations/cli` and revoke the key in the Pollinations dashboard.
FAQ
How do I run it without installing?
With `npx @pollinations/cli` plus a subcommand, for example `npx @pollinations/cli gen text "..."`.
How do I get the short `polli` command?
Install the package globally: `npm install -g @pollinations/cli`.
Which kinds of generation exist?
Images, text, audio, video and speech transcription: the `gen image`, `gen text`, `gen audio`, `gen video` and `gen transcribe` subcommands.
What does `polli harness` do?
It edits a coding agent's config so it calls Pollinations models with a dedicated key. The `off` command restores the previous state.
Is there an MCP server?
Yes, a hosted server is available at `https://gen.pollinations.ai/mcp/pollinations` and takes the API key in an `Authorization: Bearer` header.
Discussion
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README in short
The README covers a unified API, Pollen credit billing, the `npx @pollinations/cli` CLI, a section on running coding agents on platform models and a hosted MCP server.