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Images

Generate AI featured images and upload inline images.

Images

Hot Metal gives you two ways to add visuals to your posts: AI-generated featured images and inline image uploads. Both are built into the draft panel so you can handle images without leaving the workspace.

A featured image is the hero image that represents your post — it typically appears at the top of the published article and in social media previews. Hot Metal can generate one for you using AI.

Opening the image generator

In view mode, you’ll see a Generate Featured Image link just below the draft header. Click it to expand the image generation section. (If you haven’t created a draft yet, this button is disabled — write some content first so the AI has context to work with.)

Writing a prompt

The image generator shows a text area where you describe the image you want. You have two options:

  • Write your own prompt — Type a description of the image you have in mind, such as “A minimalist illustration of a developer working at a desk with multiple screens, warm lighting, flat design.”
  • Auto-generate a prompt — Click the Auto-generate prompt button and the AI will analyze your draft content and create an image prompt for you. You can then edit the generated prompt before proceeding.

Generating and selecting

Once you have a prompt, click Generate 4 Options. The AI will produce four image variations based on your description. While images are being generated, you’ll see animated placeholder cards.

When the results are ready:

  1. Click on the image you like best. A highlighted border and check icon confirm your selection.
  2. Click Use Selected to set it as your featured image.

If none of the options are quite right, you can:

  • Click Edit Prompt to revise your description and try again.
  • Click Regenerate to get four new options with the same prompt.

After selecting

Once you select a featured image, it appears as a thumbnail in the draft header. You can click Change at any time to open the generator again and pick a different image. The selected featured image is included when you publish your post.

Inline image uploads

In addition to the featured image, you can insert images directly into the body of your draft. These inline images appear within the text and are preserved when you publish.

How to add inline images

You need to be in edit mode (click the pencil icon) to insert inline images. There are three ways to add them:

  • Toolbar button — Click the Add Image button in the editing toolbar above the draft. This opens a file picker where you can choose an image from your computer.
  • Paste from clipboard — Copy an image and paste it directly into the editor. The upload happens automatically.
  • Drag and drop — Drag an image file from your desktop or file manager and drop it into the editor.

Supported formats and limits

  • Formats — JPEG, PNG, WebP, and GIF.
  • Size limit — 5 MB per image. If you try to upload a larger file, you’ll see an error message.

Upload behavior

When you add an image, it’s uploaded to Hot Metal’s storage and inserted at your cursor position. While the upload is in progress, the Add Image button shows “Uploading…” and is temporarily disabled. Once the upload completes, the image appears inline in your draft and is saved as part of the content.

Inline images are preserved through all draft versions and are included when you publish.

Next steps