> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.comfy.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Getting Started with AI Image Generation > This tutorial will guide you through your first image generation with ComfyUI, covering basic interface operations like workflow loading, model installation, and image generation This guide is intended for **local users** running ComfyUI on their own device. If you'd prefer not to install anything locally, try our official cloud service instead. Run ComfyUI online with zero setup. Sign in with Google to get **400 free credits every month**. This guide aims to help you understand ComfyUI's basic operations and complete your first image generation. We'll cover: 1. Loading example workflows * Loading from ComfyUI's workflow templates * Loading from images with workflow metadata 2. Model installation guidance * Automatic model installation * Manual model installation 3. Completing your first text-to-image generation ## About Text-to-Image Text-to-Image is a fundamental AI drawing feature that generates images from text descriptions. It's one of the most commonly used functions in AI art generation. You can think of the process as telling your requirements (positive and negative prompts) to an artist (the drawing model), who will then create what you want. Detailed explanations about text-to-image will be covered in the [Text to Image](/tutorials/basic/text-to-image) chapter. ## ComfyUI Text-to-Image Workflow Tutorial ### 1. Launch ComfyUI Make sure you've followed the [installation guide](/installation/system_requirements) to start ComfyUI and can successfully enter the ComfyUI interface. Alternatively, you can use [Comfy Cloud](/get_started/cloud) to use ComfyUI without any installation.

If you have not installed ComfyUI, please choose a suitable version to install based on your device. ComfyUI Desktop currently supports standalone installation for **Windows and MacOS (ARM)**, currently in Beta * Code is open source on [Github](https://github.com/Comfy-Org/desktop) Because Desktop is always built based on the **stable release**, so the latest updates may take some time to experience for Desktop, if you want to always experience the latest version, please use the portable version or manual installation You can choose the appropriate installation for your system and hardware below Suitable for **Windows** version with **Nvidia** GPU Suitable for MacOS with **Apple Silicon** ComfyUI Desktop **currently has no Linux prebuilds**, please visit the [Manual Installation](/installation/manual_install) section to install ComfyUI Portable version is a ComfyUI version that integrates an independent embedded Python environment, using the portable version you can experience the latest features, currently only supports **Windows** system Supports **Windows** ComfyUI version running on **Nvidia GPUs** or **CPU-only**, always use the latest commits and completely portable. Supports all system types and GPU types (Nvidia, AMD, Intel, Apple Silicon, Ascend NPU, Cambricon MLU) ### 2. Load Default Text-to-Image Workflow ComfyUI usually loads the default text-to-image workflow automatically when launched. However, you can try different methods to load workflows to familiarize yourself with ComfyUI's basic operations: ComfyUI Interface

Follow the numbered steps in the image: 1. Click the **Fit View** button in the bottom right to ensure any loaded workflow isn't hidden 2. Click the **folder icon (workflows)** in the sidebar 3. Click the **Browse example workflows** button at the top of the Workflows panel Continue with: Load Workflow

4. Select the first default workflow **Image Generation** to load it All images generated by ComfyUI contain metadata including workflow information. You can load workflows by: * Dragging and dropping a ComfyUI-generated image into the interface * Using menu **Workflows** -> **Open** to open an image Try loading the workflow using this example image: ![ComfyUI-Text to Image Workflow](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Comfy-Org/example_workflows/refs/heads/main/text-to-image-workflow.png) ComfyUI workflows can be stored in JSON format. You can export workflows using menu **Workflows** -> **Export**. Try downloading and loading this example workflow:

Download text-to-image.json

After downloading, use menu **Workflows** -> **Open** to load the JSON file. ### 3. Model Installation Most ComfyUI installations don't include base models by default. After loading the workflow, if you don't have the [v1-5-pruned-emaonly-fp16.safetensors](https://huggingface.co/Comfy-Org/stable-diffusion-v1-5-archive/blob/main/v1-5-pruned-emaonly-fp16.safetensors) model installed, you'll see this prompt: First, ComfyUI will warn you that some models are missing: Missing models warning

Click the warning to see which model is missing and the download link: Missing model details

All models are stored in `/ComfyUI/models/` with subfolders like `checkpoints`, `embeddings`, `vae`, `lora`, `upscale_model`, etc. ComfyUI detects models in these folders and paths configured in `extra_model_paths.yaml` at startup. Desktop models folder path

On **ComfyUI Desktop**, the models folder location may differ from portable/other installs. Follow these steps: 1. Click the **logo** at the top-left 2. Open **Help** → **Open folder** 3. Choose **Open models folder** If your interface is in another language, the exact menu text may differ, but the flow is the same: **Help** → **Open folder** → **Open models folder** (or the closest equivalent in your language). For the portable version, the models folder is usually located at: `ComfyUI_windows_portable/ComfyUI/models/` You can install models through: After you click the **Download** button, ComfyUI will execute the download, and different behaviors will be performed depending on the version you are using. The desktop version will automatically complete the model download and save it to the `/ComfyUI/models/checkpoints` directory. You can wait for the installation to complete or view the installation progress in the model panel on the sidebar. Model Download Progress

Automatic downloads typically fetch models from **Hugging Face**. Make sure your network can reliably reach Hugging Face. If the download **does not start** or shows **no progress for a long time**, copy the model link from the missing-model details (or use the manual installation section below) and install the model manually. The browser will execute file downloads. Please save the file to the `/ComfyUI_windows_portable/ComfyUI/models/checkpoints` directory after the download is complete. Visit [v1-5-pruned-emaonly-fp16.safetensors](https://huggingface.co/Comfy-Org/stable-diffusion-v1-5-archive/blob/main/v1-5-pruned-emaonly-fp16.safetensors) and follow this guide: Hugging Face Model Download

Save the downloaded file to: Save to `/ComfyUI/models/checkpoints` ComfyUI Desktop Model Save Location

Save to `ComfyUI_windows_portable/ComfyUI/models/checkpoints` ComfyUI Portable Model Save Location

Refresh or restart ComfyUI after saving. ### 4. Load Model and Generate Your First Image After you install or update models, press **`R`** on your keyboard to refresh object definitions and update model lists in nodes (for example, the dropdown in **Load Checkpoint**). Then continue with the steps below: Run workflow

1. In the **Load Checkpoint** node, ensure **v1-5-pruned-emaonly-fp16.safetensors** is selected 2. Click `Run` or press `Ctrl + Enter` to generate The result will appear in the **Save Image** node. Right-click to save locally. ComfyUI First Image Generation Result

For detailed text-to-image instructions, see our comprehensive guide: Click here for detailed text-to-image workflow instructions ## Troubleshooting ### Model Loading Issues If the `Load Checkpoint` node shows no models or displays "null", verify your model installation location and try refreshing or restarting ComfyUI.