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Recraft Studio offers two ways to generate images: Agentic mode and Direct mode. Each mode is designed for a different workflow, and you can switch between them at any time.
Agentic and Direct modes are available in the new interface. If the Old interface toggle is enabled, these modes are not accessible.

Agentic mode

Agentic mode uses an LLM-powered assistant to help generate and refine images through a conversational workflow. In this mode:
  • The system understands context and intent across multiple turns, and keeps track of your history.
  • You can describe ideas naturally, refine them, and ask for suggestions.
  • The assistant may suggest adjustments, apply styles, or select models automatically when helpful.
  • You don’t need to restate details repeatedly as you iterate.
  • Image generation and edits follow the flow of the conversation.
Agentic mode is best for exploration, iteration, and situations where you want guidance or are still shaping what you want to create. It may also be faster in achieving your goal, especially when you’re not sure how to prompt something.

Direct mode

Direct mode is a manual, prompt-based workflow with no conversational context. In this mode:
  • Each request is treated independently.
  • No history, context, or memory is applied between generations.
  • You control all inputs explicitly through the prompt and settings.
  • Generation is faster and more predictable.
Direct mode is ideal when you know exactly what you want, need precise control, or are making quick, one-off generations.

Switching between modes

Enable the new interface

To use Agentic or Direct mode:
  1. Locate the Old interface toggle in the upper left.
  2. Turn Old interface off.
Once disabled, the new interface loads and Agentic mode is enabled by default.

Switch modes

You can switch modes directly in the generation interface:
  1. Locate the mode selector near the prompt field.
  2. Select Agentic for conversational, context-aware generation.
  3. Select Direct for manual, stateless prompt-based generation.
Switching modes does not reset your project or canvas:
  • Existing images remain unchanged.
  • You can explore ideas in Agentic mode, then switch to Direct mode to fine-tune details.
  • You can move between modes freely as your workflow changes.

Return to the old interface (optional)

If you re-enable the Old interface toggle, the new interface is disabled and Agentic mode is no longer available.

When to use each mode

ModeBest forBehavior
AgenticExploration, iteration, guidanceContext-aware, conversational, may suggest or adjust settings
DirectPrecision, speed, manual controlStateless, prompt-only, fully explicit
Both modes work within the same canvas and support Recraft Studio’s full set of image generation and editing tools.