Midjourney API Getting Started: Account, Access, & First Request

Getting started overview

Midjourney provides artificial intelligence image generation from textual prompts. Unlike many services that offer a direct REST API for programmatic access, Midjourney's primary interaction model is through a bot interface within the Discord communication platform. This means that getting started with Midjourney involves a sequence of steps centered around Discord, rather than obtaining API keys and making HTTP requests.

To begin generating images, users need to:

1. Create a Discord account.
2. Join the official Midjourney Discord server.
3. Subscribe to a Midjourney paid plan.
4. Interact with the Midjourney Bot within Discord channels.

This guide outlines these steps to help you initiate your first image generation with Midjourney.

Create an account and get keys

Accessing Midjourney requires both a Discord account and a Midjourney subscription. There are no traditional API keys to obtain for direct integration, as the service operates via its Discord bot.

Step 1: Create a Discord Account

If you do not already have one, create a Discord account. Discord is a free voice, video, and text chat application. You can register for a Discord account on their official website or through their desktop/mobile applications.

Step 2: Join the Midjourney Discord Server

After creating and logging into your Discord account, navigate to the Midjourney homepage. Look for an invitation link to their official Discord server. Clicking this link will typically open Discord and prompt you to join the server. Once joined, you will see various channels, including those designated for image generation, often labeled #newbies or #general.

Step 3: Subscribe to a Midjourney Plan

Midjourney no longer offers a free tier for image generation. To use the service, you must subscribe to one of their paid plans. As of 2026-05-29, the Basic Plan starts at $10 per month, providing 3.3 hours of Fast GPU time. To subscribe:

1. Within the Midjourney Discord server, type /subscribe into any bot channel and press Enter.
2. The Midjourney Bot will provide a personalized link to your subscription page on the Midjourney website.
3. Follow the link, log in with your Discord credentials (if prompted), and select your desired plan.
4. Complete the payment process.

Once your subscription is active, your Discord account will be linked to your Midjourney plan, allowing you to use the bot's features.

Your first request

With your Discord account set up, the Midjourney Discord server joined, and an active subscription, you are ready to generate your first image. This process involves using a specific command within a designated bot channel.

Step 1: Navigate to a Bot Channel

In the Midjourney Discord server, find a channel labeled for bot interaction, such as #newbies-X or #general-X, where 'X' is a number. These channels are specifically for users to submit prompts and generate images.

Step 2: Use the /imagine Command

Type /imagine into the message box. As you type, Discord's slash command interface will suggest the /imagine prompt: command. Select it.

Step 3: Enter Your Prompt

After /imagine prompt:, enter a descriptive text prompt for the image you want to generate. For example:

/imagine prompt: a futuristic city at sunset, neon lights, flying cars, cyberpunk style, highly detailed

Step 4: Submit and Wait

Press Enter to submit your prompt. The Midjourney Bot will then process your request. This typically takes a few moments, during which you will see the bot generating four initial image variations based on your prompt. The bot will notify you when your images are ready.

Step 5: Interact with Generated Images (Optional)

Once the images are generated, you will see a grid of four images along with a series of buttons:

• U1, U2, U3, U4: Upscale the corresponding image (U1 for top-left, U2 for top-right, etc.) to a larger, more detailed version.
• V1, V2, V3, V4: Create new variations of the corresponding image.
• (Refresh icon): Re-run the prompt to generate four new images.

Experiment with these options to refine your results.

Common next steps

After successfully generating your first image, consider these common next steps to further explore Midjourney's capabilities:

Refining Prompts

Learn to write more effective prompts by incorporating parameters and descriptive keywords. Midjourney supports various parameters that can control aspect ratios, stylization, quality, and more. For example, adding --ar 16:9 sets the aspect ratio to widescreen.

Exploring Advanced Commands

Beyond /imagine, Midjourney offers other commands like /blend for combining images, /shorten for analyzing prompt effectiveness, and /settings for managing your bot preferences. Refer to the Midjourney commands documentation for a comprehensive list.

Managing Your Creations

All images you generate are accessible through your Midjourney web gallery. Log in to your Midjourney account on their website to view, download, and organize your creations. This gallery also provides details about the prompts used for each image.

Community Engagement

The Midjourney Discord server is an active community. Observing other users' prompts and results in public channels can be a valuable learning experience. Many users share tips, techniques, and creative ideas.

Troubleshooting the first call

If you encounter issues when attempting your first image generation, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

Check Subscription Status

Ensure your Midjourney subscription is active and has not expired. You can verify this by attempting to use the /subscribe command again or checking your account status on the Midjourney website. If your subscription is not active, the bot will typically inform you.

Verify Discord Login and Server Membership

Confirm that you are logged into the correct Discord account and are still a member of the official Midjourney Discord server. If you accidentally left the server, you will need to rejoin.

Use the Correct Command and Channel

Double-check that you are using the exact /imagine prompt: command and that you are in a channel designated for bot interaction (e.g., #newbies channels). The bot will not respond to commands in general chat channels or if the command is mistyped.

Insufficient Fast GPU Time

If you have been generating many images, you might have run out of 'Fast GPU time' allocated by your plan. When this happens, your requests may switch to 'Relax' mode (if available on your plan), which is slower, or you may need to purchase more Fast GPU time. The bot often provides warnings if you are low on time. You can check your remaining time using the /info command in Discord.

Discord Server Issues

Occasionally, Discord itself or the Midjourney bot might experience temporary outages or slowness. Check the Discord status page or Midjourney's official announcements (often in the #announcements channel on their Discord server) for any known issues.

Prompt Length or Content Issues

While less common for a first call, extremely long prompts or prompts containing disallowed content might cause issues. Keep your initial prompt concise and avoid anything that violates Midjourney's community guidelines.

Quick Reference: Getting Started with Midjourney