feat: add image generation MCP server and enhanced image rendering

[benjaminshafii]

Summary

• Add packages/image-gen-mcp — a standalone MCP server that exposes AI image generation as MCP tools
• Enhance FileCard in session message list to render generated images as large inline previews

Architecture

The MCP server (openwork-image-gen-mcp) works with the existing OpenCode agent harness — no OpenCode changes required:

User prompt → Any agent (Claude, GPT, Gemini, etc.)
  → Agent calls generate_image MCP tool
  → MCP server calls OpenAI/xAI/Google API
  → Returns MCP image content { type: "image", data: base64, mimeType }
  → OpenCode converts to FilePart attachment (existing behavior)
  → OpenWork renders large inline preview (new FileCard enhancement)

MCP Server (packages/image-gen-mcp)

• Single .mjs file, no build step, same pattern as openwork-ui-mcp
• Supports three backends: OpenAI (gpt-image-1/dall-e-3), xAI/Grok, Google Imagen
• Auto-discovers available providers from env vars (OPENAI_API_KEY, XAI_API_KEY, GOOGLE_API_KEY)
• Two tools: generate_image and list_image_providers
• Returns images as MCP image content blocks (not text), avoiding output truncation

FileCard Enhancement

• Generated images (data URL + image MIME from assistant) now render as large inline previews (max 320px height, expandable to 800px)
• Click to expand/collapse
• Download button on hover
• Existing small-thumbnail behavior preserved for user attachments and non-data-URL files

Usage

Add to opencode.json:

{
  "mcp": {
    "openwork-image-gen": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["node", "packages/image-gen-mcp/index.mjs"],
      "env": { "OPENAI_API_KEY": "sk-..." }
    }
  }
}

Or via the existing POST /workspace/:id/mcp endpoint.

Why MCP (not plugin or built-in tool)

• Plugin tools return string only — base64 images get truncated by Truncate.output()
• MCP image content bypasses text truncation entirely — OpenCode already converts it to FilePart attachments
• No OpenCode PR needed
• Cross-provider: works with any agent model (the image gen API call is separate from the LLM)

Testing

• node --check packages/image-gen-mcp/index.mjs — syntax validation passes
• Pre-existing type errors in settings-route.tsx and welcome-route.tsx — not related to this change
• End-to-end test: configure MCP entry with OPENAI_API_KEY, ask agent to generate an image, verify FilePart arrives and renders as large preview

Future work

• OpenWork settings UI for connecting image providers (auto-generates MCP config)
• Capability indicator in composer when image gen is available
• OpenCode Responses API provider-defined tool for Codex OAuth users (separate PR, ~20 lines in OpenCode)

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Project	Deployment	Actions	Updated (UTC)
openwork-app	Error		May 15, 2026 7:41pm
openwork-den	Error		May 15, 2026 7:41pm
openwork-den-worker-proxy	Error		May 15, 2026 7:41pm
openwork-landing	Error		May 15, 2026 7:41pm
openwork-share	Error		May 15, 2026 7:41pm