One credit balance, six media types, zero patience for GUIs

What it does Flatkey CLI is an npm-distributed terminal client for the Flatkey generative media router. It lets you generate images, video clips, sound effects, music, speech, and text through one API key and shared credit balance, with local file output and a JSON mode for machines. The README positions it as the programmatic alternative to point-and-click creator suites like Higgsfield or Dreamina, emphasizing batch testing and agent workflows over manual polish.

The interesting bit The project treats generative AI less like a creative app and more like a utility API. It offers --dry-run to inspect requests without spending credits, temporary signed URLs for local image references, and predictable stdout/stderr so agents can iterate without parsing HTML queues. The README even includes a dedicated “Agent Protocol” section with rules for Codex and Claude Code, which tells you exactly who they think the user is.

Key highlights

• One credit balance covers image, video, TTS, SFX, music, and text generation through a unified router.
• Agent-first design with --json output, --dry-run for costless request inspection, and documented rules for Codex and Claude Code.
• Local file output and temporary image upload for video reference frames.
• Self-reported pricing roughly 20–40% below comparable retail routes, with explicit jabs at competitor queue times.
• Currently distributed only via npm; Homebrew, .deb, and MSI packages are planned but not yet shipped.

Caveats

• Requires a Flatkey account and paid credits; it is a proprietary service client, not a standalone open-source engine.
• Alternative installers (Homebrew, .deb, MSI) are listed as planned but unavailable.

Verdict Grab it if you are automating media generation across modalities and would rather script against a unified router than manage separate dashboards. Look elsewhere if you need a visual creative suite or a fully offline, self-contained stack.