# The Flow Prompt Bar

Create from a prompt—or use media already on your canvas.

Source: https://www.creativly.ai/docs/flow/prompt-bar

![Actual main Flow Prompt Bar with Image selected, an attached and inline Image1 chip, Nano Banana 2, Ratio 16:9 and a one-credit estimate.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-main-prompt-20ea3cc780cd9fc7.webp)

The main bar at the bottom of Flow: choose Image or Video, write a prompt, attach references and check the output settings.

You can generate directly from this bar without building a node first. The result becomes a node on your canvas.

## Develop the wording first

Choose **Writing Assistant** to turn a rough idea into a prompt. Review its suggestion and settings, then choose **Apply Changes** to return them to the main bar.

![Actual Flow Prompt Bar after applying a Writing Assistant suggestion: a coffee-campaign image prompt, Nano Banana 2, 16:9, Credits and the generate arrow.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-writing-applied-251b1f14bc78b5c0.webp)

After applying: the suggested prompt, one model and landscape framing are ready to review. Nothing has generated yet.

Applying does not run your existing nodes or create a result. Check the references and estimate before using the arrow. [See the assistant panel →](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/sessions/writing-assistant)

## Use a canvas image

Choose **Ref image**, then click the image node you want to use. Flow highlights compatible media while **Selecting on canvas** is active. The chosen image becomes a chip in the bar.

![Flow canvas reference-selection mode, with compatible image nodes highlighted and the Selecting on canvas instruction visible above the Prompt Bar.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-main-reference-select-a466fd70c633d7a0.webp)

Ref image selects from the canvas itself. Click the image you want to use.

Need a file that is not on the canvas? Type **@** and choose **Upload new image…**. The same menu offers **Select asset on canvas…**.

## Describe the change

Type **@** and choose the attached image to insert its chip. Here, the reference supplies the cup while the prompt changes its setting.

### Copy the example prompt

```text
Keep the exact blue cup from @Image1. Replace the coastal background with a softly lit, warm ivory studio wall. Keep the cup shape and blue glaze, add a natural shadow on pale stone, and leave generous space to the left. Premium product photograph, no text.
```

Choose **Nano Banana 2**, **16:9** and your payment option. Review the estimate, then press the **arrow**. This example generated one image.

The bar's [Credits / API-key selector](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/models-and-credits#choose-how-to-run) is separate from **Run nodes with** at the top of Flow.

## Find the result on the canvas

Flow creates a new Image node connected to the reference node. The source stays in place, so you can use it again or connect the new result to another step.

![Completed Nano Banana 2 image of the same blue cup on pale stone against a warm ivory studio wall, with space on the left.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-prompt-edit-preview-9dbc529ce17fa886.webp)

The completed studio edit from the main Prompt Bar. The original coastal scene remains a separate source node.

[Download the original image](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-prompt-edit-original-cb8e15ed61f0d46e.png)

## Choose video inputs

Switch to **Video** and choose a model. Here are two input setups for **Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash**.

### Frames

![Real Flow Video Prompt Bar with a motion prompt, distinct 1st frame and Last frame image chips, Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash, 16:9 and a ready generate arrow.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-video-frame-inputs-f85704ae46ec8add.webp)

Prepared draft: terracotta at the start, ivory at the end. Not a generated transition.

Choose **1st frame**, then click the starting image on the canvas. Choose **Last frame** and click the ending image. Describe the motion or transition between them.

A last frame needs a first frame. If you only want to animate one image, attach just **1st frame**. [See a completed image-to-video example →](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/flow/image-to-video)

### Video + image

![Real Flow Video Prompt Bar with an ivory-studio edit instruction, green Image1 reference chip, amber Video1 source chip and Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash selected.](https://pub-60e30bed45514f03933d3900731bea31.r2.dev/public-app-sessions/v1/documentation/flow-video-edit-inputs-118660f2bb0e04e0.webp)

Prepared edit: the image guides the setting; the video is the source clip.

Choose **Ref** with the video-camera icon, then click the source video. Choose **Ref image** and click the image that should guide its new look. Describe what changes and what stays.

These are references, not start/end frames. [See the completed connected-node edit →](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/flow/edit-video)

Use one setup at a time: **frames**, or **image/video references**. Remove a chip with **×**, or choose **Clear refs**, before switching. Available roles and limits depend on the model. Adding a reference does not generate anything; review the prompt, settings and estimate before pressing the arrow.

On a narrow screen, scroll the reference row sideways to reach more roles.

## Main bar or node controls?

* **Main Prompt Bar:** starts a new output on the canvas, using the references shown in its chips.
* **A node's controls:** configure or rerun that particular step.

Check the attached chips before generating. Remove one with its **×**, or use **Clear refs** to start without those attachments. Switch to **Video** for video-specific models and settings; supported reference roles depend on the selected model.

[Nodes & connections](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/flow/nodes-and-connections)Build on the generated node.
[Image → video](https://www.creativly.ai/docs/flow/image-to-video)Turn a finished image into a product film.

Open in Creativly: [Flow ↗](https://www.creativly.ai/app/flow)