feat(image-generation): detect native image support automatically

desktop-shared/src/main/kotlin/io/askimo/ui/chat/ChatInputField.kt

@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ import io.askimo.core.config.AppConfig
 import io.askimo.core.context.AppContext
 import io.askimo.core.event.EventBus
 import io.askimo.core.event.error.AppErrorEvent
+import io.askimo.core.event.internal.ImageCapabilityDetectedEvent
 import io.askimo.core.event.internal.ReasoningEffortChangedEvent
 import io.askimo.core.event.internal.ThinkingSupportDetectedEvent
 import io.askimo.core.i18n.LocalizationManager
@@ -200,6 +201,36 @@ fun chatInputField(
         }
     }
 
+    // Whether the current model supports native image generation (in-chat).
+    var supportsNativeImageGeneration by remember(resolvedProvider, currentModel) {
+        mutableStateOf(
+            if (resolvedProvider != null && currentModel.isNotBlank()) {
+                ModelCapabilitiesCache.supportsImage(resolvedProvider, currentModel)
+            } else {
+                false
+            },
+        )
+    }
+
+    val configuredImageModel = resolvedProvider?.let { provider ->
+        AppConfig.models[provider].imageModel
+    }.orEmpty()
+    val hasConfiguredImageModel = configuredImageModel.isNotBlank()
+    val providerNotSetLabel = stringResource("provider.not.set")
+    val missingImageModelTitle = stringResource("chat.image.model.missing.title")
+
+    // Listen for image capability probe results and update when it arrives for the active model.
+    LaunchedEffect(resolvedProvider, currentModel) {
+        EventBus.internalEvents.collect { event ->
+            if (event is ImageCapabilityDetectedEvent &&
+                event.provider == resolvedProvider &&
+                event.model == currentModel
+            ) {
+                supportsNativeImageGeneration = event.supportsNativeImage
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     // Reasoning effort — state created once; synced from cache via LaunchedEffect when
     // provider/model changes so the remember block itself never re-runs on dropdown clicks.
     var reasoningEffort by remember { mutableStateOf(ReasoningEffort.DEFAULT) }
@@ -623,41 +654,55 @@ fun chatInputField(
 
                         Spacer(modifier = Modifier.width(2.dp))
 
-                        themedTooltip(
-                            text = stringResource("chat.create.image.menu"),
-                        ) {
-                            IconButton(
-                                onClick = {
-                                    creationMode = if (creationMode is CreationMode.Image) {
-                                        CreationMode.Chat
-                                    } else {
-                                        CreationMode.Image
-                                    }
-                                },
-                                enabled = !isLoading,
-                                colors = if (creationMode is CreationMode.Image) {
-                                    AppComponents.primaryIconButtonColors()
-                                } else {
-                                    IconButtonDefaults.iconButtonColors()
-                                },
-                                modifier = Modifier
-                                    .size(28.dp)
-                                    .pointerHoverIcon(PointerIcon.Hand),
+                        // Image button — only show if model requires explicit toggle mode
+                        // For multi-modal models (native image generation), hide this button
+                        if (!supportsNativeImageGeneration) {
+                            themedTooltip(
+                                text = stringResource("chat.create.image.menu"),
                             ) {
-                                Icon(
-                                    Icons.Default.Image,
-                                    contentDescription = stringResource("chat.create.image.menu"),
-                                    tint = if (creationMode is CreationMode.Image) {
-                                        MaterialTheme.colorScheme.primary
+                                IconButton(
+                                    onClick = {
+                                        if (creationMode is CreationMode.Image) {
+                                            creationMode = CreationMode.Chat
+                                        } else if (!hasConfiguredImageModel) {
+                                            // Keep icon visible but prevent toggling into image mode
+                                            creationMode = CreationMode.Chat
+                                            val providerName = resolvedProvider?.name ?: providerNotSetLabel
+                                            EventBus.post(
+                                                AppErrorEvent(
+                                                    title = missingImageModelTitle,
+                                                    message = LocalizationManager.getString("chat.image.model.missing.message", providerName),
+                                                ),
+                                            )
+                                        } else {
+                                            creationMode = CreationMode.Image
+                                        }
+                                    },
+                                    enabled = !isLoading,
+                                    colors = if (creationMode is CreationMode.Image) {
+                                        AppComponents.primaryIconButtonColors()
                                     } else {
-                                        MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurface
+                                        IconButtonDefaults.iconButtonColors()
                                     },
-                                    modifier = Modifier.size(16.dp),
-                                )
+                                    modifier = Modifier
+                                        .size(28.dp)
+                                        .pointerHoverIcon(PointerIcon.Hand),
+                                ) {
+                                    Icon(
+                                        Icons.Default.Image,
+                                        contentDescription = stringResource("chat.create.image.menu"),
+                                        tint = if (creationMode is CreationMode.Image) {
+                                            MaterialTheme.colorScheme.primary
+                                        } else {
+                                            MaterialTheme.colorScheme.onSurface
+                                        },
+                                        modifier = Modifier.size(16.dp),
+                                    )
+                                }
                             }
-                        }
 
-                        Spacer(modifier = Modifier.width(2.dp))
+                            Spacer(modifier = Modifier.width(2.dp))
+                        }
 
                         toolsIndicatorButton(
                             sessionId = sessionId,
@@ -670,8 +715,9 @@ fun chatInputField(
                             iconSize = 28.dp,
                         )
 
-                        // Image mode chip — contextually tied to the image toggle above
-                        if (creationMode is CreationMode.Image) {
+                        // Image mode chip — only show when user explicitly toggles to Image mode
+                        // and the model requires explicit toggle (not native image generation)
+                        if (creationMode is CreationMode.Image && !supportsNativeImageGeneration) {
                             Spacer(modifier = Modifier.width(4.dp))
                             Surface(
                                 shape = RoundedCornerShape(12.dp),

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages.properties

@@ -642,6 +642,8 @@ chat.drop.files=Drop files to attach to the conversation
 chat.create.image.menu=Create Image
 chat.create.image.mode=Image
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=Cancel image creation mode
+chat.image.model.missing.title=Image model not configured
+chat.image.model.missing.message=No image model is set for {0}. Open Settings > AI Provider > Image Generation Models and set a model name first.
 chat.tools.button=Available Tools
 chat.tools.popup.title=Available Tools
 chat.tools.popup.loading=Loading servers...

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages_de.properties

@@ -620,6 +620,8 @@ chat.drop.files=Dateien zum Anhängen an die Unterhaltung hierher ziehen
 chat.create.image.menu=Bild erstellen
 chat.create.image.mode=Bild
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=Bild-Erstellungsmodus beenden
+chat.image.model.missing.title=Bildmodell nicht konfiguriert
+chat.image.model.missing.message=Für {0} ist kein Bildmodell festgelegt. Öffnen Sie Einstellungen > KI-Anbieter > Modelle zur Bilderzeugung und legen Sie zuerst einen Modellnamen fest.
 chat.tools.button=Verfügbare Tools
 chat.tools.popup.title=Verfügbare Tools
 chat.tools.popup.loading=Server werden geladen...

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages_es.properties

@@ -619,6 +619,8 @@ chat.drop.files=Arrastra archivos para adjuntarlos a la conversación
 chat.create.image.menu=Crear imagen
 chat.create.image.mode=Imagen
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=Cancelar modo de creación de imagen
+chat.image.model.missing.title=Modelo de imagen no configurado
+chat.image.model.missing.message=No hay ningún modelo de imagen configurado para {0}. Abre Configuración > Proveedor de IA > Modelos de generación de imágenes y establece primero un nombre de modelo.
 chat.tools.button=Herramientas disponibles
 chat.tools.popup.title=Herramientas disponibles
 chat.tools.popup.loading=Cargando servidores...

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages_fr.properties

@@ -619,6 +619,8 @@ chat.drop.files=Glissez-déposez des fichiers pour les joindre à la conversatio
 chat.create.image.menu=Créer une image
 chat.create.image.mode=Image
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=Annuler le mode de création d’image
+chat.image.model.missing.title=Modèle d'image non configuré
+chat.image.model.missing.message=Aucun modèle d'image n'est défini pour {0}. Ouvrez Paramètres > Fournisseur d'IA > Modèles de génération d'images et définissez d'abord un nom de modèle.
 chat.tools.button=Outils disponibles
 chat.tools.popup.title=Outils disponibles
 chat.tools.popup.loading=Chargement des serveurs...

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages_ja_JP.properties

@@ -618,6 +618,8 @@ chat.drop.files=ファイルをドラッグ＆ドロップして会話に添付
 chat.create.image.menu=画像を作成
 chat.create.image.mode=画像
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=画像作成モードをキャンセル
+chat.image.model.missing.title=画像モデルが設定されていません
+chat.image.model.missing.message={0} に画像モデルが設定されていません。設定 > AI プロバイダー > 画像生成モデルを開き、まずモデル名を設定してください。
 chat.tools.button=利用可能なツール
 chat.tools.popup.title=利用可能なツール
 chat.tools.popup.loading=サーバーを読み込み中...

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages_ko_KR.properties

@@ -619,6 +619,8 @@ chat.drop.files=파일을 드래그하여 대화에 첨부하세요
 chat.create.image.menu=이미지 생성
 chat.create.image.mode=이미지
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=이미지 생성 모드 취소
+chat.image.model.missing.title=이미지 모델이 구성되지 않았습니다
+chat.image.model.missing.message={0}에 설정된 이미지 모델이 없습니다. 설정 > AI 제공업체 > 이미지 생성 모델을 열고 먼저 모델 이름을 설정하세요.
 chat.tools.button=사용 가능한 도구
 chat.tools.popup.title=사용 가능한 도구
 chat.tools.popup.loading=서버 로딩 중...

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages_pt_BR.properties

@@ -621,6 +621,8 @@ chat.drop.files=Arraste arquivos para anexar à conversa
 chat.create.image.menu=Criar imagem
 chat.create.image.mode=Imagem
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=Cancelar modo de criação de imagem
+chat.image.model.missing.title=Modelo de imagem não configurado
+chat.image.model.missing.message=Nenhum modelo de imagem está definido para {0}. Abra Configurações > Provedor de IA > Modelos de geração de imagens e defina primeiro um nome de modelo.
 chat.tools.button=Ferramentas disponíveis
 chat.tools.popup.title=Ferramentas disponíveis
 chat.tools.popup.loading=Carregando servidores...

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages_vi_VN.properties

@@ -626,6 +626,8 @@ chat.drop.files=Kéo thả tệp để đính kèm vào cuộc trò chuyện
 chat.create.image.menu=Tạo hình ảnh
 chat.create.image.mode=Hình ảnh
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=Hủy chế độ tạo hình ảnh
+chat.image.model.missing.title=Chưa cấu hình mô hình hình ảnh
+chat.image.model.missing.message=Chưa đặt mô hình hình ảnh cho {0}. Mở Cài đặt > Nhà cung cấp AI > Mô hình tạo hình ảnh và đặt tên mô hình trước.
 chat.tools.button=Công cụ khả dụng
 chat.tools.popup.title=Công cụ khả dụng
 chat.tools.popup.loading=Đang tải máy chủ...

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages_zh_CN.properties

@@ -619,6 +619,8 @@ chat.drop.files=拖拽文件以将其附加到对话中
 chat.create.image.menu=创建图像
 chat.create.image.mode=图像
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=取消图像创建模式
+chat.image.model.missing.title=未配置图像模型
+chat.image.model.missing.message=未为 {0} 设置图像模型。打开 设置 > AI 提供商 > 图像生成模型，并先设置模型名称。
 chat.tools.button=可用工具
 chat.tools.popup.title=可用工具
 chat.tools.popup.loading=正在加载服务器...

desktop-shared/src/main/resources/i18n/messages_zh_TW.properties

@@ -618,6 +618,8 @@ chat.drop.files=拖曳檔案以將其附加到對話中
 chat.create.image.menu=建立影像
 chat.create.image.mode=影像
 chat.create.image.mode.cancel=取消影像建立模式
+chat.image.model.missing.title=尚未設定圖片模型
+chat.image.model.missing.message=尚未為 {0} 設定圖片模型。開啟 設定 > AI 提供者 > 圖片生成模型，並先設定模型名稱。
 chat.tools.button=可用工具
 chat.tools.popup.title=可用工具
 chat.tools.popup.loading=正在載入伺服器...

gradle.properties

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Project metadata
 projectGroup=io.askimo
-projectVersion=1.4.12
+projectVersion=1.4.13
 jvmVersion=25
 
 # About information

shared/src/main/kotlin/io/askimo/core/event/internal/ImageCapabilityDetectedEvent.kt

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPLv3
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2026 Askimo
+ */
+package io.askimo.core.event.internal
+
+import io.askimo.core.event.Event
+import io.askimo.core.event.EventSource
+import io.askimo.core.event.EventType
+import io.askimo.core.providers.ModelProvider
+import java.time.Instant
+
+/**
+ * Fired by [io.askimo.core.providers.ModelCapabilitiesCache] after the image-generation capability
+ * probe completes for a model. UI components (e.g. ChatInputField) can listen for this to
+ * reactively show/hide/enable the image generation button.
+ *
+ * @param supportsNativeImage true if model can generate images natively in-chat (multi-modal),
+ *                           false if requires explicit toggle mode
+ */
+data class ImageCapabilityDetectedEvent(
+    val provider: ModelProvider,
+    val model: String,
+    val supportsNativeImage: Boolean,
+    override val timestamp: Instant = Instant.now(),
+    override val source: EventSource = EventSource.SYSTEM,
+) : Event {
+    override val type = EventType.INTERNAL
+
+    override fun getDetails() = "Image capability for $model ($provider): native=$supportsNativeImage"
+}

shared/src/main/kotlin/io/askimo/core/providers/ChatModelFactory.kt

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import dev.langchain4j.service.tool.ToolProvider
 import io.askimo.core.context.ExecutionMode
 import io.askimo.tools.fs.LocalFsTools
 import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory
+import java.util.Base64
 
 /**
  * Factory interface for creating chat model instances for a specific AI provider.
@@ -225,4 +226,93 @@ interface ChatModelFactory<T : ProviderSettings> {
             false
         }
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Probes whether a model supports native image generation (in-chat).
+     * Tests by asking the chat model directly to generate an image.
+     *
+     * - Success: Model supports native image generation (multi-modal)
+     * - Failure: Model requires explicit toggle to image mode (DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc.)
+     *
+     * @param provider The model provider
+     * @param modelName The model name/identifier
+     * @param streamingChatModel The streaming model instance to probe
+     * @return true if model supports native image generation, false otherwise
+     */
+    fun probeImageCapability(
+        provider: ModelProvider,
+        modelName: String,
+        streamingChatModel: StreamingChatModel,
+    ): Boolean {
+        val log = LoggerFactory.getLogger(this::class.java)
+        return try {
+            val testClient = AiServices.builder(ChatClient::class.java)
+                .streamingChatModel(streamingChatModel)
+                .build()
+
+            // Ask for a strict data URI response so plain SVG/text does not pass.
+            val testPrompt =
+                "Generate a tiny 64x64 PNG image of a red circle on white background. " +
+                    "Return ONLY a single data URI in this exact format: data:image/png;base64,<base64>. " +
+                    "Do not return SVG, markdown, code blocks, or explanations."
+            val response = testClient.sendStreamingMessageWithCallback(null, UserMessage(testPrompt)).trim()
+
+            // Extract first data:image/*;base64,... token from raw or markdown text.
+            val dataUriRegex = Regex("""data:image/([a-zA-Z0-9.+-]+);base64,([A-Za-z0-9+/=\r\n]+)""")
+            val match = dataUriRegex.find(response)
+            if (match == null) {
+                log.info(
+                    "Model '{}' on provider '{}' returned no valid image data URI in probe; treating as non-native image model",
+                    modelName,
+                    provider.providerKey(),
+                )
+                return false
+            }
+
+            val mimeSubtype = match.groupValues[1].lowercase()
+            val base64Payload = match.groupValues[2].replace("\n", "").replace("\r", "")
+            val decoded = try {
+                Base64.getDecoder().decode(base64Payload)
+            } catch (_: IllegalArgumentException) {
+                ByteArray(0)
+            }
+
+            fun startsWith(bytes: ByteArray, signature: IntArray): Boolean = bytes.size >= signature.size && signature.indices.all { i -> (bytes[i].toInt() and 0xFF) == signature[i] }
+
+            // Verify real binary image signatures to avoid text-only hallucinations.
+            val matchesSignature = when {
+                mimeSubtype.contains("png") -> startsWith(decoded, intArrayOf(0x89, 0x50, 0x4E, 0x47, 0x0D, 0x0A, 0x1A, 0x0A))
+
+                mimeSubtype.contains("jpeg") || mimeSubtype.contains("jpg") -> startsWith(decoded, intArrayOf(0xFF, 0xD8, 0xFF))
+
+                mimeSubtype.contains("gif") -> startsWith(decoded, intArrayOf(0x47, 0x49, 0x46, 0x38))
+
+                mimeSubtype.contains("webp") ->
+                    startsWith(decoded, intArrayOf(0x52, 0x49, 0x46, 0x46)) &&
+                        decoded.size >= 12 &&
+                        (decoded[8].toInt() and 0xFF) == 0x57 &&
+                        (decoded[9].toInt() and 0xFF) == 0x45 &&
+                        (decoded[10].toInt() and 0xFF) == 0x42 &&
+                        (decoded[11].toInt() and 0xFF) == 0x50
+
+                else -> false
+            }
+
+            if (matchesSignature) {
+                log.info("Model '{}' on provider '{}' supports native in-chat image generation", modelName, provider.providerKey())
+                true
+            } else {
+                log.info(
+                    "Model '{}' on provider '{}' returned non-image/invalid binary payload in probe; treating as non-native image model",
+                    modelName,
+                    provider.providerKey(),
+                )
+                false
+            }
+        } catch (e: Exception) {
+            // Any exception means model doesn't support native generation
+            log.debug("Model '{}' on provider '{}' does not support native image generation: {}", modelName, provider.providerKey(), e.message)
+            false
+        }
+    }
 }