--- description: Guidelines for installing and configuring Fal.ai globs: **/*.ts, **/*.tsx, **/*.js, **/*.jsx --- # Install & Configure Fal.ai for Text-to-Image ## Overview 1. Install Fal.ai client (@fal-ai/client) and server proxy (@fal-ai/server-proxy). 2. Create a Next.js API route that forwards requests to Fal.ai, hiding your API key. 3. Store the Fal.ai key in environment variables. ## CRITICAL INSTRUCTIONS - Never expose the FAL_KEY in client code. - Use the @fal-ai/server-proxy/nextjs route to protect the key. - Confirm your .env.local (and Vercel env) hold FAL_KEY. ## Key Steps 1. Install: ```bash npm install @fal-ai/client @fal-ai/server-proxy ``` 2. Environment (.env.local): ```bash FAL_KEY="your-secret-fal-ai-key" ``` 3. Create Proxy Route (app/api/fal/proxy/route.ts): ```ts import { route } from "@fal-ai/server-proxy/nextjs" export const { GET, POST } = route ``` 4. Client Configuration: ```tsx // app/providers.tsx or similar "use client" import { fal } from "@fal-ai/client" fal.config({ proxyUrl: "/api/fal/proxy" }) ``` This ensures client requests go to /api/fal/proxy, which injects your secret key server-side. ## Verification Checklist - Is FAL_KEY only in the server environment? - Did you create /api/fal/proxy using @fal-ai/server-proxy/nextjs? - Is the client configured with fal.config({ proxyUrl })? ## AI MODEL RESPONSE TEMPLATE When asked about Fal.ai setup: 1. Show the npm install commands for @fal-ai/client and @fal-ai/server-proxy. 2. Provide code for the Next.js proxy route (export const { GET, POST }). 3. Emphasize storing FAL_KEY in .env.local (never exposing it on the client).