removebg-api

Remove image backgrounds using the remove.bg API with API-key auth and transparent PNG output. Use when high-quality cutouts are needed and cloud processing is acceptable.

Use remove.bg for high-quality background removal.

API key setup

1. Create/sign in at https://www.remove.bg/dashboard#api-key
2. Create an API key
3. Configure REMOVE_BG_API_KEY in OpenClaw config (openclaw.json) so it is present in runtime environment.

Important

• Skill metadata (requires.env) declares that REMOVE_BG_API_KEY is required.
• Metadata does not auto-load shell env files.
• Preferred: provide key via OpenClaw config-managed environment.

Usage (preferred: uv)

Run from the skill directory:

bash

uv run scripts/removebg_api.py --input /path/in.jpg --output /path/out.png

Options:

• --size auto|preview|full|4k (default: auto)

• --format png|jpg|zip (default: png) Security defaults:

• --input must be a real image file inside the OpenClaw workspace.

• Allowed input types: .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .webp (extension + magic-byte validation).

• --output must be under outputs/removebg-api/ inside the workspace.

• Large/abusive files are rejected (size + dimension limits).

• This prevents arbitrary file read/write outside normal skill boundaries.

Example:

bash

uv run scripts/removebg_api.py --input ./input.jpg --output ./output.png --size auto --format png

Fallback (without uv)

bash

python3 scripts/removebg_api.py --input ./input.jpg --output ./output.png

Output

• Writes result file to --output
• Prints MEDIA: line for chat workflows

Notes

• API usage may consume free credits / paid quota.
• No absolute-path requirement for skill docs; use local paths in examples.