The complete operating manual
Build with the kiln.
Start with the workflow, then go as deep as you need. These pages render directly from the Markdown that ships with PixelKiln, including separate PixelLab and Retro Diffusion setup guides and a practical provider comparison.
Go from manifest to reviewed output.
Install from a checkout, plan without spending, and run a controlled generation.
Start here
Getting started
Create a project, adopt existing art, and run the everyday workflow.
Set up PixelLab
Configure the production provider, choose a generator, and use its account workflows.
Set up Retro Diffusion
Configure the experimental provider, choose a style, and understand its tested boundary.
CLI reference
Every command and flag, including automation and exit behavior.
Manifest reference
Styles, assets, inheritance, mounting, and validation.
Agent workflows
Install the official skill and pair agent guidance with deterministic execution.
Workflows
Generator selection
Choose the right capability and understand measured costs.
Environment provider benchmark
Twelve matched PixelLab and Retro Diffusion outputs, with measured costs and review notes.
Derived artifacts
Pack, mount, export, provenance, ownership, and recovery.
Recovery and account safety
Restore, cache, adopt, salvage, claims, and confirmed purge.
Quality gates
Plan, doctor, audit, cache integrity, and CI contracts.
PixelLab vs. Retro Diffusion
Compare costs, workflows, confidence, limitations, and provider fit.
Internals
Architecture
The state machine, provider boundary, output identity, and durable writes.
Library API
Public TypeScript contracts for composing PixelKiln workflows.
Tiles and engine exports
Structural roles, generic output, Tiled Wang sets, and Godot terrains.
Measured endpoints
Live-account PixelLab costs, payloads, limits, and open questions.