---
canonical: 'https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features/templates-for-developers'
title: 'Dynamic Image Templates for Developers | HTML/CSS to Image'
description: 'Generate dynamic images from template IDs and named values. Keep layouts consistent and avoid sending the full design with every request.'
---

# Render dynamic images from a stable template ID

Send the template ID and values that change. The saved template keeps the dimensions, layout, branding, and image settings.

## Key capabilities

- Reusable designs
- Consistent image output
- One-request rendering

## Build a template once, then reuse it

Every template renders the same way: send its ID and named values to the image API. Build the design with [HTML and CSS through the template API](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features/api-templates-for-developers.md), or [use blocks in the visual template editor](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features/template-editor-for-developers.md).

## Change the content, not the layout

Use one template for Open Graph and social cards, product images, personalized graphics, and recurring reports. Each request changes only the named text, images, colors, or other values while the saved design keeps its layout and dimensions.

Render a published template by sending its named values to `POST https://hcti.io/v1/image/{template_id}`. The response includes the generated image ID and hosted URL.

## MCP Integration

Connect an MCP-compatible client to `https://mcp.hcti.io` with OAuth. The tools use the connected organization's HTML/CSS to Image account, permissions, and plan limits.

- The `list_templates` tool returns the organization's available templates and their IDs.
- The `list_template_versions` tool returns the saved versions for a selected template.
- The `create_templated_image` tool renders either template type with the named values supplied by the client.
- The `create_template` and `update_template` tools work with HTML/CSS API templates. Block-based designs are changed in the visual editor.

[Read the full MCP docs](https://docs.htmlcsstoimage.com/integrations/mcp/).

## Keep image generation code small

### Separate data from design

Keep application data in the request while HTML, CSS, and layout stay in the template.

### Versioned releases

Publish template changes deliberately and choose which version an integration renders.

### Smaller requests

Send a template ID and its values instead of repeating the full HTML and CSS document.

### Reusable render settings

Store image dimensions, fonts, browser behavior, and output settings with the template.

## Get started

REST API requests require an HTML/CSS to Image account and should be authenticated from trusted application code. Check the API docs and pricing for current setup instructions, limits, and feature availability.

- [View the full feature page](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features/templates-for-developers)
- [Browse all features](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/features.md)
- [Start free](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/join)
- [View pricing](https://htmlcsstoimage.com/pricing.md)
- [Browse templates](/templates)
- [Read the MCP docs](https://docs.htmlcsstoimage.com/integrations/mcp/)