Inspect Stable Diffusion PNG prompts and workflows
Find prompts, seeds, and workflows in Stable Diffusion PNGs from AUTOMATIC1111 and ComfyUI. Learn how to remove supported records and verify the copy.
A Stable Diffusion PNG can carry the prompt, seed, and sampling settings alongside the picture. A ComfyUI export can even carry the graph used to create it. If you want to reuse those settings or share the picture without the embedded workflow, start with the original PNG saved by your generation interface. A screenshot or a copy downloaded from another service may contain different records.
Stable Diffusion PNG metadata is written by the software that saves the file. The exporter, its settings, and any extensions determine which records you get.
AUTOMATIC1111 PNG Info and generation parameters
In AUTOMATIC1111 v1.10.1, the standard PNG save function writes the generation settings under the text keyword parameters when metadata saving is enabled. This is one block of text. It can include the positive prompt, a negative prompt if supplied, and settings such as Steps, Sampler, CFG scale, Seed, and image size. Look for the seed inside parameters instead of searching for a separate PNG field called Seed.
Open the PNG Info tab in AUTOMATIC1111 and drop in the original PNG. Review the displayed settings. Use Send to txt2img or Send to img2img to transfer recognized settings to the relevant tab. Recreating the image also depends on the model and the rest of the generation setup. AUTOMATIC1111 feature guide
ComfyUI prompt and workflow metadata
The built-in Save Image node can write two distinct JSON records into PNG text. What appears depends on the data supplied to the node and whether metadata saving is enabled. ComfyUI Save Image documentation
The prompt record
The prompt record can describe the nodes and inputs submitted for execution. In a typical Stable Diffusion graph, text-encoding nodes can hold the positive and negative prompts, while a sampler node can hold the seed, step count, sampler name, and scheduler. The field name prompt can therefore refer to much more than the words describing the image.
The workflow record
The workflow record can store the editable graph, including nodes, links, and their layout. When a compatible workflow is embedded, you can drag the PNG onto the ComfyUI canvas to load the graph. To run it, you may still need the original checkpoint, input files, or custom nodes. Keep the original PNG or a separate workflow JSON if you plan to edit the graph later. ComfyUI workflow examples
How save settings affect what a PNG contains
In AUTOMATIC1111 v1.10.1, turning off Write infotext to metadata of the generated image stops the standard PNG writer from adding its parameters record. In ComfyUI v0.3.76, starting the application with --disable-metadata makes the built-in Save Image node skip writing its prompt and extra PNG text records. With metadata enabled, a ComfyUI request can still omit the workflow data passed to the saver. Custom save nodes, forks, and other versions can write different fields. AUTOMATIC1111 save settings · ComfyUI Save Image implementation
PNG stores text in chunks called tEXt, zTXt, or iTXt. The compressed image data lives in IDAT chunks. A file can display the same picture after the generation text is removed. Details can also exist outside the PNG, for example in its filename, a workflow JSON, or an application’s job history. PNG specification
How to inspect Stable Diffusion PNG metadata
Read the original PNG first. Click Choose files or drop the file into AiMetaOff. When the report is ready, open View technical details if you need to see the full list. For a long value, open Stored metadata where shown.
Look for parameters from AUTOMATIC1111 or prompt and workflow from ComfyUI. Review their category labels and look for captions or comments you want to keep. If the expected fields are absent, check the export settings and confirm you have the direct PNG. AiMetaOff reports what it finds in supported structures.
How to remove supported PNG generation metadata
In Cleanup scope, leave Text selected for the PNG records described above. Select XMP too if the report shows a supported XMP packet you want to remove. All categories start selected, so uncheck every category you intend to keep.
Cleanup applies to whole categories. Selecting Text can remove captions and comments alongside the generation records. Selecting XMP can remove the whole supported packet, including information unrelated to image generation. If you want to retain an individual entry within a selected category, save it separately or keep the original.
With your file selected, click Clean selected. Review the Output report and click Download new copy. AiMetaOff keeps the source file and runs a verification pass on the output.
How to verify the downloaded copy
Open the downloaded PNG in the viewer and look for the same keys you found in the original. For a second check, open the downloaded file in an independent PNG inspector that reads all three text chunk types. If the file is going to be shared, confirm that the intended entries are absent and that any records you chose to keep are still present.
In a test with a PNG from the ComfyUI project’s img2img examples, AiMetaOff showed prompt and workflow under Text. Both were absent from the downloaded copy in an independent inspection. The compressed image data and decoded RGBA pixels matched the original. ComfyUI img2img example
A separate controlled test ran the AUTOMATIC1111 v1.10.1 PNG writer with supplied infotext. With metadata enabled, it wrote parameters and Description. With metadata disabled, the control contained neither. AiMetaOff removed both keys from the enabled sample and preserved the compressed image data and decoded pixels. Full application exports, PNG Info transfer, and ComfyUI workflow reload were not tested. Pinned AUTOMATIC1111 writer
Limits of PNG metadata cleanup
AiMetaOff’s PNG cleanup is for supported static files. Animated PNGs, malformed files, or files that exceed processing limits can be rejected. Unrecognized ancillary chunks can remain, along with image structures such as the color profile, palette, and transparency. Use the report to see what the tool could inspect.
Cleanup of embedded Text and XMP leaves any visible mark or invisible watermark encoded in the pixels in place. A platform can apply an AI label using information outside the PNG. Missing generation text says only what the inspection found in that file. Follow the platform’s disclosure requirements when sharing it.
FAQ
Can someone reload my workflow from a ComfyUI PNG?
Yes, if it contains a compatible workflow record. Keep the original for your own use and verify the copy you share. Any separately shared workflow remains available.
Can I recover the prompt or seed from a cleaned PNG?
If the only embedded copy was in a record that was removed, PNG Info or a PNG reader has no stored value to display from that record. Check the original export, the generation interface’s history, or a separately saved workflow.
Does removing Text also remove XMP?
In AiMetaOff, Text and XMP are separate choices, even though a PNG can carry XMP in a text chunk. Leave XMP unchecked to retain the packet the tool identifies as XMP.
Remove supported PNG generation records