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Install StagingLens

1. Open your purchase receipt email and download StagingLens for Mac or Windows.
2. Mac: open the downloaded file and drag StagingLens into your Applications folder. Windows: run the installer and follow the prompts.
3. Open StagingLens. If you're asked for a license key, copy it from your receipt email.

See a security warning when opening the app? Check Security warning on install.

Create your OpenAI API key

Your API key connects StagingLens to your own OpenAI account. You only need to do this once.

1. Go to platform.openai.com/api-keys and sign in to your OpenAI account, or create one.
2. Open API keys. If you don't land there automatically, choose API keys in the sidebar.
3. Click "Create new secret key." Name it something you'll recognize, like "StagingLens."
4. Copy the key right away. OpenAI may only show the full key once.

Helpful tip: your key usually begins with sk-. Keep it private and don't share it with anyone.

Set up OpenAI API billing

This is the step most people miss. ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI API billing are separate. A ChatGPT Plus or Pro subscription doesn't include API usage, so StagingLens can't generate images until your API account has its own payment method or credits.

1. At platform.openai.com, open Billing in your settings.
2. Add a payment method or buy prepaid credits.
3. Set a monthly spending limit so there are no surprises. A staged photo costs under 10¢.
4. Make sure your project's spending limit isn't set to $0.

OpenAI may require account or organization verification before image generation is available. If OpenAI prompts you to verify your organization or identity, complete that process in your OpenAI Platform account before using StagingLens.

Add your key to StagingLens

1. Open StagingLens.
2. Click Settings in the top-right corner.
3. Paste your OpenAI API key into the API Key field.
4. Click Test Connection. This checks that your key and your OpenAI account are working.
5. Click Save. If the test succeeds, you're ready to stage.

Your key is stored securely on your computer and is only sent to OpenAI.

Projects and importing photos

1. Create a project for each listing, and give it a clear name like the property address.
2. Click Import Photos and choose the listing photos you want to stage.
3. Each photo appears as a card showing its file name, room type, style and version.

Tip: use Projects in the top-left corner to switch between listings.

Staging controls

Click a photo to open its Staging Controls on the right:

Room

Bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, patio, loft and more, so the furniture fits the space.

Look

A style, like Modern Neutral, Coastal or Contemporary Luxury, plus a color palette.

Staging

The staging mode, such as Stage Empty Room.

Additional instructions

Optional notes for this photo only, like "family room on the right, dining on the left" or "keep the existing couch."

Generate, try again and revise

• Generate stages the selected photo using its controls.
• Try Again creates a fresh version with the same settings. It's the quickest fix when a result is close but not right.
• Open Review / Revise lets you compare versions and ask for a specific change to one result.
• Every attempt is saved as a version, like "Version 2 of 2," so you can always go back to an earlier one.

Each generation, retry or revision is a separate OpenAI image, under 10¢ each.

Change many photos at once

1. Check the box on each photo you want to change, or click Select All.
2. Choose a Room, Style, Color or Action from the bar at the top.
3. Click Apply, then Generate Selected, or Generate All to stage the whole project.

Approve and export

• Click Approve on each result you're happy with, or Approve All.
• Export Approved saves only approved images. Export Selected saves the photos you've checked. Export All Generated saves every staged result.
• Staged photos export at 2048 pixels wide, sized for MLS and listing sites.

Tips for best results

• Start with a good photo. Straight verticals, even exposure and a sharp image give the best staging.
• Set the right room type. It has the biggest effect on what gets placed in the room.
• Use a short instruction for tricky rooms. Say where things go, like "sofa facing the fireplace, keep the doorway on the left clear."
• Keep the style consistent across photos of the same space so the listing looks cohesive.
• Always review before delivering. Check doors, windows, fixtures and flooring against the original photo.

OpenAI costs

OpenAI bills image generation directly to your own OpenAI account, at under 10¢ per staged photo at OpenAI's current rates. A 15-photo listing comes in under $1.50. Retries and revisions cost about the same as a first pass. Set a monthly spending limit in your OpenAI billing settings to stay in control.

Your StagingLens subscription

• New subscriptions start with a 14-day free trial. You're charged when the trial ends unless you cancel first.
• To cancel, update your card or switch between monthly and annual, use the customer portal link in your receipt email.
• Cancelling stops future charges. You keep access until the end of the period you've paid for.
• See the refund policy for refund details.