Getting Started with Fooocus
Welcome to Fooocus! This guide will help you install, configure, and start generating amazing AI images. Whether you're on Windows, macOS, or Linux, we've got you covered.
System Requirements
Before installing Fooocus, make sure your system meets these requirements:
Minimum Requirements
- Operating System: Windows 10/11, macOS 10.15+, or Linux
- Python: Python 3.10 or higher (included in Windows package)
- RAM: 8GB minimum
- Storage: At least 10GB free space for models and dependencies
- GPU: Optional (CPU mode available)
Recommended Requirements
- RAM: 16GB or more for better performance
- GPU: NVIDIA GPU with CUDA support (8GB+ VRAM ideal)
- Storage: 20GB+ free space for models
Note: Fooocus can run on CPU, but GPU acceleration significantly improves performance. Check our documentation for detailed requirements.
Download Fooocus
The first step is to download Fooocus. Visit our download page to get the latest version for your operating system.
Quick Download Links
- Windows Download - Includes embedded Python
- macOS Download - Requires Python installation
- Linux Download - Source code and installation scripts
Installation
Windows Installation
Windows users have the easiest installation process:
- Download the Windows package from the download page
- Extract the ZIP file to your desired location (e.g.,
C:\Fooocus) - Double-click
run.batto start Fooocus - On first launch, Fooocus will automatically download required models
That's it! The Windows package includes everything you need, including Python.
macOS Installation
For macOS users:
- Ensure Python 3.10+ is installed (check with
python3 --version) - Download the Fooocus source code
- Open Terminal and navigate to the Fooocus directory
- Install dependencies:
pip install -r requirements.txt - Run Fooocus:
python entry_with_update.py
For detailed macOS instructions, see our documentation.
Linux Installation
Linux installation steps:
- Install Python 3.10+ and pip
- Clone or download the Fooocus repository
- Install system dependencies (CUDA toolkit if using GPU)
- Install Python dependencies:
pip install -r requirements.txt - Run:
python entry_with_update.py
Check our Linux documentation for distribution-specific instructions.
First Launch
When you first launch Fooocus, it will:
- Check for updates automatically
- Download required SDXL models (if not present)
- Create configuration files
- Set up the default directory structure
Model Download
Fooocus will automatically download the required SDXL base model on first launch. This is a large file (several GB), so ensure you have:
- Stable internet connection
- Sufficient disk space (10GB+ recommended)
- Patience - the download may take some time
Basic Usage
Once Fooocus is running, you'll see the main interface. Here's how to generate your first image:
Step 1: Enter Your Prompt
Type your image description in the prompt box. Be descriptive! For example:
A beautiful sunset over a mountain landscape, photorealistic, high qualityStep 2: Adjust Settings (Optional)
You can adjust various settings, but Fooocus works great with defaults:
- Style: Choose from preset styles or use custom
- Performance: Balance between speed and quality
- Aspect Ratio: Select your desired image dimensions
Step 3: Generate
Click the "Generate" button and wait for your image to be created. The first generation may take longer as models load into memory.
Step 4: Review and Refine
Review your generated image. If you want variations, adjust your prompt and generate again. You can also use advanced prompting features for more control.
Configuration
After your first run, Fooocus creates a config.txt file. This file allows you to customize:
- Model paths and locations
- Default parameters
- Output directories
- Default styles and prompts
Learn more about customization options in our dedicated guide.
Common Issues & Solutions
Model Download Fails
If model download fails:
- Check your internet connection
- Ensure sufficient disk space
- Try using
--hf-mirrorflag for alternative download source - Manually download models and place in the correct directory
Out of Memory Errors
If you encounter memory issues:
- Use
--always-low-vramflag - Reduce image resolution
- Close other applications
- Consider using CPU mode if GPU memory is insufficient
Slow Generation
To improve generation speed:
- Ensure GPU acceleration is enabled
- Use appropriate performance preset
- Check that CUDA is properly installed
- Consider using faster sampling methods
For more troubleshooting help, visit our community page or check the documentation.
Next Steps
Now that you have Fooocus installed and running, explore these resources:
Presets
Fooocus includes convenient preset scripts for different use cases:
- run_anime.bat - Optimized for anime-style images
- run_realistic.bat - Optimized for photorealistic images
- run.bat - Standard launch with default settings
These presets are pre-configured with optimal settings for their respective styles. Try them out to see which works best for your needs!