# Save Image

Saves an `IMAGE` batch as **PNG**, **lossless WebP** or **lossless JPEG XL**,
with the workflow embedded or deliberately left out. The name is either
composed on the node from a prefix plus the tags you switch on, or supplied
exactly by the `filename` input, so a caption or edit pass keeps the source
file's name. A caption on the `caption_text` input writes the paired `.txt`.

## The card

- **Folder** (`output_dir`): empty saves to ComfyUI's output folder; a name
  such as `sets/portraits` saves to that subfolder, created if missing. Save
  Image never writes outside the output folder: absolute paths, drive
  letters, `~` and `..` are refused before the run, and the path preview says
  so once you press Enter or click away. **Browse** walks the subfolders of the output folder.
- **Filename** (`filename_prefix`): the local name, subfolders allowed
  (`sets/shot`). While the `filename` input is linked the field reads
  `{{filename}}` with a small *linked* tag, and the tags below go gray and
  cannot be clicked - an exact name is never decorated.
  A workflow saved with the old `exact_name` shows that name tagged *exact*;
  clear it to compose locally.
  **Name tokens** work here as in ComfyUI's own Save Image:
  `%date:yyyy-MM-dd%` is today's date, `%KSampler.seed%` is a setting of
  another node (its title or type, a dot, the setting's name), and
  `%width%` and `%height%` are the picture's size. A token can name a
  folder too: `%date:yyyy-MM-dd%/shot`. The list is under "Name tokens"
  below.
- **Path preview**: the name this save will produce, in the order the tags
  are appended: `prefix[_YYYY-MM-DD][_HH-mm-ss][_WIDTHxHEIGHT][_#####][_b###]`.
  After a run it shows the first file actually written.
- **Tags**: **Counter** (`name_counter`, on by default) appends the next
  free five-digit number for that stem in that folder, so a save never
  collides. **Date** and **Time** (`name_date`, `name_time`) stamp the local
  clock. **Size** (`name_size`) appends `1024x1536`. **Batch #**
  (`name_batch`) appends `b001, b002...` across an image batch, which then
  shares one counter; without it each frame takes the next number. With the
  counter off a single image reuses the same path and replaces the file - the
  dataset replacement case - and a batch still numbers its frames.
- **Format**: **PNG** saves everywhere and keeps alpha. **WebP**
  (`webp lossless`) is usually smaller than PNG, keeps alpha, and carries the
  workflow in EXIF. **JXL** (`jxl lossless`, lossless JPEG XL) is the most
  compact; it needs the optional `pillow-jxl-plugin` in ComfyUI's python
  (also the pack's `jxl` extra) and few browsers preview it.
- **Embed workflow** (`save_metadata`): **yes** stores the prompt and
  workflow in the file (PNG text chunks, EXIF in webp and jxl) so it drags
  back into ComfyUI; **no** writes a clean file for sharing or datasets.
  `--disable-metadata` on the server wins.
- **Preview** (`preview`): the small switch under the card shows the saved
  image on the node. Off, the picture's box goes away and the node is
  shorter; on again, the node returns to its height with the last saved
  image. It is display only: the file is saved either way and the queue
  still lists it. When a run saves more than one image (a batch, or a list
  such as a folder of images), arrows beside the switch (‹ 2 / 5 ›) step
  through them.
- **Steps** (`step_preview`, off by default): the switch left of
  **preview** shows the picture while it is being made, one step at a time,
  where the saved image goes, with a **STOP** button on the bar. Stop a run
  that is going wrong after the first steps instead of waiting for the end;
  a stopped run saves nothing and says so on the picture. Once the image is
  saved it replaces the steps. With several samplers, the node shows the one
  that feeds it. During an upscale in tiles it keeps the whole picture and
  says "upscaling in tiles" instead of showing each tile. Display only: the
  saved file is the same with it on or off.
  The [Step Preview](AUSBOSS_NODES_StepPreview.md) page has the details.

## Inputs

- **filename** (STRING, link only): the exact name from upstream - a Load
  Image name, a caption tool's id. Its image extension is swapped for the
  chosen format's (`photo123.jpg` -> `photo123.png`); a batch appends
  `_001`, `_002`... A linked but empty value stops the run instead of saving
  under a made-up name.
- **caption_text** (STRING, link only): saved as a UTF-8 `.txt` beside every
  image with the same name (`portrait.png` -> `portrait.txt`). Empty writes
  no sidecar. The old `caption` box still works underneath; a linked caption
  wins.

Rooted paths and `..` in names typed on the node are rejected before the
run. A bad name arriving through the `filename` link stops the run at this
node, before any file is written. `on_existing`
from older workflows is still honored wherever a save can land on an
existing file (counter off, exact or linked names).

## Name tokens

Type these in the **Filename** field. The path preview shows what they will
be, apart from the size, which only a run knows.

| Token | Becomes |
|---|---|
| `%date:yyyy-MM-dd%` | The date and time in the form you give: `yyyy` year, `MM` month, `dd` day, `hh` hour, `mm` minute, `ss` second. |
| `%KSampler.seed%` | A setting of another node: the node's title or type, a dot, then the setting's name. |
| `%width%`, `%height%` | The picture's size in pixels. |
| `%year%`, `%month%`, `%day%` | The date of the save. |
| `%hour%`, `%minute%`, `%second%` | The time of the save. |

- The date and the other node's setting are filled in by the browser when
  you press Run. A run sent straight through the API gets only the size and
  time tokens, as with ComfyUI's own Save Image.
- A name that arrives on the `filename` input is another node's exact name
  and is not read for tokens.
- Other text between percent signs stays as typed.

## Outputs

- **file_path**: absolute path of the first file saved this run (empty when
  every file was skipped), for downstream nodes that want the file itself.
- **images**: the input batch, unchanged — save first, keep wiring.

The node always re-runs on Queue (a saver's job is the side effect, so
deleting a file and queueing again saves it again), and a server launched
with `--disable-metadata` overrides the metadata toggle — the owner's call
beats the widget.