Beginner

Getting Started with Midjourney

Set up your Discord account, subscribe to Midjourney, and generate your first AI image in minutes.

Setup Steps

  1. Create a Discord Account

    If you do not have one, go to discord.com and create a free account. Discord is the platform where Midjourney operates.

  2. Join the Midjourney Server

    Visit midjourney.com and click "Join the Beta" to join the official Midjourney Discord server.

  3. Subscribe to a Plan

    Type /subscribe in any Midjourney channel or bot DM to get a link to the subscription page. Choose a plan that fits your needs.

  4. Find a Channel or DM the Bot

    You can use Midjourney in the public #newbies channels, or DM the Midjourney Bot directly for private generation (your images still appear on the web gallery unless you have a Pro plan with stealth mode).

The /imagine Command

The core command for generating images. Type /imagine followed by your prompt:

Discord Command 
/imagine a cozy cabin in a snowy forest at night, warm light from windows, northern lights in the sky

Midjourney will generate a grid of 4 images. Below the grid, you will see buttons:

Button Reference 
U1  U2  U3  U4  - Upscale image 1, 2, 3, or 4
V1  V2  V3  V4  - Create variations of image 1, 2, 3, or 4
🔄             - Re-roll (generate 4 new images with same prompt)

Images are numbered:
  1 (top-left)    2 (top-right)
  3 (bottom-left)  4 (bottom-right)

Variations

Click V1-V4 to create variations of a specific image. The bot generates 4 new images that are similar in composition and style but with creative differences. This is how you iterate toward your ideal image.

Upscaling

Click U1-U4 to upscale a specific image to higher resolution. After upscaling, you get additional options:

  • Upscale (2x / 4x): Further increase resolution
  • Vary (Subtle/Strong): Create variations with minor or major changes
  • Zoom Out (1.5x / 2x): Expand the image canvas outward
  • Pan arrows: Extend the image in a specific direction

Your First Image

Try these simple prompts to get started:

Starter Prompts 
# Simple and effective
/imagine a golden retriever wearing sunglasses on a beach

# With style
/imagine futuristic city skyline at sunset, cyberpunk style

# With mood
/imagine an old bookshop interior, cozy, warm lighting, detailed

# With aspect ratio
/imagine vast mountain landscape, epic, cinematic --ar 16:9
💡
Tip: Start with simple prompts and gradually add detail. Midjourney's default aesthetic is already beautiful, so you do not need to over-specify on your first tries.

What's Next?

Now that you can generate images, the next lesson dives deep into prompting techniques to get exactly the results you want.

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