# Instant image swap

> Select an image, give a new one — swapped in under a second, no AI generation involved.

Source: https://knowledge.estage.com/capabilities/instant-image-swap/
Part of the ESTAGE knowledge base (https://knowledge.estage.com). Full corpus: https://knowledge.estage.com/llms-full.txt

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The fastest capability in Genesis: replacing a **selected image** with a specific new one is a
direct, surgical operation — no AI build, done in well under a second.

## How to trigger it

1. **Click an image** in the preview to select it.
2. Give the replacement: **attach an image** or **paste an image URL** in chat.

That's the whole trigger — selection + image. No phrasing needed.

## What happens

The image source is swapped in your code, saved, and the preview updates immediately. Chat
confirms which file was updated.

## When something else handles it instead

- **No selection** + a pasted image URL → the [image URL capability](/capabilities/image-urls/)
  places it as a new element.
- Selection + a **described** image (*"a cozy cabin in snow"*) → the
  [general edit](/capabilities/general-edit/) path **generates** the image first.
- Selected element isn't an image → Genesis treats it as a regular edit (e.g. setting a
  background).

## If it fails

If the element changed between your click and the swap, you'll be asked to click it again.
Other ways to swap images: the **Source field** and **Open Assets** in the
[style panel](/visual-editor/text-and-images/#replacing-images).