Should I use chat, Tools, API, or MCP? - Galaxy Help Center

Choose the surface based on the outcome you want and how much direct control you need.

Your goal	Best place to start
Complete a one-time or open-ended task	New task
Run one supported tool from a catalog	Tools
Call Galaxy from your own software	API
Let an MCP-compatible client use Galaxy	MCP

Use a task for outcomes

Choose New task when you know the result you want but do not want to design every step. The agent can write, search, generate or crop images, merge videos, and load skills. Example: “Generate a snowy mountain at dusk, then crop the sky.”

Use Tools for one capability

Open Tools when you want to see the supported catalog: GPT Image 2, Crop Image, Merge Videos, Web search, Sandbox, and skills. The agent still calls these from chat; the Tools page is the catalog, not a separate runner.

Use API or MCP for external access

Use the API when your application should create chats and poll runs. Use MCP when a compatible client should discover the same tools. Public API docs: https://magica-adi.mintlify.site/