If you’ve published even one article online, you know the pain of choosing a cover image.
Stock photos feel generic.
Hand-made illustrations take forever.
And “just skip the cover image” somehow makes the whole post feel incomplete.
So when DEV.to quietly rolled out a new Generate Image button for article headers, I wasn’t expecting much…
But after trying it?
Wow.
This is easily one of DEV.to’s most underrated features of 2025.
Let me show you why.
Why This Feature Matters More Than It Seems
Most of us write on DEV.to because the platform gets developers.
We want:
- Low friction
- Clean editing
- Markdown that works
- Community that feels like real humans
But visuals have always been the one area where authors struggled.
This new button changes that completely.
With a single click, DEV.to now gives every writer the power to generate a unique, stylized header image — without leaving the editor, without extra tools.
It’s effortless in the best way.
How the Feature Really Works
Here’s the correct step-by-step flow, based on the actual UI:
- Start writing your article on DEV.to.
- Scroll to the Cover Image section.
- Click the Generate Image button.
- A prompt box appears.
- Type what you want the image to be about — your topic, theme, or idea.
- DEV.to generates a custom image based on that prompt.
- You can regenerate if you want a different look.
- Click to insert it right into your article. This means YOU control the concept while DEV.to handles the visual creation.
It’s the perfect blend of creativity + convenience.
Why This Is a Smart Feature for DEV.to (Big Picture)
This isn’t just fun — it’s a strategic upgrade.
1. First impressions matter
Covers = more clicks.
More clicks = more reads.
More reads = more community momentum.
2. It lowers the publishing barrier
Writers no longer need to hunt for images or leave DEV.to.
3. It keeps DEV.to competitive
Medium, Substack, Hashnode… none of them have an AI flow this smooth inside the editor.
This positions DEV.to as a forward-thinking publishing platform for developers.
Honestly, Shoutout to the DEV Team
This feature feels intentional:
- Simple
- Useful
- Not over-engineered
Perfect for developers who write
It’s the kind of upgrade that quietly improves the whole platform.
Have You Tried It Yet?
If you publish on DEV.to, try the Generate Image feature and enter a creative prompt.
I’d love to see what you come up with — feel free to drop your generated images or posts in the comments below. 🚀
Top comments (1)
I fully agree, this feature is pretty badass