PIAdvisor provides processing guidance inside PixInsight. It sends a structured workspace snapshot (metadata, statistics, history, optional attachments) with your question to your selected provider. [more]
Categories: Utilities
Keywords: LLM, PixInsight, astrophotography, processing guidance, workflow, context, chat, processing history, vision, multimodal, OpenAI, Gemini, Ollama
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PIAdvisor connects PixInsight to Large Language Models (LLMs) using providers such as OpenAI, Google Gemini, OpenRouter, or local OpenAI-compatible servers (Ollama, LM Studio). For each request, PIAdvisor can collect structured context from your open images—including FITS metadata, processing history, astrometry, STF state, and image statistics—and include it alongside your question.
This allows responses to reference your specific image(s) and current workspace state, such as:
PIAdvisor uses Structured Context Analysis: a deterministic context snapshot built from observable image data (dimensions, SNR, FITS headers, processing history) and workspace state.
PIAdvisor is available in Free and Pro tiers:
Free Features
Pro Features (License Required)
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Structured Context Analysis
Captures image metadata, FITS headers, processing history, astrometry, ICC profiles, and STF/stretch state. Requests include this structured snapshot alongside your question.
Workspace Mode (Pro)
Include all open images in a single context snapshot. This is useful for multi-channel workflows such as L+RGB or SHO.
Vision Support
Attach view captures or screenshots for vision-capable models. Attachments can help with diagnosing visual artifacts.
Streaming Responses
Render partial output while a request is in progress. If streaming fails before any content is received, PIAdvisor retries once without streaming.
Rich Formatting
Responses include styled callouts, code blocks, and clickable tool links that launch PixInsight processes directly.
Multiple Providers
Supports OpenAI, OpenRouter, Google Gemini, and any OpenAI-compatible API (Ollama, LM Studio, etc.).
Provider |
Endpoint |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
OpenAI |
https://api.openai.com/v1 |
Official OpenAI API |
OpenRouter |
https://openrouter.ai/api/v1 |
Multi-model router (Claude, GPT, Llama, etc.) |
OpenAI-compatible (local) |
http://127.0.0.1:11434/v1 |
Default for Ollama. LM Studio typically uses http://127.0.0.1:1234/v1. |
Google Gemini |
https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/openai |
Gemini via OpenAI-compatible endpoint |
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Select the LLM provider to use:
OpenAI
The official OpenAI API (api.openai.com). Use Fetch Models to load available model ids.
OpenRouter
A multi-model router (openrouter.ai) providing access to dozens of models with a single API key.
Google Gemini
Google's Gemini API. Requires a Google AI Studio API key.
OpenAI-Compatible
Any API following the OpenAI chat completions format: Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM, etc.
The full base URL of the LLM's API. This is auto-populated when you select a provider, but can be customized for private deployments or proxies.
Your API authentication key. For cloud providers, this is required. For local servers (Ollama, LM Studio), you can often leave this as "no-key" or empty.
API keys are stored in user-local configuration files under PixInsight's configuration directory (the PIAdvisor subfolder), not in the Windows Registry.
The model identifier to use (e.g., "gpt-4o", "gemini-2.5-pro", "openrouter/auto", "llama3.2"). Click Fetch Models to load the list of available models from your provider.
For local servers, the model name must match exactly what you have loaded.
When enabled, sends the specified temperature value to the LLM. When disabled, the provider's default is used.
Controls the "creativity" of responses. Range: 0.0 (deterministic) to 2.0 (highly random). Recommended: 0.7 for balanced responses.
Limits the maximum length of the LLM's response. Default: 4096. Set to 0 to omit the limit. Valid non-zero range: 256-65536.
When enabled, includes recent processing history entries (from the History Explorer) in the context sent to the provider. This helps establish what has already been done.
The maximum number of recent processing history entries to include. 0 disables history. Default: 5 (Free) / 10 (Pro). Max: 5 (Free) / 20 (Pro).
When enabled, PIAdvisor can send image attachments to vision-capable models. Attachments are resized to the Vision Max Pixels limit.
The maximum resolution (in pixels on the longest side) for image attachments. Options are snapped to 512, 768, 1024, 1536, or 2048. Max: 1024 (Free) / 2048 (Pro).
Controls how many recent attached images are retained as historical reference in the conversation. 0 disables visual memory. PIAdvisor still focuses on the newest images attached in the current turn first. Default: 5 (Free) / 6 (Pro). Max: 5 (Free) / 20 (Pro).
Writes debug information to the PixInsight console. Can also be enabled via PIA_DEBUG=1. Available in Dev builds only.
When enabled, instructs the LLM to use structured formatting (callouts, tool links, code blocks) that PIAdvisor renders with custom styling.
The formatting instructions injected into the system prompt when rich formatting is enabled. Use Reset -> Template to restore defaults.
When enabled, responses are streamed incrementally as they arrive from the provider. If streaming fails before any content is received, PIAdvisor retries once without streaming.
The system instructions sent to the LLM at the start of each conversation. A detailed default prompt is provided by PIAdvisor. Advanced users can customize this, but changes may affect response quality.
Reset -> Prompt restores the built-in system prompt.
The Installed version line in LLM Settings shows the public PIAdvisor release you are running. Hover it to see the full build identifier when support or debugging needs the exact build.
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If you simply share an image ("Here's the red channel"), PIAdvisor may answer briefly and conversationally. If you want a detailed review, ask directly for analysis, advice, or next steps.
Enable Workspace Mode by clicking the Workspace Mode button in the toolbar. When enabled:
Use Refresh Workspace to capture new changes across open images without sending a message.
Workspace Mode is a Pro feature. Without an active license, context is limited to the active image only.
Enable the Enable Vision option in Settings to attach images. This requires a vision-capable model.
Attach View
Queues a resized copy of the currently selected PixInsight view for your next message.
Screenshot
Loads an image file from disk. Useful for screenshots, annotations, reference images, or examples from outside PixInsight.
Queued attachments appear in the chat composer and can be removed before you send. When sent, they appear inline with your message in the transcript.
PIAdvisor keeps a rolling visual memory of recent images, but it gives the newest images attached in the current turn priority over older ones. If you remove an image from a previous user turn, PIAdvisor reopens that turn so you can continue the conversation from that point.
Attachments are resized to the Vision max pixels limit before sending to control bandwidth and cost.
Export Chat
Saves the entire conversation as a Markdown file for documentation or sharing.
Export Debug (Dev builds)
Creates a support bundle containing context, prompt, request/response, streaming diagnostics, attachments, and logs. API keys are never exported. Useful for bug reports.
Shortcut |
Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Enter |
Send message |
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PIAdvisor includes Free features without a license. Pro features require activation.
Activation verifies your key with the PIAdvisor license server and unlocks Pro features immediately.
Pro licenses support activation on up to 3 devices simultaneously. Trial licenses support up to 2 devices. If you exceed the limit, you'll receive an error prompting you to deactivate an existing device.
Trials are time-limited Pro licenses (currently 60 days). Trial keys are delivered by email and are never shown in the UI or API responses.
To free up an activation slot:
License purchase details are provided on the PIAdvisor website. After purchase, your license key is delivered via email and can be activated in the License dialog.
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Use the Fetch Models button to load the available model list from your provider. If your provider does not support model listing, enter the exact model id manually.
If you just need a starting point, these defaults are commonly used:
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"Connection failed" or timeout
Verify your API endpoint URL is correct. Use Test to diagnose. Check firewall settings for local servers.
"401 Unauthorized"
Your API key is invalid or expired. Verify it in your provider's dashboard.
"429 Rate Limited"
You've exceeded your provider's rate limits. Wait and try again, or upgrade your API plan.
"Model not found"
The model name doesn't match what's available. Click Fetch Models to see available options.
For support requests, use Export Debug in the toolbar (Dev builds only). This creates a folder containing:
Share this bundle when reporting issues or when support asks which image or request PIAdvisor actually used.
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PIAdvisor may reference PixInsight tools and third-party processes. The following tools are commonly mentioned in PIAdvisor responses (when installed and applicable):
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