diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8407db5..f8b8b8d 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -8,8 +8,14 @@ new version heading in the same commit.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
-## [0.138.4] — 2026-07-13
-### Fixed
+## [0.139.0] — 2026-07-13
+### Added
+- **`image_edit` gains a `remove-background` preset.** Alongside prompt-guided edit and upscale, agents can
+  now cut out an image's subject with `image_edit({ image, operation: "remove-background" })` — no prompt
+  needed. It returns a **transparent PNG** saved as a new Library image (source untouched), via Atlas's
+  dedicated `youchuan/v8.1/remove-background` model. Same governed `generateImage` submit+poll as the other
+  edit modes (`operation` takes precedence over `scale`/`prompt`), classified `image.edit` (money-capped),
+  audited `image.edited` (op=remove-background). Verified live (→ 822 KB transparent PNG).
 - **An invalid/partial default image model no longer silently breaks generation.** A half-typed default
   (e.g. `google/` left in the Settings field) used to fail every `image_generate`/`image_edit` with a
   cryptic Atlas "not found". Now guarded two ways: (1) **console warning** — the default-model fields flag
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index bc98e86..a4de3ef 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "agent-os",
-  "version": "0.138.4",
+  "version": "0.139.0",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "agent-os",
-      "version": "0.138.4",
+      "version": "0.139.0",
       "license": "MIT",
       "bin": {
         "agent-os": "bin/agent-os"
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 5a3b487..a7200ca 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "agent-os",
-  "version": "0.138.4",
+  "version": "0.139.0",
   "description": "A generic, governed operating system for running autonomous agents safely across brands. Ships with a local web console.",
   "license": "MIT",
   "type": "commonjs",
diff --git a/src/edge/image-gen.ts b/src/edge/image-gen.ts
index 04fe9c7..8d0f8e7 100644
--- a/src/edge/image-gen.ts
+++ b/src/edge/image-gen.ts
@@ -41,15 +41,17 @@ export interface ImageGenRequest {
   n: number;
 }
 
-/** Edit or upscale an EXISTING image. `images` are already-resolved inputs the vendor accepts inline
- *  (data: URLs or http URLs). `scale` set (>1) ⇒ upscale mode (uses the upscaler model, `prompt` ignored);
- *  otherwise it's a prompt-guided edit (image-to-image). */
+/** Edit, upscale, or run a named preset on an EXISTING image. `images` are already-resolved inputs the
+ *  vendor accepts inline (data: URLs or http URLs). Mode precedence: `operation` (a named preset like
+ *  'remove-background') ⇒ that preset; else `scale` (>1) ⇒ upscale (uses the upscaler model, `prompt`
+ *  ignored); else a prompt-guided edit (image-to-image). */
 export interface ImageEditRequest {
   images: string[];
   prompt?: string;
   model?: string;
   size?: string;
   scale?: number;
+  operation?: 'remove-background';
 }
 
 export interface ImageBackend {
@@ -184,6 +186,7 @@ interface AtlasPrediction {
 const ATLAS_BUILTIN_IMAGE_MODEL = 'google/nano-banana-2/text-to-image';
 const ATLAS_BUILTIN_EDIT_MODEL = 'google/nano-banana-2/edit';
 const ATLAS_UPSCALE_MODEL = 'atlascloud/image-upscaler';
+const ATLAS_BG_REMOVE_MODEL = 'youchuan/v8.1/remove-background';
 
 /** Does this error look like "the model id is wrong" (vs a transient/other failure)? Only these are
  *  worth retrying with the built-in default — a real content/timeout error should surface as-is. */
@@ -215,12 +218,16 @@ class AtlasBackend implements ImageBackend {
 
   async editImage(req: ImageEditRequest): Promise<ImageGenResult> {
     if (!req.images.length) throw new Error('an input image is required');
-    const upscale = typeof req.scale === 'number' && req.scale > 1;
-    const model = req.model?.trim() || (upscale ? this.upscaleModel : this.editModel);
-    const fallback = upscale ? ATLAS_UPSCALE_MODEL : ATLAS_BUILTIN_EDIT_MODEL;
-    // Edit and upscale ride the SAME generateImage submit+poll — only the body shape differs: an upscaler
-    // takes a single `image` + `outscale`; an image-to-image edit takes `images[]` + a `prompt`.
-    const build = (m: string): Record<string, unknown> => upscale
+    const bgRemove = req.operation === 'remove-background';
+    const upscale = !bgRemove && typeof req.scale === 'number' && req.scale > 1;
+    const model = req.model?.trim() || (bgRemove ? ATLAS_BG_REMOVE_MODEL : upscale ? this.upscaleModel : this.editModel);
+    const fallback = bgRemove ? ATLAS_BG_REMOVE_MODEL : upscale ? ATLAS_UPSCALE_MODEL : ATLAS_BUILTIN_EDIT_MODEL;
+    // All three modes ride the SAME generateImage submit+poll — only the body shape differs: an upscaler
+    // and background-removal take a single `image` (bg-remove returns a transparent PNG, no prompt); an
+    // image-to-image edit takes `images[]` + a `prompt`.
+    const build = (m: string): Record<string, unknown> => bgRemove
+      ? { model: m, image: req.images[0] }
+      : upscale
       ? { model: m, image: req.images[0], outscale: req.scale, output_format: 'jpeg' }
       : { model: m, prompt: req.prompt ?? '', images: req.images, ...(req.size ? { size: req.size } : {}) };
     return this.withModelFallback(model, fallback, build);
diff --git a/src/memory/memory-mcp.ts b/src/memory/memory-mcp.ts
index ae845ad..bc03d70 100644
--- a/src/memory/memory-mcp.ts
+++ b/src/memory/memory-mcp.ts
@@ -172,19 +172,21 @@ const IMAGE_GENERATE_TOOL = {
 const IMAGE_EDIT_TOOL = {
   name: 'image_edit',
   description:
-    'Edit or upscale an EXISTING image (image-to-image). Use this to transform an image you already have — ' +
-    'change its style/content ("make the sky purple", "add a hat"), or upscale it — WITHOUT redrawing from ' +
-    'scratch. The source `image` can be a Library artifact id (e.g. from a prior image_generate), a file path ' +
-    'in your working folder (a file you wrote OR one uploaded into the session), or an http(s) image URL. ' +
-    'The result is saved as a NEW image in the Library (the source is never changed) and the tool returns the ' +
-    'new artifact id. Pass `prompt` to describe the edit, OR `scale` (2 or 4) to upscale. Governed ' +
+    'Edit, upscale, or run a named preset on an EXISTING image. Use this to transform an image you already ' +
+    'have — change its style/content ("make the sky purple", "add a hat"), upscale it, or remove its ' +
+    'background — WITHOUT redrawing from scratch. The source `image` can be a Library artifact id (e.g. from a ' +
+    'prior image_generate), a file path in your working folder (a file you wrote OR one uploaded into the ' +
+    'session), or an http(s) image URL. The result is saved as a NEW image in the Library (the source is never ' +
+    'changed) and the tool returns the new artifact id. Pass `prompt` to describe an edit, `scale` (2 or 4) to ' +
+    'upscale, OR `operation` for a named preset ("remove-background" → a transparent PNG cutout). Governed ' +
     '(cost-metered + audited). Requires an Atlas Cloud key.',
   inputSchema: {
     type: 'object',
     properties: {
       image: { type: 'string', description: 'The image to edit: a Library artifact id, a file path in your working folder (written or uploaded), or an http(s) image URL.' },
-      prompt: { type: 'string', description: 'How to change the image (e.g. "turn it into a watercolor painting", "remove the background"). Required unless upscaling.' },
+      prompt: { type: 'string', description: 'How to change the image (e.g. "turn it into a watercolor painting"). Required unless upscaling or using an `operation` preset.' },
       scale: { type: 'number', description: 'Upscale factor (2 or 4). When set, upscales the image and `prompt` is ignored.' },
+      operation: { type: 'string', enum: ['remove-background'], description: 'A named preset. "remove-background" removes the background and returns a transparent PNG (no `prompt` needed). Takes precedence over `scale`/`prompt`.' },
       model: { type: 'string', description: 'Optional model id override (an Atlas image-to-image / upscaler model). Omit for the default.' },
     },
     required: ['image'],
@@ -1117,10 +1119,12 @@ async function imageGenerate(args: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<string> {
 async function imageEdit(args: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<string> {
   const image = String(args.image ?? '').trim();
   if (!image) return 'An input `image` is required (a Library artifact id, a working-folder file path, or an image URL).';
+  const operation = args.operation === 'remove-background' ? 'remove-background' : undefined;
   const scale = args.scale !== undefined ? Number(args.scale) : undefined;
   const prompt = typeof args.prompt === 'string' ? args.prompt.trim() : '';
-  if (!(scale && scale > 1) && !prompt) return 'Describe the edit in `prompt`, or pass `scale` (2 or 4) to upscale.';
+  if (!operation && !(scale && scale > 1) && !prompt) return 'Describe the edit in `prompt`, pass `scale` (2 or 4) to upscale, or set `operation` (e.g. "remove-background").';
   const body: Record<string, unknown> = { session: SESSION, image };
+  if (operation) body.operation = operation;
   if (prompt) body.prompt = prompt;
   if (scale !== undefined) body.scale = scale;
   if (typeof args.model === 'string' && args.model.trim()) body.model = args.model.trim();
@@ -1133,7 +1137,7 @@ async function imageEdit(args: Record<string, unknown>): Promise<string> {
   if (!d.ok) return `Could not edit image: ${d.error ?? 'unknown error'}`;
   const list = (d.artifacts ?? []).map((a) => `${a.id} (${a.filename})`).join(', ');
   const cost = typeof d.costUsd === 'number' ? ` · ~$${d.costUsd.toFixed(3)}` : '';
-  const what = scale && scale > 1 ? `Upscaled ${scale}×` : 'Edited';
+  const what = operation === 'remove-background' ? 'Removed background' : scale && scale > 1 ? `Upscaled ${scale}×` : 'Edited';
   const warn = d.warning ? ` ⚠ ${d.warning}` : '';
   return `${what} with ${d.model ?? 'the default model'}${cost}. New image saved to the Library: ${list}.${warn}`;
 }
diff --git a/src/server.ts b/src/server.ts
index cfcdb90..92f8937 100644
--- a/src/server.ts
+++ b/src/server.ts
@@ -885,6 +885,7 @@ async function handle(os: AgentOS, tm: TerminalManager, autos: Automations, req:
       prompt: b.prompt ? String(b.prompt) : undefined,
       scale: b.scale !== undefined ? Number(b.scale) : undefined,
       model: b.model ? String(b.model) : undefined,
+      operation: b.operation === 'remove-background' ? 'remove-background' : undefined,
     });
     return sendJson(res, out.ok ? 200 : 400, out);
   }
diff --git a/src/terminal.ts b/src/terminal.ts
index 801729c..b4c1006 100644
--- a/src/terminal.ts
+++ b/src/terminal.ts
@@ -2392,16 +2392,18 @@ export class TerminalManager {
    * `generateImage`: classified `image.edit` with an estimated `amountUsd` (money-cap applies), the
    * result is `ingest`ed as a NEW `image` artifact (the source is never mutated) + an owner-scoped inbox
    * card, audited `image.edited`. The source image is any ref `resolveImageRef` accepts — a Library
-   * artifact id, a working-folder file (written or terminal-uploaded), or a URL. `scale` (>1) upscales
-   * (prompt ignored); otherwise `prompt` drives an image-to-image edit. Atlas-only (OpenRouter throws).
+   * artifact id, a working-folder file (written or terminal-uploaded), or a URL. Mode precedence:
+   * `operation` (a named preset — 'remove-background', a transparent-PNG cutout, no prompt) ⇒ that preset;
+   * else `scale` (>1) upscales (prompt ignored); else `prompt` drives an image-to-image edit. Atlas-only.
    */
-  async editImage(sessionId: string, input: { image: string; prompt?: string; scale?: number; model?: string }): Promise<{ ok: boolean; artifacts?: { id: string; filename: string; mime: string }[]; model?: string; costUsd?: number; warning?: string; error?: string }> {
+  async editImage(sessionId: string, input: { image: string; prompt?: string; scale?: number; model?: string; operation?: 'remove-background' }): Promise<{ ok: boolean; artifacts?: { id: string; filename: string; mime: string }[]; model?: string; costUsd?: number; warning?: string; error?: string }> {
     const agent = this.sessionAgent(sessionId);
     if (!agent) return { ok: false, error: 'unknown session' };
     if (!this.os.artifacts.enabled) return { ok: false, error: 'artifacts store is disabled (no data home)' };
-    const upscale = typeof input.scale === 'number' && input.scale > 1;
+    const bgRemove = input.operation === 'remove-background';
+    const upscale = !bgRemove && typeof input.scale === 'number' && input.scale > 1;
     const prompt = (input.prompt || '').trim();
-    if (!upscale && !prompt) return { ok: false, error: 'describe the edit in `prompt` (or pass `scale` to upscale)' };
+    if (!bgRemove && !upscale && !prompt) return { ok: false, error: 'describe the edit in `prompt`, pass `scale` to upscale, or set `operation` (e.g. "remove-background")' };
     const imageRef = (input.image || '').trim();
     if (!imageRef) return { ok: false, error: 'an input `image` is required — a Library artifact id, a working-folder path, or an image URL' };
     const resolved = this.resolveImageRef(agent, imageRef);
@@ -2415,15 +2417,15 @@ export class TerminalManager {
     if (!backend) return { ok: false, error: 'image editing is not configured — set an Atlas Cloud key in Settings → Integrations' };
 
     const estimateUsd = DEFAULT_IMAGE_COST_USD;
-    const op = upscale ? 'upscale' : 'edit';
-    const model = input.model?.trim() || (upscale ? 'atlascloud/image-upscaler' : op);
-    const gate = this.gate(sessionId, agent, 'image.edit', { prompt, model, upscale, amountUsd: estimateUsd }, `${op} an image with ${model}`);
+    const op = bgRemove ? 'remove-background' : upscale ? 'upscale' : 'edit';
+    const model = input.model?.trim() || (bgRemove ? 'youchuan/v8.1/remove-background' : upscale ? 'atlascloud/image-upscaler' : op);
+    const gate = this.gate(sessionId, agent, 'image.edit', { prompt, model, op, amountUsd: estimateUsd }, `${op} an image with ${model}`);
     if (gate.decision === 'deny') return { ok: false, error: 'blocked by policy' };
     if (gate.decision === 'pending') return { ok: false, error: 'this edit needs human approval — an approval request was filed; retry once it is approved' };
 
     let result;
     try {
-      result = await backend.editImage({ images: [resolved.url], prompt, model: input.model, scale: input.scale });
+      result = await backend.editImage({ images: [resolved.url], prompt, model: input.model, scale: input.scale, operation: input.operation });
     } catch (e) {
       const msg = e instanceof Error ? e.message : String(e);
       this.audit(sessionId, agent, 'image.failed', { model, op, error: msg });
@@ -2432,7 +2434,8 @@ export class TerminalManager {
 
     const srow = this.db.prepare('SELECT spawned_by, run_as FROM term_sessions WHERE id = ?').get<{ spawned_by: string | null; run_as: string | null }>(sessionId);
     const source = srow?.run_as ?? srow?.spawned_by ?? undefined;
-    const title = upscale ? `Upscaled ${input.scale}×` : (prompt.length > 60 ? prompt.slice(0, 57) + '…' : prompt);
+    const title = bgRemove ? 'Background removed' : upscale ? `Upscaled ${input.scale}×` : (prompt.length > 60 ? prompt.slice(0, 57) + '…' : prompt);
+    const description = bgRemove ? `Background removed from ${imageRef}` : upscale ? `Upscaled ${input.scale}× from ${imageRef}` : prompt;
     const stamp = Date.now();
     const costUsd = result.costUsd ?? estimateUsd;
     const perImageUsd = +(costUsd / result.images.length).toFixed(6);
@@ -2440,7 +2443,7 @@ export class TerminalManager {
     result.images.forEach((img, i) => {
       const filename = `${op}-${stamp}${result.images.length > 1 ? `-${i + 1}` : ''}.${img.ext}`;
       const r = this.os.artifacts.ingest({
-        sessionId, agent, source, title, description: upscale ? `Upscaled ${input.scale}× from ${imageRef}` : prompt,
+        sessionId, agent, source, title, description,
         folder: 'edited-images', filename, bytes: img.bytes, kind: 'image', costUsd: perImageUsd,
       });
       if (!r.ok) return;