Execute Actions — Complete V1 Migration Reference

This page is the authoritative single-page field-level reference for migrating from the V1 Photoshop action endpoints to /v2/execute-actions.

For a guided walkthrough with examples, see Actions Migration.

1. V1 endpoint coverage

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2. Request envelope

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V1:

{"inputs": [{"href": "<URL>", "storage": "external"}]}

V2:

{"image": {"source": {"url": "<URL>"}}}

3. Actions (.atn files)

V1 → V2 action item example:

// V1
{"href": "<ACTION_URL>", "storage": "external"}

// V2
{"source": {"url": "<ACTION_URL>"}}

Multiple actions (V2 only):

V1 supported a single action per request. V2 allows up to 10 actions executed in sequence — the first .atn and inline ActionJSON can be mixed freely within the same array.

4. ActionJSON (critical breaking change)

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V1:

{
  "options": {
    "actionJSON": [
      {"_obj": "convertMode", "to": {"_enum": "colorSpaceMode", "_value": "grayscale"}}
    ]
  }
}

V2:

{
  "options": {
    "actions": [
      {
        "source": {
          "content": "[{\"_obj\":\"convertMode\",\"to\":{\"_enum\":\"colorSpaceMode\",\"_value\":\"grayscale\"}}]",
          "contentType": "application/json"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

5. Additional images / contents

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V1:

{
  "options": {
    "additionalImages": [
      {"href": "<OVERLAY_URL>", "storage": "external"}
    ],
    "actionJSON": [
      {"_obj": "placeEvent", "null": {"_path": "ACTION_JSON_OPTIONS_ADDITIONAL_IMAGES_0"}}
    ]
  }
}

V2:

{
  "options": {
    "additionalContents": [
      {"source": {"url": "<OVERLAY_URL>"}}
    ],
    "actions": [
      {
        "source": {
          "content": "[{\"_obj\":\"placeEvent\",\"null\":{\"_path\":\"__ADDITIONAL_CONTENTS_PATH_0__\",\"_kind\":\"local\"}}]",
          "contentType": "application/json"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}

6. Additional resources (fonts, brushes, patterns)

Resource limits:

All binary resources (fonts, brushes, patterns, additional images) must be external file references. Inline content is not supported for binary resources in V2.

7. Removed V1 options

8. Output fields

9. JPEG quality mapping

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10. PNG compression mapping

11. Supported output formats

12. Convenience API migration

V1 convenience APIs called predefined server-side action files. In V2, those action files are published; you use them via /v2/execute-actions. See the per-API migration guides for the complete ActionJSON definitions.

13. Resource limits summary

14. Complete migration checklist

• Replace inputs[0].href + storage with image.source.url (or creativeCloudPath / creativeCloudFileId)
• Replace outputs[].href + storage with outputs[].destination.url (or CC / hosted / embedded)
• Replace outputs[].type with outputs[].mediaType
• Replace options.actions[].href + storage with options.actions[].source.url
• Stringify ActionJSON: options.actionJSON[...] → options.actions[].source.content as JSON string + contentType: "application/json"
• Rename options.additionalImages[] to options.additionalContents[]; update item structure to source.url
• Update placeholder format: ACTION_JSON_OPTIONS_ADDITIONAL_IMAGES_0 → __ADDITIONAL_CONTENTS_PATH_0__
• Rename options.fonts[] to options.fontOptions.additionalFonts[]; update item structure to source.url
• Update options.brushes[].href + storage to options.brushes[].source.url
• Update options.patterns[].href + storage to options.patterns[].source.url
• Remove options.costOptimization (no equivalent)
• Change JPEG quality from numeric (1–12) to string enum
• Change PNG compression from small/medium/large to V2 enum
• Rename overwrite to shouldOverwrite on outputs
• Remove includeMetadata and embedICCProfiles from outputs; add iccProfile object if needed
• Check resource counts are within V2 limits (10 for brushes/patterns/fonts, 25 for outputs)

15. New and noteworthy additional features

1. Scripting support: UXP scripts can now be executed on the server. These run in a sandbox with network and disk access restricted.
2. Generative AI: Most of the generative functionality offered via Photoshop Desktop is available via Actions, including Generative Fill, Generative Expand, Wire Distractor, and People Distractor.
3. Dynamic text: Dynamic text functionality is now available via Actions and UXP scripting.
4. Better background removal: Improved background removal capabilities.

See also

• Actions Migration — Guided walkthrough with examples and best practices
• Output Types Migration — JPEG, PNG, TIFF output format details
• ICC Profile Migration — Color management options
• Product Crop — Full ActionJSON definition
• Split View — Full ActionJSON definition
• Side by Side — Full ActionJSON definition