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How to install Waifu Diffusion: Stable Diffusion’s anime model explained

- August 31, 2023
- Updated: July 2, 2025 at 1:21 AM

“How to install Waifu Diffusion” is a popular question among Anime enthusiasts and AI aficionados nowadays. If you are one of them, get ready to dive into the world of Waifu Diffusion! This innovative adaptation of the Stable Diffusion anime model has taken the community by storm.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exciting process of installing and operating Waifu Diffusion via AUTOMATIC1111’s Stable Diffusion WebUI. Prepare to embark on a journey of creativity and customization.

How to install Waifu Diffusion easily on both Windows and Mac in 5 steps
Are you ready to bring your favorite anime characters to life like never before? Get ready to dive into the captivating world of Waifu Diffusion! With a seamless installation process and a user-friendly interface, you’re just a few steps away from unlocking a realm of creativity and customization.
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Setting the stage
Let’s start with the basics. Installing Waifu Diffusion is a breeze, taking just under 10 minutes (excluding download times). Before you begin, ensure you have a comfortable 10GB of free space on your hard drive.
Now, here’s the hardware scoop for optimal performance:
- A minimum of 16GB RAM to keep things smooth.
- A GPU from NVIDIA’s GTX 7xx series or newer, with at least 2GB of VRAM (although AMD GPUs work, NVIDIA is the favored choice).
- Supported operating systems include Linux, Windows 7/8/10/11, and Mac M1/M2 (Apple Silicon).
- Keep 10GB of disk space on hand to house the models.
You’re poised for an immersive Waifu Diffusion adventure by meeting these requirements.
Model Matters
The core of Waifu Diffusion lies within its model files. These files, with a ‘ckpt’ extension (short for ‘checkpoint’), encapsulate the AI’s training data and capabilities. To snag the latest Waifu Diffusion model, head over to the Waifu Diffusion Model download link. The specific file you’re after is named ‘wd-1-4-anime_e2.ckpt.’
Wrangling the WebUI
Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter—the WebUI. AUTOMATIC1111’s Stable Diffusion WebUI stands out for its user-friendly interface and responsive development team.

Depending on your operating system, here’s how to set it up:
For Windows users:
- Download the ‘sd.webui.zip’ file and extract its contents.
- Run ‘update.bat’ to ensure you’re on the latest version of the WebUI.
- Launch the WebUI using ‘run.bat.’ The initial launch might take a while as it downloads necessary packages, including Stable Diffusion v5.1.
For Mac users (M1/M2):
- Ensure you have Homebrew installed. If not, follow their installation guide on the Homebrew website.
- In Terminal, install required packages using the command:
brew install cmake protobuf rust python@3.10 git wget
. - Clone the WebUI repository using:
git clone https://github.com/AUTOMATIC1111/stable-diffusion-webui
. - Navigate to the cloned folder and start the WebUI with:
./webui.sh
.
Organizing your arsenal
Once your downloads are complete, move both the model and WebUI files into the ‘stable-diffusion-webui/models/Stable-diffusion’ folder within the main WebUI directory. This tidy organization will pay off down the line.
Lights, camera, interaction!
Here’s where the magic happens. Start the WebUI:
- Windows Users: Launch ‘webui-user.bat.’
- Mac Users: Use Terminal to run ‘./webui.sh.’
As the interface fires up, you’ll spot a toggle labeled “Stable Diffusion Checkpoint.” Switch it to your freshly downloaded Waifu Diffusion model, titled ‘wd-1-4-anime_e2.ckpt.’

And voilà! You’re all set to immerse yourself in the captivating realm of Waifu Diffusion. Let your creativity flourish as you explore the endless possibilities this fusion of anime and AI has to offer. Get ready to bring your favorite characters to life in entirely new ways!
Meet Eray, a tech enthusiast passionate about AI, crypto, gaming, and more. Eray is always looking into new developments, exploring unique topics, and keeping up with the latest trends in the industry.
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