Summary
Using the new app builder, attempts to upload image files as app assets through the Chat tab fail (the code references the images but the actual files aren't added as assets), yet the process still consumes AI credits — and there appears to be no way to upload assets directly without going through the AI chat.
AI Response
In the new app builder, uploading files as app assets is currently only supported through the Chat tab's 'Attach files' control (click the attach icon or paste files directly into the prompt box); dragging files into the Code panel folders is not a supported upload path, which is why that attempt didn't work. Note the documented limits: images up to 5 MB, documents/videos up to 20 MB, and a maximum of 10 attachments per message — uploads that exceed these can silently fail while the chat still edits code to reference them. There is presently no separate, non-AI direct asset-upload option, so asset uploads do go through the agent. Confirming files stay within the size limits and re-attaching them in a fresh message is the most reliable approach today, and heavy credit consumption in the new builder is a known, actively discussed concern.
Sources
Upload files as app assets
Official Retool announcement confirming that in the new app builder files are uploaded as assets via the Chat tab (the intended workflow), applicable only to the new builder.
An active, related thread corroborating the concern that the new app builder consumes AI credits far too quickly.
The Community Team is testing out a new automation. Let us know if it's helpful (or not) by leaving a 
, 
, or 
. Or by marking this post as the "Solution"! Let us know if you have any feedback here. 