The coherence and imaging beamline I13 is dedicated to hard x‐ray imaging on the micro‐ and nano‐lengthscale, performing microscopy either in direct or reciprocal space. For both, lens‐based and lensless imaging, two independent stations will be operated in a separate building at a distance of 250 m from the source. The imaging branch will perform in‐line phase contrast imaging and tomography over a large field of view in the 6‐ to 35‐keV energy range. In addition, it will be possible to switch to full‐field microscopy with 50‐nm spatial resolution. Other microscopies will be developed according to the scientific needs. Resolution beyond the limitations given by the detector and x‐ray optics will be achieved with techniques working in the far field. Coherent x‐ray diffraction (CXRD) and other coherent diffraction imaging techniques such as ptychography will also be implemented on the same ‘coherence’ branch. The beamline hosts a number of innovative features such as the so‐called ‘mini‐beta’ layout for electron optics in the storage ring or new concepts for beamline instrumentation. The stations will be operational in 2011.