Run npm install -g videodraft, or use npx videodraft to run the current version without installing. It needs Node 20.18.1 or newer. A Homebrew tap and a curl installer are still in progress, so npm is the supported channel today.

How does it authenticate?

Run videodraft login and it opens your browser for a one-click sign in. For CI, set VIDEODRAFT_API_KEY to a token from the VideoDraft keys page instead. Credentials are stored in ~/.config/videodraft/config.json, and videodraft logout revokes and clears them.

The CLI is free and MIT licensed. Generations spend the same VideoDraft credits as Studio, the Mac app, and the MCP connector, from one balance. Use --estimate on a command to see the cost before you spend anything.

How is it different from the MCP connector?

They are the same tools, the same auth, and the same credits. The connector is for working conversationally inside Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, or Cursor. The CLI is for scripts, batches, and CI, where you want JSON output and stable exit codes.

Command line

AI video from your terminal.

The official VideoDraft CLI generates video, images, voice, music, and 3D assets from the command line. Built for humans and for coding agents: JSON output everywhere, stable exit codes, and async jobs as a first-class idea.

Install the CLI Read the docs

Install: npm, or npx with no install at all
Requires: Node 20.18.1 or newer
License: MIT, source on GitHub
Credits: One balance, shared with Studio and the Mac app

Install and sign in.

Install globally to put videodraft on your PATH, or skip the install and let npx fetch the current version each time. Then sign in once in your browser.

Install reference

Headless and CI

Set VIDEODRAFT_API_KEY to a token from the keys page and skip the login step entirely. Credentials otherwise live in ~/.config/videodraft/config.json, and videodraft logout revokes and clears them.

export VIDEODRAFT_API_KEY=vd_mcp_…
videodraft whoami

Generate anything, download it, move on.

A standalone image, clip, voiceover, track, or 3D model is a complete deliverable and does not need a project. Add --estimate to price a job before you spend.

Command reference

Examples

videodraft generate image "a red fox in snow, cinematic" --download ./out/
videodraft generate video "slow dolly over a misty lake" --duration 6 --estimate
videodraft create "30s launch video for our espresso machine" --ar 9:16

Built for scripts

Every command takes --json, exit codes are stable enough to branch on, and async jobs are submit-then-poll rather than a blocking wait.

Or a whole production

videodraft create runs idea to script to storyboard to timeline to an exported MP4, checking cost with you along the way.

Teach your coding agent to use it.

The CLI ships an agent skill covering model choice, references, async polling, and costs. Install it and Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor know how to produce video without being told each time.

About the skill

Install the skill

videodraft skills install

One command, three agents

The CLI detects which agents you actually have and writes the skill only where it belongs. Inside VideoDraft ADE this is already done for you: the app bundles its own copy and hands every chat the exact path to it.

Same tools, two front doors.

The CLI and the MCP connector share auth, tools, and one credit balance. Pick the one that fits how you want to work.

MCP docs

Use the CLI for scripts

Batches, pipelines, CI, and anything you want to run the same way twice, with output you can parse.

Read the CLI docs

Use the connector to talk

Same tools, same credits, but conversational. Connect Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, or Cursor and ask for what you want in plain language.

Connect your agent

CLI questions

The full reference

Install and sign-in options, the generate commands, cost estimates, async jobs, and the agent skill.