---
title: CLI
description: "Create, preview, and render HTML video compositions from the command line."
---

The `hyperframes` CLI is the primary way to work with Hyperframes. It handles project creation, live preview, rendering, linting, and diagnostics — all from your terminal.

```bash
npm install -g hyperframes
# or use directly with npx
npx hyperframes <command>
```

## When to Use

**Use the CLI when you want to:**
- Create a new composition project from an example
- Preview compositions with live hot reload during development
- Render compositions to MP4 (locally or in Docker)
- Lint compositions for structural issues
- Check your environment for missing dependencies

**Use a different package if you want to:**
- Render programmatically from Node.js code — use the [producer](/packages/producer)
- Build a custom frame capture pipeline — use the [engine](/packages/engine)
- Embed a composition editor in your own web app — use the [studio](/packages/studio)
- Parse or generate composition HTML in code — use [core](/packages/core)

<Tip>
  The CLI is the recommended starting point for all Hyperframes users. It wraps the producer, engine, and studio packages so you do not need to install them separately.
</Tip>

## Agent-Friendly by Default

The CLI is **non-interactive by default** — designed so AI agents (Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex, Cursor) can drive every command without prompts or interactive UI.

- All inputs are passed via flags (e.g., `--example`, `--video`, `--output`)
- Missing required flags fail fast with a clear error and usage example
- Output is plain text suitable for parsing
- No interactive prompts, spinners, or selection menus

Add `--human-friendly` to any command to enable the interactive terminal UI with prompts, spinners, and selection menus.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Agent mode (default)">
    ```bash
    # Fully non-interactive — all inputs from flags
    npx hyperframes init my-video --example blank --video video.mp4
    npx hyperframes render --output output.mp4 --fps 30 --quality standard
    npx hyperframes upgrade --check --json
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Human mode">
    ```bash
    # Interactive prompts, spinners, and selection menus
    npx hyperframes init --human-friendly
    npx hyperframes upgrade
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### JSON Output and `_meta` Envelope

All commands that support `--json` wrap their output with a `_meta` field containing version check info:

```json
{
  "name": "my-video",
  "duration": 10.5,
  "_meta": {
    "version": "0.1.4",
    "latestVersion": "0.1.5",
    "updateAvailable": true
  }
}
```

This allows agents to detect outdated versions from any command's output without running a separate upgrade check. The version data comes from a 24-hour cache — no network request is made during `--json` output.

### Passive Update Notices

The CLI checks npm for newer versions in the background (cached 24 hours). If an update is available, a notice appears on stderr after command completion:

```
  Update available: 0.1.4 → 0.1.5
  Run: npx hyperframes@latest
```

This is suppressed in CI environments, non-TTY shells, and when `HYPERFRAMES_NO_UPDATE_CHECK=1` is set.

## Getting Started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a project">
    Scaffold a new composition from an example:
    ```bash
    npx hyperframes init --example warm-grain
    ```
    You will be prompted for a project name, or pass it as an argument:
    ```bash
    npx hyperframes init my-video --example warm-grain
    ```
    See [Examples](/examples) for all available examples.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Preview in browser">
    Start the development server with live hot reload:
    ```bash
    cd my-video
    npx hyperframes preview
    ```
    The Hyperframes Studio opens in your browser. Edit `index.html` and the preview updates instantly.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Lint your composition">
    Check for structural issues before rendering:
    ```bash
    npx hyperframes lint
    ```
    ```
    ◆  Linting my-project/index.html

    ◇  0 errors, 0 warnings
    ```
  </Step>
  <Step title="Render to MP4">
    Produce the final video:
    ```bash
    npx hyperframes render --output output.mp4
    ```
    For deterministic output, add `--docker`:
    ```bash
    npx hyperframes render --docker --output output.mp4
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Commands

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Create">
    ### `init`

    Create a new composition project from an example:

    ```bash
    # Agent mode (default) — --example is required
    npx hyperframes init my-video --example blank --video video.mp4

    # Human mode — interactive prompts
    npx hyperframes init --human-friendly
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--example, -e` | Example to scaffold (required in default mode, interactive in `--human-friendly`) |
    | `--video, -V` | Path to a video file (MP4, WebM, MOV) |
    | `--audio, -a` | Path to an audio file (MP3, WAV, M4A) |
    | `--skip-skills` | Skip AI coding skills installation |
    | `--skip-transcribe` | Skip automatic whisper transcription |
    | `--model` | Whisper model for transcription (e.g. `small.en`, `medium.en`, `large-v3`) |
    | `--language` | Language code for transcription (e.g. `en`, `es`, `ja`). Filters non-target speech. |
    | `--human-friendly` | Enable interactive terminal UI with prompts |

    | Example | Description |
    |----------|-------------|
    | `blank` | Empty composition — just the scaffolding |
    | `warm-grain` | Cream aesthetic with grain texture |
    | `play-mode` | Playful elastic animations |
    | `swiss-grid` | Structured grid layout |
    | `vignelli` | Bold typography with red accents |

    In default (agent) mode, `--example` is required — the CLI errors with a usage example if missing. In `--human-friendly` mode, you choose interactively. When `--video` or `--audio` is provided, the CLI automatically transcribes the audio with Whisper and patches captions into the composition (use `--skip-transcribe` to disable).

    After scaffolding, the CLI installs AI coding skills for Claude Code, Gemini CLI, and Codex CLI (use `--skip-skills` to disable). See [`skills`](#skills) command.

    See [Examples](/examples) for full details.

    ### `add`

    Install a **block** or **component** from the registry into an existing project. Examples (full projects) are scaffolded with [`init`](#init); blocks and components are smaller units you add to a composition you already have.

    ```bash
    # Add a block (sub-composition scene)
    npx hyperframes add claude-code-window

    # Add a component (effect / snippet)
    npx hyperframes add shader-wipe

    # Target a different project dir
    npx hyperframes add shader-wipe --dir ./my-video

    # Headless / CI (skip clipboard; also: --json for a machine-readable result)
    npx hyperframes add shader-wipe --no-clipboard --json
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `<name>` (positional) | Registry item name (e.g. `claude-code-window`, `shader-wipe`) |
    | `--dir` | Project directory (defaults to the current working directory) |
    | `--no-clipboard` | Skip copying the include snippet to the clipboard |
    | `--json` | Print a machine-readable summary (written files + snippet) to stdout |

    `add` reads [`hyperframes.json`](#hyperframes-json) at the project root to know which registry to pull from and where to drop files. If the file is missing but the directory looks like a Hyperframes project (has `index.html`), a default `hyperframes.json` is written the first time you run `add`.

    Output for a block or component is a set of files plus a **paste snippet** — the `<iframe>` tag (for blocks) or the fragment path (for components) to include in your host composition. The snippet is copied to the clipboard by default; add `--no-clipboard` for CI or headless environments.

    Trying `add` with an example's name (e.g. `hyperframes add warm-grain`) emits a clear error pointing you at `init --example`.

    ### `catalog`

    Browse the registry — list available blocks and components with optional filters:

    ```bash
    # List everything (default: table output)
    npx hyperframes catalog

    # Filter by type or tag
    npx hyperframes catalog --type block
    npx hyperframes catalog --type block --tag social

    # Machine-readable JSON
    npx hyperframes catalog --json

    # Interactive picker — select to install
    npx hyperframes catalog --human-friendly
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--type` | Filter by `block` or `component` |
    | `--tag` | Filter by tag (e.g. `social`, `transition`, `text`) |
    | `--json` | Print matching items as JSON (non-interactive) |
    | `--human-friendly` | Interactive picker — select an item to install it |

    Default output is a table listing name, type, description, and tags — designed for agents to parse. `--json` produces structured output. `--human-friendly` opens an interactive picker that runs `add` on selection.

    ### `compositions`

    List all compositions in the current project:

    ```bash
    npx hyperframes compositions
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--json` | Output as JSON |

    Shows each composition's ID, duration, resolution, and element count.

    ### `transcribe`

    Transcribe audio/video to word-level timestamps, or import an existing transcript:

    ```bash
    # Transcribe audio/video with local whisper.cpp
    npx hyperframes transcribe audio.mp3
    npx hyperframes transcribe video.mp4 --model medium.en --language en

    # Import existing transcripts from other tools
    npx hyperframes transcribe subtitles.srt
    npx hyperframes transcribe captions.vtt
    npx hyperframes transcribe openai-response.json
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--dir, -d` | Project directory (default: current directory) |
    | `--model, -m` | Whisper model (default: `small.en`). Options: `tiny.en`, `base.en`, `small.en`, `medium.en`, `large-v3` |
    | `--language, -l` | Language code (e.g. `en`, `es`, `ja`). Filters out non-target language speech. |
    | `--json` | Output result as JSON |

    The command auto-detects the input type. Audio/video files are transcribed with whisper.cpp. Transcript files (`.json`, `.srt`, `.vtt`) are normalized and imported.

    **Supported transcript formats:**

    | Format | Source |
    |--------|--------|
    | whisper.cpp JSON | `hyperframes init --video`, `hyperframes transcribe` |
    | OpenAI Whisper API JSON | `openai.audio.transcriptions.create()` with word timestamps |
    | SRT subtitles | Video editors, YouTube, subtitle tools |
    | VTT subtitles | Web players, YouTube, transcription services |

    All formats are normalized to a standard `[{text, start, end}]` word array and saved as `transcript.json`. If the project has caption HTML files, they are automatically patched with the transcript data.

    <Tip>
      For music or noisy audio, use `--model medium.en` for better accuracy. For the best results with production content, transcribe via the OpenAI or Groq Whisper API and import the JSON.
    </Tip>

    ### `tts`

    Generate speech audio from text using a local AI model (Kokoro-82M). No API key required — runs entirely on-device.

    ```bash
    # Generate speech from text
    npx hyperframes tts "Welcome to HyperFrames"

    # Choose a voice
    npx hyperframes tts "Hello world" --voice am_adam

    # Save to a specific file
    npx hyperframes tts "Intro" --voice bf_emma --output narration.wav

    # Adjust speech speed
    npx hyperframes tts "Slow and clear" --speed 0.8

    # Read text from a file
    npx hyperframes tts script.txt

    # List available voices
    npx hyperframes tts --list
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--output, -o` | Output file path (default: `speech.wav` in current directory) |
    | `--voice, -v` | Voice ID (run `--list` to see options) |
    | `--speed, -s` | Speech speed multiplier (default: 1.0) |
    | `--list` | List available voices and exit |
    | `--json` | Output result as JSON |

    <Tip>
      Combine `tts` with `transcribe` to generate narration and word-level timestamps for captions in a single workflow: generate the audio with `tts`, then transcribe the output with `transcribe` to get word-level timing.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Preview">
    ### `preview`

    Start a live preview server with hot reload:

    ```bash
    npx hyperframes preview [dir]
    npx hyperframes preview --port 4567
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--port` | Port to run the preview server on (default: 3002) |

    Opens your composition in the Hyperframes Studio with live preview. Edits to `index.html` and any referenced sub-compositions are reflected automatically. The preview uses the same Hyperframes runtime as production rendering, so what you see is what you get.

    The preview server runs in three modes, auto-detected:

    1. **Embedded mode** (default for `npx`) — runs a standalone server with the studio bundled in the CLI. Zero extra dependencies.
    2. **Local studio mode** — if `@hyperframes/studio` is installed in your project's `node_modules`, spawns Vite with full HMR for faster iteration.
    3. **Monorepo mode** — if running from the Hyperframes source repo, spawns the studio dev server directly.

    ### `lint`

    Check a composition for common issues:

    ```bash
    npx hyperframes lint [dir]
    npx hyperframes lint [dir] --verbose   # include info-level findings
    npx hyperframes lint [dir] --json      # machine-readable JSON output
    ```
    ```
    ◆  Linting my-project/index.html

      ✗ missing_gsap_script: Composition uses GSAP but no GSAP script is loaded.
      ⚠ unmuted-video [clip-1]: Video should have the 'muted' attribute for reliable autoplay.

    ◇  1 error(s), 1 warning(s)
    ```

    By default only **errors** and **warnings** are printed. Info-level findings (e.g., external script dependency notices) are hidden to keep output clean for agents and CI. Use `--verbose` to include them.

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--json` | Output findings as JSON (includes `errorCount`, `warningCount`, `infoCount`, and `findings` array) |
    | `--verbose` | Include info-level findings in output (hidden by default) |

    **Severity levels:**
    - **Error** (`✗`) — must fix before rendering (e.g., missing adapter library, invalid attributes)
    - **Warning** (`⚠`) — likely issues that may cause unexpected behavior
    - **Info** (`ℹ`) — informational notices, shown only with `--verbose`

    The linter detects missing attributes, missing adapter libraries (GSAP, Lottie, Three.js), structural problems, and more. See [Common Mistakes](/guides/common-mistakes) for details on each rule.
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Build">
    ### `render`

    Render a composition to MP4 or WebM:

    ```bash
    # Local mode (fast iteration)
    npx hyperframes render --output output.mp4

    # Docker mode (deterministic output)
    npx hyperframes render --docker --output output.mp4

    # WebM with transparency (for overlays, captions, lower thirds)
    npx hyperframes render --format webm --output overlay.webm

    # With options
    npx hyperframes render --output output.mp4 --fps 60 --quality high
    ```

    | Flag | Values | Default | Description |
    |------|--------|---------|-------------|
    | `--output` | path | `renders/<name>.mp4` | Output file path |
    | `--format` | mp4, webm, mov | mp4 | Output format (WebM/MOV render with transparency) |
    | `--fps` | 24, 30, 60 | 30 | Frames per second |
    | `--quality` | draft, standard, high | standard | Encoding quality preset |
    | `--crf` | 0–51 | — | Override CRF (lower = higher quality). Cannot combine with `--video-bitrate` |
    | `--video-bitrate` | e.g. `10M`, `5000k` | — | Target bitrate encoding. Cannot combine with `--crf` |
    | `--workers` | 1-8 | 4 | Parallel render workers |
    | `--gpu` | — | off | GPU encoding (NVENC, VideoToolbox, VAAPI) |
    | `--docker` | — | off | Use Docker for [deterministic rendering](/concepts/determinism) |
    | `--quiet` | — | off | Suppress verbose output |

    #### WebM with Transparency

    Use `--format webm` to render compositions with a transparent background. This produces VP9 video with alpha channel in a WebM container — the standard format for overlayable video.

    ```bash
    # Render a caption overlay with transparent background
    npx hyperframes render --format webm --output captions.webm

    # Overlay on another video with FFmpeg
    ffmpeg -c:v libvpx-vp9 -i captions.webm -i background.mp4 \
      -filter_complex "[1:v][0:v]overlay=0:0" -y composited.mp4
    ```

    <Tip>
      For transparency to work, your composition's HTML should use `background: transparent` on the root elements. WebM renders use PNG frame capture (instead of JPEG) to preserve the alpha channel.
    </Tip>

    See [Rendering](/guides/rendering) for all options and modes.

    ### `benchmark`

    Find optimal render settings for your system:

    ```bash
    npx hyperframes benchmark [dir]
    ```

    | Flag | Values | Default | Description |
    |------|--------|---------|-------------|
    | `--runs` | 1-20 | 3 | Number of runs per configuration |
    | `--json` | — | off | Output results as JSON |

    Runs multiple render configurations (varying fps, quality, and worker count) and compares timing and file size for each.
  </Tab>
  <Tab title="Utilities">
    ### `doctor`

    Check your environment for required dependencies:

    ```bash
    npx hyperframes doctor
    ```
    ```
    hyperframes doctor

      ✓ Version          0.1.4 (latest)
      ✓ Node.js          v22.x (linux x64)
      ✓ FFmpeg            7.x
      ✓ FFprobe           7.x
      ✓ Chrome            (system or cached)
      ✓ Docker            24.x
      ✓ Docker running    Running

      ◇  All checks passed
    ```

    Verifies CLI version, Node.js, FFmpeg, FFprobe, Chrome, and Docker availability. If a newer CLI version is available, the version row shows an upgrade hint.

    ### `info`

    Display project metadata:

    ```bash
    npx hyperframes info [dir]
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--json` | Output as JSON |

    Shows project name, resolution, duration, element counts by type, track count, and total project size.

    ### `upgrade`

    Check for updates and show upgrade instructions:

    ```bash
    npx hyperframes upgrade
    npx hyperframes upgrade --check         # check and exit (no prompt)
    npx hyperframes upgrade --check --json  # machine-readable for agents
    npx hyperframes upgrade --yes           # show upgrade commands without prompting
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--check` | Check for updates and exit (no prompt, agent-friendly) |
    | `--json` | Output as JSON (includes `_meta` envelope) |
    | `--yes, -y` | Show upgrade commands without prompting |

    Compares your installed version against the latest on npm. With `--check --json`, returns:

    ```json
    {
      "current": "0.1.4",
      "latest": "0.1.5",
      "updateAvailable": true,
      "_meta": { "version": "0.1.4", "latestVersion": "0.1.5", "updateAvailable": true }
    }
    ```

    ### `browser`

    Manage the Chrome browser used for rendering:

    ```bash
    # Find or download Chrome for rendering
    npx hyperframes browser ensure

    # Print the browser executable path (for scripting)
    npx hyperframes browser path

    # Remove cached Chrome download
    npx hyperframes browser clear
    ```

    The `path` subcommand outputs only the path, useful in scripts: `$(npx hyperframes browser path)`.

    ### `docs`

    View inline documentation in the terminal:

    ```bash
    npx hyperframes docs [topic]
    ```

    Available topics: `data-attributes`, `examples`, `rendering`, `gsap`, `troubleshooting`, `compositions`. Run without a topic to see the full list.

    ### `telemetry`

    Manage anonymous usage telemetry:

    ```bash
    npx hyperframes telemetry enable
    npx hyperframes telemetry disable
    npx hyperframes telemetry status
    ```

    Telemetry collects command names, render performance, example choices, and system info. It does **not** collect file paths, project names, video content, or personally identifiable information. Disable with `HYPERFRAMES_NO_TELEMETRY=1` or the command above.

    ### `skills`

    Install HyperFrames and GSAP skills for AI coding tools:

    ```bash
    # Install to all default targets (Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex CLI)
    npx hyperframes skills

    # Install to specific tools
    npx hyperframes skills --claude
    npx hyperframes skills --cursor
    npx hyperframes skills --claude --gemini
    ```

    | Flag | Description |
    |------|-------------|
    | `--claude` | Install to Claude Code (`~/.claude/skills/`) |
    | `--gemini` | Install to Gemini CLI (`~/.gemini/skills/`) |
    | `--codex` | Install to Codex CLI (`~/.codex/skills/`) |
    | `--cursor` | Install to Cursor (`.cursor/skills/` in current project) |

    Skills are fetched from GitHub and include composition authoring, GSAP animation patterns, registry block/component wiring, and other domain-specific knowledge. The `init` command also offers to install skills automatically after scaffolding a project.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## hyperframes.json

`hyperframes init` writes a `hyperframes.json` file at the root of every new project. `hyperframes add` reads it to know which registry to pull items from and where to drop them. Edit the file (or delete it to fall back to defaults) to reshape your project layout or point at a custom registry.

```json
{
  "$schema": "https://hyperframes.heygen.com/schema/hyperframes.json",
  "registry": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/main/registry",
  "paths": {
    "blocks": "compositions",
    "components": "compositions/components",
    "assets": "assets"
  }
}
```

| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `registry` | Base URL of the registry `add` pulls from. Defaults to the public Hyperframes registry. |
| `paths.blocks` | Where block `.html` files land (relative to project root). |
| `paths.components` | Where component files land (relative to project root). |
| `paths.assets` | Where referenced asset files (images, fonts) land. |

Missing fields are filled with defaults — you only need to specify what you want to override.

## Related Packages

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Producer" icon="film" href="/packages/producer">
    The rendering pipeline the CLI calls under the hood. Use directly for programmatic rendering.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Studio" icon="palette" href="/packages/studio">
    The editor UI that powers `hyperframes preview`. Use directly to embed in your own app.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Core" icon="cube" href="/packages/core">
    Types, linter, and runtime. Use directly for custom tooling and integrations.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Engine" icon="gear" href="/packages/engine">
    The capture engine. Use directly for custom frame capture pipelines.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>
