This quickstart uses the managed /clips workflow. It handles source ingest, transcription, short suggestion selection, vertical layout, captions, QA, and export through one state machine.

1. Get An API Key

Create a live API key in your workspace:

Dashboard → Workspace → AI → API Keys

Only workspace owners/admins can create keys.

Terminal

export BLITZREELS_API_KEY="br_live_..."

curl https://www.blitzreels.com/api/v1/auth/validate \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $BLITZREELS_API_KEY"

2. Create A Clip

Start with a YouTube source:

Terminal

CLIP=$(curl -s -X POST https://www.blitzreels.com/api/v1/clips \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $BLITZREELS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "project_name": "Demo short",
    "source": {
      "source_type": "youtube",
      "youtube_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID"
    },
    "selection": {
      "selection_mode": "auto_best"
    },
    "target": {
      "aspect_ratio": "9:16",
      "min_duration_seconds": 8,
      "max_duration_seconds": 45
    },
    "layout": {
      "layout_mode": "auto",
      "content_type_hint": "auto"
    },
    "captions": {
      "enabled": true
    },
    "qa": {
      "qa_mode": "permissive"
    },
    "export": {
      "auto_export": false
    }
  }')

CLIP_ID=$(echo "$CLIP" | jq -r '.clip.clip_id')

If the source is already in your workspace media library, send "source_type": "asset" with "asset_id": "MEDIA_ASSET_ID" instead of youtube_url.

3. Poll Until Action Is Needed

Terminal

curl https://www.blitzreels.com/api/v1/clips/$CLIP_ID \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $BLITZREELS_API_KEY"

Follow clip.next_action:

poll means keep polling.
reselect means choose a different suggestion or provide a time range.
repair means run one repair pass.
export means the clip is ready to render.
stop means the workflow is finished or failed.

4. Reselect Or Repair If Needed

Choose a specific suggestion:

Terminal

curl -X POST https://www.blitzreels.com/api/v1/clips/$CLIP_ID/reselect \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $BLITZREELS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "selection": {
      "selection_mode": "suggestion",
      "suggestion_id": "SUGGESTION_ID"
    }
  }'

Or run a repair pass:

Terminal

curl -X POST https://www.blitzreels.com/api/v1/clips/$CLIP_ID/repair \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $BLITZREELS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"repair_mode":"auto"}'

5. Export

When next_action is export:

Terminal

curl -X POST https://www.blitzreels.com/api/v1/clips/$CLIP_ID/export \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $BLITZREELS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "resolution": "1080p",
    "format": "mp4"
  }'

Poll the clip again until clip.export.status is ready, then use clip.export.download_url.

CLI Shortcut

The same flow is available from the CLI:

Terminal

blitzreels clips create \
  --source-type youtube \
  --youtube-url "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID" \
  --name "Demo short" \
  --min-duration 8 \
  --max-duration 45 \
  --qa-mode permissive \
  --json

blitzreels clips wait --clip-id CLIP_ID --json
blitzreels clips export --clip-id CLIP_ID --resolution 1080p --format mp4

Quickstart

1. Get An API Key

2. Create A Clip

3. Poll Until Action Is Needed

4. Reselect Or Repair If Needed

5. Export

CLI Shortcut

Next Steps

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