Integration Guide · Connect any AI tool to StarReel MCP

01 · WHAT IS THIS

In one sentence

StarReel is a fully automated AI short-drama production platform. We packaged it as a plugin (MCP) — connect it to the AI tool you already use, and plain language is enough to have it create projects, write storyboards, generate images and video, add voiceover, and assemble the final cut.

🔌

Connect once, use forever

Add the plugin to your AI tool once; it’s ready every time you open it.

💬

Just talk normally

No commands, no code. Describe what you want, like chatting with a producer.

💰

Pay as you go

Metered by usage, failed generations aren’t charged, credits never expire, no monthly fee.

02 · GET READY

Three steps before you start

Register at starreel.ai and create an API key (starts with srk_live_) on the API Keys page. This key represents your account and balance — keep it safe, never share it.

Install an AI tool

Pick an AI app that supports plugins (MCP) — see the list in section 3, both international and China-based.

Connect the plugin

Enter your key and connect our plugin (section 4 — one sentence lets the AI set it up itself). Then you’re ready to go.

03 · PICK A TOOL

Which AI tool to install

Any AI tool that supports plugins (MCP) works. Common picks below — choose one that fits your setup.

International · popular

Tool / Platform	Form	Notes
Claude Desktop	Desktop app	Anthropic’s official app — friendly UI, best for beginners.
Claude Code	Command line	One command to connect, for terminal users.
Cursor / Cline / Windsurf	Editor	Popular with dev teams; the AI can connect itself.

China · chat & go

Tool / Platform	Form	Notes
Feishu Aily (ByteDance)	Enterprise AI workspace	Docs / KB / meetings integrated, has an MCP marketplace.
Tencent WorkBuddy	Desktop Agent	Native MCP, can operate your computer, strong enterprise integration.
Alibaba QwenWork / Wukong	Enterprise Agent	Connects OA / CRM / DingTalk and other business systems.
Baidu DuMate	Desktop Agent	Local sandbox and file permissions, security-focused.

China · build a workflow (for tech teams)

Tool / Platform	Form	Notes
Coze / Dify	Agent platform	Add the plugin to build a short-drama production agent.
FastGPT / n8n	Workflow	Self-hosted, batch production, flow orchestration.

MCP support across these platforms is evolving fast — go by the latest version. Not technical? Pick Claude Desktop internationally, or Feishu Aily / Tencent WorkBuddy in China.

04 · CONNECT

How to connect the plugin

The easiest way: send one message and let the AI install and connect everything. You never touch a config file.

Method A · Send one message, let the AI connect itself (recommended)

Copy the whole message below and send it, replacing the key with your own. An AI that can operate your computer (Claude Code, Cursor, Tencent WorkBuddy…) will handle everything from setup to connection.

Please connect the StarReel short-drama MCP plugin and set it up end to end:

1) If Node.js isn’t installed, guide me or install it for me;

2) Start the plugin with: npx -y @starreel/mcp

3) Set the environment variable STARREEL_API_KEY to my key srk_live_[your key here];

4) Add it to the MCP config, connect, and tell me whether it’s connected.

Method B · Add it manually in the app (fallback for GUI-only apps)

If the app is GUI-only and its AI can’t change settings (e.g. Claude Desktop, Feishu Aily), open its MCP marketplace / plugins and search “StarReel” for one-click add; if not found, click Add and fill in these three fields, then save and restart.

Command	`npx`
Args	`-y @starreel/mcp`
Key	`STARREEL_API_KEY = srk_live_your-key`

✔ How do I know it’s connected?

Ask the AI “list my short-drama projects” or “what’s my balance” — if it answers, you’re connected.

About Node.js

The plugin runs on a free tool called Node.js (that’s where npx comes from). With Method A, just let the AI install it; or get it at nodejs.org — click through once and it’s set for good.

05 · HOW TO TALK

Once connected, how to talk to it

The one rule: talk normally, the AI does the work. Describe what you want, like chatting with a producer who knows the craft.

①Base project settingsFree · the AI sets these up directly

Project type, aspect ratio (portrait / landscape), world, character looks, overall visual style. These are free — the foundation, set once when creating the project.

②The production backbonePaid · quoted first, done after you confirm

Characters → storyboards → images → video → voiceover → final cut. For each paid step it tells you the rough cost first and only proceeds when you say “confirm”.

③Nice-to-havesPaid · it offers, you decide

World concept art, scene images, background music, posters, etc. They lift quality but aren’t required — it says “these are optional, roughly this much”, and only does them if you agree.

Copy-paste prompts (replace the [brackets] with your content)

① Create a project

Create a new short drama called “[Title]”, urban romance, portrait 9:16, 5 episodes total. Modern-city world, spoken in Chinese, East Asian characters.

It creates the project and sets aspect ratio, world and other foundations at once (free). Once the aspect ratio is set, don’t change it (see section 6).

② Turn a script into a finished episode

Here’s the episode 1 script, make it into a finished cut: [paste your script here]

It runs the full pipeline; at the big paid steps (especially video) it quotes first and continues after you confirm.

③ Make a commercial

Make a 30-second commercial. Product is [product name], selling points are [selling points], young and lively style.

For ads it also builds a “product library” for you, otherwise the product looks inconsistent across shots.

④ Check progress / tweak / add extras

Where is episode 1, what’s left?　Add background music to this episode.　Generate a world concept image.

Checking progress is free; music and concept art are optional — quoted first.

06 · TWO RULES

Two rules worth remembering

⚠ Rule ① Once the aspect ratio is set, don’t change it midway

The aspect ratio (portrait 9:16 / landscape 16:9) is locked when you create the project, and every frame follows it. Never switch it halfway — earlier and later shots won’t match (one portrait, one landscape). To change it, start a new project.

⚠ Rule ② Don’t let it re-split storyboards just because a shot “seems long”

Our shots run about 5-7 seconds each — a normal length optimized for AI video (longer than the 2-3s of traditional short dramas). Some AI tools think “that’s too long, re-split it” — but re-splitting replaces the entire episode’s storyboards, and already-generated images are discarded and cost money again. Unless you truly want to start over, leave it as is.

07 · FAQ

FAQ

Does connecting cost money?

Connecting is free. Only generated content (images, video, voiceover…) is metered, and failed generations aren’t charged.

Roughly how much per episode?

Based on resolution and shot count. A ~2-minute episode (about 26 shots) is roughly ¥150 at 480p or ¥320 at 720p — far below traditional filming. The live quote at order time is authoritative.

Is my key safe? Could I be overcharged?

Your key (starts with srk_live_) represents your balance — only put it in your AI tool’s config, never paste it in chat or commit it to a repo. Prepaid, no overdraft; it stops when the balance runs out.

I’m not technical — can I connect it myself?

Yes. Use Method A in section 4: send that message and let the AI connect itself; or ask a technical colleague, or request a one-click config from us.

Which AI tool is easiest?

Claude Desktop internationally, or Feishu Aily / Tencent WorkBuddy in China — all GUI, point-and-click.

Ready?

Technical docs for developers: api.shortreelai.com/docs/mcp

Connect your favorite AI tool to StarReel