# Connect Cardboard

> Connect Cardboard to the user's AI assistant or agent, and confirm it works with a first edit.

I want you to set up Cardboard for me. Follow the steps below for the assistant or agent I use, within what I allow.

## OBJECTIVE

Connect Cardboard, the AI video editor, to the user's assistant (ChatGPT or Claude) or agent (Claude or Codex in the
Cardboard Mac app, or the `cb` command line), sign in to the user's Cardboard account, and make one small test edit.

## DONE WHEN

A Cardboard project exists for the user, it has at least one clip or photo, and a preview of an edit plays in the chat
or app. Report which route you used and what the user saw. If something blocks setup, report that blocker instead of
claiming success.

## TODO

- [ ] Find out which assistant or agent the user is using.
- [ ] Check the user has a Cardboard account, or send them to https://www.cardboard.ai/signup.
- [ ] Follow the matching route below.
- [ ] Make a test project, add one clip, ask for a small edit and show the preview.

## Rules

- Never ask the user for their Cardboard password, an access token, a refresh token or a device code in chat. Sign-in
  always happens in the user's own browser window.
- Editing in ChatGPT or Claude runs on a cloud computer that uses the plan's usage credits while it works. Exports and
  AI generation use more. Tell the user before the test edit, and ask before exporting or generating.
- Lite is free in the Mac app; on the web every plan is paid. Point the user to https://www.cardboard.ai/pricing for
  plans, and never change a plan for them.
- If the connector says it isn't available on the account yet, it is in early access for that account. Tell the user to
  write to support@cardboard.ai.

## Route A: ChatGPT

Server URL: `https://mcp.cardboard.ai/mcp`

1. In ChatGPT, open **Plugins** and find **Cardboard**. Choose **Install plugin**, then **Connect**.
2. If Cardboard is not listed, open **Plugins**, then **Add**, then **Add custom MCP server**. Name it **Cardboard**,
   enter the server URL above, confirm you trust it and choose **Create**, then **Connect**. Depending on the ChatGPT
   plan, this may need developer mode or a workspace admin.
3. Sign in to Cardboard in the window that opens and allow access.
4. In a chat, type `@Cardboard`, pick it, and ask: "Make a new Cardboard project called Test and open the upload card."
5. The first time the upload card opens, ChatGPT asks whether to allow it. Choose **Always allow**. Files attached to a
   ChatGPT message are also added to the project.

## Route B: Claude (web, desktop or phone)

Server URL: `https://mcp.cardboard.ai/claude`

1. In Claude, open **Customize**, then **Connectors**, and find **Cardboard** in the directory. Choose **Connect**.
2. If it is not listed, choose **Add custom connector**, name it **Cardboard**, enter the server URL above, then **Add**
   and **Connect**. On Team and Enterprise plans, an owner may need to add it first.
3. Sign in to Cardboard and allow access.
4. In a chat, make sure Cardboard is on in the chat's connectors menu, then ask: "Make a new Cardboard project called
   Test and open the upload card."
5. Files attached to a Claude chat do not reach Cardboard. Use Cardboard's upload card to pick files.

## Route C: Claude or Codex in the Cardboard Mac app

1. The Mac app needs Apple Silicon (M1 or later). On an Intel Mac or Windows, use Route A, Route B or the web editor.
2. Download the app from https://www.cardboard.ai/desktop/download. Lite is included free, with no card needed.
3. In the app, open **Settings**, then **Agents**, and sign in with Claude or ChatGPT. This needs a paid Claude or
   ChatGPT plan, which pays for the model.
4. Pick that agent in the chat, drop in a clip and ask for a small edit.

## Route D: the `cb` command line

1. The standalone `cb` installer is for Macs with Apple Silicon. On another system, use Route A or Route B, whose cloud
   computers already include `cb`. Install steps: https://www.cardboard.ai/auth.md
2. Run `cb auth status --json` to check sign-in.
3. Run `cb auth login` for browser sign-in on this machine, or `cb auth login --device` over SSH or in a container. Show
   the user the verification URL and code; they approve in their own browser. Keep the device code private.

## Test edit

1. "Make a new Cardboard project called Test."
2. Add one clip or photo through the upload card, a chat attachment (ChatGPT only), or a link.
3. "Cut it to 10 seconds and add a title that says Hello."
4. "Show me the preview." A player shows the edit. Exports are MP4, 1080p unless 4K is asked for on Creator or Pro, so
   ask before exporting.

## If something fails

- Sign-in keeps failing: remove Cardboard from the assistant's connectors or plugins, add it again and sign in once
  more.
- "Plan limit reached": the plan's usage credits have run out, or its exports are used up. Projects stay saved. Usage
  credits refill every month on paid plans and come once with free Lite in the Mac app. Lite's three exports do not
  refill.
- Bringing in a link fails: link import depends on the plan. See https://www.cardboard.ai/pricing.
- Anything else: https://docs.cardboard.ai/mcp/troubleshooting.md, or email support@cardboard.ai with any `ref` code the
  assistant showed.

EXECUTE NOW: Complete the TODO list until a preview of the test edit plays for the user, or report the concrete blocker.

More about Cardboard: https://www.cardboard.ai/llms.txt. Setup guide for people: https://docs.cardboard.ai/mcp