> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://monkey-gun.gitbook.io/monkeygun/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://monkey-gun.gitbook.io/monkeygun/start-here/quickstart.md).

# Quickstart

From a token snapshot to a playable video in one call.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Get a key

Sign in at [monkeygun.com](https://monkeygun.com/login), open **Settings → API**, and create a key. It looks like `mk_live_…` and is shown once. Add a card in **Settings → Credits** first: it adds 500 credits, enough for about eight plain 30-second videos, and after that tops up $10 at a time only when you run out. Add a card for 500 more; with a card on file the account pays as it goes ($10 at a time, only when a call runs short), so an integration never stalls on a `402`.

```bash
export MK_KEY=mk_live_…
curl https://api.monkeygun.com/v1/account -H "Authorization: Bearer $MK_KEY"
# { "signedIn": true, "credits": 500 }
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Price it (free)

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.monkeygun.com/v1/quote \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MK_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "targetSeconds": 30, "images": "none" }'
# { "credits": 60, "usd": "0.60", "breakdown": [ script 20, voiceover 30, render 10 ] }
```

A quote is the floor for the options you named. Generated images, AI clips, a music bed and show defaults add to it. See [Credits and quotes](/monkeygun/concepts/credits-and-quotes.md).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Post your data

Every key in `data` becomes a fact the narrator can quote. Numbers are formatted for speech. `cta` is spoken and shown verbatim as the last scene. `external_id` comes back on every webhook.

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.monkeygun.com/v1/videos/from-data \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MK_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "title": "Artificial Inu ($AI)",
    "brief": "A 30-second recap of today for people scrolling the exchange. Lead with the move, end on the CTA.",
    "cta": "Trade $AI on yourexchange.com",
    "data": {
      "symbol": "AI", "name": "Artificial Inu",
      "priceUsd": 0.22, "change24hPct": -8.7,
      "volume24hUsd": 1200000, "marketCapUsd": 223000000, "holders": 52772,
      "imageUrl": "https://assets.coingecko.com/coins/images/1/large/bitcoin.png"
    },
    "format": "9:16", "targetSeconds": 30, "images": "source",
    "brand": { "pack": "bold", "accent": "#C7F24C", "ground": "#0B0C0F", "watermark": "yourexchange.com" },
    "public": true,
    "external_id": "listing-AI-2026-09-25"
  }'
```

```json
HTTP 202
{
  "videoId": "vid-391", "status": "rendering", "title": "Artificial Inu ($AI)",
  "duration": 29.4, "charged": 60, "external_id": "listing-AI-2026-09-25",
  "mediaKey": "cb66…", "url": "https://api.monkeygun.com/api/media/videos/vid-391/vid-391.mp4?k=cb66…",
  "renderUrl": null, "thumbnail": null, "watchUrl": "https://monkeygun.com/w/vid-391?k=cb66…",
  "note": "Rendering. You will receive video.rendered on your webhook; or poll GET /v1/videos/{id}."
}
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Get the file

Rendering takes 30 to 60 seconds for a plain video. Poll until `status` is `rendered`, then play `renderUrl`.

```bash
curl https://api.monkeygun.com/v1/videos/vid-391 -H "Authorization: Bearer $MK_KEY"
# { "status": "rendered", "renderUrl": "https://api.monkeygun.com/api/media/videos/vid-391/vid-391-v1.mp4?k=cb66…", ... }
```

`renderUrl` is immutable and cacheable forever. `url` is the current cut and changes after an edit. Both carry the media key, so they play without a session. Set `public: true` (as above) if you want the bare path to play too. See [Media and keys](/monkeygun/concepts/media-and-keys.md).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Stop polling: add a webhook

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.monkeygun.com/v1/webhooks \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MK_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{ "url": "https://yourapp.com/monkeygun", "events": ["video.rendered", "video.render_failed"] }'
# { "webhook": { "id": "wh_b5fd", "secret": "whsec_…" } }   secret is shown once
```

The rendered event carries `renderUrl`, `url`, `thumbnail`, `watchUrl`, `mediaKey`, `external_id` and `version`. Verify `X-Monkeygun-Signature` before trusting it. Delivery is one attempt with no retry, so keep a short reconciler that polls anything still `rendering` after a minute. See [Webhooks and polling](/monkeygun/guides/webhooks-and-polling.md).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Next

* [**Write the scenes yourself**](/monkeygun/guides/authored-scripts.md) — Charts, stat cards, logo-seeded clips, sound design.
* [**Long creations**](/monkeygun/guides/async-jobs.md) — Clips and full AI video take minutes. Use `async: true`.
* [**Your users make videos**](/monkeygun/guides/embedded-studio.md) — Embed the studio with a per-user token.


---

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