# Creating videos on ShortLoom

## In the app

1. Open https://shortloom.ai/dashboard/create (or land there from a /tools or /make page; those CTAs deep-link `?style=` / `?mode=`).
2. Enter a topic, URL, or script. Pick style, voice, duration, ratio.
3. Default path is Director Mode: review the script and scenes, then approve to spend credits.
4. When the MP4 is ready: download, publish, or edit scenes.

UGC mode is a separate handheld/product pipeline. Avatar mode is a talking on-screen character (Growth/Pro).

## From an agent

Use MCP `generate_video` (Director Mode by default) or `POST /api/v1/generate`. Then `approve_draft` or `POST /api/v1/jobs/{id}/approve`. Poll `get_video_status` / `GET /api/v1/status/{jobId}`.

Sandbox / dry-run behaviour follows the public API docs, not a hidden flag in this file.

## Deep links

`/dashboard/create?style=documentary&emotion=serious&pacing=fast`
`/dashboard/create?mode=ugc&style=ugc`
`/dashboard/create?mode=avatar`

Style and mode ids must match the live catalogs (`lib/studio/styles.ts`, `lib/studio/modes.ts`). Unknown query params are ignored.