---
title: "Render from the command line"
description: "Check a project and render MP4, MOV, WebM, GIF, or PNG output."
---

Studio is the simplest place to export a project. Use the command line when an agent, script, CI job, or advanced delivery workflow needs to control the render.

## Render a normal video

From the project folder:

```bash
npx hyperframes render --output final.mp4
```

If you omit `--output`, HyperFrames writes the result under `renders/`.

The normal workflow is:

```bash
npx hyperframes lint
npx hyperframes check
npx hyperframes render --output final.mp4
```

`lint` checks the project structure. `check` opens the project in a browser and looks for runtime, layout, motion, media, and contrast problems.

## Choose a format

| Format       | Use it for                                                 |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| MP4          | Normal sharing, publishing, and delivery                   |
| MOV          | ProRes workflows and transparent editing intermediates     |
| WebM         | Web delivery and transparent overlays                      |
| GIF          | Short previews in issues, pull requests, and documentation |
| PNG sequence | Frame-by-frame handoff to compositing software             |

Examples:

```bash
# Transparent web overlay
npx hyperframes render --format webm --output overlay.webm

# ProRes editing file
npx hyperframes render --format mov --output master.mov

# Short looping preview
npx hyperframes render --format gif --fps 15 --output preview.gif

# RGBA frames in a directory
npx hyperframes render --format png-sequence --output frames
```

GIF has no audio and limited transparency. Prefer MP4 or WebM for normal playback.

### Transparent video

Use WebM for a transparent web overlay or MOV for a ProRes 4444 editing
intermediate. Leave the composition background unpainted wherever the output
must remain transparent; an opaque `html`, `body`, or full-frame background
will be encoded as visible pixels.

```bash
npx hyperframes render --format webm --output overlay.webm
npx hyperframes render --format mov --output overlay.mov
```

MP4 is the normal opaque delivery format. After rendering transparency, inspect
the file over a contrasting background rather than trusting a player that
always shows black behind alpha.

## Input video codecs

Studio, preview, `check`, and published projects normally create cached browser
proxies for local video that Chrome cannot decode reliably, including common
HEVC and ProRes inputs. The original file stays in the project and remains the
render source.

If a clip is black only in preview, keep automatic proxying enabled, confirm the
source is local, and run `npx hyperframes check`. Disable proxying only when the
browser already supports the source or you are diagnosing the proxy itself.

## Choose quality and frame rate

The default `standard` quality is the right choice for most finished work.

```bash
# Faster review version
npx hyperframes render --quality draft --output review.mp4

# Larger final master
npx hyperframes render --quality high --output master.mp4

# Explicit frame rate
npx hyperframes render --fps 60 --output final-60fps.mp4
```

Use a higher frame rate only when the source or destination needs it. It creates more frames, so rendering takes longer.

The CLI uses the composition’s `data-fps` when present and otherwise defaults to 30 fps.

## Local or Docker

Local rendering is the normal choice:

```bash
npx hyperframes render --output final.mp4
```

It starts quickly and can use the computer’s browser GPU.

Use Docker when a controlled Chrome, FFmpeg, and font environment matters:

```bash
npx hyperframes render --docker --output final.mp4
```

Docker adds startup and infrastructure overhead. It is useful for CI and repeatable production environments, not a requirement for every final render.

## Render another composition

The root `index.html` is rendered by default. To target another standalone composition:

```bash
npx hyperframes render \
  --composition compositions/intro.html \
  --output intro.mp4
```

Nested compositions that use `<template>` wrappers should be rendered through the root composition that includes them.

## Batch and cloud work

For several variable-driven versions, use batch rendering. For remote infrastructure, use HyperFrames cloud, AWS Lambda, or Google Cloud Run.

Those workflows involve output naming, credentials, concurrency, and infrastructure choices. Start in the [CLI guide](/developers/cli) and use the complete [CLI reference](/packages/cli) when you need every flag.

## If rendering fails

Run:

```bash
npx hyperframes doctor
npx hyperframes lint
npx hyperframes check
```

Keep the first exact error rather than only the final “render failed” message. See [Troubleshooting](/guides/troubleshooting) for the next checks.

<Tip>
  Always watch the exported file itself. Preview proves that the project can play; the output file
  proves that the delivery is correct.
</Tip>

## Related topics

- [Compare local, hosted, and self-managed rendering](/deploy/overview)
- [Render and export from Studio](/studio/export)
- [Diagnose a failed render](/guides/troubleshooting)
