> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.crealix.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Covers & thumbnails

> Every video gets an AI cover automatically. Regenerate it, fix it, build it from a frame, or design it by hand.

A good cover decides whether people tap. Crealix generates one for **every video** when it finishes generating — made from your video's hero moment, a 2–4 word hook and your visual style — and places it on the first frame of the exported MP4, so TikTok, Reels and Shorts use it as the thumbnail.

Open **Thumbnail** in the tool rail to change it. The panel has two halves: **AI cover** at the top and **manual design** below.

![The Thumbnail Editor with AI cover options](https://mintcdn.com/crealix/IMW-nFsczZqF7L1x/images/app/v2/editor-thumbnail-ai.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=IMW-nFsczZqF7L1x\&q=85\&s=815b7a1384f32a11a9ff20624a8bbefd)

① Current cover · ② AI modes · ③ Optional direction · ④ Generate · ⑤ Pick a headline

![Designing a cover by hand](https://mintcdn.com/crealix/IMW-nFsczZqF7L1x/images/app/v2/editor-thumbnail-manual.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=IMW-nFsczZqF7L1x\&q=85\&s=7f1e7f7b10716306ff916be26067ea36)

① Cover frame · ② Upload / Library · ③ Title text · ④ Style presets · ⑤ Position · ⑥ Size, rotation and colors

## AI cover

Pick a mode **(②)**, optionally describe what the cover should show **(③)**, and click **Generate with AI (④)**. The new cover replaces the current one **(①)**.

| Mode | What it does | Cost |
| - | - | - |
| **Generate with AI** | Makes a new cover from your video. Add a direction like *"the moment he opens the box"* to steer it. | 1 credit |
| **Fix** | Keeps the concept but fixes problems — a wrong detail, a misspelt word, a bad crop. | 1 credit |
| **New concept** | Tries a completely different idea for the cover. | 1 credit |
| **From this frame** | Builds the cover from the frame currently showing in the preview. Scrub to the moment you want first. | 1 credit |
| **Pick a headline (⑤)** | Choose the words yourself from suggestions; then the cover is drawn around them. | Picking is free · drawing 1 credit |

> [!TIP]
>
> The cover's text is kept inside the area platforms don't cover with buttons and captions, for 9:16, 16:9 and 1:1. Short, high-contrast hooks (2–4 words) work best — like *"NO MIRES LA VENTANA"* above.

## Design it by hand

Prefer full control? Scroll down the panel:

**1. Choose the background**

**Cover frame (①)** lists a frame from every scene — click one to use it. Or **Upload** your own image, or pick one from your **Library (②)**.

**2. Write the headline**

Type it in **Title text (③)** and choose a font.

**3. Pick a style preset**

**(④)** **Impact**, **TikTok**, **Highlight**, **Neon**, **Gradient**, **Outline**, **News** or **Clean**. Each preset sets colors, background and effects in one click.

**4. Place and fine-tune it**

**Snap position (⑤)** to **Top**, **Center** or **Bottom**, or drag the text directly on the preview. Then adjust **font size**, **rotation**, **text color**, **text shadow** and **text background (⑥)**. **Reset** starts over.

Save the project and the cover is used on your next render.

## YouTube thumbnails

When you [publish](https://docs.crealix.ai/editor/publish.md) to YouTube, Crealix also uploads your cover as the video's custom thumbnail. For 16:9 videos, design the cover at 16:9 so it matches what viewers see in search and suggested videos.

> [!WARNING]
>
> YouTube only accepts custom thumbnails from **verified channels**. If your channel isn't verified, the video still publishes but YouTube picks its own thumbnail. Verify your channel at [youtube.com/verify](https://www.youtube.com/verify) — it takes a minute with a phone number.


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