> ## 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.
# How Crealix works
> The mental model behind Crealix: formats, projects, generation, the editor, rendering and credits.
Every Crealix video goes through the same four stages. Once you know them, every format, tool and setting in the app makes sense.
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A["1. Create
pick a format + settings"] --> B["2. Generate
script, voice, scenes"]
B --> C["3. Edit
change anything"]
C --> D["4. Render
MP4 up to 4K"]
D --> E["Download or publish"]
```
## 1. Create: choose a format
A **format** is a ready-made recipe for one kind of video — an AI story, a Reddit story over gameplay, a fruit drama, a glass-skeleton survival video and so on. Each format has its own creator form with the inputs that matter for it (a topic, a script, a Reddit post, a chat, a song…), plus a shared set of options: aspect ratio, duration, language, voice, visual style, music and captions.
① Pick a format from the tabs · ② the estimate updates as you change settings · ③ Create video
If no format fits, **Studio** (the **+ From Scratch** button) gives you a blank timeline where you build every scene yourself and pick the AI model for each one.
> **[Browse all formats](https://docs.crealix.ai/formats/overview.md)**
>
> Compare the 12 formats and Studio side by side.
## 2. Generate: Crealix produces a draft
When you click **Create video**, Crealix creates a **project** and starts producing it in the background:
**1. Script**
An AI writer turns your topic, idea or post into a script timed to the duration you chose — or uses your script word for word in [Script to AI Story](https://docs.crealix.ai/formats/script-to-ai-story.md).
**2. Voice**
The narration (or each character's lines) is recorded with the voices you picked, using the delivery settings of your voice tuning.
**3. Scenes**
The script is split into scenes and each scene gets its visual: an AI image, an AI video clip, stock footage, a chat card, a Reddit card or gameplay — depending on the format.
**4. Finishing**
Captions are timed word by word to the voice, music and sound effects are laid in, an AI cover is designed, and the video opens in the editor.
You can leave the page while this happens. The project shows its progress in **Videos**, and you get a notification when it's ready.
### Images first or Full AI Video
Most visual formats let you choose a **generation path** at the bottom of the form:
① Images first · ② Full AI Video · ③ how many scenes become clips · ④ clip quality · ⑤ estimated clip cost
| Path | What you get | Best for |
| - | - | - |
| **Images first** | Every scene is an AI image brought to life with camera motion. You can animate any scene into a video clip later in the editor. | Lowest cost, fast iteration, long videos |
| **Full AI Video** | The first scenes (or all of them) are generated as real AI video clips at 480p, 768p or 1080p. | Hooks that need motion, premium short-form |
> [!TIP]
>
> A common workflow: generate with **Images first**, review the story, then animate only the two or three scenes that matter most in the editor. You get motion where it counts at a fraction of the cost.
## 3. Edit: change anything
Every generated video opens in the **editor**. Nothing is locked: rewrite and re-record any line, regenerate or animate a scene, upload your own media, restyle captions, swap the music, add sound effects, text overlays and your logo, and design the cover.
① Tool rail · ② Panel for the selected tool · ③ Live preview · ④ Render
## 4. Render: export the final MP4
When you're happy, click **Render**:
> **Cloud render**
>
> Rendered on Crealix's servers — fast, up to **4K**, keeps running if you close the tab. Uses a few credits.
> **In your browser**
>
> Rendered on your own device at **720p or 1080p**. **Free and unlimited** — keep the tab open until it finishes.
Then **download** the file, **publish** it to TikTok, YouTube or Instagram, or create a **share link**.
> [!NOTE]
>
> On the free plan you can create and preview videos in the editor. Exporting a file — rendering, downloading or publishing — requires an active plan. See [Plans](https://docs.crealix.ai/billing/plans.md).
## Credits
Crealix uses one balance of **credits** for everything that runs AI: generating videos, images, clips, music, avatars and cloud renders.
* The creator shows the **estimated cost before you create**, and every AI button shows its exact price.
* Credits are **reserved** when generation starts and **settled on the actual cost** when it finishes — anything unused goes back to your balance.
* **Failed generations are refunded** automatically.
* Editing is free; you only pay when you ask the AI to make something new.
> **[How credits work](https://docs.crealix.ai/billing/credits.md)**
>
> Plan credits vs purchased credits, expiry, and the activity log.
## Project statuses
You'll see these badges on every project card in **Videos**:
| Status | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Draft** | Saved but not generated yet (for example a Studio project you're still building). |
| **Generating** | Crealix is producing the script, voice and scenes. |
| **Review** | The draft is generated and waiting for you in the editor. |
| **Ready** | Generation finished — edit, render or publish it. |
| **Rendering** | The final MP4 is being exported. |
| **Completed** | Rendered. Download, publish or share it. |
| **Failed** | Something went wrong. Credits for the failed work are refunded and you can retry. |
## Where things live
> **[Videos](https://docs.crealix.ai/workspace/videos-and-folders.md)**
>
> Every project, organised in folders.
> **[Media](https://docs.crealix.ai/workspace/media-library.md)**
>
> Every image, clip, track, avatar and upload you've made.
> **[Settings](https://docs.crealix.ai/workspace/my-brand.md)**
>
> Brand defaults, caption styles, visual styles, voices, social accounts and billing.
> **[Autopilot](https://docs.crealix.ai/autopilot/overview.md)**
>
> Series that produce and publish on a schedule.
This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.